Early postpartum severe maternal morbidity among mothers of very low and low birthweight infants: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Georgia, USA, 2016-2020

Women delivering VLBW and LBW infants experienced nearly four-fold and two-fold higher risks of early postpartum SMM, respectively, compared with NBW+ births. Delivery events, particularly cesarean and SMM at delivery, were associated with the greatest PAR of early postpartum SMM. Findings underscore the need for postpartum monitoring protocols, especially after complicated deliveries, and integrated models of maternal-infant care.