ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care

Postpartum hemorrhage and risk for postpartum readmission

Objective: This study had two objectives: (i) to evaluate risk factors for postpartum readmission for a primary diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among all women, and (ii) to determine risk for postpartum readmission specifically among women with PPH during their delivery hospitalization.Methods: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2010 to 2014 was used to evaluate risk for postpartum readmission for PPH within 60 days of discharge from a delivery hospitalization. Obstetric, medical, demographic, and hospital factors including PPH during the index delivery were analyzed. Sixty-day postpartum readmission for PPH was the primary outcome. Both unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed. In adjusted models, the risk was characterized as adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). As a secondary outcome to further characterize how PPH at delivery was associated with readmission likelihood, the risk for all-cause readmission was evaluated among women with this diagnosis during their delivery.Results: Of the 15,701,150 delivery hospitalizations, 10,618 women were readmitted postpartum for a primary indication of postpartum hemorrhage. Eighty-two percent of readmissions occurred ≤20 days after discharge. In the adjusted model for readmission for PPH, PPH during the delivery hospitalization was associated with aRR of 5.26 (95% CI 4.94, 5.59) for hemorrhage alone, aRR of 14.28 (95% CI 13.06, 15.60) for hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and aRR of 12.40 for PPH with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) requiring transfusion (95% CI 9.56-16.08) compared to no PPH. For the secondary analysis evaluating all-cause readmission, PPH during delivery was associated with aRR of 1.47 for PPH alone (95% CI 1.44-1.51), aRR of 2.43 for PPH requiring transfusion (95% CI 2.34-2.52), and aRR of 2.77 for PPH with DIC requiring transfusion (95% CI 2.54-3.03) compared to no PPH.Conclusion: PPH at delivery is a significant risk factor for subsequent readmission both for PPH and for all causes. For women who undergo large hemorrhage during delivery, shorter interval postpartum follow-up may be indicated.

Perinatal health predictors using artificial intelligence: A review

Advances in public health and medical care have enabled better pregnancy and birth outcomes. The rates of perinatal health indicators such as maternal mortality and morbidity; fetal, neonatal, and infant mortality; low birthweight; and preterm birth have reduced over time. However, they are still a public health concern, and considerable disparities exist within and between countries. For perinatal researchers who are engaged in unraveling the tangled web of causation for maternal and child health outcomes and for clinicians involved in the care of pregnant women and infants, artificial intelligence offers novel approaches to prediction modeling, diagnosis, early detection, and monitoring in perinatal health. Machine learning, a commonly used artificial intelligence method, has been used to predict preterm birth, birthweight, preeclampsia, mortality, hypertensive disorders, and postpartum depression. Real-time electronic health recording and predictive modeling using artificial intelligence have found early success in fetal monitoring and monitoring of women with gestational diabetes especially in low-resource settings. Artificial intelligence-based methodologies have the potential to improve prenatal diagnosis of birth defects and outcomes in assisted reproductive technology too. In this scenario, we envision artificial intelligence for perinatal research to be based on three goals: (1) availability of population-representative, routine clinical data (rich multimodal data of large sample size) for perinatal research; (2) modification and application of current state-of-the-art artificial intelligence for prediction and classification in health care research to the field of perinatal health; and (3) development of methods for explaining the decision-making processes of artificial intelligence models for perinatal health indicators. Achieving these three goals via a multidisciplinary approach to the development of artificial intelligence tools will enable trust in these tools and advance research, clinical practice, and policies to ensure optimal perinatal health.

Pregnancy Medicaid Improvements in a Nonexpansion State After the Affordable Care Act

One-half of women in the United States use Medicaid during pregnancy. Women living in states that did not expand Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) are at risk of losing coverage post partum. We analyzed Medicaid claims and vital statistics for the state of North Carolina for the period 2011 to 2017. North Carolina did not expand Medicaid but did alter Medicaid enrollment to meet ACA requirements. After implementation, enrollment in full Medicaid during pregnancy almost doubled, and enrollment in Medicaid for pregnant women decreased. Full Medicaid offers more comprehensive coverage and does not expire at 60 days post partum, allowing for access to crucial preventive health services including contraception and primary care.

Risk factors for re-presentation for postpartum hypertension in patients without a history of hypertension or preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Re-presentation for evaluation of hypertension following discharge after delivery is common. However, a subset of patients who re-present for evaluation of postpartum hypertension do not have a history of hypertension. Identification of those at risk may help guide postpartum management and prevent re-presentations to the hospital.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to establish risk factors for re-presentation for hypertension within 30 days of discharge after delivery in patients without a history of hypertension compared with women who did not re-present and to distinguish from risk factors for re-presentation for another reason.

STUDY DESIGN

Subjects were identified through data extraction from a single institution between January 2012 and December 2018. We included subjects without an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision or International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code for (1) chronic hypertension or (2) a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy during their delivery encounter who re-presented to the hospital within 30 days. Thus, the re-presentation group was divided into the following 2 groups: those who re-presented for hypertension and those who re-presented for any other reason. Each re-presentation group was compared with the cohort of patients who delivered within the study window and did not re-present using the Student t test or Wilcoxon tests for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. Multivariable regression was also performed on all potentially important risk factors.

RESULTS

Factors that emerged as uniquely significant in the re-presentation group for hypertension were maternal age of ≥40 years and antenatal prescription of low-dose aspirin. Black race and body mass index of ≥30 kg/m², although significant in both re-presentation groups, were more strongly predictive of re-presentation for hypertension. These factors remained independently significant when compared with each other in a multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

There are identifiable risk factors for postpartum re-presentation for hypertension in patients without a history of hypertension. Upon discharge, providers may consider close blood pressure monitoring and follow-up in patients who have any of the following risk factors: age of ≥40 years, black race, body mass index of ≥30 kg/m², or those who were prescribed low-dose aspirin in pregnancy.

Factors influencing women's decisions about pregnancy spacing: Findings from a focus group discussion study

OBJECTIVES

Very short interpregnancy intervals are associated with negative health outcomes for mothers and children, and pregnancies with very short interpregnancy intervals are more likely to be unintended than pregnancies that are more widely spaced. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of women's motivations regarding pregnancy spacing.

METHODS

In 2017, we conducted 8 focus group discussions with 49 English- and Spanish-speaking postpartum women in central North Carolina. The groups explored participants' preferences for birth spacing and factors that influenced their decisions. We recorded, transcribed, and coded the discussions and analyzed these data for core themes.

RESULTS

Participants' ideas about when and whether to have more children were fluid-some had specific ideas during pregnancy or after delivery that changed over time; others had no definite plans. The primary reason for close birth spacing was to promote their children's having a closer relationship. Reasons for wider spacing included recovery from the previous pregnancy, challenges related to having 2 babies concurrently, and desire to wait for more favorable life circumstances. Participants did not mention health risks to children of short interpregnancy intervals and said that no health care providers discussed these risks with them. They had mixed perspectives about whether this information would influence their own child-spacing preferences but agreed that it should be shared with women to promote informed decision-making.

CONCLUSION

This study adds to limited research regarding the factors that women consider when determining pregnancy spacing. Better understanding of women's motivations can help inform counseling to help women achieve their desired pregnancy spacing.

Racial Differences in Postpartum Blood Pressure Trajectories Among Women After a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

IMPORTANCE

Maternal morbidity and mortality are increasing in the United States, most of which occur post partum, with significant racial disparities, particularly associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Blood pressure trajectory after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy has not been previously described.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the blood pressure trajectory in the first 6 weeks post partum after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and to evaluate whether blood pressure trajectories differ by self-reported race.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study included deliveries between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Women with a clinical diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were enrolled in a postpartum remote blood pressure monitoring program at the time of delivery and were followed up for 6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed from April 6 to 17, 2020.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Mixed-effects regression models were used to display blood pressure trajectories in the first 6 weeks post partum.

RESULTS

A total of 1077 women were included (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [5.6] years; 804 of 1017 White [79.1%] and 213 of 1017 Black [20.9%]). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to decrease rapidly in the first 3 weeks post partum, with subsequent stabilization (at 6 days post partum: mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure, 146 [13] mm Hg; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure, 95 [10] mm Hg; and at 3 weeks post partum: mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure, 130 [12] mm Hg; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure, 85 [9] mm Hg). A significant difference was seen in blood pressure trajectory by race, with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreasing more slowly among Black women compared with White women (mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure at 1 week post partum: White women, 143 [14] mm Hg vs Black women, 146 [13] mm Hg; P = .01; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure at 1 week post partum: White women, 92 [9] mm Hg vs Black women, 94 [9] mm Hg; P = .02; and mean [SD] peak systolic blood pressure at 3 weeks post partum: White women, 129 [11] mm Hg vs Black women, 136 [15] mm Hg; P < .001; mean [SD] peak diastolic blood pressure at 3 weeks post partum: White women, 84 [8] mm Hg vs Black women, 91 [13] mm Hg; P < .001). At the conclusion of the program, 126 of 185 Black women (68.1%) compared with 393 of 764 White women (51.4%) met the criteria for stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that, in the postpartum period, blood pressure decreased rapidly in the first 3 weeks and subsequently stabilized. The study also found that, compared with White women, Black women had a less rapid decrease in blood pressure, resulting in higher blood pressure by the end of a 6-week program. Given the number of women with persistent hypertension at the conclusion of the program, these findings also appear to support the importance of ongoing postpartum care beyond the first 6 weeks after delivery.

Opioid Use Disorder during Antepartum and Postpartum Hospitalizations

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate temporal trends in opioid use disorder (OUD) during antepartum and postpartum hospitalizations.

STUDY DESIGN

This repeated cross-sectional analysis analyzed data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. Women aged 15 to 54 years admitted antepartum or postpartum were identified. The presence of OUD was determined based on a diagnosis of opioid abuse, opioid dependence, or opioid overdose. Temporal trends in OUD were evaluated using the Rao-Scott chi-square test. Temporal trends in opioid overdose were additionally evaluated.

RESULTS

An estimated 7,336,562 antepartum hospitalizations and 1,063,845 postpartum readmissions were included in this analysis. The presence of an OUD diagnosis during antepartum hospitalizations increased from 0.7% of patients in 1998 to 1999 to 2.9% in 2014 (p < 0.01) and during postpartum hospitalizations increased from 0.8% of patients in 1998 to 1999 to 2.1% of patients in 2014 (p < 0.01). Risk of overdose diagnoses increased significantly for both antepartum hospitalizations, from 22.7 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 1998 to 2000 to 70.3 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2013 to 2014 (p < 0.001), and postpartum hospitalizations, from 18.8 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 1998 to 2000 to 65.2 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2013 to 2014 (p = 0.02).

DISCUSSION

Risk of OUD diagnoses and overdoses increased over the study period for both antepartum and postpartum hospitalizations.

Advances in Maternal Fetal Medicine: Perinatal Quality Collaboratives Working Together to Improve Maternal Outcomes

State-based perinatal quality collaboratives (PQCs) address preventable causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality by implementing statewide quality improvement (QI) initiatives. They work with hospital clinical teams, obstetric provider and nursing leaders, patients and families, public health officials, and other stakeholders to provide opportunities for collaborative learning, rapid-response data, and QI science support to achieve clinical culture change. PQCs show that the application of collaborative improvement science methods to advance evidence-informed clinical practices using QI strategies contributes to improved perinatal outcomes. With appropriate staffing, infrastructure, and partnerships, PQCs can achieve sustainable improvements in perinatal care.

Initiatives to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States : A Narrative Review

Maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity are critical health issues in the United States, with unacceptably high rates and racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities. Various factors contribute to these adverse maternal health outcomes, ranging from patient-level to health system-level factors. Furthermore, a majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This review briefly describes the epidemiology of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States and discusses selected initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the areas of data and surveillance; clinical workforce training and patient education; telehealth; comprehensive models and strategies; and clinical guidelines, protocols, and bundles. Related Health Resources and Services Administration initiatives are also described.

Health Needs of Mothers of Infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit : A Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Mothers with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) face a host of challenges following childbirth. Limited information is available on these mothers' postpartum health needs and access to services.

OBJECTIVE

To identify health needs of NICU mothers, access to services, and potential service improvements.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods study including a retrospective cohort study, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.

SETTING

Large, Level IV, regional referral, university-affiliated hospital in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Mothers of live-born infants born from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016 (n = 6849). Interviews included 50 NICU mothers and 59 stakeholders who provide services to these mothers or their infants.

MEASUREMENTS

Severe maternal morbidity, chronic health conditions, health care encounters from discharge through 12 weeks postpartum, maternal health needs, care access, and system improvements.

RESULTS

Compared with mothers of well babies, NICU mothers had more chronic diseases, experienced more perinatal complications, and utilized more acute care postpartum. Qualitative analyses revealed the desire to be at the baby's bedside as a driver of maternal health-seeking behaviors, with women not seeking or delaying medical care so as to stay by their infant. Stakeholders acknowledged the unique needs of NICU mothers and cited system challenges, lack of clarity about provider roles, and reimbursement policies as barriers to meeting needs.

LIMITATIONS

The study was conducted within a single health care system, which may limit generalizability. Qualitative analyses did not explore the influence of fathers, other children in the home, or length of NICU stay.

CONCLUSION

Universal screening and convenient access to maternal health services for NICU mothers should be explored to reduce adverse maternal health outcomes.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Cochrane Review Summaries-October 2020

: With the current issue, the journal continues to bring new insights from Cochrane Systematic Reviews to the readers of Obstetrics & Gynecology. This month, we focus on potential interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes for women with recurrent pregnancy loss and antiphospholipid antibodies, the utility of pelvic floor muscle training in the perinatal period to prevent incontinence, and the use of adhesion barriers in gynecologic surgery. The summaries are published below, and the complete references with hyperlinks are listed in Box 1. BOX 1. ABSTRACTS DISCUSSED IN THIS SUMMARY.

Detection and Prevention of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Call to Action

The rising maternal mortality rate has drawn increased focus to postpartum depression. However, other mental health conditions, such as birth-related postpartum traumatic stress disorder, have not garnered the same level of attention. The majority of research about postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is published in journals focused on psychiatry, psychology, and nursing, where this phenomenon is well recognized. In contrast, there is a lack of awareness among most obstetricians. Consequently, few recommendations are available to guide clinical practice. This commentary will present a clinical vignette, provide background that is key to the detection of PTSD, explore available data on postpartum PTSD, and provide recommendations for recognition and prevention of this disorder.

Postpartum health risks among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, California 2008-2012

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to understand the associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and postpartum complications throughout the newly defined 12-week postpartum transition.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the associations of HDP (any/subtype) with postpartum complications among 2.5 million California births, 2008-2012. We identified complications from discharge diagnoses from maternal hospital encounters (emergency department visits and readmissions) in the 12 weeks after giving birth. We compared rates of complications, overall and by diagnostic category, between groups defined by HDP. In survival analyses, we calculated the adjusted hazard ratios of postpartum complications associated with HDP. We adjusted for maternal age, race/ethnicity, prepregnancy obesity, chronic diabetes, gestational diabetes, insurance, delivery mode, gestational age and birth outcome (term and size).

RESULTS

Among women with and without HDP, 12.8 and 7.7%, respectively, had a hospital encounter within 12 weeks of giving birth [adjusted hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.5-1.5]. HDP was associated with increased risk across all major categories of complications: hypertension-related, adjusted hazard ratio 11.8 (95% CI: 11.2-12.3); childbirth-related, 1.4 (1.3-1.4); and other, 1.4 (1.4-1.4). Risk of any complication differed by hypertensive subtype: chronic hypertension with super-imposed preeclampsia, adjusted hazard ratio 1.8 (95% CI: 1.7-1.8); chronic hypertension, 1.6 (1.6-1.7); preeclampsia/eclampsia, 1.3 (1.3-1.4); and gestational hypertension, 1.2 (1.2-1.3). Over a quarter (28.9%) of maternal hospital encounters occurred more than 6 weeks after giving birth; this did not differ substantially by HDP status.

CONCLUSION

Women with HDP are at an increased risk for virtually all postpartum complications, including those not related to hypertension, and may benefit from enhanced and comprehensive postpartum care.

Practice Modification for Pandemics: A Model for Surge Planning in Obstetrics

This review highlights proposed pandemic-adjusted modifications in obstetric care, with discussion of risks and benefits based on available evidence. We suggest best practices for balancing community-mitigation efforts with appropriate care of obstetric patients.

Brexanolone for postpartum depression

PURPOSE

Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a major depressive episode occurring during pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery that may have significant consequences for mother and infant. Antidepressants are used to treat PPD, but their effectiveness may be limited by a slow time to peak effect. Brexanolone is Food and Drug Administration-approved for the management of PPD; its use requires patient participation in a risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program. This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of brexanolone in PPD.

SUMMARY

Four completed studies, 1 quasi-experimental study and 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were reviewed. Females who had moderate or severe PPD during the third trimester or within 4 weeks of delivery and were less than 6 months postpartum at initiation of therapy were included. Improvement in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores was assessed in addition to safety outcomes and scores on other depression rating scales. All studies demonstrated statistical improvement in HAM-D scores from baseline with brexanolone vs placebo use at the end of infusions (ie, hour 60). Results with regard to sustained HAM-D score improvements were mixed in the RCTs at 30-day follow-up. The most frequent adverse events in brexanolone-treated patients were sedation, dizziness, somnolence, and headache. The severe or serious adverse effect of presyncope, syncope, or loss of consciousness was reported by 4% of participants.

CONCLUSION

With a rapid onset of action, brexanolone could be considered advantageous over traditional therapies for PPD in patients for whom a rapid response is required due to severity of disease. Significant concerns remain regarding sustained effect and use in patients outside of the clinical trial setting.

Dysglycemia in Pregnancy and Maternal/Fetal Outcomes

Maternal dysglycemia-including diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and impaired fasting glucose-affects one in six pregnancies worldwide and represents a significant health risk to the mother and the fetus. Maternal dysglycemia is an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality, major congenital anomalies, and miscarriages. Furthermore, it increases the longer-term risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular morbidity, malignancies, and ophthalmic, psychiatric, and renal diseases in the mother. The most commonly encountered form of maternal dysglycemia is gestational diabetes. Currently, international consensus does not exist for diagnostic criteria defining gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks gestation, and potential diagnostic glucose thresholds earlier in gestation require further investigation. Likewise, recommendations regarding the timing and modality (e.g., lifestyle or pharmacological) of treatment vary greatly. Because a precise diagnosis determines the appropriate treatment and outcome of the pregnancy, it is imperative that a better definition of maternal dysglycemia and its treatment be achieved. This article will address some of the controversies related to diagnosing and managing maternal dysglycemia. In addition, the article will discuss the impact of maternal dysglycemia on complications experienced by the mother and infant, both at birth and in later life.

Association of Insurance Status With Provision of Recommended Services During Comprehensive Postpartum Visits

IMPORTANCE

Improving care during the postpartum period is a clinical and policy priority. During the comprehensive postpartum visit, guidelines recommend delivery of a large number of assessment, screening, and counseling services. However, little is known about services provided during these visits.

OBJECTIVE

To examine rates of recommended services during the comprehensive postpartum visits and differences by insurance type.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study included 20 071 093 weighted office-based postpartum visits (645 observations) with obstetrical-gynecological or family medicine physicians from annual National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys from December 28, 2008, to December 31, 2016, and estimated multivariate regression models to calculate the frequency of recommended services by insurance type, controlling for visit, patient, and physician characteristics. Data analysis was conducted from November 1, 2019, to September 1, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Visit paid by Medicaid vs other payment types.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Visit length and binary indicators of blood pressure measurement, depression screening, contraceptive counseling or provision, pelvic examinations, Papanicolaou tests, breast examinations, medication ordered or provided, referral to other physician, and counseling for weight reduction, exercise, stress management, diet and/or nutrition, and tobacco use.

RESULTS

A total of 20 071 093 weighted comprehensive postpartum visits to office-based family medicine or obstetrical-gynecological physicians were included (mean patient age, 29.7 [95% CI, 29.1-30.3] years). Of these visits, 34.3% (95% CI, 27.6%-41.1%) were covered by Medicaid. Mean visit length was 17.4 (95% CI, 16.4-18.5) minutes. The most common procedures were blood pressure measurement (91.1% [95% CI, 88.0%-94.2%]), pelvic examinations (47.3% [95% CI, 40.8%-53.7%]), and contraception counseling or provision (43.8% [95% CI, 38.2%-49.3%]). Screening for depression (8.7% [95% CI, 4.1%-12.2%]) was less common. When controlling for visit, patient, and physician characteristics, the only significant difference in visit length or provision of recommended services based on insurance type was a difference in provision of breast examinations (14.7% [95% CI, 8.0%-21.5%] for Medicaid vs 25.6% [95% CI, 19.4%-31.8%] for non-Medicaid; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that receipt of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits is less than 50% for most services and is similar across insurance types. These findings underscore the importance of efforts to reconceptualize postpartum care to ensure women have access to a range of supports to manage their health during this sensitive period.

Cardiovascular Contribution to Maternal Mortality

The United States is the only industrialized nation with an increasing maternal mortality. Many factors contribute to this worrisome US trend; among them, social and demographic factors, and congenital and acquired cardiac conditions. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal mortality, and adverse outcomes related to cardiovascular disease disproportionately affect black and Hispanic mothers. This article addresses knowledge gaps related to the treatment of heart disease in pregnancy, initiatives to address these gaps, and guidelines and best practices surrounding the care of women affected by cardiovascular disease and their babies affected by cardiovascular disease.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Hypertension is the most common medical disorder occurring during pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Accurate blood pressure measurement and the diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and in the postpartum period are pivotal to improve outcomes. This article details hemodynamic adaptations to pregnancy and provides an approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and hypertensive emergencies. In addition, it reviews optimal strategies for the care of women with hypertension during the fourth trimester and beyond to minimize future cardiovascular risk.

A multidisciplinary telemedicine model for management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in obstetrical patients

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has increased the demand for inpatient healthcare resources; however, approximately 80% of patients with COVID-19 have a mild clinical presentation and can be managed at home.

Objective

This study aimed to describe the feasibility and clinical and process outcomes associated with a multidisciplinary telemedicine surveillance model to triage and manage obstetrical patients with known exposures and symptoms of COVID-19.

Study Design

We implemented a multidisciplinary telemedicine surveillance model with obstetrical physicians and nurses to standardize ambulatory care for obstetrical patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 based on the symptoms or exposures at an urban academic tertiary care center with multiple hospital-affiliated and community-based practices. All pregnant or postpartum patients with COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, or hospitalization were eligible for inclusion in the program. Patients were assessed by means of regular nursing phone calls and were managed according to illness severity. Patient characteristics and clinical and process outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record.

Results

A total of 135 patients were enrolled in the multidisciplinary telemedicine model from March 17 to April 19, 2020, of whom 130 were pregnant and 5 were recently postpartum. In this study, 116 of 135 patients (86%) were managed solely in the outpatient setting and did not require an in-person evaluation; 9 patients were ultimately admitted after ambulatory or urgent evaluations, and 10 patients were observed after hospital discharge. Although only 50% of the patients were tested secondary to limitations in ambulatory testing, 1 in 3 of those patients received positive results for SARS-CoV-2 (N=22, 16% of entire cohort). Patients were enrolled in the telemedicine model for a median of 7 days (interquartile range, 4-8) and averaged 1 phone call daily, resulting in 891 nursing calls and 20 physician calls over 1 month.

Conclusion

A multidisciplinary telemedicine surveillance model for outpatient management of obstetrical patients with COVID-19 symptoms and exposures is feasible and resulted in rates of ambulatory management similar to those seen in nonpregnant patients. A centralized model for telemedicine surveillance of obstetrical patients with COVID-19 symptoms may preserve inpatient resources and prevent avoidable staff and patient exposures, particularly in centers with multiple ambulatory practice settings.

Early lessons from maternal mortality review committees on drug-related deaths-time for obstetrical providers to take the lead in addressing addiction

Problem:

In the United States, maternal mortality review committees (MMRC) are providing compelling data that drug-related deaths are emerging as a leading cause of pregnancy-associated death (death during pregnancy or up to a year postpartum). Recommendations from the MMRC consistently highlight screening all pregnant and postpartum women for drug use and improving access to evidence-based substance use disorder and mental health treatment. Unfortunately, many providers lack the confidence, skills and necessary resources to screen for substance use, provide basic behavioral health services or facilitate referral to high-quality services in their clinical settings. Our profession’s collective lack of response to a leading cause of maternal death represents a missed opportunity for potentially life-saving interventions.

A Solution:

We call on our fellow obstetrician gynecologists to incorporate the lessons learned from MMRC and integrate addiction assessment and treatment into prenatal and postpartum care. Provider level integration of behavioral health services is, however, insufficient to fully address the magnitude of drug-related maternal deaths in the US. We, therefore, ask colleagues to address the structural/systemic barriers to care identified in MMRC. By doing so, we can prevent drug-related maternal deaths.

Is provision of contraception at discharge following delivery associated with postpartum visit attendance?

OBJECTIVES

We examined whether provision of contraception at discharge following delivery was associated with lower rates of postpartum visit (PPV) attendance.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who received pregnancy care at a Midwestern medical center in 2013. Attendance at the postpartum visit was compared for women with sterilization, contraception initiated prior to discharge (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or etonogestrel implant), hormonal contraception prescription, or no contraception provided at postpartum discharge. Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to estimate the relative risk of postpartum visit attendance controlling for age, race, and parity, insurance status, and histories of both depression and drug abuse.

RESULTS

Of the 1015 women who met inclusion criteria, 55% had been prescribed contraception, had initiated contraception prior to discharge, or were sterilized at the time of discharge following delivery. After adjustment for confounders, there was no association between receiving contraception and PPV attendance (relative risk for prescribed contraception = 1.09 [95% CI 0.85, 1.39], for contraception initiated prior to discharge = 0.83 [95% CI 0.67, 1.03], for sterilization = 0.86 [95% CI 0.63, 1.17] compared to no contraception).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that prescribing or administering contraception post-delivery was associated with lower rates of return for postpartum follow up.

IMPLICATIONS

This single site study suggests that providing effective contraception at discharge following delivery does not appear to impact PPV attendance.

Pregnancy and Preeclampsia Are Associated With Acute Adverse Peripheral Arterial Events

OBJECTIVE

Acute peripheral arterial events, such as aortic dissection, carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection, and ruptured renoviseral aneurysms, have been reported during pregnancy in case series, but there is a paucity of population-based data. This study sought to establish pregnancy and preeclampsia as risk factors for acute peripheral arterial events. Approach and Results: All women who gave birth between 1998 and 2020 within a multicenter health care system were identified. Births that occurred in women <18 or >50 years of age were excluded. Primary outcome was any acute peripheral arterial event that was symptomatic or required intervention. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association between vascular events and pregnancy as a time-varying covariate. The pregnancy exposure period was from the estimated date of conception to 3 months postpartum. There were 277 697 pregnancies (81.3% deliveries, 17.0% abortions, and 1.7% ectopics) among 176 635 women with 1.68 million patient-years of total follow-up (median, 7.9 years; interquartile range, 2.4-16.2). Preeclampsia complicated 5.3% of pregnancies; 67 790 of 225 763 (30.0%) deliveries were delivered by cesarean. Ninety-six acute arterial events occurred during follow-up, of which 24 occurred during pregnancy, including the postpartum period. Pregnancy (hazard ratio, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.01-3.38]; P=0.046) and preeclampsia (hazard ratio, 10.9 [95% CI, 5.24-22.7]; P<0.001) were significant independent predictors of acute arterial events.

CONCLUSIONS

While taking into account limitations from estimating conception and outcome dates, pregnancy, especially when complicated by preeclampsia, is associated with an increased risk of acute peripheral arterial events.

Factors associated with attendance at the postpartum blood pressure visit in pregnancies complicated by hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy should have a blood pressure evaluation no later than 7-10 days after delivery. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with patient attendance at the postpartum blood pressure follow-up visit.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of postpartum women who had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Postpartum follow-up rates were recorded, and characteristics of women who attended a postpartum visit for blood pressure evaluation were compared to women who did not return for the visit. Multiple logistic regression was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Characteristics of women who returned for a blood pressure visit.

RESULTS

There were 378 women who met inclusion criteria; 193(51.1%) attended the blood pressure visit. Women who returned were older and more likely to have preeclampsia, severe features, magnesium sulfate use, or severe hypertension during hospitalization. They were less likely to have gestational hypertension. Adjusted analysis demonstrated that black/non-Hispanic women (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.83), the presence of any preeclampsia diagnosis (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.03-4.81), and whether the woman underwent a cesarean delivery (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.85-5.14) remained significant factors in predicting adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who returned for a blood pressure visit were more likely to have had significant hypertensive disease or a cesarean delivery. Non-Hispanic black women had the lowest rate of follow-up. Given black women have the highest rates of maternal morbidity and mortality nationwide, effective interventions to increase follow-up for them are needed.

Association between extremely preterm caesarean delivery and maternal depressive and anxious symptoms: a national population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether caesarean delivery before 26 weeks of gestation was associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers in comparison with deliveries between 26 and 34 weeks.

DESIGN

Prospective national population-based EPIPAGE-2 cohort study.

SETTING

268 neonatology departments in France, March to December 2011.

POPULATION

Mothers who delivered between 22 and 34 weeks and whose self-reported symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: CES-D) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: STAI) were assessed at the moment of neonatal discharge.

METHODS

The association of caesarean delivery before 26 weeks with severe symptoms of depression (CES-D ≥16) and anxiety (STAI ≥45) was assessed by weighted and design-based log-linear regression model.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Severe symptoms of depression and anxiety in mothers of preterm infants.

RESULTS

Among the 2270 women completing CES-D and STAI questionnaires at the time of neonatal discharge, severe symptoms of depression occurred in 25 (65.8%) women having a caesarean before 26 weeks versus in 748 (50.6%) women having a caesarean after 26 weeks. Caesarean delivery before 26 weeks was associated with severe symptoms of depression compared with caesarean delivery after 26 weeks (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.42, 95% CI 1.12-1.81) adjusted to neonatal birthweight and severe neonatal morbidity among other factors. There was no evidence of an association between mode of delivery and symptoms of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers having a caesarean delivery before 26 weeks' gestation are at high risk of symptoms of depression and may benefit from specific preventive care.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Mothers having caesarean delivery before 26 weeks' gestation are at high risk of symptoms of depression.

Divergent Trajectories of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Years Before Pregnancy in Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

Women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an elevated lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, which has been attributed to an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile that is apparent even within the first year postpartum. Given its presence in the early postpartum, we hypothesized that this adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile may develop over time in the years before pregnancy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

With population-based administrative databases, we identified all nulliparous women in Ontario, Canada, who had singleton pregnancies between January 2011 and December 2016 and two or more measurements of the following analytes between 2007 and the start of pregnancy: A1C, fasting glucose, random glucose, lipids, and transaminases. This population consisted of 8,047 women who developed GDM and 93,114 women who did not.

RESULTS

The two most recent pregravid tests were performed at a median of 0.61 years and 1.86 years before pregnancy, respectively. Women who went on to develop GDM had higher pregravid A1C, fasting glucose, random glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and ALT and lower HDL cholesterol than their peers (all P < 0.0001). Notably, in the years before pregnancy, women who went on to develop GDM had higher annual increases than their peers in A1C (1.9-fold higher) (difference 0.0089%/year [95% CI 0.0043-0.0135]) and random glucose (4.3-fold), greater annual decrease in HDL cholesterol (5.5-fold), and lesser annual decline in LDL cholesterol (0.4-fold) (all P ≤ 0.0002). During this time, fasting glucose and triglycerides increased in women who developed GDM but decreased in their peers (both P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile of women with GDM evolves over time in the years before pregnancy.

The Association between Having a Preterm Birth and Later Maternal Mental Health: An Analysis of U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have found a relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal depression, methodologic issues may have limited the generalizability of results. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms using a large, population-based sample of U.S. women.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis used 2012-2014 U.S. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data (N = 89,366). Data on the exposure, preterm birth, were obtained from birth certificates. Infants born at 32 to less than 37 weeks' gestation were considered moderate to late preterm, infants born at 28 to less than 32 full weeks' gestation were considered very preterm, and infant born at less than 28 full weeks' gestation were considered extremely preterm. To assess the outcome, two Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System questions measuring postpartum depressive symptoms were used. Logistic regression was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs).

RESULTS

After adjustment for confounders, the relationship between having a preterm birth and maternal hopelessness was statistically significant for those who had very preterm and extremely preterm births (moderate to late preterm OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00-1.42; very preterm OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.58; extremely preterm OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.31-2.49). In addition, after adjustment, findings indicated no association between preterm birth and maternal loss of interest (extremely preterm OR, 0.85 95% CI, 0.60-1.19; very preterm OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86-1.26; preterm OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.82-1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the statistically significant increased association between having a preterm birth and postpartum depressive symptoms, health professionals may consider implementing comprehensive screening for depression and other mental illnesses among women who give birth prematurely. Findings may also inform future interventions to emphasize the importance of postpartum care among women who have experienced preterm birth.

Postpartum Medicaid Coverage and Contraceptive Use Before and After Ohio's Medicaid Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act

BACKGROUND

Ensuring that women with Medicaid-covered births retain coverage beyond 60 days postpartum can help women to receive care that will improve their health outcomes. Little is known about the extent to which the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion has allowed for longer postpartum coverage as more women entering Medicaid under a pregnancy eligibility category could now become income eligible. This study investigates whether Ohio's Medicaid expansion increased continuous enrollment and use of covered services postpartum, including postpartum visit attendance, receipt of contraceptive counseling, and use of contraceptive methods.

METHODS

We used Ohio's linked Medicaid claims and vital records data to derive a study cohort whose prepregnancy and 6-month postpartum period occurred fully in either before (January 2011 to June 2013) or after (November 2014 to December 2015) the ACA Medicaid expansion implementation period (N = 170,787 after exclusions). We categorized women in this cohort according to whether they were pregnancy eligible (the treatment group) or income eligible (the comparison group) as they entered Medicaid and used multivariate logistic regression to test for differences in the association of the ACA expansion with their postpartum enrollment in Medicaid and use of services.

RESULTS

Women who entered Ohio Medicaid in the pregnancy eligible category had a 7.7 percentage point increase in the probability of remaining continuously enrolled 6 months postpartum relative to those entering as income eligible. Income eligible women had approximately a 5.0 percentage point increased likelihood of both a postpartum visit and use of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Pregnancy-eligible women had a significant but smaller (approximately 2 percentage point) increase in the likelihood of long-acting reversible contraceptive use.

CONCLUSIONS

Ohio's ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with a significant increase in the probability of women's continuous enrollment in Medicaid and use of long-acting reversible contraceptives through 6 months postpartum. Together, these changes translate into decreased risks of unintended pregnancy and short interpregnancy intervals.

Associations between immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception and short interpregnancy intervals

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancies and deliveries among women who receive immediate postpartum LARC.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who delivered at Montefiore Medical Center between January 2015 and June 2016 (N = 9561). In this cohort, we identified all repeat deliveries and pregnancies within 18 months of the initial delivery. Using logistic regression models, we compared rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery and pregnancy among recipients of an immediate postpartum IUD, immediate postpartum implant, and no immediate postpartum LARC, adjusting for covariates including patient age, mode of delivery, socioeconomic status, and race.

RESULTS

In our cohort, 12.9% of patients received immediate postpartum LARC. The rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery were 3.3% (N = 259/7833) among patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC, 1% (N = 6/595) among immediate postpartum IUD recipients, and 0.4% (N = 2/562) among immediate postpartum implant recipients. The rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancy were 13.8% (N = 1082/7833) among patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC, 7.4% (N = 44/595) among immediate postpartum IUD recipients, and 5.2% (N = 29/562) among immediate postpartum implant recipients. Both recipients of immediate postpartum IUDs and immediate postpartum implants had lower rates of short interpregnancy interval delivery and pregnancy compared to patients who did not receive immediate postpartum LARC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that women who received immediate postpartum IUDs and implants have lower rates of short interpregnancy interval pregnancies.

IMPLICATIONS

Making immediate postpartum LARC widely available is a promising public health approach to help women achieve a longer interpregnancy interval.

Timely Postpartum Visits for Low-Income Women: A Health System and Medicaid Payer Partnership

A health care system and a Medicaid payer partnered to develop an educational intervention and payment redesign program to improve timely postpartum visits for low-income, high-risk mothers in New York City between April 2015 and October 2016. The timely postpartum visit rate was higher for 363 mothers continuously enrolled in the program than for a control group matched by propensity score (67% [243/363] and 56% [407/726], respectively; P < .001). An innovative partnership between a health care system and Medicaid payer improved access to health care services and community resources for high-risk mothers.

Patient Preferences for Prenatal and Postpartum Care Delivery: A Survey of Postpartum Women

OBJECTIVE

To describe patients' preferences for prenatal and postpartum care delivery.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of postpartum patients admitted for childbirth and recovery at an academic institution. We assessed patient preferences for prenatal and postpartum care delivery, including visit number, between-visit contact (eg, phone and electronic medical record portal communication), acceptability of remote monitoring (eg, weight, blood pressure, fetal heart tones), and alternative care models (eg, telemedicine and home visits). We compared preferences for prenatal care visit number to current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' recommendations (12-14 prenatal visits).

RESULTS

Of the 332 women eligible for the study, 300 (90%) completed the survey. Women desired a median number of 10 prenatal visits (interquartile range 9-12), with most desiring fewer visits than currently recommended (fewer than 12: 63% [n=189]; 12-14: 22% [n=65]; more than 14: 15% [n=46]). Women who had private insurance or were white were more likely to prefer fewer prenatal visits. The majority of patients desired contact with their care team between visits (84%). Most patients reported comfort with home monitoring skills, including measuring weight (91%), blood pressure (82%), and fetal heart tones (68%). Patients reported that they would be most likely to use individual care models (94%), followed by pregnancy medical homes (72%) and home visits (69%). The majority of patients desired at least two postpartum visits (91%), with the first visit within 3 weeks after discharge (81%).

CONCLUSION

Current prenatal and postpartum care delivery does not match patients' preferences for visit number or between-visit contact, and patients are open to alternative models of prenatal care, including remote monitoring. Future prenatal care redesign will need to consider diverse patients' preferences and flexible models of care that are tailored to work with patients in the context of their lives and communities.

Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation During Pregnancy: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 807

Pregnant women should be advised of the significant perinatal risks associated with tobacco use, including orofacial clefts, fetal growth restriction, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, low birth weight, increased perinatal mortality, ectopic pregnancy, and decreased maternal thyroid function. Children born to women who smoke during pregnancy are at an increased risk of respiratory infections, asthma, infantile colic, bone fractures, and childhood obesity. Pregnancy influences many women to stop smoking, and approximately 54% of women who smoke before pregnancy quit smoking directly before or during pregnancy. Smoking cessation at any point in gestation benefits the pregnant woman and her fetus. The greatest benefit is observed with cessation before 15 weeks of gestation. Although cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product in pregnancy, alternative forms of tobacco use, such as e-cigarettes or vaping products, hookahs, and cigars, are increasingly common. Clinicians should advise cessation of tobacco products used in any form and provide motivational feedback. Although counseling and pregnancy-specific materials are effective cessation aids for many pregnant women, some women continue to use tobacco products. Clinicians should individualize care by offering psychosocial, behavioral, and pharmacotherapy interventions. Available cessation-aid services and resources, including digital resources, should be discussed and documented regularly at prenatal and postpartum follow-up visits.

The Effect of Continuous Versus Pregnancy-Only Medicaid Eligibility on Routine Postpartum Care in Wisconsin, 2011-2015

OBJECTIVE

To compare patterns of routine postpartum health care utilization for women in Wisconsin with continuous Medicaid eligibility versus pregnancy-only Medicaid METHODS: This analysis used Medicaid records and linked infant birth certificates for Medicaid paid births in Wisconsin during 2011-2015 (n = 105,718). We determined if women had continuous or pregnancy-only eligibility from the Medicaid eligibility file. We used a standard list of billing codes to identify if women received routine postpartum care. We examined maternal characteristics and receipt of postpartum care overall and by Medicaid eligibility category. Finally, we used a binomial model to calculate the relationship between Medicaid eligibility category and receipt of postpartum care, adjusted for maternal characteristics.

RESULTS

Women with continuous Medicaid had profiles more consistent with low postpartum visit attendance rates (e.g., younger, more likely to use tobacco) than women with pregnancy-only Medicaid. However, after adjusting for maternal characteristics, women with continuous Medicaid eligibility had a postpartum visit rate that was 6 percentage points higher than the rate for women with pregnancy-only Medicaid (RD: 6.27, 95% CI 5.72, 6.82).

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Women with pregnancy-only Medicaid were less likely to have received routine postpartum care than women with continuous Medicaid. Medicaid coverage beyond the current guaranteed 60 days postpartum could help provide more women access to postpartum care.

Leaving half the population behind-the continued fight to cover America's mothers: a call to action

For the last century, healthcare coverage in the United States has been a debated topic. The passage of the Social Security Act Amendments and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has improved the available coverage of vulnerable populations, but access to healthcare is still fraught with barriers. This is particularly true for women in the postpartum period. It is widely accepted that the postpartum period is the optimal time to address health issues that developed during pregnancy or predated pregnancy. With more than half of maternal deaths occurring in the year after a birth and disproportionately affecting women of color, the postpartum time period is critical. The United States is the only industrialized country with a rising maternal mortality rate and therefore must take advantage of the 12 months postpartum, or "fourth trimester," to aid in addressing this national health crisis. As an incentivized provision, most states have expanded Medicaid since the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, pregnancy-related coverage still ceases after 60 days postpartum. Although states can apply for a waiver to extend this coverage, this process is unnecessarily laborious. The time has far passed for the federal government to act. Presently, there are numerous pieces of legislation before Congress to provide Medicaid coverage for pregnant patients through 365 days postpartum. Insurance coverage alone will not reverse the rising maternal mortality rate in this country, but it is a crucial first step.

Preventing Perinatal Depression Now: A Call to Action

In the United States, perinatal depression (PD) affects an estimated 11.5% of pregnant and postpartum individuals annually and is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Alarmingly, up to 51% of people with PD are undiagnosed. Despite the availability of tools to screen for PD, there is no consensus on which tool is most accurate, nor is there a universal policy on when and how to best screen patients with PD. Screening to identify PD is essential, but prevention of depression is even more critical, yet traditionally not well addressed until recently with the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation in 2019. When the USPSTF recommended implementing programs to prevent PD in at-risk individuals, the recommendation cited two evidence-based PD prevention programs by name. One of these, ROSE (Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for mothers of newborns), is a four-session class taught in prenatal settings. The second program mentioned is the Mothers and Babies program, which has been shown to be effective in using a cognitive behavioral therapy approach to prevent PD. Although scientists develop effective mental health interventions to prevent PD, community-based advocacy groups are engaged in grassroots efforts to provide support and encouragement to racially and ethnically diverse pregnant and postpartum women. To increase the number of pregnant and postpartum women who are screened and supported so that they do not develop PD, research supports three key strategies: (1) Establish a standard combination of multicultural PD screening tools with evidence-based timepoints for screening administration. (2) Introduce an evidence-based definition of PD that accurately captures the prevalence and incidence of this mental health condition. (3) Improve our understanding of PD by incorporating the psychosocial context in which mental health complications occur into routine clinical practice for pregnant and postpartum women.

The association of cannabis use late in pregnancy with engagement and retention in perinatal substance use disorder care for opioid use disorder: A cohort comparison

BACKGROUND

Prenatal use of cannabis and opioids are increasing and very concerning. Engagement and retention in comprehensive, perinatal substance use disorder (PSUD) care are associated with better outcomes for mothers and babies. We compared the characteristics and engagement in care among women with opioid use disorder who used cannabis late in pregnancy versus those who didn't.

METHODS

The primary outcome, "overall engagement and retention in PSUD care" included: utilization of substance use treatment prenatally, negative screening/toxicology at delivery (excluding cannabis), and attendance at expected prenatal and postpartum visits. Cannabis use late in pregnancy was objectively assessed at delivery via maternal urine drug screen and/or neonatal meconium/cord toxicology. Between-group comparisons utilized chi square, t-test or Mann-Whitney. Associations were assessed using Spearman Rho and two multivariate, binary logistic regressions for cannabis use and the primary outcome.

RESULTS

18.0% (85/472) consumed cannabis late in pregnancy. Women of color, younger women, and those diagnosed with concurrent cannabis use disorder were more likely to consume cannabis. Engagement and retention in PSUD care was not associated with cannabis use, but rather, with prescribed pharmacotherapy for psychiatric disorders. The use of prescribed buprenorphine+naloxone was associated with cannabis avoidance late in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis use late in pregnancy, compared to none, did not impact engagement and retention in our PSUD program. Adjunctive psychotropic medication and/or buprenorphine+naloxone prescription were associated with cannabis avoidance suggesting the use and interactions of pharmacotherapies in an opioid dependent population is complex. A shared decision-making process during PSUD care is warranted.

Communicating with African-American Women Who Have Had a Preterm Birth About Risks for Future Preterm Births

PURPOSE

African-American women are at higher risk of preterm birth (PTB) compared with other racial/ethnic groups in the USA. The primary objective was to evaluate the level of understanding among a group of African-American women concerning risks of PTB in future pregnancies. Secondary objectives were to evaluate how some women obtain information about PTB and to identify ways to raise their awareness.

METHODS

Six focus groups were conducted in three locations in the USA during 2016 with women (N = 60) who had experienced ≥ 1 PTB (< 37 weeks of gestation) during the last 5 years. The population was geographically, economically, and educationally diverse.

RESULTS

We observed a tendency to normalize PTB. Knowledge about potential complications for the infant was lacking and birth weight was prioritized over gestational age as an indicator of PTB. Participants were largely unaware of factors associated with increased PTB risk, such as a previous PTB and race/ethnicity. The most trusted information source was the obstetrical care provider, although participants reported relying on mobile apps, websites, and chat rooms. The optimal time to receive information about PTB risk in subsequent pregnancies was identified as the postpartum visit in the provider's office.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the risks of recurrent PTB was limited in this diverse population. Educational programs on the late-stage development of neonates may strengthen knowledge on the relationship between gestational age and PTB and associated health/developmental implications. For educational efforts to be successful, a strong nonjudgmental, positive, solutions-oriented message focused on PTB risk factors is crucial.

Communicating with African-American Women Who Have Had a Preterm Birth About Risks for Future Preterm Births

PURPOSE

African-American women are at higher risk of preterm birth (PTB) compared with other racial/ethnic groups in the USA. The primary objective was to evaluate the level of understanding among a group of African-American women concerning risks of PTB in future pregnancies. Secondary objectives were to evaluate how some women obtain information about PTB and to identify ways to raise their awareness.

METHODS

Six focus groups were conducted in three locations in the USA during 2016 with women (N = 60) who had experienced ≥ 1 PTB (< 37 weeks of gestation) during the last 5 years. The population was geographically, economically, and educationally diverse.

RESULTS

We observed a tendency to normalize PTB. Knowledge about potential complications for the infant was lacking and birth weight was prioritized over gestational age as an indicator of PTB. Participants were largely unaware of factors associated with increased PTB risk, such as a previous PTB and race/ethnicity. The most trusted information source was the obstetrical care provider, although participants reported relying on mobile apps, websites, and chat rooms. The optimal time to receive information about PTB risk in subsequent pregnancies was identified as the postpartum visit in the provider's office.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the risks of recurrent PTB was limited in this diverse population. Educational programs on the late-stage development of neonates may strengthen knowledge on the relationship between gestational age and PTB and associated health/developmental implications. For educational efforts to be successful, a strong nonjudgmental, positive, solutions-oriented message focused on PTB risk factors is crucial.

Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and Solutions

The rising trend in pregnancy-related deaths during the past 2 decades in the United States stands out among other high-income countries where pregnancy-related deaths are declining. Cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular conditions, hemorrhage, and other chronic medical conditions are all important causes of death. Unintentional death from violence, overdose, and self-harm are emerging causes that require medical and public health attention. Significant racial/ethnic inequities exist in pregnancy care with non-Hispanic black women incurring 3 to 4 times higher rates of pregnancy-related death than non-Hispanic white women. Varied terminology and lack of standardized methods for identifying maternal deaths in the United States have resulted in nuanced data collection and interpretation challenges. State maternal mortality review committees are important mechanisms for capturing and interpreting data on cause, timing, and preventability of maternal deaths. Importantly, a thorough standardized review of each maternal death leads to recommendations to prevent future pregnancy-associated deaths. Key interventions to improve maternal health outcomes include 1) integrating multidisciplinary care for women with high-risk comorbidities during preconception care, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond; 2) addressing structural racism and the social determinants of health; 3) implementing hospital-wide safety bundles with team training and simulation; 4) providing patient education on early warning signs for medical complications of pregnancy; and 5) regionalizing maternal levels of care so that women with risk factors are supported when delivering at facilities with specialized care teams.

[Postpartum care for women in primary care: building an assessment model]

Postpartum care for women in primary healthcare (PHC) is important for reducing their morbimortality, but there is no clearly described theory on such care, and the assessment studies are rare. This study aimed to develop and systematize an assessment model for women's postpartum care in PHC, verifying it evaluability. An evaluability study was performed using a Brazilian and international literature review, review of national documents, and interviews with stakeholders. Such evidence backed the elaboration of an assessment model that was validated in a consensus workshop. The data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The study elaborated the program's theory, in which postpartum care in PHC ideally takes place with a comprehensive approach to the woman's physical, psychological, emotional, and social needs, considering the individuality of women with liveborn children or in situations of fetal/neonatal death, initiating prenatal care and continuity in the postpartum period, and with the involvement of spouses and other family members. The program's theory established the program's contextualization and logical design, with objectives, targets, activities, outputs, results, and impact, previously not explained systematically in the literature and documents. Postpartum care was found to be evaluable through an implementation analysis, and the program's theory was defined, with the potential for use by various stakeholders at both the national and international levels to implement and/or improve comprehensive postpartum care for women.

The association between interpregnancy interval and severe maternal morbidities using revised national birth certificate data: A probabilistic bias analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe maternal morbidity continues to be on the rise in the US. Short birth spacing is a modifiable risk factor associated with maternal morbidity, yet few studies have examined this association, possibly due to few available data sources to examine these rare events.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and severe maternal morbidity using near-national birth certificate data and account for known under-reporting using probabilistic bias analysis.

METHODS

We used revised 2014-2017 birth certificate data, restricting to resident women with a non-first-born singleton birth. We examined the following: (a) maternal blood transfusion, (b) admission to intensive care unit (ICU), (c) uterine rupture (among women with a prior caesarean delivery) and (d) third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration (among vaginal deliveries) by IPI categories (<6, 6-11, 12-17, 18-23, 24-59 and 60+ months). Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using log-binomial regression, adjusting for select maternal characteristics. Probabilistic bias analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with IPI 18 to 23 months, adjusted models revealed that the risk of maternal transfusion followed a U-shaped curve with IPI, while risk of ICU admission and perineal laceration increased with longer IPI. Risk of uterine rupture was highest among IPI <6 months. With the exception of maternal transfusion, these findings persisted regardless of the extent or type of misclassification examined in bias analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between IPI and maternal morbidity varied by outcome, even after adjusting for misclassification of SMM. Differences across maternal health outcomes should be considered when counselling and making recommendations regarding optimal birth spacing.