Postpartum Gray Literature

Annotation: This report builds upon the 2022 report and continues to identify counties where a woman’s access to maternity health services may be limited or absent. It describes policy solutions and actions; gives summary data about maternity care deserts with a map showing each county in the U.S. and its level of access to maternity care; characteristics of maternity care deserts; information about and maps of hospitals, birth centers, providers, midwives and doulas; health insurance coverage; perinatal regionalization and risk-appropriate levels of care; and the covid-19 pandemic and access to maternity care.

• 2022
• 2022 Spanish

Keywords: Access to care, Infant health, Maternal health, Perinatal health, Pregnant women, State surveys, Statistics

Annotation: This training program applies core principles of health equity specifically to women's health workers in maternal and child health care settings. The training addresses persistent disparities in maternal health care across the country by examining how bias and racism emerge and present themselves in clinical care provided to women, birthing people, and their children. The program is designed for clinicians and women's health workers to help them understand and address the specific ways that inequities manifest in maternal and child health care delivery. The training focuses on identifying and addressing systemic barriers that contribute to maternal health disparities.

• Link

Keywords: Health care disparities, Health equity, Implicit bias, Maternal health, Professional training

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.

• English
• Spanish

Keywords: Patient education, Postpartum care

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.

• PDF

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

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.

• English
• Spanish

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

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.

• English
• Spanish

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

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.

• PDF

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

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.

• PDF

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

Annotation: This web page from the March of Dimes provides guidance for postpartum women and their families to help them identify serious health complications following childbirth. It emphasizes the importance of attending all postpartum checkups and outlines critical warning signs that require immediate medical attention, such as chest pain, heavy bleeding, and trouble breathing. The resource describes signs and symptoms for specific conditions, including infection, sepsis, postpartum hemorrhage, and preeclampsia, while addressing mental health concerns like postpartum depression. It also offers instructions on when to contact a healthcare provider versus seeking emergency services and notes that these resources are also available in Spanish.

• Link

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