Resources to support your pregnant and postpartum patients and their families

Across the nation, too many women continue to experience pregnancy-related complications and death. More than 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of complications related to pregnancy or delivery.¹ Many of these deaths are preventable. In addition, significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in maternal morbidity and mortality. For example, Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to White women.² Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus recognizes your role at the front lines of defense to support your diverse pregnant and postpartum patients. We want to ensure you have the right tools and resources to help your patients understand their risks and key maternal warning signs.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently launched the Hear Her campaign to raise awareness of pregnancy-related complications, risks and death. The Hear Her campaign aims to increase knowledge of the symptoms women should seek medical attention for during pregnancy and in the year after delivery, such as vision changes and chest pain. Resources are available for pregnant and postpartum women, partners, families and friends, and health care providers.

 

The Hear Her campaign reminds us of the importance of listening to women. As a health care provider, you have an opportunity to listen to pregnant women, engage in an open conversation to make certain their concerns are adequately addressed, and help your patients understand urgent maternal warning signs. You can find more information on the CDC's Hear Her campaign at www.cdc.gov/hearher.

 

In addition, the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care developed a tool to help women identify urgent maternal warning signs. The Urgent Maternal Warning Signs tool helps women recognize the symptoms they may experience during and after pregnancy that could indicate a life-threatening condition. The tool also provides additional information on the symptoms and conditions that place women at increased risk for pregnancy-related death. You can find the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care Urgent Maternal Warning Signs tool at www.safehealthcareforeverywoman.org/urgentmaternalwarningsigns.

 

If you have a pregnant member in your care who would benefit from case management, please call us at 1‑800‑450-8753. Members can also call our 24/7 NurseLine at the number on their member ID card.

 

References

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 13). Reproductive Health: Maternal Mortality. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/index.html.

² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, September 5). Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy-Related Deaths. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html.

 

NYE-NU-0255-20 October 2020