Music therapy as part of postpartum care to support emotional wellbeing

Abstract

mental health during the postpartum period is a neglected area of health care in the South African context which may significantly contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity rates in South Africa. This qualitative study aimed to explore how music therapy can offer emotional support to mothers in the postpartum phase. Four self-referred mothers participated in seven group music therapy sessions. Sources of data included four semi-structured individual interviews and ten excerpts from videos of the music therapy sessions. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and thick descriptions was undertaken. Four themes were developed: (i) Music therapy afforded nurturing of the self; (ii) Music therapy afforded empathic connections and experiences; (iii) Music therapy stimulated inner resourcefulness; (iv) Music therapy helped to restore emotional equilibrium in the new role as a mother. Findings aligned with existing literature on music therapy with postpartum clients and may be integrated with other research efforts on how to provide a continuum of care to postpartum mothers.