Improving the postpartum care of women with a recent history of preeclampsia: a focus group study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Women with prior preeclampsia are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigated barriers and facilitators toward learning about this link and engaging in lifestyle modifications to reduce this risk. Methods: Four focus groups were held with 14 women within 6 months of a preeclamptic pregnancy. Results: Participants were unaware of the link between preeclampsia and CVD, suggested improvements to provider–patient communication, and discussed the benefits of social support and online tracking (weight, blood pressure) in making lifestyle modifications. Conclusions: Solutions offered may improve efforts to modify lifestyle and communication between providers and women about this link.

KEYWORDS:

• Preeclampsia
• population health
• health services research
• hypertension
• maternal morbidity and mortality

Acknowledgments

The statements and opinions in this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), its Board of Governors or Methodology Committee.

Funding

Research reported in this work was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Award [grant number CER-1306-02603]. This work was also supported through a NIH K24 Award [grant number K24HL096141] to EWS and a NIH T32 Award [grant number 5T32HL007609-29] to GS.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this work was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Award [grant number CER-1306-02603]. This work was also supported through a NIH K24 Award [grant number K24HL096141] to EWS and a NIH T32 Award [grant number 5T32HL007609-29] to GS.