Graduation Year
2022
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Primary Minor
Global Public Health
Second Minor
Leadership
Thesis Advisor
Patricia Harris, PhD, RN, CNS
Abstract
Background
The United States is currently facing a health crisis among the maternal postpartum population. As stated by The Commonwealth Fund in a study released in 2020, “In 2018, there were 17 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the U.S. – a ratio more than double of most other high-income countries” (Roosa, 2020). Most often, mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies and births are discharged soon after the delivery of their new baby. In most outpatient settings, providers do not expect a follow up appointment for the mother until roughly three to six weeks after discharge. During this transition period with a new infant, many changes occur in the life of the mother and her family at home. Not only can complications arise psychologically, but physiologically as well. These complications are easily preventable, but simply go undetected as a result of the length of time that they persist before seeing a provider again. The implementation of home care visitation by a nurse earlier in the postpartum period has shown to provide better maternal and infant outcomes.
Objective
This thesis aims to observe the mental and physical wellbeing of mothers during the postpartum period. The intention of this research is to propose further investigation on the effects of nursing home visitation model of care during the postpartum period among the maternal population.
Question
How can healthcare professionals reduce the risk of postpartum complications using a home visitation model of care?
Methods
This thesis contains a literature review that examines the practice of typical postpartum care versus the concept of home visitation care provided by a nurse. A proposal for further research on a home care visitation model with a scoring method was developed.
Summary of Findings
In comparison to the current standard postpartum checkups, the studies included in this thesis revealed that home care visitation provided by nurses and mental health professionals served as a preventative model of care. When looking at the mental and physical health of mothers who received current routine postpartum care, the studies revealed complications.