Amid these concerns, postpartum care is often fragmented among maternal and pediatric providers, and 20 to 40% of women do not attend a postpartum visit. Rising maternal mortality and morbidity in the US have made this work an even greater priority. Our goal is to bring together mothers, health care providers, and other stakeholders to define what families need most during the 4th Trimester.

Based on the unmet health priorities that stakeholders identify, we will design research studies to deliver optimal care during this critical period, improving outcomes for mothers, infants and families.

The post What is the 4th Trimester Project? appeared first on UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health.

Key questions

Patients: What did you know about perinatal mood disorders? What guidance was provided prenatally? In the hospital? By pediatric and maternity providers?

If you were screened for depression with a questionnaire, how was it explained / put in context? If you screened positive or had symptoms, what care was offered? If medications were prescribed, how were you counseled? Did you fill your prescription? Start therapy? If a referral was made, was it timely? Did you keep your appointment? Why / why not? What community resources were provided?

For providers: What is your screening practice? What training do you have on managing perinatal depression? What is your “comfort zone” on this topic? To whom do you refer? What resources do you have within your practice? What would you like?

The post Maternal Mood appeared first on UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health.