Postpartum patients at birthing hospitals in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø will receive an orange bracelet starting this fall.
The state-funded effort is a partnership with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Hospital Association that seeks by raising awareness of symptoms.
Postpartum symptoms that can require urgent care include an incision that’s not healing, thoughts of self-harm or harm to one’s baby, chest pain and a rapid heartbeat, swelling in the arm or leg and trouble breathing.
Doctors are encouraging patients to wear the bracelets for 12 weeks after giving birth. The bracelet alerts medical staff to look for – and immediately treat – postpartum complications they may have otherwise missed.
In ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, almost half of pregnancy-related deaths happen less than a year after pregnancy, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Department of Public Health (DPH). Statewide, non-Hispanic Black women are the most likely to die from problems related to being pregnant.
"A woman's body undergoes tremendous changes during pregnancy and childbirth, and proper healing takes time," said Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø's DPH.
"Complications like infections, excessive bleeding, blood clots, or problems with cesarean section wounds can be serious," Juthani said. "Wearing these bracelets will tell emergency responders and health care workers to look out for urgent maternal warning signs."
Birthing people will also receive a handbook with symptoms, and if they occur, will be instructed to call 911 or show up at the ER.
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The is led by the and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Hospital Association.
