Gestational Hypertension, Postpartum, Preeclampsia
Conditions
Keywords
Preeclampsia, Gestational Hypertension, Postpartum, Postpartum bracelet, Blood pressure cuff, Self-efficacy, Self-management
Brief summary
This pilot, exploratory qualitative, descriptive study will examine whether standard postpartum discharge education, a free home blood pressure cuff, and an "At-Risk Postpartum" bracelet support self-management among postpartum patients newly diagnosed with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. Up to 40 eligible patients will receive standard postpartum education supplemented with blood pressure monitoring instruction, the Preeclampsia Foundation's blood pressure guidance sheet, and a bracelet intended to serve as a visual reminder of postpartum risk. Participants will complete virtual interviews at 6 and 10 weeks post-discharge to assess home blood pressure monitoring, knowledge retention, perceived usefulness of the bracelet, self-advocacy, and barriers to following recommended self-management behaviors. Findings will help determine whether these low-burden educational and practical tools can improve postpartum awareness, engagement, and safety, and will inform the design of a larger future study.
Detailed description
This pilot, exploratory qualitative, descriptive study will evaluate whether standard postpartum discharge education, a free home blood pressure cuff, and an "At-Risk Postpartum" bracelet support self-management among postpartum patients newly diagnosed with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. Eligible participants will be postpartum patients admitted to the Family Life Center who receive a newly diagnosis during hospitalization and were not previously taking antihypertensive medications. The intervention supplements standard discharge education with blood pressure monitoring instruction, a no-cost BP cuff, written guidance from the Preeclampsia Foundation, and a bracelet intended to serve as a visual reminder of postpartum risk. After verbal informed consent, participants will complete virtual semi-structured interviews at approximately 6 and 10 weeks post-discharge to discuss BP monitoring, knowledge retention, bracelet usefulness, self-advocacy, and barriers to recommended self-management behaviors. The primary outcome is evidence of home blood pressure self-management, including twice-daily monitoring. Additional areas of interest include maternal knowledge, perceived value of the bracelet, retention of preeclampsia signs and symptoms, and barriers to follow-through. Interview data will be analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, with descriptive statistics used to summarize participant demographics. Findings will inform future postpartum education strategies and a larger study aimed at improving safety and reducing preventable complications related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Interventions
OTHEREducation, Blood Pressure Cuff, and Visual Cue Bracelet
In Family Life Center the intervention will be to provide standard education, at-risk bracelet, and BP cuff on discharge day. We are combining these practical tools to enhance self-management, knowledge, and engagement.
Sponsors
Memorial Hermann Health System
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This study uses a single-site, qualitative descriptive model to examine how standard postpartum education, home blood pressure monitoring, and a visual risk reminder may influence self-management among patients newly diagnosed with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. The model assumes that combining clear discharge education with practical monitoring tools and a visible reminder will increase patient awareness, reinforce the importance of blood pressure monitoring, and support timely self-advocacy after discharge.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
-A new diagnosis of GHTN or PE, who are discharged from FLC, and express willingness to participate in virtual interviews.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with a preexisting diagnosis of chronic hypertension or PE, or are currently on antihypertensive medications (as these factors may influence self-management behaviors and outcomes).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence of Blood Pressure Self-Management | 6-10 weeks | The primary outcome measure assesses whether the intervention supports postpartum blood pressure self-management among participants newly diagnosed with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. This outcome is evaluated through the 6-week and 10-week semi-structured interview by asking participants if they are using tools to measure their blood pressure, and what action they are taking to manage their blood pressure and what barriers they face. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum Bracelet Stimulates Self-Management Behaviors | 6-10 weeks | The secondary outcome measure evaluates whether the "At-Risk Postpartum" bracelet serves as a visual reminder that reinforces self-management of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. The semi-structure interviews address this outcome by asking participants at 6 and 10 weeks whether they wear the postpartum bracelet, why or why not, what value the bracelet adds if they wear it, and whether something else inspires them to take care of themselves if they do not wear it. |
Contacts
CONTACTVeronica Zayas, MSN
Outcome results
None listed