An innovative model for group postpartum and newborn care

CONNECTING FAMILIES

Dr. Renee Fernandez Medical lead, Postpartum and Newborn Care BC Women’s Hospital

I do not have any affiliations with a commercial organization.

DISCLOSURE

Is ours not a strange culture that focuses so much attention on childbirth--virtually all of it based on anxiety and fear--and so little on the crucial time after birth, when patterns are established that will affect the individual and the family for decades? Suzanne Arms

INTRODUCTION

• The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for mother, baby and family.

• In Vancouver, women who give birth at BCWH transition health authorities (from PHSA to VCH) after hospital discharge.

• Traditional postpartum visits

– Have significant time constraints – Focus on medical care, screening and treatment

of complications.

CONTEXT

• Connecting Families is a group medical visit that replaces the traditional postpartum and newborn visit.

• It combines postpartum and newborn medical care with education.

• Co-facilitated by a physician from the Family Practice Maternity Service and public health nurses from Vancouver Coastal Health.

• BC Women’s Hospital provides space and administrative support.

THE MODEL

• Each 2 hour session includes: o A “mom and baby check” with a physician o Assistance with newborn feeding with a focus on

breastfeeding o A learning and discussion theme o Time to talk about concerns with other women and

families

THE MODEL

• Improved quality and experience of care: o Increased amount of time that patients spend with

their care provider o Increased time for discussion o Increased focus on self-identified patient needs o Increased focus on the social determinants of health

• Building community among families at the same stage in their lives

BENEFITS TO PATIENTS

• Providers can spend more time with postpartum and newborn patients

• Decreased disruption to office schedule o Postpartum and newborn visits are usually add-on

appointments and take significant time

• Increased access to allied health services as needed (i.e. lactation consultant)

BENEFITS TO PROVIDERS

• Strengthening the collaboration between the primary care provider and the public health provider

o better continuity of care o better communication and exchange of information

• Improving the transition from acute (BCWH/PHSA) to community (VCH public health, community GPs)

BENEFITS TO THE SYSTEM

• Evaluation through patient and provider surveys has demonstrated all of the above benefits.

• Strengthened relationship between BCWH and VCH public health

SUCCESSES

• Recruitment of patients o Some patients prefer continuity of care with their

maternity provider o Providers forget to offer program to patients

• Diversity of patients o Limited numbers of patients who are new

immigrants and/or have low socioeconomic status o Few patients living in East Vancouver

• Logistics (booking appointments, charting, parking!)

CHALLENGES

“Nobody told me how much it would hurt, how exhausted I would feel, how much love I have in my heart that I think I will burst, how overwhelming it all is…” Lucy Pearce

CONCLUSION

• When women give birth, they take one step on their journey to motherhood.

• They take further steps in the days, weeks, and months after birth.

• Group postpartum and newborn care is an ideal way to ensure that we meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of mothers and families.

CONCLUSION

ANY QUESTIONS?

All photos courtesy of Morag Hastings: www.appleblossomfamilies.com

Dr. Renee Fernandez rfernandez-02@cw.bc.ca