WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is launching a new initiative to support birth outcomes for mothers on Maternal Health Awareness Day.
“I Gave Birth” is a hospital-based initiative within the North Carolina Maternal Health Innovation Program, which encourages providers to listen more carefully when women and new mothers speak up about mental health symptoms.
“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. “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.”
The campaign collaborates with 48 hospitals and providers to improve postpartum care during the fourth trimester. Each new mother receives a bracelet to serve as a visual reminder for vigilant monitoring of the mother’s physical and mental well-being.
Officials said chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, high fever, heavy bleeding or severe swelling within 42 days after birth are not normal postpartum signs, and women should seek care.
“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. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone, and help is available. Talk to your provider and get the care you deserve.”
Postpartum depression commonly occurs four to eight weeks after birth, but symptoms can appear as soon as 24 hours after birth or months later.
According to NCDHHS, a recent study showed one in five women reported experiencing a perinatal mental health condition, and approximately two out of three pregnancy-related deaths occur during the first 42 days postpartum.
The North Carolina Maternal Mortality Review Report for 2018-2020 showed that 87% of North Carolina maternal deaths were deemed preventable.
Other national and state-level resources for new mothers are available, including the free and confidential Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7. It can be reached at 833-TLC-MAMA to speak or chat with trained professionals ready to offer support, give information and refer callers to local providers.
NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS also provides free real-time phone consultation services to health care providers for pregnant and postpartum patients at 919-681-2909.
NC MATTERS is a collaboration between NCDHHS, the UNC School of Medicine and Duke University to help providers with case-specific questions through a perinatal mental health expert.
More resources, including webinars and screening tools, are available on the NC MATTERS website. Resources on improving maternal health care can be found on the NCDHHS website.
For those who face challenges with breastfeeding, visit here.
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