Murrieta Hospital Offers Lifesaving Postpartum Care Initiative

MURRIETA, CA — "I gave birth," the bracelet reads.

It may seem a simple solution to rapidly identifying those needing lifesaving postpartum care. Still, the campaign started by the CDC and implemented at the Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta hospital has already saved the lives of two mothers, that institution said in a recent announcement.

The signs of postpartum distress could easily be misdiagnosed, the CDC warned. Severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, difficulty breathing, extreme swelling, heavy bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and thoughts of self-harm. If your arriving emergency room or medic is not aware that you've recently given birth, the results could be deadly.

The hospital has dovetailed on the CDC's Hear Her program to make strides locally in treating postpartum complications, according to Director of Perinatal Services Jennifer Ross Clarke, MSN.

"Two postpartum patients wearing wristbands were quickly identified and treated for complications," she said. That, combined with Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta's advanced certification in perinatal care from The Joint Commission, is working to provide lifesaving postpartum care at the hospital.

Postpartum complications remain a leading cause of maternal deaths in the United States, with 33 percent occurring between one week and one year after delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recognizing that 60 percent of these deaths are preventable, Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta launched a new postpartum care program to educate mothers and healthcare providers about life-threatening conditions.

Each year, about 700 women in the U.S. die from pregnancy-related complications. That's 700 too many, according to the director. “Most people don’t realize that more maternal deaths occur in the months following delivery than during childbirth."

While maternal care often focuses on pregnancy and delivery, the postpartum period poses a higher risk for issues such as hypertension, hemorrhage, sepsis, and substance use.

The Hear Her campaign equips new mothers with tools to recognize warning signs and seek care. From educational materials posted in hospital bathrooms to take-home magnets to the leave-on rubber wristbands that say, “I gave birth” to signal recent childbirth to healthcare providers.

“When a patient wearing one visits the emergency department, staff immediately know they’ve recently delivered and may require specialized care,” said Ross Clarke.

Common warning signs for new mothers include:

• Severe headache or vision changes
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Extreme swelling in the hands, face, or legs
• Heavy bleeding or signs of infection
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Thoughts of self-harm or harming others

The program also raises awareness about long-term risks tied to pregnancy.

Conditions like gestational diabetes and hypertension increase the likelihood of chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to Ross Clarke.

Sharing pregnancy history with primary care providers is of utmost importance, to ensure proper monitoring and follow-up care, she said.

LLUMC–Murrieta plans to collaborate with community healthcare providers to integrate postpartum care into routine primary care visits.

The hospital will share educational materials and stress the importance of follow-up care to create a comprehensive support network for mothers, according to Ross-Clarke. “We want mothers to feel empowered to speak up about their symptoms. If something feels wrong, seek care."