Tampa, FL, May 23, 2023 – 4th Trimester Care has launched a Postpartum Nurse Home Care Service Program for postpartum mothers in Tampa Bay. The program is an affordable self-pay option which includes three Nurse home visits in the first 30 days and an advocate, Mama Pal. The Mama Pal coordinates care and is the point of contact for questions, information, and referrals to community resources.
Our Registered Nurses are experienced in maternal health and wellness and enthusiastic about caring for mothers at home in the 4th trimester. Why? Over 50% of pregnancy-related deaths occur 7-365 days postpartum. Our Nurses will visit mom at home to provide clinical care from checking mom from head to toe, checking blood pressure, managing pain, pregnancy complications and chronic conditions, checking emotional health, supporting breastfeeding/bottle-feeding, nurturing mom and more. Our Nurses work closely with the mother’s OB provider to ensure continuity of care.
Mothers are discharged from the hospital within a few nights depending on the type of delivery. Our nurses know firsthand what postpartum mothers experience and appreciate the need for additional clinical support at home. Postpartum mothers can develop life-threatening serious complications like high blood pressure, severe bleeding/hemorrhage, infection, and mental health conditions. These complications can lead to readmissions to the hospital and bleak outcomes.
Mothers typically get one postpartum check-up at 6 weeks postpartum because most health insurance only pays for one. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advocate and support postpartum care as an on-going process. Ironically, postpartum mothers see their child’s pediatrician more than their own provider.
The US maternal morbidity and mortality rates are on the rise and consistently exceed rates in other high-income countries. A recent CDC study showed the number of maternal deaths in 2021 increased by 40% over the previous year. The lack of comprehensive postpartum care is part of the problem and is detrimental for our mothers, children, families, and communities. Because our nurses can detect and manage serious health conditions earlier at home, we will be part of the solution to improve maternal health outcomes.
The benefits of our Postpartum Nurse Home Care Program include early detection of health risks and management of pregnancy complications, like high blood pressure, mental health and chronic medical conditions, more personalized attention and one-on-one time for questions, identification of family needs, sense of community, and emotional support for the transition to motherhood. Studies show that other home-based care programs, such as hospital-at-home care, improve health outcomes, save costs, and deliver a better experience for patients.
Mothers need more postpartum care for their physical recovery and emotional well-being. Early motherhood is exciting as well as incredibly challenging and isolating. Our Postpartum Nurses will be there for moms and provide much deserved care and support for a healthy recovery.
It is time to learn from our past and bring house calls back.
Media contact
Laureen Austin
404.213.3356
Laureen@4thtrimestercare.com