Research Reports

Interpregnancy Care: An Opportunity to Improve Women's Health and Reduce the Risk of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Erondu, Chioma MD; Dunlop, Anne MD, MPH

Preventive Medicine Residency Program (Dr Erondu), Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Drs Erondu and Dunlop); Departments of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Dunlop); and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Dunlop).

Correspondence: Chioma Erondu, MD, Preventive Medicine Residency Program, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1841 Clifton Rd NE #508, Atlanta, GA 30329 ([email protected])

The authors thank Dr Richard Goodman for his contribution to this article.

Dr Erondu's work on this project and paper was supported in part by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) under grant number D33HP31669 and title “Preventive Medicine Residencies” for grant amount $1 936 878. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the US Government.

The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice 27(Supplement 3):p S155-S158, May/June 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001319

Abstract

Interpregnancy care is the health care provided to a woman during the postpartum and preconception periods between pregnancies. Half of maternal deaths occur postpartum and cardiometabolic complications of pregnancy increase the risk for maternal morbidity and mortality and development of chronic conditions. By improving women's health between and beyond pregnancies, interpregnancy care has the potential to improve pregnancy outcomes and women's long-term health. This practice brief report summarizes evidence regarding the impact of interpregnancy care on pregnancy and long-term health outcomes for women with hypertension, diabetes, substance use, and mental health disorders. Existing evidence is limited but demonstrates that the utilization of interventions during this period may result in improved health outcomes. Additional research efforts are needed to better understand the impact of interpregnancy care on women's health throughout the life course.