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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(09): 936-942
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1675623
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Comparing Postpartum Visit Attendance with a Scheduled 2- to 3-Week or 6-Week Visit after Delivery

Melissa J. Chen
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
,
Jennifer K. Hsia   *
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
,
Melody Y. Hou
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
,
Machelle D. Wilson
2   Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
,
Mitchell D. Creinin
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
› Author Affiliations Funding The project described was supported by the Society of Family Planning and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), through grant UL1 TR001860 for use of REDCap and statistical support.
Further Information

Publication History

26 July 2018

20 September 2018

Publication Date:
10 November 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether scheduling a 2- to 3-week versus 6-week postpartum visit results in higher visit attendance.

Study Design We conducted a secondary analysis of a quasi-experimental before–after study to compare postpartum visit attendance after changing routine scheduling of visits from 6 weeks to 2 to 3 weeks after delivery. Secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction and breastfeeding continuation at 3 and 6 months postpartum. We collected postpartum visit information through a chart review and conducted telephonic interviews at 3 and 6 months postpartum to assess satisfaction with visit timing and breastfeeding status. We performed multivariable analyses to assess predictors of visit attendance.

Results Women scheduled at 2 to 3 weeks postpartum demonstrated higher visit attendance (90.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.6–93.9%) compared with 6 weeks (81.6%; 95% CI: 76.3–86.2%; p < 0.01). Predictors for visit attendance include postpartum visit timing, age, education, parity, prior miscarriage, and high-risk index pregnancy in multivariate analysis. Scheduling at 2 to 3 weeks postpartum increased visit completion in women who were younger and had lower educational attainment, high-risk index pregnancy, and no prior miscarriages. We found no differences in patient satisfaction or breastfeeding continuation at 3 and 6 months postpartum related to postpartum visit timing.

Conclusion Scheduling a 2- to 3-week postpartum visit is associated with higher attendance.

Keywords

postpartum visit - breastfeeding - patient satisfaction - maternal health

Note

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.