Return to "Virtual Pop-Up: Bridging the Gap: Global and Culturally-Informed Strategies to Elevate Postpartum Care"

Rehabilitation Strategies to Address Postpartum Health Disparities

This session explores the crucial role of acute care rehabilitation in addressing maternal health disparities in postpartum patients. Many individuals with high-risk pregnancies or who have recently given birth are not provided access to acute care physical therapy during their hospital stays, despite the first six weeks postpartum posing a high risk for health crises, including maternal mortality. Leading causes of death shortly after birth—hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and infection—are often preventable, yet the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with Black women experiencing nearly three times the rate of maternal death compared to White women. Implicit biases and systemic barriers contribute to substandard care, particularly for those perceived as young, healthy, and independent.

This session will explore the underlying factors of these disparities and provide evidence-based strategies to improve access to care. Attendees will learn about the Acute Care OB Rehab Implicit Bias Self-Reflection Tool to help clinicians recognize and address biases and the implementation of standardized screening tools for the postpartum population to detect complications early and improve outcomes. This session is designed for pelvic floor physical therapists dedicated to reducing maternal morbidity and promoting equitable healthcare.

Learning Objectives
  1. Analyze the key factors contributing to maternal health disparities in the postpartum period.
  2. Evaluate the role of acute care rehabilitation in enhancing maternal health outcomes.
  3. Apply the Acute Care OB Rehab Implicit Bias Self-Reflection Tool to recognize and address personal biases in clinical practice.

About the Speakers

Dr. Becky Parr, PT, DPT, DHSc, CAPP-OB, Cert. DN.

Rebecca Parr DPT

Dr. Becky Parr is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with advanced training in obstetric health and over a decade of experience in pelvic and maternal health. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Dayton and her Doctor of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Parr is a core faculty member at Hanover College’s hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, where she teaches across the curriculum and leads initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in physical therapy education. She serves on the Ohio Physical Therapy Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is a Director at Large for the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Dr. Parr owns Resilience Physical Therapy in Dayton, Ohio, specializing in the care of pregnant and postpartum patients. Her research and publications focus on trauma-informed care, health inequities, and pelvic health rehabilitation. This presentation draws from one of her recent publications in Physical Therapy Journal (PTJ). She is deeply committed to raising awareness of maternal health disparities and advancing equitable, evidence-based care for the peripartum population.

Erin Samel, PT, DPT

Bio Coming Soon.

Vivian Smith-Aldrick, PT

Bio Coming Soon.