Background:
Pregnancy may unmask health problems for women as well as create new health challenges. The postpartum visit provides the opportunity to help women take the information they have learned during prenatal care and apply it their general well-being. This project reports on the findings of a literature review about this visit and the mechanisms by which it does or doesn't move women from prenatal to well woman care.

Objectives:
Disseminate information about the postpartum visit and maternal health needs.
Initiate discussion about the postpartum visit and its role in transitioning mothers into well woman care.



Methods:
A literature review was conducted to examine studies, programs and articles related to the postpartum visit, its content, and how it transitions women into interconception care. The review used over 40 search terms, 7 databases, and multiple search methods.

Results:
Literature findings were separated into the following categories: maternal health needs; barriers/facilitators to postpartum care; provider attitudes and practices; national goals and surveillance; and models for improving postpartum care. Research about the postpartum visit is limited. Few studies have been conducted to review the components and impact of the postpartum visit. There are no accepted best practices for this visit. HEDIS reports that 20% of women with commercial insurance and 50% with Medicaid didn't receive a postpartum visit.
The services provided at this visit may be inconsistent. There have not been any publications about provider practice in regard to the postpartum visit nor has the content of the postpartum visit been examined. In contrast, women have a myriad of unmet health needs including: smoking recidivism, anemia, iron deficiency, postpartum depression, excess weight gain, contraceptive services, breastfeeding support, headaches, backaches, incontinence, and fatigue. Women who had a poor birth outcome may have more serious health concerns with an increased risk for chronic disease and hospitalization for acute conditions. Women least likely to receive a postpartum visit are among those who need it most.


Conclusion and implications for practice:
The postpartum visit is an understudied, under-utilized preventive health care opportunity. This visit has the potential to extend the health messages, health care, and behavior modifications provided during pregnancy into the interconception timeframe and beyond.