Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Introduction</bold> : One of the major challenges in maternal health is the insufficient attention postpartum women receive from healthcare. This deficit remains one of the most significant postpartum health problems in disadvantaged areas in provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. <bold>Method</bold> : This quasi-experimental, two-group pretest–posttest study was conducted in 2025 in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. The study employed collaborative-supportive counseling by grandmothers (mother and mother-in-law) as primary caregivers in collaboration with midwives to assess the stress and quality of life of primiparous women. The intervention consisted of one in-person session conducted at the caregiver’s home between days three and five postpartum, lasting 40 to 60 minutes, followed by one telephone session between days 10 and 14 postpartum. Data were collected using the Hung Postpartum Stress Scale (HPSS) and Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-PQOL) at two time points: face-to-face on days 3–5 after childbirth and via telephone four weeks postpartum. The intervention was developed and implemented based on the World Health Organization (WHO) postpartum care counseling framework. <bold>Results</bold> : The findings indicated that collaborative care involving collaboration between Grandmothercaregivers and midwives significantly reduced the stress levels of postpartum women (p = 0.002) and improved their quality of life (p = 0.004) during the critical postpartum transition period. <bold>Conclusion</bold> : In culturally specific and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, counseling provided by primary caregivers (grandmothers), in cooperation with the postpartum woman and the healthcare provider (health/midwife expert), can substantially reduce stress and enhance the quality of life of primiparous women. This collaborative approach may also improve the overall quality of care coverage. Therefore, training and counseling for primary caregivers is recommended as a support strategy to be included in postpartum care protocols in Iran’s health centers. </p>