PINEHURST – The weeks after childbirth are often called the “fourth trimester,” and while they are filled with joy and adjustment, they can also be a vulnerable time for new mothers.
To help keep moms safe, Moore Regional Hospital has launched a new postpartum safety program that pairs education with a simple but powerful tool, a bracelet designed just for new mothers.
A New Postpartum Safety Program for Maternal Health
Starting in November, every mother leaving Moore Regional after giving birth will go home with two things: clear information about the warning signs of postpartum complications and a bracelet to wear for up to six weeks following delivery.
Recognizing Postpartum Warning Signs
New mothers will receive comprehensive guidance on symptoms that may indicate complications after childbirth. They may include heavy bleeding, high fever, chest pain, severe headaches, unusual swelling, difficulty breathing or signs of postpartum depression.
“North Carolina currently ranks 20th in the nation for maternal mortality rates,” said Mandi Hedgepeth, MSN, R.N.-BC, postpartum nurse manager at Moore Regional Hospital.
“Too often, complications happen weeks after delivery when moms are already home with their babies. By giving mothers the tools to recognize warning signs, and a way for others to know they are postpartum, our staff hope to change that.”
A Simple Bracelet with a Life-Saving Purpose
Mothers will also be given a bracelet intended to communicate at a glance that the wearer has recently given birth, helping to ensure that any medical provider or bystander is aware of her status in an emergency situation, and prompting quicker recognition of postpartum risks.
“Incorporating the bracelet with our discharge education is key to awareness,” added Hedgepeth.
“The bracelet is a unique way to alert trained health care providers and community members that a patient has recently given birth, so if she experiences certain symptoms, they can be recognized as specific to the fourth trimester.”
The goal is simple, be proactive instead of reactive.
Improving Maternal Health Outcomes in North Carolina
“We hope this program will change outcomes and decrease mortality rates in North Carolina,” said Hedgepeth. “At the end of the day, it’s about keeping moms safe and healthy so they can focus on what matters most—caring for their new baby.”
Women's Care at FirstHealth
FirstHealth offers a variety of medical and educational services for women, children and infants. Our Women's & Children's services include a comprehensive, state-of-the-art labor and delivery program that includes maternal fetal medicine as well as high-quality gynecological and pediatric care.
