Background: A study was conducted to determine if women who receive early (first trimester) prenatal care (PNC) are more inclined to exhibit postpartum behaviors that benefit the long-term health of the mother and child.
Methods: Using data from California’s Maternal Infant Health Assessment (MIHA), a univariate analysis was conducted comparing women who received early PNC to those who received late (second or third trimester) PNC. Cases were defined as women, who answered “yes” to the question, “Did you get prenatal care as early in your pregnancy as you wanted?”
Results: Among respondents, 77.8% reported receiving PNC as early as they desired. Of those women, 88.3% received early PNC and 9.9% received late PNC. Early PNC recipients were more likely to obtain a postpartum checkup (Odds Ratio (OR), 1.83; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.22, 2.74), an early (1-2 weeks) well-baby checkup (OR, 1.50; 95% CI 1.08. 2.08), to have breastfed exclusively one week after delivery (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30, 2.53), and to have tried breastfeeding (OR, 2.08; 95% CI 1.06, 4.07).
Conclusions: Women who receive early PNC are more likely to exhibit behaviors that promote maternal and infant well being.
Implications: Women who do not receive early prenatal care and their infants should be targeted for postpartum interventions.
Learning Objectives: 1) Identify the postpartum behaviors influenced by early prenatal care. 2)Recognize the importance of early prenatal care promotion programs. 3)Recognize the need for intervention in the health care of women who do not receive early prenatal care and their infants
Keywords: Prenatal Care,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.