The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has developed a standardized approach to ensuring that postpartum parents are empowered to recognized and act on signs of potentially life-threatening postpartum complications. The POST-BIRTH Warning Signs online course and program resources educate nurses and other healthcare professionals about the significance of postpartum maternal mortality and severe morbidity in the U.S. and how to provide consistent parent education aimed at reversing this trend.
GOAL: Improve counseling and use of patient education materials on warnings signs and when to seek care. Increase patient awareness of signs and symptoms of common complication.
METHODS: Standardize patient education to ensure health care providers relay consistent messages. Nurses at all of Iowa's 56 birthing hospitals and 23 Title V MCH agencies will be trained by AWHONN.
INTENDED RESULTS: Patients, families, and communities will have increased knowledge of warning signs or the need to seek care and be empowered to call for help. Patient will access care without delay when postpartum complication occur.
