The role of telehealth services in maternal mental health care access and satisfaction during the postpartum period

This systematic review examined the association between telehealth services and maternal satisfaction and access to mental health care during the postpartum period. A comprehensive search of PubMed and SCOPUS using the key words: telehealth, maternal, satisfaction, postpartum and mental health yielded 347 articles published between 2015 and 2024. After applying inclusion criteria and screening through the PRISMA framework, 21 peer-reviewed U.S.-based studies were included, comprising a total of approximately 4077 participants. Studies included postpartum women of diverse racial, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds, with most conducted within the first year postpartum, although some extended from the early postpartum period (0–6 weeks) to up to two years after childbirth. Randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional surveys, mixed-method evaluations, and qualitative interviews were among the methods used in the reviewed studies. According to data analysis, telehealth services such as video consultations, mobile health applications, and remote therapy were associated with improved access to care by removing barriers such as transportation, childcare, and scheduling conflicts. Maternal satisfaction rates were high, with many studies reporting that 70–85% of participants found telehealth to be effective or convenient. Culturally appropriate and group-based interventions increased satisfaction, especially among African American and Latina mothers. However, limitations were identified, including issues with digital literacy, broadband access, and nonverbal communication. These factors have the potential to worsen current healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved communities. Despite these challenges, telehealth is feasible, acceptable, and effective for providing postpartum mental health care. This review encourages the use of hybrid care models and culturally sensitive telehealth interventions. Future research should explore the long-term outcomes and equitable strategies to expand telehealth for maternal mental health equity. Given the heterogeneity of study designs, including observational and descriptive studies, findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal.