Date of Award

4-24-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

School Name

College of Health Professions

Department

Health Professions

Major Advisor

Lyndsey Blair, PhD, MPH

Second Advisor

Gabri Warren DNP, RN

Third Advisor

Madeline M Tomlinson, Ph.D., MPH

Abstract

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify health factors associated with adverse birth outcomes among women diagnosed with preeclampsia. Three logistic regression models were developed and analyzed. In addition to the quantitative analysis, 10 women discussed their experiences with provider communications, access to resources, barriers to care, and the quality of the postpartum support they received.

Research questions: Research questions asked how women diagnosed with preeclampsia feel about their care. 1. Does learning about preeclampsia before diagnosis help reduce negative birth outcomes? 2. Which personal and health factors align with birth outcomes? 3.What barriers do women face in seeking care? 4. What is patient–provider communication like? 5. What type and quality of hospital care and support do women receive during and following giving birth?

Study design and data gathering: The study method used is an explanatory sequential design. The first phase involved gathering data through surveys. In the quantitative phase, 287 women participated in the survey and answered questions about how their backgrounds, communication with providers, access to resources, and hospital support affected birth outcomes, using logistic regression. In the second phase, selected women participated in one-on-one interviews. Study participants were contacted by email, through the Preeclampsia-Foundation registry, and by asking people to refer others to participate in the study. In the qualitative phase, 10 women consented to an in-depth interview about their experiences; their responses were analyzed thematically for common themes.

Results: Majority of study participants were White (88%), with a college degree (55%) and older than 35 (74%). Of all predictors of birth outcomes, only provider-delivered education about the risks of preeclampsia aligned with reducing adverse birth outcomes (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.95). Women who participated in the interviews confirmed they did receive preeclampsia risk education from their provider prior to diagnosis. All women interviewed felt unprepared (100%), shocked, and traumatized once diagnosed. Some external factors that affect care include lack of information, emotional trauma, family advocacy, and lack of access to resources during postpartum care.

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Available for download on Monday, October 26, 2026

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