Postpartum Patient Navigation and Postpartum Weight Retention.

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a significant concern affecting maternal health.
• Patient navigation (PN) programs aim to improve healthcare utilization and outcomes for women.
• The effectiveness of PN in addressing PPWR requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between participation in a postpartum patient navigation (PN) program and postpartum weight retention (PPWR).
• To compare PPWR at 4-12 weeks and up to 12 months postpartum between women in a PN program and a historical control group.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of English-speaking women receiving publicly-funded prenatal care were offered PN services up to 12 weeks postpartum.
• PPWR was analyzed by comparing postpartum weights (at 4-12 weeks and up to 12 months) with prepregnancy weight.
• Mean PPWR and categorical PPWR (>5kg) were compared between PN participants (n=152) and historical controls (n=159).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in mean PPWR or PPWR >5kg were observed between the PN and control groups at 4-12 weeks postpartum.
• Similarly, no significant differences in mean PPWR or PPWR >5kg were found between the groups up to 12 months postpartum.
• Baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, race/ethnicity, and parity were comparable between the groups.

Conclusions:

• This specific postpartum patient navigation program was not associated with reduced postpartum weight retention.
• While PN shows promise for improving healthcare utilization, its impact on PPWR in this context was not demonstrated.
• Further research is needed to optimize PN interventions for addressing maternal weight management.