Multimedia MCH Resources Bibliography

Annotation: These clinical preventive service recommendations provide guidance on topics ranging from preeclampsia to neural tube defects that can help support evidence-based decisions.

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Keywords: Guidelines, Maternity and infant care, Newborns, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Annotation: This website describes the Advancing Maternal Health Through Quality Improvement and Professional Education Initiative and its efforts to improve postpartum systems of care related to cardiovascular health. It addresses management strategies for heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes in birthing persons to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Available resources include scientific statements, professional guidelines, webinars, and a podcast series that explores community-led solutions and clinical-community linkages. The site also presents clinical recommendations developed by a multi-disciplinary writing group supported by Merck for Mothers.

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Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Health care systems, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Quality improvement

Annotation: Abstract Background: Globally, alarmingly high rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity persist. A constellation of health system and social factors contribute to this, including poor quality and barriers to accessing health care, including preventive services. As such, there have been calls for a redesign of maternal and child health (MCH) services. Although group care has primarily been tested in antenatal settings, it offers a promising redesign that optimizes maternal and child health care, survival, and well-being. The purpose of this study was to produce a blueprint of an adapted group care model that integrates postnatal maternal care, well-child care, and family engagement to be adapted to realities of different settings. Methods: Using a human-centered design approach and the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based interventions (FRAME), we employed qualitative methods to adapt CenteringParenting® (retaining its three core pillars of health assessment, interactive learning, and community building), and co-create the blueprint for group care beyond birth that can be used across settings. We initiated the process through face-to-face workshops during a global meeting on group care, followed by six online incubator sessions with key stakeholders from 13 countries during which we used qualitative methods of free listing, pile sorting, and ranking. We conducted a rapid qualitative analysis to produce a blueprint. Results: Participants collaboratively modified the content, format, and evaluation of CenteringParenting® with the goal of creating a blueprint that integrates postnatal and pediatric care into group care that can be further adapted and implemented across diverse settings and contexts. The blueprint consists of suggested timing of visits over two years after birth, suggested visit content, and evaluation metrics for research and practice. Conclusions: The resulting group care beyond birth blueprint offers a strategy to redesign maternal and infant/child health services that can positively transform postnatal care and provide essential services to postpartum people. Adaptation of the blueprint to local realities is expected. Future research is recommended to test the model's acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness across settings. Using this blueprint, we can build the evidence base to support this model aiming to improve maternal and infant/child health outcomes.

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Keywords: Maternal and child health, Postnatal care

Annotation: This online resource outlines the “Plan for Appropriate Tailored Healthcare in Pregnancy (PATH)" recommendations developed by an independent panel of maternal care experts convened by the University of Michigan and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Based on a review of existing evidence, the site provides how-to guidance on prenatal care delivery and links to related resources for providers. An embedded 90-minute webinar presents an overview of ACOG's Redesigning Prenatal Care initiative and a roadmap to engage communities in the process.

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Keywords: Evidence based medicine, Guidelines , Maternal health, Pregnancy, Prenatal care, Professional education

Annotation: This report highlights findings from the Improving Postpartum Care Affinity Group, a quality improvement initiative convened by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from April 2021 to April 2023. Nine states participated in the affinity group to develop and test interventions addressing the high rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States, with nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths occurring during the postpartum period. The report describes how state teams used data-driven approaches to identify disparities and quality improvement opportunities, select measures to monitor their projects, and evaluate intervention impacts. It presents four main categories of interventions tested by participating states: targeted case management services for high-risk beneficiaries, postpartum cardiac care including blood pressure monitoring and cardiomyopathy protocols, support from doulas and community health workers with home visiting programs, and beneficiary and provider education and support tools. The document includes specific examples from states such as South Carolina's pilot addressing gaps in behavioral health screening, Georgia's work to improve provider use of postpartum visit codes, and Texas's blood pressure cuff distribution program for hypertensive beneficiaries.

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Keywords: Data analysis, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Missouri, Models, Oklahoma, Postpartum care, Prevention, Quality improvement, South Carolina, State initiatives, Texas, Wyoming

Annotation: This report outlines United States of Care's comprehensive framework for the postpartum care of all women, regardless of insurance coverage. Grounded in community engagement, literature reviews, and discussions with maternal health thought leaders, the vision integrates diverse insights to establish the essential components of healthcare for new mothers. It specifies that women should receive personalized care tailored to their needs, including ongoing provider visits, interdisciplinary care teams, and data-informed care; comprehensive, whole-person care addressing all aspects of well-being, including social needs, mental health, substance use, and access to services like home visiting and contraception; and understandable, easy-to-navigate care, such as community supports and postpartum care plans. The document provides an overview of the current landscape, evidence-based guidance, and bright spot programs and policies for each postpartum care component, as well as the health benefits and return on investment.

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Keywords: Community participation, Guidelines, Health planning, Measures, Medicaid, Models, Outreach, Policy, Postpartum care, State initiatives

Annotation: This report presents the results of the Levels of Care Assessment Tool (LOCATe) implemented in Montana in 2021 to assess maternal and neonatal care capabilities in birthing facilities and support strategies to improve risk-appropriate care. LOCATe aligns with guidelines from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatricsto match hospital capabilities with patient risk. The report summarizes Montana's LOCATe results, with 96% of birthing facilities participating. Key findings include: 80% of facilities assessed at Level I or II for neonatal care; 68% assessed at Level I or lower for maternal care; facilities had discrepancies between self-reported and assessed levels; 44% lacked maternal transport plans; and protocols existed for maternal emergencies but drills were lacking. The report provides five recommendations to improve risk-appropriate care: 1) Develop perinatal regionalization through stakeholder coordination; 2) Cultivate relationships between facilities through education and learning collaboratives; 3) Establish maternal transport plans and agreements; 4) Enhance care through evidence-based practices and statewide safety bundles; 5) Measure impact through data and review committees.

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Keywords: Gestational age, High risk pregnancy, Montana , Perinatal care, Reproductive health, Risk appropriate care, Rural health, State initiatives, Statistical data

Annotation: This is a consolidated guideline of new and existing recommendations on routine postnatal care for women and newborns receiving facility- or community-based postnatal care in any resource setting. It provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for care during the postnatal period, focusing on the essential package that all women and newborns should receive. This guideline updates and expands upon the 2014 WHO recommendations on postnatal care of the mother and newborn, and complements existing WHO guidelines on the management of postnatal complications. The recommendations are intended to inform the development of relevant national and subnational health policies, clinical protocols and programmatic guides.

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Keywords: Guidelines, Infant health, Maternal health, Newborns, Postnatal care, Postpartum care, World health

Annotation: This statement presents the position of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) on the importance of mitigating the causes and outcomes of structural racism and bias in maternity care settings. It includes background information on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health and a call to action for perinatal nurses who play a crucial role during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Policy recommendations are included.

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Keywords: Health care disparities, Maternal health, Nurses, Perinatal care, Policy, Racism, Social bias

Annotation: This report provides actionable recommendations for enhancing equity across MMRC (Maternal Mortality Review Committee) processes.

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Keywords: Blacks, Data collection, Health equity, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Outreach, Prevention, Quality improvement

Annotation: This joint report from the Council on Medical Service and the Council on Science and Public Health presents a comprehensive examination of inequities and access barriers in maternal health care in the United States. The report analyzes root causes of the U.S. maternal mortality crisis, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities in care and outcomes, and challenges in insurance coverage, especially through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The report outlines 16 detailed policy recommendations for the American Medical Association focused on 1) acknowledging and addressing the impact of structural racism in maternal care, 2) expanding insurance coverage (particularly postpartum Medicaid/CHIP coverage to 12 months), 3) improving data collection and research on disparities, 4) strengthening cultural humility in care delivery, 5) promoting collaboration with community organizations, and 6)ensuring adequate payment for evidence-based maternal care services. The report emphasizes the need for systemwide changes to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate inequities through coordinated policy, payment, workforce development, and quality improvement initiatives.

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Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Health equity, Health insurance, Maternal health, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Policy development, Social Determinants of Health

Annotation: This clinical recommendation shares evidence regarding the benefits and risks of physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

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Keywords: Exercise, Guidelines, Physical activity, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Annotation: This issue brief describes the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders and explains how this treatment model can be integrated into care delivery.

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Keywords: Drug abuse programs, Model programs, Postpartum women, Pregnant women, Screening, Service integration., Substance abuse, Substance abuse prevention, Substance abuse treatment services

Annotation: This consensus study report reviews and evaluates maternal and newborn care in the United States; the epidemiology of social and clinical risks in pregnancy and childbirth; research on birth settings; and access to and choice of birth settings in America. Maternal and neonatal interventions and health outcomes are compared across birth settings, including hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth environments.

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Keywords: Access to care, Birthing centers, Cesarean section, Childbirth, Health facilities, Home childbirth, Hospitals, Infant care, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternity hospitals, Measures, Midwifery, Policy , Pregnancy, Pregnancy outcome, Risk factors, Social factors, Statistics, Trends

Annotation: This educational resource is designed to assist clinicians in providing preventive health services for well women. Included are standards of care and screening recommendations to assess general physical and mental health and to detect infectious disease, cancer, or health issues that may arise during pregnancy and postpartum. The rationale for different types of screenings, specific recommendations on ages and frequency of screening, clinical guidance for practitioners, and references are provided for each of the preventive care services.

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Keywords: Disease prevention, Health screening, Preventive health services, Standards, Women's health

Annotation: This consensus document presents guidelines on interpregnancy care—the healthcare provided to women between pregnancies. It explains that interpregnancy care aims to maximize women's wellness not just between pregnancies but across their life course, serving as a continuum beyond postpartum care. Key recommendations include reproductive life planning, depression screening, vaccination, chronic disease management, and education about future health. The document details specific clinical components such as breastfeeding support, optimal interpregnancy intervals (advising against intervals shorter than 6 months), and management of medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and mental health disorders. Included are detailed tables presenting specific health condition recommendations together with their corresponding evidence grades using the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's grading system.

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Keywords: Health promotion, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prevention, Screening, Women's health services

Annotation: This obstetric care consensus for health professionals underscores the need to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, including existing disparities, by encouraging the growth and maturation of systems for the provision of risk appropriate care specific to maternal health needs. Co-written by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the consensus provides standard definitions and outlines the required capabilities and type of health care providers needed for base care (Level I), specialty care (Level II), subspecialty care (Level III) and regional perinatal health centers (Level IV).

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Keywords: Guidelines, Health care systems, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Professional education, Regional planning

Annotation: This Committee Opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provides comprehensive clinical guidance on optimizing postpartum care delivery. It outlines a new paradigm that reimagines postpartum care as an ongoing process rather than a single encounter, recommending initial contact within 3 weeks after birth followed by a comprehensive visit by 12 weeks postpartum. The document details essential components of postpartum care including physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, infant care, contraception, and chronic disease management, while emphasizing the importance of tailoring care to each woman's needs and circumstances to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities.

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Keywords: Guidelines, Postpartum care, Resources for professionals

Annotation: This recommendation statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updates their 1996 guidelines on screening for preeclampsia during pregnancy. The document provides clinical considerations, assessment of benefits and harms, and evidence supporting the recommendation that all pregnant women be screened for preeclampsia with blood pressure measurements throughout pregnancy (B recommendation). It explains that preeclampsia affects approximately 4% of pregnancies in the United States and is the second leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with African American women experiencing case fatality rates three times higher than white women. The statement includes details about screening approaches, diagnostic criteria, and risk factors, emphasizing the importance of regular blood pressure measurements during prenatal visits. It also discusses treatment options for diagnosed preeclampsia, including close fetal and maternal monitoring, antihypertension medications, and magnesium sulfate.

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Keywords: Guidelines, Preeclamsia, Screening

Annotation: This committee opinion states that IPV screening and counseling should be a core part of women’s preventive health visits. Physicians should screen all women for IPV at periodic intervals, including during obstetric care (at the first prenatal visit, at least once per trimester, and at the postpartum checkup), offer ongoing support, and review available prevention and referral options.

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Keywords: Counseling, Guidelines, Intimate partner violence, Prevention, Referrals, Screening