Abstract
Objective: To determine if the use of a simple self-administered Postpartum Questionnaire for Mothers (PQM) at the well-baby visit (WBV) increased the proportion of women who received health care and contraception by 6 months postpartum (PP).Methods: This was a single-site, system-level, intervention. Women were recruited from the pediatric clinic when presenting with their infants for a 2-month WBV. During phase 1 of the study, a control group was enrolled, followed by an 8-week washout period; then enrollment of the intervention group (phase 2). During phase 2, the PQM was administered and reviewed by the pediatrician during the infant's visit; the tool prompted the pediatrician to make a referral for the mother's primary or contraceptive care as needed. Data were collected at baseline and at 6 months PP, and additional data were extracted from the electronic medical record.Results: We found that PP women exposed to the PQM during their infant's WBV were more likely to have had a health care visit for themselves between 2 and 6 months PP, compared with the control group (relative risk [RR] 1.66, [confidence interval (CI) 0.91–3.03]). In addition, at 6 months PP, women in the intervention group were more likely to identify a primary care provider (RR 1.84, [CI 0.98–3.46]), and more likely to report use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) (RR 1.24, [CI 0.99–1.58]), compared with women in the control group.Conclusion: A simple self-administered PQM resulted in an increase in women's receipt of health care and use of LARC by 6 months PP.Clinical Trial Registration: Use of a reproductive life planning tool at the pediatric well-baby visit with postpartum women, NCT03448289.
Highlights
The period after birth of an infant is a critical time for new mothers, infants, and families.[1]
We found that PP women exposed to the Postpartum Questionnaire for Mothers (PQM) during their infant’s well-baby visit (WBV) were more likely to have had a health care visit for themselves between 2 and 6 months PP, compared with the control group (relative risk [RR] 1.66, [confidence interval (CI) 0.91–3.03])
Phase 1 consisted of control group enrollment, followed by an 8-week washout period; this was followed by enrollment of the intervention group
Summary
The period after birth of an infant is a critical time for new mothers, infants, and families.[1] The postpartum (PP) period, sometimes referred to as the fourth trimester, is a time of transition for both mothers and infants, and is accompanied by higher than average risk for morbidity or mortality.[2,3] Many women experience morbidity during pregnancy (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), which often continues into the PP period, making the receipt of health care in the year after delivery important.[4] Complications from chronic disease, rather than obstetric complications, are the leading cause of maternal morbidity in the United States.[5]. Women who have had a recent pregnancy are at increased risk of an unintended pregnancy, compared with other women of reproductive age,[6] with rates up to 44% in the first PP year.[7] Pregnancies with a short interpregnancy interval
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
