The iCARE program is a self-guided iCBT intervention that also incorporates selected exercises and approaches from ACT. The iCARE program consists of four core modules and four optional modules. Together, these exercises aim to enhance psychological flexibility, reduce negative thinking, and promote well-being in daily life.

The core modules focus on self-care and mindfulness (Module 1), identifying and reframing unrealistic expectations with self-compassion (Module 2), increasing positive experiences and countering self-critical thoughts (Module 3), and recognizing and challenging thinking traps (Module 4). The additional optional modules provide strategies for practicing being present, communicating needs and asking for support, bonding with the baby, and coping with scary thoughts.

In Denmark, there is large variation in the available prevention and treatment municipalities offers for women experiencing symptoms of PPD. Some municipalities offer specialized psychological support and support groups, while others provide only basic follow-up by health nurses. Women can also be referred to their general practitioner, who can provide free ongoing follow-up and prescribe antidepressant medication if needed. Alternatively, it is possible to be referred to a privately practicing psychologist, usually with some out-of-pocket cost.

The iCARE program is a self-guided iCBT intervention that also incorporates selected exercises and approaches from ACT. The iCARE program consists of four core modules and four optional modules. Together, these exercises aim to enhance psychological flexibility, reduce negative thinking, and promote well-being in daily life.

The core modules focus on self-care and mindfulness (Module 1), identifying and reframing unrealistic expectations with self-compassion (Module 2), increasing positive experiences and countering self-critical thoughts (Module 3), and recognizing and challenging thinking traps (Module 4). The additional optional modules provide strategies for practicing being present, communicating needs and asking for support, bonding with the baby, and coping with scary thoughts.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated screening questionnaire that measures symptoms of postnatal depression, such as low mood, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment, over the past week. It helps identify mothers who may need further assessment or support but does not provide a diagnosis. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in change from baseline to 2-month follow-up in EPDS score (range 0-30; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms). A clinically meaningful response is defined as a ≥3-point reduction from baseline. Participants will be categorized as responders/non-responders, and proportions will be reported for each group.

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment (GAD-7) is a validated self-report questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and overall anxiety severity. It consists of seven items scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), producing a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety symptoms. While the GAD-7 was originally developed to measure Generalized Anxiety Disorder, it has also been validated as a general measure of symptom severity of anxiety across different anxiety disorders in heterogeneous samples. In this trial, changes in GAD-7 scores from baseline to 2 and 6 months will indicate whether the intervention reduces anxiety symptoms.