Fourth Trimester - A Web-based Tool for Postpartum Care to Address the Needs of Underserved Women

In the United States, the postpartum period is a critical time for both maternal and child health, the mortality rate is the highest among other developed, high income countries and more than half of all maternal deaths occur postpartum, from one day to one year after birth. This poor outcome is linked to the racial and ethnic disparities that disproportionately effect black women who are 3-4 times more likely to experience maternal mortality than white women. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognized the deficiencies in postpartum care and coined the term the 'fourth trimester' to mark the time following the birth of the infant through the first 3-months postpartum, and updated its recommendations to address these challenges. With impacts to health outcomes and healthcare costs, there is a need to holistically bridge the gap for low-income and/or ethnically diverse groups of women to address the physical, cultural, and knowledge barriers to accessing quality postpartum care.

To improve the rate at which underserved women are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and morbidity, the investigators need to engage women leading into and specifically during the postpartum period to identity areas of need, and to provide tools which reduce barriers for women to get appropriate postpartum care. Technology offers innovative solutions to challenges around equal information access. Pregnant women often turn to the internet to find out more information about their health and their developing babies health. Yet, studies find that mothers are not finding sufficient resources to match their postpartum needs.

To address this gap in care, this project aims to develop a mobile tool designed to increase accessibility to information and practical approaches for addressing the complex needs of women in this 'fourth trimester'. This tool will specifically focus on underserved women who are at greatest risk of adverse postpartum outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18+;
• Self-reported annual household income less than $39,500 (at least 75% of participants - defined as "low income" household by the PEW Research Center);
• Racial/ethnic minority (at least 75% of participants must be non-white, with at least 50% identifying as Black/African American);
• Be a new or expectant mother - participants must be at least 28 weeks/6 months pregnant (3rd trimester), and up to 6 months post-birth (no more than 10% of participants will be currently pregnant, at least 90% will be postpartum).
• Able to comply with the terms of the study (available time commitment, have internet access; willing to comply with the specified focus groups and survey); and
• Able to read, write and speak English (all research and product development activities will be conducted in English due to budgetary constraints).

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to comply with the Inclusion Criteria
• Did not have a live birth (for those who are post-birth)
• Self-reported major medical/health issue which would impact participants' health or ability to participate.