Many New Moms Struggle to Access Health Care and Support after Baby’s Birth

Survey Reveals Inadequate Health Care Access for New Mothers

Report finds new moms lack access to good health care.

According to new research, many new moms, especially those on Medicaid, face difficulties in receiving adequate health care and social support in the year following their baby’s birth. While most people think labor and childbirth pose the highest risk during pregnancy, the postpartum period is actually the most critical time for maternal morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, this period has long been overlooked, leaving mothers without the necessary medical and social assistance they require.

To address this issue, 37 states and Washington, D.C., have implemented a new federal option to extend Medicaid eligibility for one year after childbirth. This initiative aims to improve access to healthcare services and ultimately enhance the health outcomes for new mothers. Considering that Medicaid covers nearly half of all U.S. pregnancies, including a significant number for Black, rural, and low-income women, this approach holds great potential.

In order to understand the specific needs of new moms, researchers conducted the first multi-state survey on postpartum health in the United States. The study collected data from January 2021 to March 2022 in six states and New York City. The survey explored various aspects related to postpartum well-being, including health insurance, healthcare access and quality, health outcomes, substance use, and social needs.

The findings, published in the journal Health Affairs, revealed that approximately 1 in 5 mothers reported delaying or forgoing necessary care in the year after childbirth, regardless of their insurance type. However, Medicaid recipients were not as fortunate as those with private health insurance. They were less likely to have a regular source of care and reported significantly lower utilization of healthcare services throughout the postpartum period. Shockingly, 1 in 4 Medicaid beneficiaries reported no healthcare utilization at all in the year following birth.

The study also shed light on the mental health concerns faced by new moms. Around 12 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries reported depression symptoms, and roughly 14 percent experienced anxiety symptoms one year after childbirth. It is crucial to expand access to mental health care to address these alarming numbers.

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Moreover, the research highlighted the disproportionate challenges faced by the Medicaid population. With 20 percent reporting insufficient food to feed their families, 57 percent experiencing financial strain, and 7 percent facing intimate partner violence, it is evident that addressing social needs is equally imperative for improving maternal health outcomes and reducing disparities.

To bridge these gaps, the researchers emphasized the need for policymakers to leverage Medicaid’s flexibility and connections with other social services. It is crucial to go beyond healthcare and address social determinants such as food insecurity, housing instability, poverty, and intimate partner violence that significantly impact the well-being of families with young children.

As the researchers rightly pointed out, translating policies like the postpartum Medicaid extensions into improved postpartum health requires strategic intervention and improvements in the availability of services. Closing these gaps will not only enhance maternal health but also contribute to reducing disparities and promoting overall well-being for new moms.

More Information

Visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for more on postpartum health care.

SOURCE: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, news release, Nov. 6, 2023

### The first sign of pregnancy is most often: See Answer

Hey there, readers! It’s time to dive into the world of postpartum health care for new moms. Did you know that many moms, especially those on Medicaid, struggle to access the healthcare and support they need in the year after giving birth? Yes, you heard that right! While most people believe that labor and childbirth are the riskiest parts of pregnancy, the postpartum period actually poses the greatest threat to maternal health. It’s the time when moms need the most care and attention, yet it often gets overlooked. But worry not, we’ve got all the details for you!

To tackle this issue, 37 states and Washington, D.C. have taken a step in the right direction by extending Medicaid eligibility for up to one year after childbirth. This means more moms can have access to the healthcare services they need during this crucial period. With Medicaid covering almost half of all U.S. pregnancies and playing a significant role for Black, rural, and low-income women, this initiative has the potential to make a real difference.

Now, let’s talk about the groundbreaking survey that brought these issues to light. Researchers conducted the first-ever multi-state survey on postpartum health in the United States. They collected data from six states and New York City, exploring various aspects of postpartum well-being, including health insurance, healthcare access, quality and utilization, health outcomes, substance use, and social needs. It’s like a treasure trove of information!

So, what did the survey uncover? Brace yourself, because the results are quite eye-opening. Regardless of insurance type, almost 1 in 5 mothers reported delaying or even skipping essential care in the year after giving birth. That’s a significant number! But wait, it gets worse for moms on Medicaid. They faced even more obstacles, with a lower likelihood of having a regular source of care and significantly less utilization of healthcare services during the postpartum period. Shockingly, 1 in 4 Medicaid beneficiaries didn’t receive any healthcare at all during the year after birth. Yikes!

Let’s not forget about the importance of mental health. The survey revealed that approximately 12 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries experienced depression symptoms, while around 14 percent battled anxiety symptoms one year after childbirth. It’s clear that access to mental health care is vital to support these moms through their postpartum journey. We need to be there for them, folks!

Now, here’s where things get real. The survey also highlighted some tough challenges faced by the Medicaid population. Can you believe that 20 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries didn’t have enough food to feed their families? That’s just heartbreaking. And that’s not all – a whopping 57 percent experienced financial strain, and 7 percent reported cases of intimate partner violence. It’s a harsh reality that we can’t ignore.

But fear not, because the researchers have some fantastic suggestions to bridge these gaps. They believe that policymakers should leverage Medicaid’s flexibility and connections with other social services. We need to go beyond healthcare and address social determinants such as food insecurity, housing instability, poverty, and intimate partner violence. By coming together, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment for families with young children.

So, dear readers, let’s stand up for all the new moms out there and demand the postpartum care they deserve. It’s time to change the game and prioritize maternal health. Together, we can make a real difference. Stay tuned for more updates!

More Information

Visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for more on postpartum health care.

SOURCE: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, news release, Nov. 6, 2023

### The first sign of pregnancy is most often: See Answer

Hey there, readers! It’s getting real in the world of postpartum health care. Turns out, many new moms are struggling to access the care they need after giving birth, especially those on Medicaid. Who would’ve thought, right? While we’re all busy worrying about labor and childbirth, the real danger lies in the weeks and months that follow. We’ve been neglecting the needs of these new moms for far too long, but fear not, we’re here to shed some light on the issue!

Now, let’s talk about this incredible survey that unveiled the challenges faced by new moms. The researchers did something truly groundbreaking – they launched the first multi-state survey on postpartum health in the United States. They collected data from six states and New York City and covered various aspects of postpartum well-being. It’s like they let us peek behind the curtain and see what’s really going on!

So, what did the survey reveal? Brace yourself, because the results are downright shocking. Almost 1 in 5 moms reported delaying or skipping essential care in the year after giving birth. Can you believe that? These moms needed help, and they weren’t getting it! But the situation was even worse for moms on Medicaid. They faced more barriers and had a lower chance of having a regular source of care. It’s like a cruel joke, right?

But let’s not stop there – mental health is a crucial part of the postpartum puzzle. The survey showed that moms on Medicaid had higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms compared to those with private insurance. It’s like a storm brewing in their minds, and they need support to weather it. We can’t ignore the importance of mental health care for these moms!

But wait, there’s more. The survey also highlighted the challenges faced by the Medicaid population beyond healthcare. Can you imagine that 20 percent of them didn’t have enough food to feed their families? It’s like a hunger game they never signed up for. And that’s not all – financial strain and intimate partner violence were also more prevalent in this group. It’s like they’re caught in a web of invisible challenges!

But fear not, because the researchers have some exciting suggestions to address these issues. They believe that policymakers need to step up and leverage Medicaid’s flexibility and connections with other social services. It’s not just about healthcare – we need to tackle the social determinants of health, like food insecurity, housing instability, poverty, and intimate partner violence. It’s time to fight for a brighter future for all these families!

So, dear readers, let’s join forces and advocate for the postpartum care these moms deserve. It’s time to come together and make a real difference. Stay tuned for more updates, because we’re not done here!

More Information

Visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for more on postpartum health care.

SOURCE: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, news release, Nov. 6, 2023

### The first sign of pregnancy is most often: See Answer