Nash UNC Health Care Women's Center announces bracelet program to help new mothers
The Nash UNC Health Care Women’s Center recently announced that all women who give birth at Nash UNC will receive an “I Gave Birth” bracelet thanks to a partnership with the Nash UNC Health Care Foundation. Mothers are encouraged to wear the bracelet for 10 weeks after giving birth, to help ensure potential postpartum complications are caught quickly.
“The bracelet is designed to alert any healthcare member that may render care to our mothers to consider postpartum complications when determining their plan of care,” said Boots Vandemark, Perinatal Educator for the Women’s Center.
The two postpartum complications recent mothers should be checked for are postpartum hemorrhage and severe hypertension/preeclampsia.
A postpartum hemorrhage is when a patient has a cumulative blood loss greater than or equal to 1000 mL. It can also be when blood loss is accompanied by signs and symptoms of hypovolemia, a lack of blood volume in the cardiovascular system, and is similar to shock. It can occur from 24 hours after birth up to 10 weeks postpartum.
“Early recognition and timely treatment is critical when dealing with a postpartum hemorrhage, so we are hopeful the bracelets will play a role in catching a hemorrhage more quickly,” said Vandemark.
Severe hypertension/preeclampsia is when a patient’s blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140 mmHg systolic, or is greater than or equal to 90 mmHg diastolic.
“It is important to recognize hypertension and provide timely treatment to lower the blood pressure in a safe manner,” said Vandemark. “The signs and symptoms to look out for are headache, blurred vision, dizziness and/or seeing spots in their eyes.”
The bracelets will be distributed at delivery via the Nash UNC labor and delivery staff.
“We will be sure that patients have received the bracelet and the importance of wearing it through their 10 weeks postpartum during discharge is explained,” said Vandemark.
The bracelets were made possible with funds provided by the Nash UNC Health Care Foundation.
“We are excited that we can help such a good cause for new mothers and continue to support new and innovative ideas from our staff that help Nash UNC improve our community's health and wellbeing,” said Kathleen Fleming, Foundation and Volunteer Services Director.
If you would like more information about the Foundation or would like to donate to the Women's Center fund please contact Kathleen Fleming at 252.962.8583 or visit http://NashUNCFoundation.org Donations to the foundation will allow them to fund additional incentives like this bracelet.
