CVHHH’s Maternal & Family Child Health (MFCH) program has received funding to support remote postpartum hypertension monitoring for parents in its service area.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), a group of conditions in which a pregnant person develops high blood pressure before, during, and after childbirth, are on the rise in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5-10% of people experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, reflecting a 25% increase over the last two decades. HDPs contribute to maternal and infant health complications, and symptoms may not emerge until after discharge from the hospital.
“During my years as clinical supervisor for MFCH, I have seen where gaps in postpartum care can leave families at risk. As hypertension after childbirth becomes more common, we needed to change how we support our clients and healthcare providers,” says Michelle Dane, RN, CVHHH’s MFCH Manager.
CVHHH applied for this grant to address barriers to care that can limit the ability of people living with HDPs to receive frequent in-person clinic assessments, particularly those living in rural communities. These barriers include lack of transportation, lack of access to childcare, and the time and energy demands of newborn care.
Funds enable CVHHH’s MFCH program to purchase a remote blood pressure monitoring platform and equipment to combine at home in-person and virtual care. This blended approach delivers support when families need it most by closing gaps in healthcare access and ensuring that postpartum individuals receive close, timely, and equitable follow-up care.
“New technology is changing healthcare, and we saw a chance and a responsibility to bring safe, more connected, and convenient care right to people’s homes,” says Dane. “By combining both home visits and remote blood pressure monitoring, the care team can step in faster and make sure families and staff have the guidance and resources they need to feel supported.”
The funding is part of a larger five-year cooperative agreement from the Vermont Department of Health’s Maternal Health Innovation Project to improve the health and well-being of birthing people.
