Postpartum Navigation Decreases Severe Maternal Morbidity Most Among Black Women

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;229:160.e1–160.e8) The United States has significant disparities across varying racial and ethnic groups for pregnancy-related deaths. Research shows that Black women and American Indian or Alaskan Native women have a 3 to 4 times higher risk of pregnancy-related death than White women do, regardless of education. Postpartum care can greatly affect how severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and maternal mortality conditions are addressed. The primary aim of this study was to determine if a postpartum navigation program lowered 30-day postpartum hospitalization admissions from all causes and hospitalization admissions from indicators of SMM. This was done using guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This study also analyzed if the effectiveness of this program transcended across patient demographics like ethnicity and race.