Chronic Diseases in Pregnancy clinical trials

Pregnancy and Chronic Disease: The Effect of a Midwife-coordinated Maternity Care Intervention

The number of pregnant women affected by chronic diseases such as epilepsy, hypertension and thyroid disease is rising, and in the Danish population 15 % of all pregnant women had a chronic disease in 2016. Chronic disease increase the risk of complications during pregnancy such as preterm birth and caesarian section, while children born of mothers with chronic disease have an increased risk of low birthweight, prematurity and birth effects. Moreover, pregnant women with chronic disease have an increased risk of post-natal depression and report higher rates of anxiety during pregnancy and have described dissatisfaction with the communication with care providers about issues such as breastfeeding, lack of coherence during the course of pregnancy and after delivery. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of an increased, interdisciplinary, coordinated and specialized maternity care multimodal intervention for pregnant women with chronic disease on the length of hospitalization (during pregnancy and after delivery). Secondarily, the purpose is to examine the effect of the intervention on psychological well-being and patient satisfaction. The investigators hypothesis is that the delivery of an increased interdisciplinary, coordinated and specialized intervention targeted pregnant women with pre-existing chronic disease will be beneficial for this group of pregnant women's' length of hospitalization during pregnancy and after delivery due to improved maternity care and improved self-care. Also, the investigators hypothesize that the effect of the intervention will be improved psychological well-being and satisfaction with care during pregnancy and after delivery.