Enhancing postpartum care: A new review on follow-up strategies for mothers and newborns

The postpartum period is a critical phase for both mothers and newborns, yet follow-up care remains inconsistent across healthcare systems. While global initiatives stress the importance of postpartum support, many women and infants do not receive adequate follow-up after leaving childbirth facilities. This gap in care can lead to undetected health complications, missed opportunities for intervention, and a lack of support for new mothers. A recent scoping review by researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine examines different approaches to post-childbirth follow-up and their effectiveness.

Current methods of follow-up

The study reviewed 31 research papers from high-, middle-, and low-income countries, identifying four main follow-up approaches used within the first 12 months postpartum:

• In-person visits – Conducted at home or in healthcare facilities, allowing direct medical assessment.
• Telephone calls – Used for checking maternal and newborn health, particularly in resource-limited areas.
• Self-administered questionnaires – Distributed by post or electronically to gather data on health outcomes.
• Hybrid models – Combining multiple approaches for better data collection and response rates.

Key findings and challenges

The review found that post-discharge follow-up is feasible and important for identifying postpartum illnesses or complications that might otherwise be missed. However, it also highlights key challenges:

• Limited research on long-term postpartum complications, such as mental health issues and chronic pain.
• Gaps in cost-effectiveness analysis, with few studies reporting financial and resource implications.
• Low uptake of follow-up care in some regions, particularly where healthcare infrastructure is weak.

The need for better integration

The findings suggest that structured follow-up could become an essential part of maternal and newborn healthcare, helping to detect complications early and provide timely support. However, more research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of different follow-up methods. Healthcare providers and policymakers should consider integrating follow-up into routine care to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

This review provides a valuable resource for those involved in maternal and newborn health research, policy, and care provision. By strengthening post-childbirth follow-up, healthcare systems can address gaps in care and support the long-term well-being of mothers and newborns.

Paper available at: Current Approaches to Following Up Women and Newborns After Discharge From Childbirth Facilities: A Scoping Review – PubMed

Full list of authors: Pepper, M.; Campbell, O. M. R.; Woodd, S.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-23-00377