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.
