Perceived social support and its relationship with sociodemographic and late-pregnancy factors in the immediate postpartum period

Abstract Objective To examine perceived social support among women in the immediate postpartum period and to identify sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors associated with perceived social support, with the aim of informing psychosocial assessment in maternity care. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in three public hospitals in Castellón (Spain), between November 2024 and March 2025. A total of 173 adult women in the immediate postpartum period were included. Sociodemographic, obstetric, health behaviour, and perceived social support variables were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses, together with binary logistic regression, were performed to identify factors associated with high perceived social support. Results Mean perceived social support was high (77.9 ± 11.1). Overall, 56.1% of participants reported high support, 11.6% moderate support, and 32.4% low support. Significant associations were found between perceived social support and continent of birth, educational level, income level, intended pregnancy, and complications or interventions during labour (p < 0.05). In the multivariable model, intended pregnancy was associated with higher odds of high perceived social support, whereas income level remained independently associated with perceived social support. No significant associations were found between perceived social support and health behaviours, mode of birth, or postpartum complications. Conclusions Perceived social support was generally high among women in the immediate postpartum period, although it varied according to sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychosocial assessment into antenatal and postnatal care. Midwives are well placed to identify women with lower perceived support, particularly those experiencing social or reproductive vulnerability, and to facilitate timely support and referral.