On January 23, 2022, we celebrated the fifth annual Maternal Health Awareness Day, which officially launched in 2017 to raise awareness for maternal health, safety, and mortality issues.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 810 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Among the most common pregnancy- and birth-related complications are severe bleeding, infections, hypertension, and delivery complications. The United States is the only developed nation with a rising maternal mortality rate – yet 60% of those deaths are preventable.
Maternal Health Awareness Day is a collaboration among the New Jersey section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; The Tara Hansen Foundation; Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; the New Jersey Obstetrical and Gynecological Society; the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and the New Jersey Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
The theme of this year’s Maternal Health Awareness Day is “Adding Up to Maternal Health.”
Here at Cooper, our dedicated staff of OB-GYN physicians, nurses, and ancillary teams pledge to promote maternal health awareness daily through prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal education; depression screening; and providing community resources to support women upon discharge.
In addition, the Cooper team recognizes that creating and nurturing partnerships with our patients is key to success. Listening intently to patients’ concerns, educating, providing safe environments, and ensuring patients receive the highest quality evidence-based care through daily hourly rounds and bedside shift report is our commitment to patients.
Enhancing our collaboration with interdisciplinary teams such as Social Work, Behavioral Health, and Addiction Medicine adds to improving maternal health across the Cooper University Health System.
If something does not “add up,” make sure to voice your concern on behalf of the maternal patient.
Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week virtually, in person, and over the phone.
Speak Up, a free NJ hotline, refers health screenings and treatment for pregnancy-related mood disorder. Postpartum Wellness Initiative of South Jersey helps moms with pregnancy-related maternal health disorders. Online chats and crisis centers are also available to assist in providing treatment.
- Speak Up: Call 800.328.3838 or https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/maternalchild/documents/PPD-brochure.pdf
- Postpartum Wellness Initiative for South Jersey: 856.675.5295
- Online free chat: https://www.7cups.com/about/howitworks.php
- Texting hotline: Text to 741741
Please click here for for local New Jersey Maternal Health Awareness Day events.