NE Missouri News

Northeast Regional Medical Center (NRMC) in Kirksville, Missouri, has introduced a new postpartum bracelet program aimed at improving emergency care for new mothers. The initiative provides women who have recently given birth with a bracelet designed to alert medical personnel to their postpartum status if they require urgent treatment.

“Think of it as a type of medical alert bracelet,” said Cynthia Green, BSN, RNC-OB, director for women’s services at NRMC. “The idea is for patients to wear the bracelet for up to a year postpartum so if they need emergency treatment and are unable to convey that they have had a baby within the last year, this will alert providers to consider postpartum complications.”

Green emphasized the significance of recognizing recent childbirth in patient history. “People forget that having a baby can make a big change to your medical history,” Green said. “Pregnancy and delivery can change so many things about your health.”

Although most complications tend to occur within four months after delivery, risks such as hemorrhages, mental health conditions like postpartum depression or anxiety, postpartum psychosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, eclampsia and related seizures can persist up to one year following childbirth.

Upon discharge from NRMC after delivery, patients are offered either a pink or blue bracelet marked with "I gave birth at NRMC." In the early stages of the program, an orange bracelet reading "Post Birth Alert" was distributed instead. “Wearing the bracelet is optional,” Green said. “We do educate the patient on how the program works and encourage them to wear the bracelet.”

NRMC has informed local emergency service departments and convenient care clinics about the program so staff are aware of its purpose when treating patients wearing these bracelets. Individuals who delivered at NRMC within the past year but did not receive a bracelet may contact (660) 785-1750 for more information.