Ottumwa Regional Health Center begins new postpartum care program

OTTUMWA, Iowa (KCCI)  —An Ottumwa hospital is beginning a new initiative that is aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates and boosting postpartum care.

The Ottumwa Regional Health Center says its new Special Delivery Program will provide postpartum patients with wristbands for six weeks that officials hope will ensure they get timely care for any complications.

"Many postpartum complications, such as anemia, hypertension, heart conditions, and infections, occur days or weeks after delivery, and 53% of pregnancy-related deaths happen between 7 and 365 days postpartum," a health center spokesperson said in a news release. "The Special Delivery Program seeks to change this by empowering postpartum patients to advocate for their health and ensuring providers are aware of recent deliveries when diagnosing and treating these patients."

For more information, check the Ottumwa Regional Health Center website.

KCCI/Des Moines- https://www.kcci.com/article/ottumwa-regional-health-center-special-delivery-program-postpartum-care/64957523