Postpartum follow-up rates before and after the postpartum follow-up initiative at Queen Emma Clinic.

Objective: To study postpartum follow-up rates, as well as counseling opportunities, among Queen Emma Clinic patients before and after the implementation of the Queen Emma Clinic Postpartum Follow-up Initiative.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of 221 women who received prenatal care at the Queen Emma Clinic and gave birth between April 2006 and April 2008. In April 2007 the postpartum initiative was started. The primary outcome was the number of postpartum follow-up visits. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding, contraceptive use, depression screening and referral, follow-up screening for patien ts with gestational diabetes and subsequent pregnancy.

Results: Postpartum follow-up rates were significantly higher after the Postpartum Follow-up Initiative (86.1% compared with 71.7%, P =.012). When comparing timing of follow-up, the first postpartum visit occurred approximately one week sooner in the post intervention group (2.96 weeks compared with 3.73 weeks, P=0.38) with no difference in timing of the second postpartum visit (6.62 weeks compared with 6.42 weeks, P=.72). In the post intervention group there were more patients breastfeeding at the first postpartum visit (28.7% compared with 16%, P=.015), as well as the second postpartum visit (28.7% compared with 12.3%, P=0.01). There were also more women using contraception in the post intervention group (84.3% compared with 71.7%, P=.009). There was no difference in depression screening or referral, follow-up screening for gestational diabetes, or timing of subsequent pregnancies.

Conclusion: The Postpartum Follow-Up Initiative improved postpartum follow-up rates, as well as breastfeeding, and contraceptive use.