Mary Washington Healthcare Launches Post Birth Alert Bracelet Program

Fredericksburg, VA, (January 15, 2026) – Mary Washington Healthcare is proud to announce the launch of a new postpartum safety initiative. The Post Birth Alert Bracelet program is designed to enhance awareness and prevention of postpartum complications.

As part of this initiative, new mothers will receive a red silicone bracelet upon discharge, imprinted with the words “I gave birth.” This simple yet powerful tool serves as a visual reminder for caregivers and healthcare providers to remain vigilant for signs of postpartum complications, including postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

While PPH is a critical concern, the bracelet’s purpose extends beyond this single complication. It serves as an alert to all healthcare providers that the patient has recently given birth—a detail that can be vital in recognizing and treating other serious postpartum conditions. These include preeclampsia, infection, blood clots, and cardiac issues, which may present subtly and are sometimes overlooked when a patient seeks care outside of obstetric settings.

PPH is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, affecting approximately 14 million women annually and resulting in about 70,000 maternal deaths. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of improved prevention and management strategies, including timely interventions and heightened awareness among healthcare teams.

By creating a clear visual cue, MWHC aims to bridge communication gaps across departments and care settings. Whether a patient returns to the emergency department, visits a specialist, or undergoes a procedure, the bracelet signals the need for heightened awareness of postpartum risks that can arise weeks after delivery.

This program is part of a broader effort by MWHC to educate the community and strengthen internal protocols for maternal safety. In preparation for the rollout, the health system conducted an extensive training seminar for departments that interact with obstetric patients, including emergency medicine, anesthesiology, respiratory therapy, and more.

“Postpartum hemorrhage, along with other serious complications such as preeclampsia, can occur suddenly and progress rapidly,” said Ann Weed, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services, Mary Washington Healthcare. “By implementing this bracelet program and reinforcing education across our system, we aim to improve early recognition and response to these potentially life-threatening conditions, ultimately saving lives and enhancing maternal outcomes.”

MWHC remains committed to advancing maternal health and ensuring that every patient receives exceptional, compassionate care.

For more information about this initiative, visit MyBaby.mwhc.com.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare:

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital, Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.