The Moms Under Pressure (MUP) program is a blood pressure self-monitoring and peer support program for pregnant and postpartum moms throughout Virginia.
Program Summary
Moms Under Pressure program equips new and expectant mothers, from the beginning of pregnancy through 12 months postpartum, to monitor their blood pressure regularly by providing education resources, an at-home blood pressure cuff kit, ongoing care coordination, and local resource connections. Huddle Up Moms also offers a Prior to Pregnancy Wellness and Health health education series to educate, encourage and support individuals to improve their health and well-being prior to pregnancy.
The program focuses on reaching pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with or at risk for preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or gestational hypertension. Moms Under Pressure equips new and expectant mothers to monitor their blood pressure regularly by providing education resources, at-home blood pressure cuff kit, ongoing care coordination, and local resource connections. Moms Under Pressure training is available for lay individuals/groups, community-based organizations, faith-based entities, clinics, and hospitals - see contact information at the bottom of this page.
Program History: Huddle Up Moms established the Moms Under Pressure program in Roanoke, VA in 2022 to reach pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with or at risk for preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or gestational hypertension. In 2023, the Virginia Department of Health partnered with Huddle Up Moms to expand and scale the program statewide by training hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations, and Community Health Workers and doulas to offer the program locally throughout Virginia.
Public Health Issues
Blood pressure self-monitoring for pregnant and postpartum individuals can help to:
- Increase the early detection of hypertension: Early detection is essential for preventing complications like preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome. These conditions can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby. (1,2)
- Reduce Maternal Mortality: Hypertension is a leading cause of maternal mortality. By keeping track of blood pressure at home, women can seek timely medical intervention if their readings are abnormal. (2,3)
- Improve Postpartum Care: The postpartum period is a critical time when women are at risk for high blood pressure. Regular monitoring ensures that any spikes in blood pressure are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of severe complications. (4)
- Empower Women: Self-monitoring empowers women to take an active role in their healthcare, providing them with more control over their health and well-being. (5)
Progress Updates
- Number of Moms Under Pressure Programs in Virginia: 14
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Number of Participants in Moms Under Pressure to date: (Coming Soon!)
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% of participants who completed the Moms Under Pressure Program and had their Blood Pressure Controlled through 12 months postpartum: (Coming Soon!)
Partner Organizations
- Augusta County:
- Augusta Health
- Christiansburg:
- New River Health District
- Henrico:
- Bon Secours – St Mary’s
- Martinsville/Henry County:
- Healthy Families West Piedmont
- United Way of Henry County and Martinsville (UWHCM)
- Newport News:
- Riverside Medical Center
- Petersburg:
- Central Virginia Health Services (CVHS) – Downtown Petersburg
- Roanoke:
- Born Motherhood
- Casa Latina
- Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke Valley (CHIP)
- Healthy Families Roanoke Valley – Children’s Trust
- Lewis Gale Midwives
- Roanoke County-Alleghany Health Department (RCAHD)
- Total Action for Progress (TAP)
Contact
Natasha Saunders, Program Director
- Email: hum.pressure@huddleupmoms.org and HeartDisease@vdh.virginia.gov
- Phone: 540-339-6846
Huddle Up Moms Supports Heart Health with Moms Under Pressure ProgramLearn More
For more information on Moms Under Pressure, please visit: www.huddleupmoms.org/
Moms Under Pressure is funded through CDC Cooperative Agreement # NU58DP007460 and NU58DP007595 in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Virginia Department of Health.
Sources
- Yeh, P.T., Rhee, D.K., Kennedy, C.E. et al. Self-monitoring of blood pressure among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 22, 454 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04751-7
- Hirshberg A, Zhu Y, Smith-McLallen A, Srinivas SK. Association of a Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring Program With Postpartum Adverse Outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Jun 1;141(6):1163-1170. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005197. Epub 2023 May 3. PMID: 37486653.
- Trost SL BJ, Njie F, et al Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 36 US States, 2017-2019. 2022.
- Corlin T, Raghuraman N, Rampersad RM, Sabol BA. Postpartum remote home blood pressure monitoring: the new frontier. AJOG Glob Rep. 2023 Jul 8;3(3):100251. doi: 10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100251. PMID: 37560010; PMCID: PMC10407242.
- L. Pealing, K.L. Tucker, B. Fletcher, E. Lawley, L.C. Chappell, R.J. McManus, S. Ziebland, Perceptions and experiences of blood pressure self-monitoring during hypertensive pregnancy: A qualitative analysis of women’s and clinicians’ experiences in the OPTIMUM-BP trial, Pregnancy Hypertension, Volume 30, 2022, 113-123, ISSN 2210-7789, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2022.09.006.