Research ArticleOpen Access

The Effect of 6 Weeks versus 3 Weeks Post Partum Visit On Short Interval Delivery Rate

Volume 1 - Issue 5

**Paredes Ingrid MD¹, Herrera Gonzalez Aaron MD*², Venkataraman Priyanka MD³, Winn Heather MD⁴ and Anasti James MD²**

Author Information Open or Close
- ¹Einstein Health Care Network, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA
- ²St. Luke’s University Health Network, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA
- ³Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA
- ⁴University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA
*Corresponding author: Aaron Joel Herrera Gonzalez, 801 Ostrum St, Bethlehem, PA 18015, ORCID: 0000-0001-7724-4044

Received: October 23, 2017; Published: October 30, 2017

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000474

Full Text PDF

To view the Full Article Peer-reviewed Article PDF

Abstract

The Effect of 6 Weeks versus 3 Weeks Post Partum Visit on Short Interval Delivery Rate.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of postpartum visit timing on short interval delivery rates.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who had two deliveries at a large community hospital resident’s clinic between May of 2011 to January 2013. Patient demographics, breast feeding, economic status, and postpartum visit attendance were compared to patients that had only one delivery during that time period. From May 2015 to January 2017, 18 months after altering the timing of postpartum visit from 6 to 3 weeks, the short interval delivery and attendance at postpartum visit were compared between the two time periods at the same clinic. Univariate analysis using Chi square or t -test were used as appropriate.

Results: During the initial study phase 72 (7.3%) out of 991 patients had a short interval delivery. Only age (25.4 ± 6.4, 27.9 ± 5.1, p=0.001) and attendance at the postpartum visit (49.6% vs. 63.6, p=0.02) differed between the short interval delivery and the non-short interval delivery groups. In the follow up period (May 2015 to January 2017), 53 (5%) out of 1056 deliveries were short interval deliveries. Postpartum visit attendance was 752 (71.2%). Significant decrease in short interval pregnancy was noted when comparing the two time periods (7.3% vs. 5%, p=0.04). In addition an increase in PPV attendance was noted (62.1% vs. 71.2%, p=0.001).

Conclusion: Changing the timing of the postpartum visit from 6 weeks to 3 weeks may decrease short interval delivery rate and increase postpartum visit attendance.

Keywords: Short; Interval; Delivery; Pregnancy; Postpartum; Visit