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Bringing postpartum care to the NICU—An opportunity to improve health in a high-risk obstetric population

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 1–2 (2023)Cite this article

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The mortality rate for women of childbearing age has been increasing for the past 10 years and pregnancy-related deaths have more than doubled [1]. There are large inequities in maternal morbidity and mortality, with Black individuals experiencing more than triple the rates compared to their White counterparts. Novel interventions for the healthcare system to address declining health and health inequities are needed. Pregnancy initiates a period of intense interaction with the healthcare system. During an uncomplicated pregnancy, there are prenatal care visits every four weeks for the first 28 weeks of gestation, every two weeks until 36 weeks of gestation, and weekly thereafter, providing opportunities for health promotion and screening [2]. After the birth hospitalization, there is an abrupt decline in routine healthcare for postpartum patients.

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Acknowledgements

LDI-Optum Labs supported the work presented. While not all birthing people identify as “women,” for consistency with cited studies, we used language such as “women” and “birth parents” throughout the manuscript. Funding for this work is from OptumLabs and Leonard Davis Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. The time of Dr. Montoya-Williams was supported by NIH/NICHD K23HD102526 and the time of Dr. Lewey was supported by NIH/NHLBI K23HL153667.

Author contibutions

MTT wrote the manuscript with mentorship from Dr. Burris. ND, KP, KTT, LC, SCH, SLK, MEP, DMW, JL, EFG, SAL, SBD, LDL all provided concepts, critically edited, and approved the final manuscript. HHB conceived of the concept, mentored MTT throughout the writing of the manuscript, and critically edited the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Marie T. Tan

  2. Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Niesha Darden, Lori Christ, Sara C. Handley, Diana Montoya-Williams, Scott A. Lorch, Sara B. DeMauro & Heather H. Burris

  3. KMP Doula Service, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), Lansdowne, PA, USA

    Karen Peterson

  4. Univeristy of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kimberly K. Trout & Maggie E. Power

  5. Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Lori Christ, Sara C. Handley, Diana Montoya-Williams, Emily F. Gregory, Scott A. Lorch, Sara B. DeMauro & Heather H. Burris

  6. Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sara C. Handley, Diana Montoya-Williams, Emily F. Gregory, Scott A. Lorch & Heather H. Burris

  7. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sara L. Kornfield

  8. Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jennifer Lewey

  9. Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Emily F. Gregory

  10. Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Lisa D. Levine

Authors
  1. Marie T. Tan
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  2. Niesha Darden
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  3. Karen Peterson
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  5. Lori Christ
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  7. Sara L. Kornfield
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  8. Maggie E. Power
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  9. Diana Montoya-Williams
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  10. Jennifer Lewey
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  11. Emily F. Gregory
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  12. Scott A. Lorch
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  14. Lisa D. Levine
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  15. Heather H. Burris
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather H. Burris.

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Tan, M.T., Darden, N., Peterson, K. et al. Bringing postpartum care to the NICU—An opportunity to improve health in a high-risk obstetric population. J Perinatol 43, 1–2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01525-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01525-z

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