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NCT Number: NCT05655936

Eliminating Severe Maternal Morbidity With Heart Health Doulas Trial

This is a single site, single-blinded parallel randomized control trial that investigates a multi-level intervention to improve postpartum blood pressure in women with hypertensive disorder pregnancy. The investigators will recruit women diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, identified between 3rd trimester and 2 weeks post-delivery. The investigators will randomize participants to receive usual care home blood pressure monitoring for 6 weeks versus an intervention of usual care + blood pressure and weight monitoring + a doula trained in heart health. This trial will be conducted in partnership with a local community-based organization, Healthy Start Inc.

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Key information

Conditions

Preeclampsia Body Weight Cardiovascular Diseases Eclampsia Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Gestational Hypertension Hypertension Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy Infections Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pre-Eclampsia Pregnancy Complications Signs and Symptoms Toxemia Urogenital Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Magee Women's Hospital of UPMC

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to improve blood pressure in women who have a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. A hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is one in which a woman's blood pressure is elevated during pregnancy. For the purpose of this project, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy includes gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia. By improving blood pressure in pregnant women, the investigators aim to lower the number of women with chronic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. The study will enroll 454 women who are 18 years or older, are about to or have recently given birth, and have been diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Women will be randomly chosen to take part in usual care or an intervention group.

This study is designed to evaluate support for new moms by providing a postpartum doula in partnership with Healthy Start Inc. Healthy Start is a local community-based organization that supports women, children, fathers, families and communities through community-based programming, advocacy, research, and training. The support provided to new moms will include weekly doula sessions (in-person or virtual), education and support, and blood pressure and weight monitoring. Women will be enrolled during their third trimester up until they are a few weeks postpartum and will complete the study around 12 months postpartum. If assigned to the intervention group, women will attend weekly check-ins with their doula for 8-12 weeks and receive continuous blood pressure and weight monitoring throughout the duration of the study. Both groups will be enrolled into a 6-week home-based blood pressure monitoring program with text messaging support (enrollment in the 6-week program is the standard of care at Magee Women's Hospital following a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy). Both the usual care and intervention groups will attend a follow-up visit at 12 months postpartum.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion

  • Women must be pregnant or postpartum and assessed during pregnancy and/or delivery with a diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or gestational hypertension).
  • Women must reside in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, or Washington County. Participant may also reside within 100 miles of Allegheny County.
  • The participant must deliver (or plan to deliver) at Magee-Womens Hospital

Exclusion

  • No pre-pregnancy chronic conditions that affect blood pressure such as hypertension or on antihypertensive medications within 3 months before conception.
  • No diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • No chronic and severe renal or liver disease or systemic lupus erythematous
  • No women under the age of 18

Treatment and study plan

Heart Health Doula Intervention Program

Behavioral

The intervention group will be given a smart blood pressure cuff and a smart scale to monitor weight. The intervention group will receive support provided a postpartum doula until 8-12 weeks postpartum. The doula will provide individualized support during this time, and after 8-12 weeks, women will transition to a doula-moderated support group for the remainder of the study. The intervention group will continue to receive blood pressure and weight monitoring for the remainder of the study.

Usual Care

Behavioral

Usual care includes enrollment into a clinical 6-week home-based blood pressure monitoring program with text messaging support which includes receiving a home blood pressure cuff. Women in the intervention group will be offered the same support as the usual care group, and in addition will receive the intervention and supplies.

Primary outcomes

  1. Assess MAP at 12 months postpartum

    Time frame: Baseline to approximately 12 months postpartum

    To test the effectiveness of the postpartum Doula intervention the investigators will evaluate blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 12 months postpartum.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in racial disparities and blood pressure & MAP at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline to approximately 12 months postpartum

    To determine if an enhanced care strategy reduces racial disparities in blood pressure, the investigators will evaluate blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) recovery by 12 months postpartum by race and by intervention group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures will be assessed separately. There is evidence that blood pressure should normalize at 6-12 months postpartum and by assessing black vs white differences, the investigators will determine if the intervention can reduce known disparities in blood pressure and MAP.

  2. Assess Racial Disparities in Healthcare Delivery

    Time frame: Up to 12 months postpartum

    Access to optimal clinical care is essential for all women to successfully recover from a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) within one year postpartum. The investigators will assess racial differences in healthcare service delivery that contribute to inequities in HDP-related care by reviewing the charts of women who enroll in the study and comparing whether care was received, and the type of care aligned with the guidelines/standards by indicating whether the care met, did not meet, or exceeded the standards at critical time points.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Registry information

Acronym: HHD

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 19, 2022
Registry last updated
Jun 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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