Frederick Health implements Orange Birth Bracelet Initiative to protect people who have recently given birth

Frederick Health is implementing an “Orange Birth Bracelet” initiative to identify urgent maternal warning signs during and after pregnancy and prevent deaths and complications for people who have recently given birth.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 700 women die annually in the U.S. from pregnancy-related complications, with about 60% of these deaths being preventable. Roughly 30-35% of these deaths occur one week to one year after delivery.

Frederick Health aims to prevent this by improving the process of alerting medical staff to a recent birth, using a bright orange, light rubber bracelet that reads, “I GAVE BIRTH.” The bracelet should be worn for at least 6 weeks after giving birth.

“The idea is that when a person who has recently given birth checks into the hospital or is experiencing pain, the bracelet will alert healthcare professionals and paramedics that the presenting symptoms could be a result of deeper postpartum complications,” said Meghan Speiser, Labor and Delivery Clinical Specialist at Frederick Health. “When we know more context, we can act quicker and more decisively before complications arise.”

This effort aligns Frederick Health with national maternal safety initiatives by educating patients and enhancing the identification of postpartum complications. Learn more about the Orange Birth Bracelet and the Post-Birth Warning Signs.