The Frederick Health Birth Place is taking part in the Orange Bracelet
Initiative, a national safety initiative for patients who have recently
given birth to raise awareness of maternal warning signs and reduce preventable
maternal deaths.
As part of this program, all Frederick Health postpartum patients will
receive a bright orange bracelet with the words “I GAVE BIRTH”
and are encouraged to wear this for up to 6 weeks after delivery.
While many women who give birth can recover without problems, anyone can
have complications between the first 6 weeks to one year after birth.
The orange bracelet alerts healthcare professionals and emergency responders
to immediately check for postpartum complications that could be misdiagnosed
or overlooked. These complications can become life-threatening if the
appropriate medical care is not received right away.
This bracelet also serves as a reminder for patients who recently gave
birth to monitor their health and self-advocate when visiting an Emergency
Department.
Know the Maternal Warning Signs
Trust your instincts and always get medical care if you are not feeling
well. It’s important to learn and recognize the POST-BIRTH warning
signs. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call 911
or your healthcare provider right away and tell them
“I gave birth on ___(date)____ and I am experiencing ____(specific issue) ____.”
Call 911 If You Have…
Pain in chest
Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
Seizures
Thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: If you can’t reach your healthcare provider, call 911 or go to the
emergency room.
Bleeding, soaking through one pad/hour, or blood clots, the size of an egg
or bigger.
Incision that is not healing
Red or swollen leg, that is painful or warm to touch
Temperature of 100.4º F or higher or 96.8º F or lower
Headache that does not get better, even after taking medicine, or bad headache
with vision changes.
These post-birth warning signs can become life-threatening if you don’t
receive medical care right away because:
Pain in chest, obstructed breathing or shortness of breath (trouble catching
your breath) may mean you have a blood clot in your lung or a heart problem.
Seizures may mean you have a condition called eclampsia
Thoughts of feeling or wanting to hurt yourself or someone else may mean
you have postpartum depression
Bleeding (heavy), soaking more than one pad in an hour or passing an egg-sized
clot or bigger may mean you have an obstetric hemorrhage.
Incision that is not healing, increased redness or any pus from episiotomy,
vaginal tear, or C-section site may mean an infection.
Redness, swelling, warmth, or pain in the calf area of your leg may mean
you have a blood clot.
Temperature of 100.4º F or higher or 96.8º F or lower, bad smelling
vaginal blood or discharge may mean you have an infection.
Headache (very painful), vision changes, or pain in the upper right area
of your belly may mean you have high blood pressure or post birth preeclampsia.
Download the POST-BIRTH Warning Signs
Download a free digital copy of the POST-BIRTH warning signs and keep nearby
for up to a year after delivery.
Women’s Health
