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 wear a teal band for six weeks during the critical postpartum period.
Wearing a teal band ensures all medical staff are aware of your postpartum status and can provide prompt, informed care in emergencies.
Why Postpartum Alert Matters
With Nebraska ranking 17th in maternal mortality nationally, this initiative addresses the urgent need for standardized recognition and response to maternal complications, which are often preventable with proper monitoring and swift intervention. The United States faces a critical maternal health crisis, with mortality rates tripling those of other developed nations.
Provider Resources (Coming Soon)
For Patients with Teal Bands:
- Wear the teal wristband throughout the 6-week postpartum period
- Keep the band on until your healthcare provider advises removal
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
- Take all prescribed medications as directed
- Seek immediate medical attention for any warning signs
Patient Education Resources
All patient education materials are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Karen.
What Are Postpartum Warning Signs?
Postpartum warning signs are symptoms that may indicate serious complications within 12 months after pregnancy. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately and inform providers you are or recently were pregnant. Recognizing these warning signs early is critical to prevent life-threatening complications and can save lives.
Postpartum alert warning signs to watch for:
ACT FAST, Call 911 Immediately for:
- Pain in chest
- Hard to breathe or short of breath
- Seizures
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or another person
- Vaginal bleeding that will not stop
High Alert, Call Your Health Care Provider for:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding: Soaking through one or more pads in an hour
- Large clots that are the size of an egg or larger
- Red or swollen legs, that are painful to touch
- You have a fever of 100.4 or higher
- A headache that will not go away, even after taking medicine
- You are seeing spots or have blurry vision
- Feeling dizzy or like your head is spinning
- You are very swollen, and it seems to be getting worse
- You are very tired and can’t seem to get enough sleep
- You are checking your blood pressure, and it is over 160 (on the top) or 110 (on the bottom)
For detailed information on urgent maternal warning signs, please visit the AIM website. The information is available in multiple languages. We encourage you to explore this page and share it widely to promote awareness and support maternal health.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Complications:
- History of pregnancy complications
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Advanced maternal age (35+)
- Multiple pregnancies
- Obesity or high BMI
- Diabetes or chronic conditions
If you experience any warning signs listed above, seek immediate medical attention. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Always inform healthcare providers that you are within 6 weeks postpartum.
Most maternal complications can be prevented with proper monitoring and quick intervention. NPQIC is working to raise awareness of postpartum complications in our communities through the Postpartum Alert initiative.
