Sentara’s “I Gave Birth” bracelets strive to keep new mothers alive during critical ‘fourth trimester’ after delivery

Can you imagine fighting for your life as you try to bring your child into the world? A'Shante Wooten can.

While in active labor, Wooten’s blood pressure spiked dangerously high. Nurses rushed to administer medication to prevent a seizure, and in that tense moment, Wooten thought, “Okay, I hope this really, really, like, really works.”

Thankfully, it did. She safely delivered a beautiful baby boy named Kru, but her journey highlights the many risks mothers face during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, also known as the ‘fourth trimester’.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 700 women will die annually in the United States due to pregnancy-related complications; nearly half will die up to one year after delivery. Most alarming of all, 80% of these deaths could have been prevented with timely diagnosis and effective treatment, highlighting the need for improved awareness of warning signs.

Understanding this critical need, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where Wooten gave birth, recently started giving out “I Gave Birth” bracelets to every new mother.

The bracelets will serve as a visual reminder of potential complications following delivery and will allow medical personnel to make better-informed decisions knowing their patient recently gave birth.

Mothers are also informed that once they return home if they experience symptoms such as overwhelming tiredness, a headache that won't go away, excessive swelling or bleeding, thoughts of hurting themselves or their baby, to take it seriously and seek treatment.

“When I'm giving this bracelet out, the best thing to hear is, ‘Yeah, I will come back. I do understand what you’re telling me and if I have any of these symptoms, I feel comfortable coming back,’” said Jennifer Kennard, nursing professional development generalist for Mother Baby and Lactation at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “Of course, the bracelet is optional, but we highly encourage them to wear it up to a year.”

Before new mothers leave the hospital, they will be given a “I Gave Birth” bracelet along with education on postpartum warning signs to look out for.

After reading about the bracelet initiative in a professional journal, Kennard wanted to bring it to Sentara, particularly to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where they take care of a high-risk population.

According to the Virginia Maternal Mortality Review Team Annual Report – 2023, Hampton Roads has the second highest rate of maternal mortality in the state, with 33% of the deaths occurring between 43 days and 365 days after the end of the pregnancy.

“What is critical for people to understand is postpartum preeclampsia (high blood pressure) can develop four to six weeks after delivery and so we're seeing these mothers being readmitted into the hospital,” said Kennard. “But we want them to come in earlier, to recognize the warning signs. We don't want to see them back worse than when they left.”

Traditionally women have one postpartum check-up six to eight weeks after delivery, however, in 2018 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommended women make contact with a provider in the first 3 weeks postpartum, followed up with ongoing care as needed, and concluding with a comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks after birth.

Kennard places a red “I Gave Birth” bracelet on A'Shante Wooten. Wooten is holding her baby, Kru, who she gave birth to during a hypertensive emergency just two days prior.

“Pay attention to your body, your health. Don't doubt yourself or feel like you’re bothering anyone. At the end of the day, you need to put yourself first,” said Wooten, who also had preeclampsia with her first pregnancy. “You come first. You have to. I hate to say that as a mom, but I can't be the best mother I can be if I'm not okay, so you gotta check yourself out.”

When a mother is giving all her energy and attention to her newborn, the bracelets will hopefully act as a visual reminder to check in with themselves and for family members to ask them how they are feeling.

Over 1,700 “I Gave Birth” bracelets have been ordered for Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and six other Sentara hospitals will be getting them as well. The goal is for all family maternity centers within Sentara to have these bracelets.

Kennard has also informed local emergency services and fire departments throughout Hampton Roads about the bracelet along with a maternal warning sign handout to highlight symptoms that require immediate attention.

“It's not just a bracelet, it's the women behind the bracelet, who may not be able to speak for themselves in an emergency situation, and most importantly, to remind them that they are still at risk,” said Kennard.