North Carolina Launches Postpartum Health Campaign With Hospital Bracelet Program

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services started the "I Gave Birth" campaign on Maternal Health Awareness Day. The goal is to encourage better postpartum care for mothers statewide. This hospital-based effort works with 48 hospitals and providers to monitor women during those critical first six to eight weeks after they deliver their babies.

New mothers get a bracelet. It acts as a visual cue for families and medical staff to watch for danger signs. Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, high fever, heavy bleeding, or severe swelling within 42 days after birth signal trouble and require medical attention.

"Many mothers of newborns are so focused on taking care of their baby they often fail to seek medical attention for symptoms they think are normal after birth," said Tara Owens-Shuler, maternal branch head of the NCDHHS Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section, according to WECT.com "That's why it is so important that providers and family members are educated about post birth warning signs, which includes postpartum anxiety and depression. Most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable."

State data reveals a stark reality: about two out of three pregnancy-related deaths happen within the first 42 days after childbirth. The North Carolina Maternal Mortality Review Report for 2018-2020 found that 87% of maternal deaths in the state could have been stopped.

A recent study showed one in five women experienced a perinatal mental health condition. Postpartum depression strikes most often four to eight weeks after birth, but symptoms can appear as soon as 24 hours after delivery or months down the road.

"Giving birth is a joyous time, but it is also a major event that impacts a woman's physical and emotional health," said Dr. Kelly Kimple, director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health. "Recovering from childbirth, both physically and mentally, is a challenge. It is also very common to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or depressed after childbirth."

The program belongs to the North Carolina Maternal Health Innovation Program. It pushes providers to listen when women report physical or mental health concerns.

The free and confidential Maternal Mental Health Hotline runs 24/7 at 833-TLC-MAMA. Trained professionals offer support and referrals to local providers through phone or text.

NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS provides free consultation services to health care providers at 919-681-2909. NCDHHS, the UNC School of Medicine and Duke University work together on this program.