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Year:: 2024
Contributor:: Bigirimana, Eloi (Author); Motia, Morgan (Author); Pacheco, Cristina (Author)
Subject:: health disparities; Social Support; federally qualified health center; Primary heath care; doulas; "Maternal Health

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Abstract:: Introduction: Mothers with low social support experience more complications than mothers with high social support. Maternal Hypertension, Preeclampsia, and Gestational Diabetes are the most common complications experienced in pregnancy and can have negative effects on both expecting mothers and their babies. By better understanding current support structures, care centers can better address gaps in perceived support and provide alternatives to patients with less support. This project evaluates the relationship between social support and complications for mothers (n=120) who were patients at Blackstone Valley Community Health Care and gave birth from January 2021 to February 2024. Methods: Design: Mixed Methods. Quantitative analysis: Retrospective chart review of n=120 randomly selected pregnant mothers from 2021-2024. Qualitative: Interview Doulas in RI to better understand the role Doulas play and assess intervention methods. Setting: 1000 Broad St, Central Falls, RI; 39 East, Pawtucket, RI Participants: Patients at the BVCHC from 2021 to 2024. Instrument: Excel, NextGen EHR. Analysis: We noted patients that had listed pregnancy complications e.g. (PPD, C-section, preeclampsia, diabetes, etc. Noted if patient self-reported low social support system. QI Intervention Methods: A Doula handout was created to provide higher knowledge of the doula as an alternative source of social support for those who could benefit. Results: 43% (n=52) of mothers had complications. 38% (n=44) reported having low social support overall. 55%(n=29) of mothers who had a complication also reported low social support. Conclusion/Discussion: The data suggested a relationship between low social support and various complications for mothers and their fetuses. Increased Doula funding from the state can be taken advantage of to provide more support for mothers. An informational pamphlet coordinated by the care team can Increase the use of doulas by mothers with low social support. A future study to assess improvement in perceived social support or complication rates is a possible next step.

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Use and Reproduction: All rights reserved
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Bigirimana, Eloi, Motia, Morgan, and Pacheco, Cristina, "Investigating The Relationship Between Social Support and Maternal Health" (2024). Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:7hykkdqt/

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Gateways to Medicine, Health Care, and Research

The Gateways Program at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University provides academically promising, motivated students new pathways to careers in the health sciences. This collection houses scholarly works produced by Master of Science in Medical Sciences (ScM) students …
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Investigating The Relationship Between Social Support and Maternal Health