The KKH-led SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) has launched a first-of-its-kind community midwifery programme in Singapore, to support new families for maternal recovery and infant development.

Under the EMPOWER² (Enriching Mothers’ Postpartum Outcomes With Education, Research and Resources) programme, KKH midwives and nurses will deliver personalised guidance and care to new parents in the comfort of their homes. The two-year pilot will commence in early 2025 and is expected to benefit 400 postnatal mothers residing in Kallang, Sengkang and Punggol.

Enhancing health literacy and behaviours for positive health outcomes

“The postnatal period – first six weeks following childbirth – is crucial for maternal recovery and infant development, during which mothers experience significant changes as they adapt to the demands of caring for a newborn. It is critical to ensure a seamless transition and support for the ongoing needs of mothers and their newborns as they leave the hospital following childbirth and return home,” shared Ms Julie Tay, Assistant Director of Nursing, Division of Nursing, KKH.

“Through EMPOWER², we hope to provide support to families in a familiar environment during this ‘golden’ window, to help establish successful breastfeeding, ensure maternal well-being and monitor the infant’s growth and development. The aim is to establish a strong foundation for the long-term health and well-being of both the mother and baby,” added Ms Tay, who leads the programme.

EMPOWER² support provided to families includes:

• Anticipatory care during home visits: Hands-on guidance in newborn care such as safe sleep, proper feeding, and hygiene; breastfeeding assistance; and maternal recovery. This enables early identification of concerns, such as signs of postnatal complications, newborn health or breastfeeding issues, or postnatal depression, allowing for prompt intervention with appropriate support.
• Critical support to help build caregiver confidence: Emotional, psychological and lactation support to help mothers establish successful breastfeeding. This benefits the baby and encourages mother-baby bonding, so that they feel confident to care for their baby.
• Ongoing support through teleconsultations and referrals: Teleconsultations and follow-up phone calls at designated time points will provide convenient access to individualised professional advice, ensuring mothers feel supported throughout their parental journey. This approach enables midwives to consistently monitor both maternal and newborn health. Mothers requiring ongoing support and additional assistance during and beyond the first six weeks will be referred to relevant healthcare services for continued care.

Robust support for new mothers in the community

EMPOWER² will facilitate a smoother transition from hospital to home where families can experience a continuity of care with extended, holistic support in the community. It facilitates optimal care that fosters healthy bonding and sets the stage for good long-term health and development in both the mother and newborn.