A new study highlights that over one-third of postpartum patients miss essential follow-up care, despite its importance in detecting health issues that can lead to serious complications or death. This is especially concerning for parents of preterm infants, whose care may overshadow maternal health needs.
The study, led by LDI Associate Fellow Kristan Scott and Senior Fellow Heather Burris, examined whether parents of preterm infants—born before 35 weeks—are less likely to receive postpartum care compared to those with full-term infants.
Analyzing 99,370 births at two Philadelphia hospitals from 2010 to 2019, researchers found that 68% of parents received postpartum care, but nearly one-third (32.2%) did not. Factors such as younger age, multiple pregnancies, higher body mass index, and lower education levels were linked to missing care. Preterm birth increased the likelihood of missing postpartum care, with 41% of parents of preterm infants missing follow-up, compared to 32% for those with full-term infants. The gap was even larger for parents of extremely preterm infants, where over half missed postpartum care.
The study suggests that the NICU could be a valuable, though underused, setting for postpartum care. Integrating certified nurse midwives and collaborative care models—including care navigators and community health workers—could improve follow-up and maternal health outcomes.
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