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Why It Matters For Virginia
Did you know that Virginia ranks among the top 10 states with the highest maternal mortality rates. Over 50% of pregnancy-related deaths occur between 7 days and 1 year postpartum, making the extended postpartum period a critical time for care and awareness. Many of these deaths are preventable!
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What Are The Teal Bracelets?
Teal bracelets identify postpartum women across the state of Virginia up to one year postpartum that are still at risk for life threatening complications of pregnancy. This bracelet alerts all providers to deliver informed-care. If you see an individual wearing the teal band, it means that they have recently delivered. Assess them immediately.
Patient Education Resources
Patient-friendly guide to recognizing postpartum complications
Patient-friendly guide to recognizing postpartum complications
What is Postpartum Alert?
The Postpartum Alert Initiative utilizes teal wristbands to identify postpartum patients who need heightened monitoring and rapid response for various maternal complications. This visual alert system serves a dual purpose: educating patients about warning signs requiring immediate medical attention and helping ensure all healthcare providers recognize these patients' special status and provide appropriate urgent care. The Postpartum Alert Initiative focuses on reducing maternal mortality by raising awareness and enabling timely care for postpartum complications to save lives.
Postpartum patients are required to wear a teal band for six weeks to indicate their status during the critical postpartum period. This visible teal band ensures that all medical staff are immediately aware of the patient's postpartum status, enabling them to provide prompt, informed care in the event of an emergency.
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POSTPARTUM
STILL AT RISK
A.L.E.R.T
ASK. LOOK. EDUCATE. REACT. TRACK
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ASK
Are you currently pregnant or have you given birth in the last year? Don't assume! ASK!
90,000 individuals will give birth in Virginia in one year and are STILL at risk!
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LOOK
Look for the teal #PostpartumStillAtRisk bracelet and be alert for the warning signs below that could indicate life-threatening signs and symptoms in postpartum individuals.
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EDUCATE
Share warning signs. Reinforce that individuals who give birth continue to be at risk up to a year postpartum.
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REACT
React fast. Escalate care. Validate her voice.
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TRACK/TRANSFER
Consider consult to maternal health expert. Always inform the next provider of her postpartum status and chart her status! Arrange follow up care. Track her visit.
WARNING SIGNS
Know the signs that require immediate medical attention
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Emergency Signs
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Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Thoughts of harming self or others
Fever of 100.4 or higher
Seizures
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Urgent Signs
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Severe headache that won't go away
High blood pressure 160/110
Severe vomiting or redness in leg or arm
Severe belly pain
Heavy or increasing bleeding
POSTPARTUM WARNING
#STILLATRISK
CALL 911IMMEDIATELY
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Chest Pain
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Shortness of Breath
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Heavy Bleeding
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Thoughts of Harming Yourself
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Seizures
National Resources for Providers and First Responders:Targeted Patient Resources
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CDC hear her campaign: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/hcp/overview/index.htm
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Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM)
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VNCP Website: SafeBirth Bill - https://govnpc.org/initiatives/safebirthva/
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ACOG Emergency Room Obstetrics: AIM- https://saferbirth.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL_AIM_OERRK.pdf
ONE YEAR. ONE BRACELET. ONE LIFE. YOURS.
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Patient Information Center
For Patients with Teal Bracelets:
Know the signs that require immediate medical attention
Keep the band on until your healthcare provider advises removal
Show your wristband to healthcare providers
Keep the band on until your healthcare provider advises removal
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
Take all prescribed medications as directed
Seek immediate medical attention for any warning signs
Share this information with family and caregivers
Provider Resources
“I Took the Pledge” . I wear this bracelet to remind myself and others that I am still at risk, even after giving birth. I pledged to wear it for one full year postpartum, because the risks don’t end when the baby arrives.
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