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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Implementation and evaluation of postpartum midwifery care at home in Washington, D.C.
1
Georgetown University, School of Nursing, Washington, United States
2
Community of Hope, Midwifery, Washington, United States
3
Georgetown Univesity, School of Nursing, Washington, United States
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A589
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Comprehensive postpartum care is essential for addressing immediate health concerns and the prevention of complications. Disparities in access to care in the US remain pronounced, with economic segregation significantly impacting the availability of postpartum support services. Black and Latinx individuals experience disproportionately higher rates of postpartum complications and less access to midwifery and postpartum care.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Summarize three of the most significant barriers to postpartum care for patients in the US 2. Identify two clinical and two social circumstances in which patients may benefit from in-home midwifery care.
METHODS:
We used de-identified electronic health record data to describe the rates of visit attendance for birthing people and newborns during the program’s implementation period (2023) compared to prior year (2022). We describe implementation outcomes using the RE-AIM framework.
RESULTS:
In 2023, there were 176 in-home postpartum visits for 118 patients, with 49 having additional in-home visits (42%) and 183 newborn visits for 132 patients, with 43 having additional in-home visits (33%). In-home care was associated with increased postpartum attendance rates from the previous year (83% vs 78%) and high rates of acceptability. Subjective data indicates joy, satisfaction, and connectedness for both patients and midwives.
CONCLUSIONS:
Positive experiences in this study indicate in-home midwifery care may be one approach to reducing perinatal health disparities, especially for patients experiencing societal oppression that creates barriers to accessing postpartum care. While justice and the elimination of health inequities will remain priorities, it may be more important to listen to Black patients and create care models that focus on thriving instead of merely surviving.
KEY MESSAGE:
Postpartum in-home care with midwives should be considered as an approach to improving health outcomes, equity, and joy for postpartum families and for reducing burnout in midwives. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Comprehensive postpartum care is essential for addressing immediate health concerns and the prevention of complications. Disparities in access to care in the US remain pronounced, with economic segregation significantly impacting the availability of postpartum support services. Black and Latinx individuals experience disproportionately higher rates of postpartum complications and less access to midwifery and postpartum care.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Summarize three of the most significant barriers to postpartum care for patients in the US 2. Identify two clinical and two social circumstances in which patients may benefit from in-home midwifery care.
METHODS:
We used de-identified electronic health record data to describe the rates of visit attendance for birthing people and newborns during the program’s implementation period (2023) compared to prior year (2022). We describe implementation outcomes using the RE-AIM framework.
RESULTS:
In 2023, there were 176 in-home postpartum visits for 118 patients, with 49 having additional in-home visits (42%) and 183 newborn visits for 132 patients, with 43 having additional in-home visits (33%). In-home care was associated with increased postpartum attendance rates from the previous year (83% vs 78%) and high rates of acceptability. Subjective data indicates joy, satisfaction, and connectedness for both patients and midwives.
CONCLUSIONS:
Positive experiences in this study indicate in-home midwifery care may be one approach to reducing perinatal health disparities, especially for patients experiencing societal oppression that creates barriers to accessing postpartum care. While justice and the elimination of health inequities will remain priorities, it may be more important to listen to Black patients and create care models that focus on thriving instead of merely surviving.
KEY MESSAGE:
Postpartum in-home care with midwives should be considered as an approach to improving health outcomes, equity, and joy for postpartum families and for reducing burnout in midwives. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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