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Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.


Displaying records 21 through 40 (147 total).

The University of North Carolina, Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, 4th Trimester Project. 2025. Postpartum visit checklist. Chapel Hill, NC: Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, 4th Trimester Project,

Annotation: This checklist is designed for new parents/birthing people, as well as care teams, community workers, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) professionals, and researchers, to support patient-centered care during the postpartum visit. The 4th Trimester Project team tested and adapted this tool, which the birthing person fills out and shares with clinic staff so the provider can prioritize the information and topics the mother wants to cover and learn about. This important touchpoint gives new parents a chance to think about their top questions and access important information and resources for support. The tool includes Care Team Tips with suggestions for clinics on how to introduce and use the checklist in practice, and it is available in English and Spanish (Español).

Keywords: Guidelines, Patient education, Postpartum care, Spanish language materials

Alabama Arise. 2025. The Alabama maternal health toolkit. Montogomery, AL: Alabama Arise, 16 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit for pregnant women and new mothers provides comprehensive information on accessing Medicaid coverage and maternal health services in the state of Alabama. It addresses Alabama's maternal health challenges, including the state's high maternal mortality rate and significant disparities affecting Black women. The toolkit outlines Medicaid eligibility criteria for pregnant women and describes the comprehensive services covered during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods (extended to one full year after childbirth). It provides step-by-step enrollment instructions, required documentation, and contact information for assistance. The document describes maternity care access challenges in Alabama, noting that 8.9% of births occur in maternity care deserts and highlighting hospital closures affecting rural areas. It presents various state programs and initiatives working to improve maternal health outcomes, including the Alabama Maternal Health Task Force, Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Birmingham Healthy Start Plus.

Keywords: Alabama, Eligibility, Legislation, Medicaid, Patient education, Perinatal care, Pregnancy, postpartum care, state programs

VCUHealth. 2025. Beyond baby blues. Richmond, VA: VCUHealth , 8 pp.

Annotation: This guide from VCU Health provides information and resources for women experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. It notes that while many women experience mild "baby blues," 15 to 20 percent develop more serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, low mood, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, or psychosis. The document lists potential symptoms and emphasizes the importance of seeking help from healthcare providers. It includes an extensive resource guide with crisis hotlines, local support services, online resources, and support groups for mothers and fathers/partners. The guide also provides information on home support services, grief and loss resources, support for military families, and intensive inpatient treatment centers. Additionally, it suggests relevant books and videos featuring personal stories of women who have experienced and recovered from perinatal depression and anxiety.

Keywords: Anxiety, Maternal health, Mental health, Patient education, Postpartum depression

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2025. After pregnancy. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Annotation: This online resource serves as guide for new mothers navigating the postpartum period, offering support for what can be a time of mixed emotions and physical changes. Key content areas include Postpartum Healing and Support, which covers topics like pain management, your care team, postpartum depression, pelvic support problems, exercise after pregnancy, and the importance of a postpartum support network. New mothers can also find guidance on breastfeeding and newborn vare, including how to prepare for breastfeeding, FAQs on breastfeeding, newborn screening tests, and newborn male circumcision. Additionally, the site addresses medical problems after pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, heart disease, pelvic support problems, and postpartum depression, and offers information on birth control after pregnancy, including postpartum birth control, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), and postpartum sterilization. The website also features interactive tools like "Ask ACOG" for common questions and a "My Postpartum Care Checklist".

Keywords: Infant care, Patient education, Postpartum care

Texas Department of State Health Services . 2025. Pregnancy, parenting, and depression. Austin, TX: Texas Maternal and Child Health Services ,

Annotation: This online resource from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) provides support and information for pregnant women, new parents, and caregivers in Texas. The website includes sections covering pregnancy resources, parenting resources (which links to the Texas Home Visiting program), and information about COVID-19 and pregnancy vaccination safety. The resource describes legislative requirements for providers to give new parents and caregivers a pamphlet, available in English and Spanish, covering topics like postpartum depression, shaken baby syndrome, immunizations, and newborn screening. The site includes depression resources listing urgent assistance lines such as 2-1-1 Texas and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and provides contact information for professional organizations and counseling services across various Texas counties.

Keywords: Infant care, MCH services, Patient education, Postpartum care, Prenatal care, Texas

Vermont Department of Health . 2025. Support delivered: Perinatal mood and anxiety Info & resources. Burlington, VT: Vermont Department of Health,

Annotation: This online resource functions as both an education and awareness campaign and an umbrella of coordinated supports and services for Vermonters experiencing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). The resource emphasizes that PMADs are the leading complication of childbirth, affecting about 1 in 4 pregnant or postpartum Vermonters, and notes that these disorders are common and treatable. For immediate support, the site provides contacts for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA). It also connects expecting and new families to mental health clinicians and community services via Help Me Grow Vermont and lists additional support from Postpartum Support International (PSI) and Designated Mental Health Agencies. The resource includes translated PMADs information sheets and Help Me Grow cards available in multiple languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish

Keywords: Anxiety, Campaigns, Depression, Mental health, Mood disorders, Patient education, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Vermont

March of Dimes. [2024]. Postpartum conversation guide for support systems. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 2 pp.

Annotation: This tip sheet from the March of Dimes for friends, family, and neighbors provides strategies to support individuals who have recently given birth during the postpartum period. It identifies critical physical and mental health warning signs requiring medical attention, such as chest discomfort, breathing difficulties, and symptoms of postpartum depression or preeclampsia. The resource offers conversation starters to encourage open communication and outlines practical ways to help, including providing meals, assisting with childcare, and managing household chores. Available in English and Spanish.

Keywords: Communication, Maternal mortality, Patient education, Postpartum care, Prevention

March of Dimes. [2024]. Postpartum conversation guide for parents. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 2pp.

Annotation: This guide for parents describes how to recognize and address health concerns following childbirth. It identifies critical physical and mental health warning signs requiring medical attention, such as chest pain, vision changes, and persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety. The document provides strategies for self-care, wellness, and self-advocacy, along with conversation starters to help individuals who have recently given birth request support from family and friends. Available in English and Spanish.

Keywords: Communication, Maternal mortality, Mental health, Patient education, Postpartum care, Postpartum depression, prevention

March of Dimes. [2024]. Postpartum anxiety mindfulness exercises. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 1 pp.

Annotation: This infographic provides mindfulness exercises for individuals with postpartum anxiety to help manage stress and negative thoughts after childbirth. It describes simple techniques such as focusing on breathing and using the senses to stay present, as well as structured practices like body scan, walking, and sitting meditations. The resource encourages daily practice to achieve greater calm and balance and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help for anxiety symptoms.

Keywords: Anxiety, Mental health, Patient education materials, Postpartum care

American Academy of Pediatrics . 2024 . Medical home . Itasca, IL: National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home,

Annotation: This website offers a collection of resources focused on improving the health and well-being of children and youth with special health care needs and their families by enhancing the patient/family-centered medical home. Included are tools for medical home implementation; care coordination materials, health equity resources; Information for families and caregivers; state and national initiatives; and promising program models.

Keywords: Care coordination, Family centered care, Federal initiatives, Health equity, Medical home, Patient education materials, Professional education, State initiatives

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. 2024. Achieving person-centered care for routine labor induction. Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, 16 pp.

Annotation: This guide provides detailed instructions for implementing a multilingual, person-centered decision aid for routine labor induction in prenatal care settings. It presents both web-based and paper versions of a decision support tool developed by Partner to Decide, a nonprofit organization, with funding from the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. The guide outlines implementation options, necessary resources, and evaluation strategies for healthcare providers adopting the tool, which supports shared decision-making for pregnant people considering labor induction between 39-42+ weeks with no medical indication. It includes step-by-step quality improvement processes, example workflow charts, sample medical record documentation language, and strategies for addressing common implementation challenges. The document contains substantial appendices with worksheets for systems analysis and example implementation flowcharts to help healthcare settings customize the tool's adoption to their specific needs.

Keywords: Decision making, Induced labor, Labor, Models, Patient care, Patient education, Patient satisfaction, Prenatal care

Supported by the Community Health Acceleration Partnership, Merck for Mothers, and Pritzker Children's Initiative. . 2024. Postpartum Medicaid implementation issue brief (Version 1.5). Afton Bloom, 20 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief discusses the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months following birth, which states have been able to implement since April 2022. It examines how this extension supports improved access to perinatal and postpartum care but requires complementary state actions to be fully effective. The brief highlights key challenges in postpartum care, including care fragmentation, workforce shortages, and barriers to implementation at system, community, and individual levels. It outlines four solution areas: developing comprehensive standards of care, expanding dyadic care models, increasing workforce support, and providing education and technical assistance. The document concludes with specific recommendations for funders to support implementation efforts at local, state, and national levels to improve maternal health outcomes and advance health equity.

Keywords: Barriers, Financing, Health care reform, Initiatives, Maternal health, Medicaid, Model programs, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Resources for professionals, patient education materials

The University of North Carolina, Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, 4th Trimester Project. 2024. Postpartum health resources . ,

Annotation: This website provides resources and information for new mothers and healthcare providers about the postpartum period, referred to as the "4th Trimester." It features evidence-based materials designed by and for mothers to support women during this transition to motherhood. The site includes sections on physical recovery, emotional health, breastfeeding, pelvic health, building support networks, and baby care. Visitors can access downloadable tools including postpartum planning guides, health information sheets, and recovery checklists in both English and Spanish. The 4th Trimester Project aims to change how America treats new mothers by emphasizing respectful, patient-centered care and addressing the social, emotional, physical, and economic support women need during the postpartum period, with particular attention to the needs of those with limited resources.

Keywords: Maternal health, Patient education materials, Postnatal care, Postpartum care

Kaiser Permanente. 2024. Baby on the way: Your pregnancy and postpartum health resource guide. Oakland, CA: Kaiser Permanente,

Annotation: This resource guide for pregnant women and parents-to-be provides information and support from the first trimester through delivery and the subsequent "fourth trimester" (postpartum recovery). Structured chronologically, the guide discusses major topics such as the care team and prenatal appointments (including a detailed low-risk pregnancy timeline and group visits like CenteringPregnancy®), health and wellness (covering nutrition, exercise, and substances to avoid), emotional adjustments and resources for anxiety or depression, and genetic testing options like noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and diagnostic tests (amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling [CVS]). The guide presents recommendations regarding the delivery experience, including developing a birth preferences plan, understanding pain management options (such as epidurals, IV narcotics, and nitrous oxide), and detailing routine newborn screenings, treatments, and care (such as Vitamin K and Hepatitis B vaccines). It incorporates functional elements such as specific advice on when to call a clinician or 911 for concerns during pregnancy and postpartum, along with journaling pages and to-do lists for preparing for birth

Keywords: Maternal health, Patient education materials, postpartum care, preconception care, pregnancy, prenatal care

Matlock AJ. 2024. Exploring postpartum care: A guide for new mothers. Grand Forks, ND: University of North Dakota, Department of Occupational Therapy, 75 pp.

Annotation: This scholarly project describes the development of an educational guide, "Exploring Postpartum Care: A Guide for Mothers," designed to provide mothers with comprehensive information on their postpartum journey from an occupational therapy perspective. The guide aims to bridge the gap in current hospital discharge education by addressing mothers' physical, emotional, and mental health needs during the postpartum period. Organized using the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model, the guide covers topics such as mental health, pelvic floor health, body mechanics, pain management, routines, roles, breastfeeding, nutrition, self-care, social support, supplies, healing timeline, precautions, and community resources. The project also outlines the implementation plan for the healthcare system to distribute the guide to all postpartum mothers at discharge, with the goal of expanding occupational therapy's role in providing follow-up and addressing concerns related to the guide's content.

Keywords: Occupationsl therapy, Patient Education, Patient discharge, Postpartum care

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2024. FAQs: Postpartum depression. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Annotation: This FAQ webpage from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides information for individuals with postpartum depression to help distinguish the condition from "baby blues" and understand contributing factors such as hormonal changes, fatigue, and lifestyle stressors. It outlines medical treatment options, including the medication zuranolone and various antidepressants, while addressing considerations for breastfeeding and potential side effects. The resource also details the role of psychotherapy—including individual, group, and family talk therapy—and offers guidance on establishing support networks and seeking preventive care. A substantial glossary defines key terms related to reproductive health and mental health treatment.

Keywords: Patient education, Postpartum depression

Mayo Clinic staff. 2024. Postpartum complications: What you need to know . Rochester, NY: Mayo Clinic,

Annotation: This web content for parents describes common postpartum complications and the importance of recognizing warning signs following childbirth. It addresses life-threatening conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, sepsis, and hemorrhage while highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native people. The site provides specific criteria for seeking emergency medical care and outlines recommendations for developing a postpartum care plan that includes frequent contact with healthcare professionals. Discussion also covers barriers to care for individuals with low incomes and those who lack insurance. This content is also available in Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish

Keywords: Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality prevention, Patient education , Postpartum care

March of Dimes. [2023]. Postpartum wellness plan. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 3 pp.

Annotation: This wellness plan from the March of Dimes helps individuals who have recently given birth organize their physical and mental health needs during the transition after childbirth. It provides fillable sections for identifying a healthcare team, planning for rest and nutrition, and coordinating social support for tasks such as childcare, errands, and household chores. The document also includes contact information for national mental health and crisis hotlines to address postpartum mood changes and emergencies. Available in English and Spanish.

Keywords: Patient education, Postpartum care

March of Dimes. [2023]. Navigating the postpartum stage. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 1 pp.

Annotation: This fact sheet provides information for individuals who have recently given birth to help them navigate the postpartum stage and advocate for their healthcare needs. It describes various postpartum mental health conditions, including baby blues, postpartum depression, and anxiety disorders, while emphasizing the importance of seeking early treatment. The document also outlines critical physical warning signs that require immediate medical attention, such as uncontrolled bleeding and chest pain, and highlights the necessity of attending all postpartum checkups. Additionally, it addresses the long-term effects of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and encourages ongoing wellness through healthy habits and support from social networks.

Keywords: Patient education materials, Postpartum care, Postpartum depression, Prevention

March of Dimes. [2023]. Postpartum depression and other mental health challenges. Arlington, VA: March of Dimes, 2 pp.

Annotation: This fact sheet for parents describes the physical and emotional signs of postpartum depression and identifies risk factors such as a lack of social support or having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. It outlines management strategies, including professional counseling and medication, and emphasizes the importance of seeking assistance through healthcare providers and national mental health resources.

Keywords: Mental health, Patient education materials, Postpartum care, Postpartum depression

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The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.