Presented on the SASGOG annual meeting 2022 on the innovation category
You +
16 weeks- long academic project to find and design a solution to a health issue.
The problem
There is a need for increased postpartum education, peer support, and maternal empowerment so that visits with physicians are as fruitful as possible. Data shows (ACOG) that a multidisciplinary care team is the most effective approach to the postpartum period.
Task
Improve the overall experience of the first year of motherhood during a global pandemic and in general.
My Role
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Researcher
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Medical consultant
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Interviewer
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Visual designer
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Service designer
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Product designer
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Prototyping
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Survey builder
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Spanish Translator
Conceptual solution
Workbook with a digital counterpart, acting as an anticipatory guide for mothers and their postpartum experience. The postpartum experience is specifically individual. So we designed it to provide enough structure to support a better experience and flexibility to accommodate many roads for getting there.
The team
Alisa Elliott
Megumi Goto
Mirna Tejeda
Krezia Savella
Heidi Ward
Problem framing
The pandemic created new challenges for women experiencing childbirth and postpartum.
Existing knowledge of postpartum risks suggests increased difficulties related to isolation, Telehealth, and other unforeseen barriers to health that have evolved from a pandemic. By understanding the experiences of women who gave birth during the COVID pandemic, we can build connections and resources to support women postpartum during a pandemic.
Field research
We recruited six people: 2 Americans, 2 Japanese and 2 Mexicans. Interviews were conducted in zoom, and transcriptions and translations were done. In addition, they shared photos- prompt story sharing, journey maps; direct capture of words, and screenshots.
Zoom meetings
Synthesis
After listening carefully, analyzing, and looking for similarities and differences between the interviews, we found several common themes.
We also made user journey and ecosystem maps based on the personal experience of each interviewee.
Interviews notes + Ecosystem Maps
Synthesis + Empathy Map + Journey Map
Sensemaking + Insights
Sensemaking
Design criteria
Assessment of our interviews revealed the design principles for this project as the following:
We will always work to generate a more robust community around the postpartum experience.
We will do this through:
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The enabling of conversations that empower individuals in their experience,
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By building environments that cultivate awareness and perspective of the postpartum experience, and
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Through challenging cultural and societal narratives that hold in place, dynamics that generate feelings of separation, isolation, or uncertainty, during the postpartum experience.
Working at the studio
Meetings outside the studio
Prototype
After several proposals and much feedback, and while keeping the needs of the postpartum person as a guide, we made the following:
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We conducted a market study to evaluate existing services. Mainly subscriptions are intended to provide the individual with items that may or may not facilitate the postpartum experience. None of which were personalized.
Market analysis
You+ provides guiding questions and helps structure a personalized postpartum experience while incorporating the woman’s support network and care team. In You+, there are sections for mothers to designate who will be in their support network, self-reflection, and specific questions that mothers may ask their doctor (as well as a note-taking section). There is also a postpartum depression screener and FAQs about common symptoms and issues that new mothers experience.
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Mobile App wireframe
The “My Resources” section includes the “Ask Your Doctor” feature designed to generate confidence and advocacy.
I was responsible for curating the customizable prompts, which help to remind the user of questions they might not remember or think of at the moment but provide relevant information for later when they need it.
It is also easily accessible during doctor appointments and has a place for you to take notes in both the book and the app.
Customer Journey Map
There is no wrong or correct way to use the product. We consider it as non-linear. Each person can adapt it to their needs.
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I made the visual representation of the Journey Map
Testing
At this point, it was evident that if we wanted to solve a problem related to postpartum, we were not going to do it when people were at that stage, but before, ideally prior to pregnancy. But unfortunately, the percentage of the world's population who plans pregnancy for months or years is meager.
In the testing stage, we showed this prototype to women who were currently pregnant. I conducted an online survey (English and Spanish) and recruited women who wanted to participate anonymously. The service was explained to them and they answered closed-ended questions.
93% of those who participated found the service relevant and would use it.
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Online Survey - Spanish/English version
Main Takeaways
There is a significant language barrier between patients and physicians. Therefore, it was inevitable for me to notice that people have the concept of postpartum related only to depression. In addition, when it is related to depression, it is automatically given a negative connotation. This is a limitation for the optimal treatment of patients.
On the other hand, people are much more open to talking about their emotions and how they feel at this stage because they consider that all the attention is directed to newborns.
Always go back to the original user to ask for feedback. In the end, person-centered design has that goal.
Mirna Tejeda
I appreciated the dynamics of my team; we all trusted each other, which made the dynamics so easy. The problems were solved quickly, and although it was simple, I did not diminish their validity or magnitude. Communication was always cordial and straightforward.
I find it very enriching to have had the opportunity to work with different cultures. It allowed me to understand a common problem from other points of view, all equally valid and interesting.
We had to change direction several times throughout the project, but the feedback kept us on track.
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