Abstract
Introduction
Postpartum care is an important strategy for preventing and managing chronic disease in women with pregnancy complications (i.e., gestational diabetes (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)).
Methods
Using a population-based, cohort study among Oregon women with Medicaid-financed deliveries (2009–2012), we examined Medicaid-financed postpartum care (postpartum visits, contraceptive services, and routine preventive health services) among women who retained Medicaid coverage for at least 90 days after delivery (n = 74,933). We estimated postpartum care overall and among women with and without GDM and/or HDP using two different definitions: 1) excluding care provided on the day of delivery, and 2) including care on the day of delivery. Pearson chi-square tests were used to assess differential distributions in postpartum care by pregnancy complications (p < .05), and generalized estimating equations were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results
Of Oregon women who retained coverage through 90 days after delivery, 56.6–78.1% (based on the two definitions) received any postpartum care, including postpartum visits (26.5%-71.8%), contraceptive services (30.7–35.6%), or other routine preventive health services (38.5–39.1%). Excluding day of delivery services, the odds of receiving any postpartum care (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08–1.47) or routine preventive services (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14–1.53) were meaningfully higher among women with GDM and HDP (reference = neither).
Discussion
Medicaid-financed postpartum care in Oregon was underutilized, it varied by pregnancy complications, and needs improvement. Postpartum care is important for all women and especially those with GDM or HDP, who may require chronic disease risk assessment, management, and referrals.
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Acknowledgements
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Funding
This study was funded by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under Award No. 1U01DP004783-01 to S. Marie Harvey (PI) and Jeff Luck (PI). Nicholas P. Deputy was supported by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Robbins, C.L., Deputy, N.P., Patel, R. et al. Postpartum Care Utilization Among Women with Medicaid-Funded Live Births in Oregon. Matern Child Health J 25, 1164–1173 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03128-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03128-0