Factors associated with the course of maternal fatigue across the early postpartum period

Abstract

Background: Relatively little is known about the course and persistence of fatigue across the postpartum period, despite the potentially adverse effects fatigue has on maternal daily functioning, well-being, parenting behaviour and parent–child interactions. Objective: Using multi-wave data over a 4-month period in the postpartum, the present study sought to: (a) examine the course of maternal fatigue, and (b) identify a range of potentially modifiable individual and contextual factors associated with the course of fatigue over this time. Methods: Seventy mothers of infants aged between 0 and 7 months participated in the current study. To measure change over time and predictors of fatigue, latent growth curve analysis was used. Results: The results indicated that maternal fatigue at approximately three months postpartum was moderate to high, with little or no change in fatigue severity over time. Higher fatigue scores at three months postpartum were also significantly associated with younger maternal age, higher socioeconomic disadvantage, low self-efficacy to engage in health behaviours and poor sleep quality. Older maternal age and poor sleep quality were associated with stability of fatigue over time. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of identifying and supporting women experiencing high levels of fatigue in the first seven months postpartum. Additionally, findings highlight potential risk factors for initial and persistent fatigue, possibly allowing the identification of women who might be more vulnerable to fatigue. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.