Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth: Analysis of Comments From the 2020–2021 Wisconsin Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) [ID 1583]

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes has increased in the United States and is affected by social determinants of health (SDOH) such as racism, poverty, and limited health care access. The interconnectedness between SDOH and birth outcomes calls for increased understanding of pregnant people’s perinatal experiences. Despite the extensive studies on pregnancy-related complications, there is limited knowledge regarding birthing people’s own perceptions about these complications and how they affect them during the perinatal and postnatal period. METHODS: This study utilized comment data from Wisconsin PRAMS to analyze perceptions of birthing people surrounding health complications before, during, and after pregnancy. Content analysis was performed, with codes derived inductively. Demographic information was quantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 528 birthing people were included in qualitative analysis. Medical complications before, during, and after pregnancy were mentioned 25, 82, and 22 times, respectively. Mental health complications before and after pregnancy were mentioned one and nine times, respectively. Several respondents reported undesired cesarean sections, labor inductions, and missed or delayed diagnoses due to suboptimal provider communication. Many expressed feeling isolated or stressed with a lack of support, whereas others felt relieved by having access to family and health care assistance. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study highlights where health care policies and public health guidelines could better support birthing people, such as prioritizing social support, expanding policy protections like insurance and paid leave, and implementing targeted mental health screening. These insights emphasize comprehensive care approaches that address the medical and mental well-being of birthing persons before, during, and after pregnancy.