The Fourth Trimester — An Underutilized Opportunity for Prevention
Resources for postpartum physical and mental health for mothers.
Beebe Nurse Navigator Program
Beebe Health established its nurse navigator program to be a creative tool that provides patient education and support during the postpartum period and beyond. Beebe Health’s strategy aligns with the ACOG committee opinion #736, published May 2018, which recommends a reframing of the postpartum period as an ongoing process vs. a single encounter. The concept of the fourth trimester allows obstetrics providers to assist women to successfully navigate the transition from pregnancy to parenthood by addressing comprehensive health needs over a series of visits.
Speaker: Bridget Buckaloo
Links/Resources
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) Food Box Initiative
The Food Box initiative is a program for postpartum mothers. It was developed by the Delaware Division of Medicaid in partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware, ModivCare, AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware, and Highmark Health Options. Through this program, postpartum mothers — who are Medicaid members and have enrolled in a managed care organization — are eligible to receive food box deliveries for up to eight weeks if they have delivered via cesarean section and are less than 12 weeks postpartum. The food boxes contain shelf-stable items, and mothers can choose between weekly or biweekly deliveries.
Speaker: Dara Hall
Delaware Hispanic Association, Healthy Women, Healthy Babies (HWHB) Zones Mini-Grantee
The Delaware Hispanic Association (DHA) is focused on reducing stress levels and improving the mental health of Hispanic mothers through its “Madres Felices, Hijos Felices” support group program. This group meets twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays (remotely during COVID-19 and eventually in person at Garfield Park Center). The program includes a dedicated community liaison who offers referrals to connect the Latino community with local community bilingual resources and service providers in a culturally appropriate way. DHA serves women of childbearing age (15–44) living primarily in ZIP code 19720.
Speaker: Mayra Leon and Ronaldo Tello