Improving Maternal Outcomes Through the Use of Perinatal Health Workers: The Importance of Paraprofessionals in the delivery of care

Comprehensive prenatal care is vital towards improving maternal outcomes. As healthcare evolves, changes within the traditional physician team are also occurring, as seen with the use of perinatal health workers (PHWs) within a obstetrics team and their role in improving maternal outcomes at Ravenswood Family Health Center, a federally qualified health center in East Palo Alto, California.

PHWs deliver education and conduct psychosocial and nutrition assessments throughout the pregnancy, aimed at evaluating for barriers and needs. Trained under California's Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, the PHWs create a care plan based on these assessments. Patients are connected to dental, behavioral health, home visits, WIC, and housing services. They aim to provide postpartum support and breastfeeding consultations within the 1^st week of delivery during the baby’s newborn visit. This model also allows them to develop a mutual bond with the patient as they support them with their needs. PHWs are also medical assistants and certified family planning workers.

These interventions are associated with improving maternal outcomes, including decreasing occurrences of low birth weight and receiving care during the 1^st trimester.  Uniform Data System (UDS), a national data reporting system that reviews health center performance, was used to compare outcomes. When comparing 2012 and 2013 data, more women received care within the 1^st trimester. From the 2013 deliveries, 94% had a birth weight above 2500 grams, which is within weight goal.  Based on these outcomes, PHWs are vital in the delivery of obstetrics care and important and valuable within the traditional care team.