Postpartum Bracelet Program at Northwest Health
Giving birth is a major health event which can have an effect on a person's health for up to 12 months postpartum. That's why Northwest Health created the postpartum bracelet program. Before leaving the hospital, postpartum patients are given a silicone "I Gave Birth" bracelet. We recommend that the patient wear this bracelet for one year, but at a minimum for 12 weeks after delivery. Wearing this bracelet could mean the difference in getting the right care during an emergency.
Similar to a medical alert bracelet, the "I Gave Birth" bracelet alerts the medical team that the person had a baby within the last year, even if the person is unable to communicate. With this knowledge, the medical team can then consider postpartum complications as a potential diagnosis.
For example, what may appear as a bad headache or high blood pressure may actually be postpartum eclampsia, which requires a specialized treatment plan.
The postpartum bracelet program is optional, and each postpartum patient receives education about the program at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville and Willow Creek Women's Hospital. Patients then get a bracelet to take home and choose if they'd like to wear it.
Some of the postpartum conditions the "I Gave Birth" bracelet can alert the medical team to include:
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Postpartum depression and/or anxiety
- Postpartum psychosis
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism
- Postpartum preeclampsia or eclampsia
To learn more about the program or to speak with an OB patient navigator, call:
- Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville: (479) 553-1266
- Willow Creek Women's Hospital: (479) 684-3204