VILLA RICA, Ga. – For many mothers, leaving the hospital with a newborn marks the end of pregnancy. But medically, some of the most serious risks can emerge after delivery.

Through a new initiative funded by HOPE for Georgia Moms and supported through Tanner Health Foundation, Tanner Health is providing postpartum patients with post-birth alert bracelets, educational resources and, when clinically appropriate, blood pressure monitoring kits to help mothers recognize warning signs of cardiovascular complications and seek care when symptoms arise.

Healthcare providers often refer to the 12 weeks following childbirth as the "fourth trimester," a time when conditions such as hypertension, postpartum preeclampsia and heart-related complications can develop after a mother has returned home. Tanner hopes to increase awareness of these risks and encourage early intervention when warning signs appear.

A key component of the program is the distribution of post-birth alert bracelets that identify the wearer as having delivered a baby within the past year. In an emergency, that information can provide healthcare professionals with important clinical context that may influence diagnosis and treatment decisions. The bracelets also include a QR code linking mothers to information about postpartum warning signs and symptoms.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that once the baby is born, the dangerous part is over," said Susan Pullen, BS, RNC-OB,nurse manager of Labor and Delivery at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. "The postpartum period actually lasts 365 days, and many of the symptoms and early warning signs of cardiovascular complications can seem minor or easy to dismiss. By increasing education and providing resources, we can help mothers recognize warning signs earlier and seek care when it matters most."

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, cardiovascular conditions were the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia between 2020 and 2022. The department also found that 87% of pregnancy-related deaths had at least some chance of being prevented, emphasizing the importance of education, awareness and early intervention.

In addition to the bracelets and blood pressure kits, mothers receive educational materials that reinforce the importance of understanding heart health after pregnancy and recognizing when symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. One resource includes a simple three-step action plan encouraging mothers to monitor their blood pressure, keep follow-up appointments and understand their personal risk factors.

The initiative was developed by Tanner maternity staff who recognized the need for continued support beyond delivery. According to project leaders, the goal is to ensure mothers have the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for their health throughout the first year after birth.

"It has been a joy to put monitoring equipment into the hands of patients who may not otherwise have had access to it," Pullen said. "Many of our patients have never taken their blood pressure at home. When a nurse sits down with a patient, shows them how to use the equipment and answers their questions, it empowers that mother to take an active role in her health and recovery."

The project's impact has been recognized beyond Tanner. Working through Tanner Health Foundation, Pullen secured HOPE for Georgia Moms grant funding to support the initiative. After receiving the award, she was invited to present the project at a HOPE for Georgia Moms retreat at Lake Lanier. She later presented the initiative at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Georgia Section Conference and has since been invited to serve on Georgia's Maternal Health Task Force.

To learn more about Tanner Health Foundation and its efforts to support programs that improve the health and well-being of our communities, or to make a gift, visit TannerHealthFoundation.org.