March of Dimes Commends New Postpartum Care Guidelines From ACOG

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Apr 24, 2018, 12:24 ET

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- March of Dimes commends our partners at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for issuing new guidelines, Optimizing Postpartum Care, to ensure the proper care of women after giving birth. Too many mothers are suffering or dying from preventable causes during the postpartum period. These new guidelines, which recommend earlier and more frequent post-natal visits to a doctor, could help identify many dangerous conditions and ensure women get the care they need.

Women may be vulnerable to a range of health risks in the days and weeks after giving birth. These include not only physical conditions like high blood pressure but also postpartum depression and relapse of substance use. In recent months, media reports have highlighted numerous tragic cases in which new mothers died of preventable and treatable conditions after childbirth. March of Dimes applauds the new ACOG recommendations for urging postpartum care to begin very soon after birth and to continue as frequently as needed, replacing the current recommendation for a single postpartum visit sometime within 60 days after giving birth.

March of Dimes looks forward to working with ACOG and other partners to ensure the rapid adoption and implementation of these guidelines by providers, insurers, quality measurement programs, and many others. If followed widely, these guidelines have the potential to dramatically improve women's health.

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes