Join Atrium Health Navicent in Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week
In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, celebrated nationally April 11-17, Atrium Health Navicent encourages the community to learn about the maternal health disparities that disproportionately affect Black women in Georgia, and ways to combat those disparities. Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, and due to a number of factors, black women in our state are more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications.
Atrium Health Navicent is helping spread the word about the CDC’s “Hear Her” campaign which supports efforts to prevent pregnancy-related deaths by sharing life-saving messages about urgent maternal health warning signs during and after pregnancy. In addition to increasing awareness of serous pregnancy-related complications and warning signs, the campaign seeks to improve communication between patients and their health care providers and to empower pregnant women and postpartum mothers to speak up about their concerns.
“Women know their bodies best and should be supported as they speak up if something doesn’t seem quite right,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrice Walker, who is also an OB/GYN. “We’re a first world country with third world statistics. Everyone has the ability to make a difference – friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, emergency medical personnel, doctors, nurses and more. “We must truly listen to pregnant women and encourage them to speak up about their health. Paying attention and acting quickly could help save the life of someone you love.”
Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Pregnant and post-partum women, and their loved ones, should be aware of certain signs and symptoms during pregnancy and in the year after delivery that could indicate a life-threatening situation:
• Headache that won’t go away or gets worse over time
• Dizziness or fainting
• Changes in your vision
• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Extreme swelling of your hands or face
• Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
• Trouble breathing.
• Chest pain or fast-beating heart
• Severe nausea and constant throwing up
• Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away
• Baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge during or after pregnancy
• Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm
• Sudden, overwhelming tiredness
Partners, friends, family and co-workers are encouraged to really listen when a pregnant woman says something in her body doesn’t feel right. Physicians are urged to provide tools for pregnant and postpartum women to better engage in lifesaving conversations. Atrium Health Navicent Women’s Care provides care for women at every stage of life from routine exams and maternity care to treatment of gynecologic conditions. To schedule an appointment, call 478-633-1821.
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 155,000 team members across 68 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.