Transitioning to motherhood can be a demanding and overwhelming experience. Many new mothers aren’t getting the support they need after giving birth, which can lead to serious health issues like postpartum depression, heart problems and breastfeeding difficulties. Too often, postpartum care is limited to a single visit, which isn’t enough to address all new mother’s needs.
Baylor Scott & White Health is piloting a digital health solution to improve postpartum care. This innovative tool fills a critical gap in maternal healthcare- the lack of personalized postpartum support for new moms. Our new app, being piloted at Andrews Women’s Hospital at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, combines AI technology with the expertise of a dedicated care team to provide around-the-clock personalized guidance, support and coordinated care. This digital solution will transform postpartum care, improving outcomes and satisfaction for mothers and their families.
The Postpartum Care digital application has the potential to improve maternal health outcomes for new mothers. We believe this tool will reduce time to access additional services, increase satisfaction with breastfeeding and reduce rates of postpartum depression.
The initial pilot period of this program employs one Nurse Care Advocate, a clinically trained expert who works directly with the postpartum mom. Care Advocates answer questions about the new mother’s physical health and postpartum recovery, assists with finding in-network providers for lactation and pelvic floor needs, and creates personalized action plans for health and wellness goals.
But what’s next? As the program grows, we will need to hire additional Nurse Care Advocates to manage the demand. With the highest baby delivery volume in the system, we anticipate a high level of use among All Saints’ maternal patients.
We will also be looking to expand services to cover more of a mother’s journey including pregnancy, pediatrics and spousal support. Funding could also help expand service offerings more quickly, specifically by bringing on mental health support and remote patient monitoring.
As an OB-GYN, I see firsthand how critical the postpartum period is for new mothers. Our new digital health solution is a transformative step in postpartum care. It provides continuous, personalized support that every new mother deserves, far beyond the traditional single visit. This tool is essential for improving outcomes and empowering mothers during this critical time.”
Jay Herd, MD Chief Medical Officer, BSW – Fort Worth
