Optimizing well-pregnancy care on Prince Edward Island

Abstract

While pregnancy is a normal, transitional life event many women experience, the need exists for competent, holistic health care during this time in their lives. On Prince Edward Island, 90% of perinatal care is administered by obstetricians following a medical model of care; this is 30% greater than the national average (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2009). Pregnancy outcomes on P.E.I., in regards to folic acid supplementation, high pre-pregnancy and pregnancy body mass indexes (BMI), overweight or obese expectant mothers, substance use, and breastfeeding consistently fall outside national averages (P.E.I. Reproductive Care Program [P.E.I. RCP], 2008; PHAC, 2009, 2012). An initiative to implement nurse practitioner-led perinatal care for healthy pregnant women can help to address these outcomes by ensuring appropriate ongoing physical assessment, addressing psychosocial needs, and increasing perinatal education to women and their families during the preconception, prenatal, and postpartum periods. The initiative will include communication to key stakeholders, and a timeline of planned activities and will follow the PHAC’s (2001) Project Evaluation to assess success of the project