Postpartum Wellness Scale

STUDY BASICS

Have you had a baby in the last three months? You may be eligible for a research study to create an assessment tool that evaluates postpartum wellness. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to create an assessment tool that evaluates postpartum wellness in a comprehensive manner, examining both physical health and mental health. The questions in the questionnaire screen for items such as physical health changes, sleep quality, mood changes, quality of life, and support available to patients in the postpartum period. Patients with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (such as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and chronic hypertension) are more likely to experience postpartum negative health effects. There currently does not exist a comprehensive screening tool that may be used by providers to identify such effects and thus act on them appropriately. We have created a screening tool that we think could help providers better support their patients' postpartum by screening for these health changes. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants:

• Are 18 and older 
• Can speak English 
• Are pregnant and will have their baby this year, or have had their baby in the last month 
• Are having / have had their baby at a hospital within the UPMC system

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

The study will include questionnaires that must be completed twice, 4 to 12 weeks postpartum and 1 year postpartum. These questionnaires will take about 20 minutes to complete, and may be completed in person on a tablet provided to you, or on your own computer/tablet/mobile device through a secure link sent to your email. We will contact you either via phone or email to remind you to complete the email at 1 year postpartum. The questionnaire responses will be received in real-time by the research team, so if you screen positive for any negative health effects, the research team will be able to contact you and refer you to your medical providers, psychiatry, or a social worker for further support.