Description:

This design aims to create conversation and innovation in women’s healthcare, a field which has historically been side-lined, to create a product designed by women, with women, for women.
Hatch is an accessible medical bassinet that facilitates acute postpartum recovery and maternal bonding. Hatch reduces the physical demands on mothers experiencing limited mobility and pain by enabling maternal proximity. This assists mothers to build confidence in independently caring for their newborn, particularly after C-Section deliveries.
Currently, the rate of medical interventions during birth is consistently increasing resulting in more mothers delivering in medical facilities, however the internal architecture of these facilities causes challenges and barriers for mothers. During the acute postpartum period, mothers experience rapid physical and emotional changes whilst adjusting to their new role. During this time midwives provide vital support. However, this quote from an interviewed midwife states their current working conditions “In reality, staff shortages, under funding, and an under appreciation of women’s health, sees midwives stretched, stressed, and struggling to give whānau the best care”.
There is an opportunity to support mothers in this time, aiming to improve ongoing maternal health outcomes. Research suggests that connections such as bonding, skin-to-skin contact, breast-feeding and overall maternal proximity can assist in improving health outcomes for both mother and child. This proactive approach to healthcare additionally aims to reduce midwives’ workloads.
Ensuring the design development was guided by an empathetic, insight-driven process I conducted interviews, surveys and birthing facility visits to gain key insights regarding experiences and attitudes towards postpartum care. Throughout the design process concepts were workshopped and critiqued by key stakeholders to identify successes and further opportunities.
The final design of Hatch aims to create maternal proximity and facilitate actions and behaviours that establish a strong sense of connection, confidence and support between mother and child. Through features such as the cantilever form which allows the transparent pod to reach across the mother’s bed creating a safer, less strenuous interaction and visual connection, whilst supporting safe sleep practices. Additionally, the pivoting ability and convenient storage pouches allow Hatch to be manipulated to support a variety of care tasks and medical check-ups with minimal disruption for mother and baby. Visually the soft colours and gentle lines aim to create a warm, homely visual language in a clinical environment, contrasting to the traditional bassinet’s sterile utilitarian form and materiality. Colour is also used to highlight key functionalities for the users.
I hope that Hatch continues to encourage constructive conversation regarding inclusivity in design and innovation, particularly in healthcare.