This post is sponsored by AdventHealth.
Pregnancy comes with what feels like a calendar full of regular OB checkups, weigh-ins, bloodwork and the dreaded glucose test. As your due date gets closer, weekly visits to the OB to make sure both you and your baby are healthy and finishing strong. Throughout your pregnancy, you’re monitored, and it can feel reassuring to know that your healthcare is a priority.
Then your baby arrives.
Seemingly overnight, the focus shifts almost entirely to your newborn and many moms are left feeling ignored during their recovery.
The postpartum period is one of the biggest physical and emotional transitions a woman will ever experience. You are healing from birth, adjusting to life with a newborn on little sleep — all while your own body and mind are still recovering. Those early weeks are busy and often overwhelming. New moms need support and special attention on recognizing when something isn’t right with their own health.
That’s why AdventHealth recently launched the Post-Birth Alert Bracelet Initiative at its birth centers – Shawnee Mission, South Overland Park and in Ottawa. The Post Birth Alert Program gives an orange bracelet to all newly postpartum women to wear on their wrist. This bracelet is designed to raise awareness among healthcare providers and the community, signaling that the individual has recently given birth so that appropriate, timely, and compassionate care can be provided.
We chatted with Lauren Galli, Director of Labor and Delivery at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission to learn more about this special program that AdventHealth launched to ensure you receive care after childbirth, too.
Why was the program introduced?
“AdventHealth wanted to introduce this program to our community to have early identification of maternal complications, reduce health inequities by using an objective visible risk indicator, and eliminate preventable death in the maternal population, Lauren explained.
All AdventHealth Emergency Departments have been educated on the importance of assessing for the bracelet on any woman entering the facility. The Post-Birth Alert will standardize communication across the care team and improve clinical decision making. The goal is to make sure the woman receives appropriate and timely care for their concerns or complications.
What do you want postpartum mothers to know about this new program?
Before leaving the hospital, the mother will receive an easy to read handout on signs and symptoms they should be aware of. The Post-Birth Alert should also be a reminder to women to feel empowered to advocate for their health by reporting any concerns or symptoms to their healthcare provider and seek treatment when something does not feel right.
How long should a postpartum mom wear the bracelet?
“AdventHealth recommends that the mother continue wearing the band until their 6 week follow up appointment. At that time the mother and her provider can discuss and determine the appropriate plan moving forward,” Lauren said.
What should postpartum mothers be aware of in the weeks after delivery?
Postpartum bodies are going through a lot of changes in a very short amount of time. Some important signs to address immediately are chest pain, shortness of breath, seizures, and thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else. Notify your healthcare provider if you are experiencing heavy bleeding, incision that is not healing, red or swollen extremity, temperature of 100.4 or greater, or headache that does not resolve after medication. Women should give themselves permission to rest and recover and follow providers instructions. Women know their body best. If there are any concerns they should seek medical attention.
What could support persons do to help a postpartum mother?
The support person plays a vital role during the postpartum period. Effective support includes both practical assistance—such as helping the mother rest and recover—and meaningful emotional support. This involves offering reassurance, listening without judgment, and validating the mother’s experiences. In addition, the support person should remain attentive to signs of emotional distress and encourage early intervention if concerns arise.
