The first 12 weeks after childbirth, often called the “fourth trimester,” can bring new physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that can create challenges for new mothers.
Yahoo Health recently spoke with Blake Porter, M.D., chief medical officer of specialty services and chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Access TeleCare, about why that postpartum window deserves the same intentional attention as pregnancy itself and how continued engagement with a specialist via telemedicine fits in.
Recognizing the fourth trimester as its own phase of care can help healthcare systems create more consistent support through earlier check-ins, mental health screening, home blood pressure monitoring, medical management and follow-up for pregnancy-related complications. Telemedicine can make those touchpoints easier to access, particularly for patients facing transportation barriers, rural access challenges, or the practical difficulty of traveling with a newborn.
“We don’t need every interaction to be an office visit,” Dr. Porter told Yahoo Health. Virtual visits and remote monitoring can complement in-person care, helping clinicians stay connected with patients during a period when health needs can change quickly.
The Yahoo Health article also explores how a more flexible approach to postpartum care — including additional touchpoints and changes to how postpartum services are billed — could help health systems provide more individualized support after delivery.
Read the full Yahoo Health article to learn more from Dr. Porter about the fourth trimester and how health systems can better support mothers after delivery. Read the full story.
