I’m still coding interviews in the case study, and am distracted by ‘what if’s’. As I pull apart what this sample of perinatal OT’s are doing to support women, I’m wondering more and more about how different my two motherhood experiences might have been, if I’d been able to access any one of these perinatal OT’s.
Today I was thinking about my cultural beliefs and unique life choices – which are as unique to me as they are to every single person. We are all so different. I was reflecting on how amazing it would be to have access a maternal health OT who had the professional scope and capacity to understand my personal goals and issues, then tailor a huge range of services to support my unique needs, AND be available at any perinatal stage. Wowsers. Yes, please.
Each OT is in their role for a different reason and purpose, and the practices and outcomes are remarkable in their scope, variety and degree. And this is only the beginning. Keep it up, perinatal OT’s!
Author: Dr Hannah Slootjes (PhD)
I'm an occupational therapist, women's health researcher, academic, writer, mum, and passionate life learner. In 2022, I completed PhD exploring how OTs globally do, could or should work to promote health and maintain wellbeing for mothers during and after pregnancy, and matrescence. Titled, 'The Role of Occupational Therapists in Perinatal Health' my thesis introduced the Person-centered Occupational Model of Matrescence (POMM) to understand women's wellbeing from a human-centered approach, and the Functional Co-occupation Spectrum (FCS) for working with mother-infant dyads.
I am currently teaching occupational therapy and public health students at La Trobe University, and writing a textbook about working with women during perinatal stages and matrescence based on my thesis (aiming for publication in 2024). I still love clinical practice, and work in women's health locally in Bendigo.
After taking a year-long sabbatical to recover and re-energise after completing my PhD, I'm rolling up my sleeves and gearing up for the next life chapter! I'm still writing and teaching, and will be increasing practice-based supports for OTs from this website from May 2023. I am so looking forward to reconnecting with OTs practicing and researching in this space, and cannot wait to be part of the next phase of practice-based professional development!
View all posts by Dr Hannah Slootjes (PhD)
Research & evidence-based practice for OTs in perinatal health, motherhood, and matrescence 