Trial reportJournal of advanced nursing2026
Early Postpartum Symptoms Differ Between Older and Younger First-Time Mothers.
Trial report in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
aimTo describe symptom patterns in first-time mothers through 3 months postpartum.
designLongitudinal, descriptive correlational.
methodsSecondary analysis of data from a randomised clinical trial of first-time mothers. Symptoms were assessed at 1, 2 and 3 months postpartum using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale for dimensions of 32 symptoms.
resultsNew mothers (n = 114) reported an average of 7.0 (SD 4.7) symptoms at 1 month, decreasing to 5.3 (SD 4.3) at 3 months. Physical symptoms decreased to the greatest degree. Symptoms reported by over 33% of participants included lack of energy, worrying, pain, difficulty sleeping or concentrating and feeling irritable, sad or drowsy. The most distressing were lack of energy, feeling irritable, pain, nervousness and hair loss. Symptoms did not differ by type of birth or infant feeding. Older mothers (≥ 35 years) had significantly more symptoms and distress than younger mothers.
conclusionMost symptoms improved over time, yet some were still prevalent at 3 months. Symptoms not appraised as particularly distressing may still be of clinical concern for safety reasons. Frequent postpartum assessments and interventions are important, particularly for older mothers. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: In the first 3 months, postpartum symptoms not perceived as distressing may lead to adverse health outcomes. These symptoms may threaten maternal-infant welfare beyond the first 3 months postpartum. Older first-time mothers merit particular attention by clinicians. REPORTING
methodThe authors complied with STROBE reporting guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.
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