Mothering Together: Bridging the Postpartum Care Gap
Kristina Olsen
Mothering Together: Bridging the Postpartum Care Gap
How strategic research and user-centered design created an accessible digital platform for postpartum support.
Business Challenge
In the United States, 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, yet 10-40% of new mothers skip postpartum follow-up care. The lack of accessible, evidence-based support leaves many struggling with physical and mental health challenges.
Mothering Together was designed to close this gap—a mobile-first platform that connects new mothers with:
Trusted postpartum health resources
Virtual healthcare access
Community support for maternal well-being
Approach
Rather than simply providing information, I approached this as a human-centered healthcare challenge, ensuring that the platform:
Met real user needs through research and testing.
Aligned with healthcare industry standards for credibility.
Prioritized accessibility to serve a diverse range of mothers.
Research & Insights
To understand the real challenges mothers face, I conducted:
User Research & Key Findings
User Interviews & Surveys: Identified gaps in information access, provider connectivity, and community support.
Card Sorting for Information Architecture:
Organized content into four key categories based on user expectations.
Ensured information was easy to find and navigate.
Affinity Mapping for Personas:
Defined core user groups, including new mothers, healthcare professionals, and support-seeking partners.
Prioritizing Features That Matter
From research, three essential needs emerged:
Mobile accessibility for on-the-go support.
Seamless appointment scheduling with healthcare providers.
Evidence-based resources that mothers can trust.
Solution Design
I designed a responsive, patient-centered experience that empowers mothers to take control of their postpartum health.
User-Friendly Features for Support & Care
Streamlined scheduling for virtual healthcare visits.
Easy-to-save articles for future reference.
An intuitive dashboard for managing appointments and resources.
Building Trust Through Thoughtful Design
A clean, accessible interface designed for clarity and ease of use.
A visual identity reflecting values of community, empowerment, and inclusivity.
A consistent UI design system ensuring a seamless experience across devices.
Business Outcomes
The strategic approach led to a functional, research-backed MVP that:
Validated key design decisions through user testing.
Delivered an intuitive, accessible experience for new mothers.
Created a strong foundation for future feature expansion.
Growth Roadmap
When a MVP is in place, future enhancements will focus on expanding community and provider connections:
Community Support Features: Online groups, discussion forums, and local in-person meetups.
Expanded Provider Access: Direct messaging and enhanced healthcare provider profiles.
Personalized Dashboards: Note-taking, saved resources, and integration with patient health records.
Strategic Value
Mothering Together is more than just a digital platform—it’s a lifeline for new mothers. By combining user research, healthcare insights, and strategic design, I helped build a trusted, accessible solution that continues to evolve in support of maternal health.
Like this project
Posted Apr 6, 2025
Strategic design studio helping brands grow through user-centric websites and digital experiences. We combine research-driven design, strategic thinking, and n…
Likes
0
Views
9
