Care in the Fourth Trimester

March of Dimes and Midland Health are partnering to support women and families as they navigate the first year of parenthood. 

“The first year with baby is a critical time of change for the family and some mothers/families make the adjustment with ease while others need continued support from their health care providers, family, community resources and employers.,” said Ms. Dillard.  We are encouraging pregnant and postpartum women and their families to learn ways to adjust to the critical changes that happen during the first year after having a baby.”

March of Dimes and Midland Health are hosting a free lunch-and-learn for pregnant and postpartum families. The panel discussion led by maternal and infant health experts will be held on Saturday, November 18^th at 11:30 AM in the Carrasco Room on the Campus of Midland College in Midland, Texas.  Topics covered include: 

1. How soon you should be seen after leaving the hospital.
2. Lactation support and resources on breastfeeding.
3. Health conditions to monitor closely with your healthcare provider after having a baby such as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, depression or anxiety.
4. Find out more about depression and anxiety or other conditions.
5. Importance of providing safe care of a newborn.
6. Workplace accommodations in pregnancy, after having a baby and while breastfeeding while returning back to work or school.

https://www.abetterbalance.org/resources-categories/pregnant-workers-fairness/

The partnership between March of Dimes and Midland Health is addressing new recommendations by the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) around the care of women after birth.  ACOG now recommends that postpartum care should be an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter and that all women have contact with their OB-GYNs or other obstetric care providers within the first three weeks postpartum.

Timely follow-up is particularly important for women with chronic medical conditions. The postpartum visit should serve as a transition to ongoing well-woman care and the timing of the visit should be individualized, woman-centered and follow-up should include a full assessment of the following: 

• mood and emotional well-being
• infant care and feeding
• sexuality contraception and birth spacing
• sleep and fatigue
• physical recovery from birth
• chronic disease management
• health maintenance

“Postpartum care visits with OB-GYNs or other obstetric care providers can help women navigate the new changes they experience after delivery and during the first year. We are reminded to better care for new moms, care should be ongoing process, rather than a single encounter, with services and support tailored to each woman’s individual needs.,” said Ms. Dillard.

For information on how to seek local OB/GYN and perinatal care, contact www.midlandhealth,org. For additional post-partum topics, visit https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum  

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We imagine a world where every mom and baby are healthy regardless of wealth race, gender or geography. https://www.marchofdimes.org