Postpartum care for parent–infant dyads: A community midwifery model

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionPostpartum health is in crisis in the United States, with rising pregnancy‐related mortality and worsening racial inequities. The World Health Organization recommends four postpartum visits during the 6 weeks after childbirth, yet standard postpartum care in the United States is generally one visit 6 weeks after birth. We present community midwifery postpartum care in the United States as a model concordant with World Health Organization guidelines, describing this model of care and its potential to improve postpartum health for birthing people and babies.MethodsWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with 34 community midwives providing care in birth centers and home settings in Oregon and California. A multidisciplinary team analyzed data using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 24 participants were Certified Professional Midwives; 10 were certified nurse‐midwives. A total of 14 midwives identified as people of color. Most spoke multiple languages. We describe six key elements of the community midwifery model of postpartum care: (1) multiple visits, including home visits; typically five to eight over six weeks postpartum; (2) care for the parent–infant dyad; (3) continuity of personalized care; (4) relationship‐centered care; (5) planning and preparation for postpartum; and (6) focus on postpartum rest.ConclusionThe community midwifery model of postpartum care is a guideline‐concordant approach to caring for the parent–infant dyad and may address rising pregnancy‐related morbidity and mortality in the United States.