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Supporting Maternal Health During Prematurity Awareness Month

A happy couple holding their newborn baby. The mother is smiling warmly while holding the baby close, and the father is looking at both lovingly
Supporting Maternal Health During Prematurity Awareness Month

Promoting Maternal and Infant Health: Insights for Prematurity Awareness Month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the experiences and challenges faced by families and infants born preterm. With roughly 1 in 10 babies born prematurely in the U.S. each year, these early arrivals can face a variety of health complications, making comprehensive maternal and infant care vital to improving outcomes.

At Monadnock Community Hospital (MCH), we believe in providing holistic support to mothers, babies, and families throughout every stage of the birthing journey, from prenatal care to postpartum recovery. Our team of dedicated providers works alongside families to offer tailored care that enhances both maternal and infant health, even in challenging circumstances like premature births.

Comprehensive Maternal Health Services at MCH

MCH’s maternal health services start well before delivery and extend through the postpartum period, ensuring mothers and babies receive the attention they need at every step. Before childbirth, our team helps mothers-to-be prepare for their birthing experience with personalized birth plans, offering guidance on nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

In the birthing suite, our experienced obstetric care team provides around-the-clock support, equipped with the latest technology to monitor both mother and baby. This level of care becomes especially critical during preterm labor, where early medical intervention can significantly improve outcomes for both mom and baby.

Postpartum Care and Premature Infant Support

Postpartum care is an essential part of our maternal health offerings. MCH provides resources and support for new mothers, including lactation consulting, infant nutrition guidance, and emotional support services through individual consultations and group classes. Our nursing staff are required to attend extra educational courses to maintain the needed skills to provide care to any infant born prematurely at MCH. Our providers and nursing staff collaborate and will consult other outside specialists to assist in the management of any infant needing additional NICU level care after birth. MCH is committed to offering both medical care and emotional support through every stage of the journey.

Our Classes, Programs, and Support Services are designed to give mothers and families the tools they need to thrive. These offerings include childbirth preparation classes, infant care workshops, and maternal mental health support, empowering families to face the challenges of prematurity with knowledge and confidence.

How You Can Help During Prematurity Awareness Month

This November, we invite you to join us in raising awareness for prematurity and supporting the mothers and infants affected. You can make a difference by learning more about the risk factors for preterm birth, sharing resources with expectant families, or participating in local events and fundraisers aimed at improving neonatal care.

Graphic promoting the 'Baby & Me Parent Group' at Monadnock Community Hospital Birthing Suite, offering support for parents of infants up to 12 months. Sessions cover topics such as feeding concerns, sleep issues, and parenting discussions, led by an MCH registered nurse or lactation consultant. The group meets every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Bond Wellness Center. Drop-in group, registration not required, with contact information provided

Graphic promoting the 'Understanding Birth Class' at Monadnock Community Hospital Birthing Suite, listing topics such as childbirth preparation, signs of labor, comfort strategies for labor, tour of the birthing suite, education about breastfeeding, and newborn care. Class held on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9 AM to 12 PM, with a maximum of 6 couples per session. Registration details include contact emails and phone number

Resources

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Pregnancy Guidelines
ACOG offers comprehensive information for expectant mothers, covering everything from prenatal care to labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Their Pregnancy FAQs provide expert advice on common pregnancy concerns, healthy lifestyle choices, and important warning signs to look out for during pregnancy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Pregnancy 
The CDC provides a comprehensive guide for pregnant women, focusing on healthy pregnancy habits, vaccines, and precautions during pregnancy. It also offers resources for managing health conditions that may arise. Visit the CDC Pregnancy page for science-backed advice to support a healthy pregnancy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Preterm Birth Information
The CDC offers detailed information on the causes, risk factors, and prevention of preterm births, as well as public health strategies aimed at reducing preterm birth rates. Visit the CDC’s Preterm Birth Page for evidence-based guidelines and statistics.

Cleveland Clinic – Pregnancy Guide
The Cleveland Clinic offers a well-rounded guide for expectant parents, including advice on managing common symptoms, prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) – Pregnancy and Newborn Health
HealthyChildren.org, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, offers expert advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn, with information on topics like prenatal care, breastfeeding, and newborn health.

March of Dimes – Prematurity Campaign
March of Dimes is a leading organization dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies. Their Prematurity Campaign provides comprehensive resources, including research on the causes and prevention of premature birth, and support for families of preterm infants.

Mayo Clinic – Pregnancy Week by Week 
Mayo Clinic’s Pregnancy Week by Week guide is a practical resource that offers detailed insights into fetal development, changes in a woman’s body, and tips for a healthy pregnancy. It’s an easy-to-navigate tool that helps expectant mothers stay informed throughout their pregnancy.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Maternal Health Research 
The NIH conducts and supports a wide range of research on maternal health, including studies on pregnancy-related conditions, maternal mortality, and interventions to improve maternal outcomes. Their Maternal Health Research page offers access to the latest findings and clinical studies.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Pregnancy Information
The NIH offers a wealth of resources on pregnancy, including information about prenatal care, nutrition, and managing pregnancy complications. Their Pregnancy page is a reliable source of information to help women navigate a healthy pregnancy and prepare for delivery.

World Health Organization (WHO) – Maternal Health
The WHO provides extensive resources on global maternal health, focusing on improving care for mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Their guidelines cover evidence-based practices to reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes. You can explore more on the WHO Maternal Health page.

Birthing Suite