Blueprint
A Blueprint for Enhancing Perinatal Care
Obstetrics, the specialty overseeing infant and parent health before and shortly after birth, could be expanded to address the interrelated areas of parents’ prenatal impact on children’s brain development and their own psychosocial needs during a time of immense change and neuroplasticity. Obstetrics is primed for the shift that is happening in pediatrics, which is moving from its traditional focus on physical health to a coordinated, whole-child, 2Gen approach. Pediatric care now includes developmental screening, parenting education, parent coaching, access to developmental specialists, brain-building caregiving skills, linkages to community resources, and tiered interventions with psychologists. Pediatric care is enhanced — obstetrics can be as well.
Drawing on decades of research demonstrating the prenatal beginnings of future child health and new studies on the transition to parenthood describing psychobiological change from pregnancy to early postpartum, and based on cross-sector collaborations, our Blueprint envisions an augmented perinatal care ecosystem emphasizing whole-person, 2Gen health. The Blueprint includes a range of potential components to expand education, intervention, prevention, and interdisciplinary services in the context of clinician time constraints and budgetary challenges. With evidence-based solutions and community collaboration, this Blueprint aims to enable perinatal clinicians to promote healthier and happier beginnings. The Resources section lists programs aligned with the Blueprint components — simply search by the component topics listed below.
For more background on our Blueprint initiative, please see our recent interdisciplinary publication
1. Leveraging Technology and Media
Did you know:
Online apps can do more than help patients track essential information like fetal growth and pregnancy cravings? (source)
The integration of technology and media into perinatal care offers valuable resources to support emotional well-being. Podcasts, for example, provide expert perspectives and real-world experiences, offering guidance on various aspects of the perinatal journey. Additionally, key mobile apps designed for psychological skills building and mental health monitoring deliver accessible support, enhancing patient engagement and care continuity.
2. Advancing Birth Equity
Did you know:
Stark racial disparities in maternal and infant health have persisted for decades despite continued advancements in medical care? (source)
A commitment to birth equity is essential to ensuring that all families thrive. Promoting birth equity through accessible practices such as a birth preferences discussion supports patient health literacy, engagement, and autonomy; these discussions ensure that perinatal care is tailored to meet the individual patient’s needs and values, promoting informed decision-making and improved care outcomes. Fostering an equitable care environment supports the diverse needs of parents-to-be and improves community health outcomes.
3. Engaging Community Health Professionals
Did you know:
Doulas can help reduce anxiety and stress, contributing to better health outcomes? (source)
Collaboration with community health professionals, such as doulas, is integral to providing comprehensive perinatal care. Doulas can offer pregnancy and birth education as well as continuous emotional and physical support during labor, birth, and the postpartum period.
4. Accessing Mental Health Services
Did you know:
33% of birthing individuals who experience postpartum depression develop symptoms in pregnancy? (source)
Mental health support is a critical component of perinatal care. Providing access to affordable mental health services ensures timely intervention and comprehensive support for parents. Evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing postpartum depression, including early screenings and targeted therapies, are essential for promoting the well-being of both parents and infants.
5. Building Support Networks
Did you know:
Strong social networks help reduce the risk of postpartum depression? (source)
Support networks, including peer-led support groups and group prenatal care, play a vital role in enhancing patient outcomes. Support groups facilitate emotional connection and shared experience, empowering parents through mutual understanding. By fostering a collaborative healthcare environment, group prenatal care enhances patient engagement and provides an opportunity for patients to benefit from both professional guidance and peer support.