Acute Rehab for the Perinatal Population 0–6 Weeks
After Delivery (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Rebeca Segraves and Jenna Segraves
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This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
Over 50 percent of maternal deaths occur within the first six weeks after birth. The single largest contributing factor to maternal morbidity is cesarean delivery. Despite the well-documented benefits of postsurgical rehab for hospitalized patients, individuals who have undergone C-section do not routinely have access to occupational and physical therapy after their major open abdominal surgery. Traditionally, patients start postpartum rehab six weeks or more after birth, which is outside of the critical period when the majority of maternal complications occur. Most maternal deaths that are associated with hypertensive disorders and eclampsia occur during postpartum week 1, and the majority of maternal deaths associated with infection occur between days 8 and 42. Occupational and physical therapists who work in the hospital and home are in a unique position to identify individuals who may be at greater risk for postpartum complications through evidence-based practice and the use of functional outcome measures.
This webinar will review high-quality rehab interventions and screening tools that assist the maternal medical team with identifying high-risk postpartum individuals to improve maternal function in the immediate postpartum period.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze risk factors in the medical history that contribute to postsurgical morbidity and occupational impairments in the immediate postpartum patient population
- Implement outcome measures specific to acute care rehabilitation to guide inpatient plans of care and outpatient referral recommendations for the postpartum patient
- Apply rehabilitation interventions to manage symptoms associated with prolonged recovery and surgical- or birth- related impairments in the perinatal population
- Determine effective communication strategies with the interprofessional care team to improve maternal health outcomes during the first 0–6 weeks after birth
- Examine the current literature to assist in providing innovative intervention strategies with the immediate postpartum patient
Meet your instructors
Rebeca Segraves
Dr. Rebeca Segraves, PT, DPT, WCS is a board-certified women’s health clinical specialist. She has extensive experience treating perinatal and pelvic health conditions in acute care, home health, and outpatient settings including long-term hospitalizations for high-risk pregnancy and following perinatal loss. She has worked…
Jenna Segraves
Jenna Segraves, PT, DPT is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist in physical therapy and a certified lymphedema therapist. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor for Graceland University’s DPT program. Her clinical practice involves a wide variety of settings and populations including outpatient neurology,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Current Maternal Health Outcomes in the United States
Speakers will review the current maternal health statistics in the United States compared to other developed nations. Speakers will tie in the role of trauma and additional risk factors that may contribute to the current health of the maternal population.
2. Initial Evaluation for the Immediate Postpartum Patient
Speakers will provide a comprehensive review of evidenced-based evaluation components in order to meet the needs of the immediate postpartum patient. Specific outcome measures and rehabilitation interventions will be discussed to mitigate both short- and long-term impairments.
3. Maternal Health Continuum of Care
Speakers will emphasize the importance of interprofessional collaboration to improve maternal health outcomes in the first 0–6 weeks. Current literature will be discussed to assist in providing innovative