Perinatal Care

The Perinatal period is defined as from the time of pregnancy through the first year postpartum. It is a time in women’s lives that involve significant changes in their body and in their mental state, including changes in their social status and decision-making power. Alarmingly high and climbing rates of maternal death and severe maternal conditions, especially among Black and indigenous women, have also drawn attention to disparities in patient experiences with maternal health care in recent years. Affecting all aspects of maternal care, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified these concerns, revealing as well as exacerbating inequities in mothers’ experiences. Supporting women’s empowerment at this particular time in their lives is an opportunity to create benefits for maternal and infant health outcomes such as reductions in depression and premature birth rates.

The following information is on the perinatal period. Read as much as you can, inform yourself and you will be empowered to know, to speak and to act in ways that will support your body, strengthen your mind and create health and wellness in your future.

A Midwife Nation

https://amidwifenation.com/tools-handouts/

AWHONN – Health Mom & Baby (Powered by the Nurses from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses)

https://www.health4mom.org/healthy-mom-baby-magazine-issue-30/

https://www.awhonn.org/news-advocacy-and-publications/journals/patient-education/

Birth Equity

https://www.awhonn.org/birthequity/

ACOG – American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Patient Education

https://www.acog.org/womens-health

https://www.acog.org/clinical-information/physician-faqs/-/media/3a22e153b67446a6b31fb051e469187c.ashx

ACNM – American College of Nurse-Midwives, Share with Women

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/15422011/homepage/share-with-women