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Family Connects Chicago: Postpartum Home Nurse Visits

UChicago Medicine’s Family Connects program provides in-home nursing support to help new parents navigate the critical first months after their newborn’s birth.

Through this program, Chicago families receive a visit from a registered nurse about three weeks after their newborn's birth. This visit offers benefits for newborns and parents, as well as other family members and caregivers.

What is the Family Connects Program?

The free program is available to anyone who delivers at the University of Chicago or a participating birthing center, and who lives in the city of Chicago with a 606 zip code.

Participating Chicago families receive visits from a Family Connects nurse who can:

• Address their questions and concerns.
• Provide education and support about newborn care.
• Schedule follow-up medical care for both the baby and the birthing parent.
• Connect the family with any specific resources they might need.

While new parents routinely receive infant care education before they leave the hospital, many exhausted, overwhelmed families don’t retain the information. The at-home nurse reinforces the information and answers questions about topics such as soothing the baby, feeding, bathing, and other care.

The nurses also check in with the birthing parent about her own health, including monitoring blood pressure and pain.

Contact our team via email

Support for the Whole Family

Beyond medical concerns, Family Connects also works with parents to understand external issues affecting their family’s wellbeing. The nurse may provide resources such as:

• A referral to mental health  services for a parent who is struggling with depression and anxiety in the postnatal period.
• Help finding a GED program to further a parent’s education.
• Childcare resources for a parent who needs to return to work.

Who is the Family Connects Program for?

When the City of Chicago launched a new program in 2020 to send in-home nurse visits to support families with newborns, UChicago Medicine’s main role was to provide referrals. The hospital provided Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) with a list of patients who had given birth and CDPH staff members contacted them after they returned home.

But enrollment was low — of the patients contacted, only 40% signed up.

That’s when our team stepped up to take a more active role in the Family Connects program assisted by grant funding from UChicago Medicine. The goal was to increase participation by starting the conversation in the hospital about home support.

Organizers hope that new parents will be more open to receiving support if the offer comes from a familiar, trusted nurse.

“The goal of the program is to support birthing families so that they can make a smooth transition to caring for their newborns,” said Janae Rhodes, RN, Nurse Supervisor for Family Connects. “But the nurses also help with continuity of care by assessing and monitoring the infant’s health, which decreases hospitalizations, readmissions, and emergency room visits.”

Family Connects is modeled on an evidence-based program developed by Duke University. Two randomized controlled trials and a field study conducted in North Carolina found multiple medical benefits to in-home nursing support for new parents. After receiving home visits by nurses, primary caregivers of infants were 30% less likely to have clinical depression or anxiety, they were more likely to have a six-week postpartum health check, child maltreatment investigations were reduced by 44%, and infant emergency room visits and hospital admissions were reduced by 35%.

There were economic benefits also. In a city that averages 3,200 births per year, $2.2 million spent in nurse home visits translates to health care cost savings of $7 million in the first two years of a child’s life.

“Parents are able to better bound with their babies when they have the tools and the support they need to care for their infants,” said Rhodes.

UChicago Medicine staff are currently tracking maternal and infant health outcomes of Family Connects participants. “The goal is to make in-home nursing visits standard of care for parents of newborns,” said Rhodes.

How to Enroll

Email us at:

[email protected] .

Monique Rudolph

“We approach patients, tell them about the program, and hopefully schedule their first nurse visit while they’re still in house with us, or follow up with them after they’re discharged.”

Janae Rhodes

Nurse Supervisor, Family Connects

“If the new parents don’t have a primary care provider, or if their child has not been to a doctor yet, we can set them up with those appointments.”

“we serve a community that’s very hesitant to seek medical care, and i think this bridges a huge gap. we’re building relationships, we’re going into the home, assessing, and individualizing the resources we’re providing, because we can actually see what their acute needs are.”.

Jilliane Krause, MSN, RN, C-ONQS

Clinical Director, Perinatal Services

“A lot of times people don’t understand what their body is going through. People pass it off like, ‘Whatever, I just had a baby,’ when really there may be things happening medically like a blood clot, or hypertension.”

“i believe this will be a larger trend nationwide. this is so needed, so necessary. and people are very receptive to receiving the help.”, newborn and infant care articles.

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Postpartum Nurse

What is a postpartum nurse a postpartum, or mother-baby nurse, specializes in caring for mothers and newborns after delivery, but before they go home from the hospital. with a caring demeanor and watchful eye, postpartum nurses help new mothers, infants, and families during the remarkable time of welcoming a new baby.   does this specialized and heartwarming area of nursing sound like the right fit for you with millions of infants being born each year, postpartum nurses are in high demand and are needed in every area of the united states. a wide range of postpartum nurse and postpartum travel nurse opportunities are available to you ‍ what does a postpartum nurse do postpartum rns provide nursing care to several mothers and newborns at a time. in postpartum nursing, a mother and her newborn are often called a “couplet.” postpartum nurses typically care for up to three couplets each shift, but sometimes more or less, depending on the acuity of their patients.  while the postpartum nurse job description can vary, the primary responsibilities of postpartum nurses include:  nursing care, monitoring, and assessment of both recovering mothers and newborn infants.  administering medication, performing blood tests, and monitoring lab results of postpartum mothers and infants.  responding to postpartum and newborn emergencies.  providing specialized care to recovering mothers to ensure proper healing after delivery or cesarean section. while maternal complications are rare, postpartum nurses keep a watchful eye on their patients and alert the medical team as needed. babies need specialized care, too the first few hours and days of an infant's life are an amazing time of transition, learning, and growth. postpartum nurses ensure their tiny patients are adjusting well and help where needed.  providing education. new families and parents often have many questions about infant care, breastfeeding, what’s to be expected, what’s unexpected, and more. postpartum nurses provide a wealth of valuable information and ensure families feel comfortable and prepared to take their little ones home from the hospital.   in addition to the above, postpartum nurses provide reassurance and comfort to their patients during a transformative time. a skilled postpartum nurse is full of tips, knowledge, and experience that help families feel at ease and cared for.   ‍ what skills does a postpartum nurse need.

Postpartum nurses need to be adept at caring for both mothers and newborns. You must have an extremely versatile skill set here! After all, the care that newborns need is greatly different than that of a postpartum mother. As a mother and baby nurse, you will become an expert in both.  

A postpartum nurse expertly guides their patients through all aspects of recovering from delivery and the first few days of their newborn’s life. 

Postpartum nurses are top-tier educators and teachers who ensure new families leave the hospital feeling ready and confident to care for their newborn at home. 

Postpartum nurses are skilled in the administration of medications to both newborns and adults. Dosages and medications vary widely between these two patients, and extreme care and caution are needed here.

Postpartum nurses are calm, patient, and caring. Having a newborn can be stressful for everyone at times! Their patients are often exhausted, anxious, and full of questions. A postpartum nurse can make their patients feel seen, heard, understood.  

Postpartum nurses need strong communication skills to do their jobs well. You will be communicating with families of all backgrounds, as well as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.    

What skills does a Postpartum Nurse need? Postpartum nurses need to be adept at caring for both mothers and newborns. You must have an extremely versatile skill set here! After all, the care that newborns need is greatly different than that of a postpartum mother. As a mother and baby nurse, you will become an expert in both.   A postpartum nurse expertly guides their patients through all aspects of recovering from delivery and the first few days of their newborn’s life.  Postpartum nurses are top-tier educators and teachers who ensure new families leave the hospital feeling ready and confident to care for their newborn at home.  Postpartum nurses are skilled in the administration of medications to both newborns and adults. Dosages and medications vary widely between these two patients, and extreme care and caution are needed here. Postpartum nurses are calm, patient, and caring. Having a newborn can be stressful for everyone at times! Their patients are often exhausted, anxious, and full of questions. A postpartum nurse can make their patients feel seen, heard, understood.   Postpartum nurses need strong communication skills to do their jobs well. You will be communicating with families of all backgrounds, as well as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.     ‍ Learn More About Postpartum Nurses Work settings for Postpartum Nurses Postpartum nurses generally work in hospitals. A hospital may have a separate postpartum unit where families are transferred to recover after labor and delivery. Other hospitals may combine labor and delivery and postpartum into one nursing unit. Postpartum nurses typically work full-time, which consists of three 12-hour shifts per week. Postpartum nurses can also work part-time, PRN, and as travel postpartum nurses for more flexibility.   ‍ Common Cases Postpartum Nurses Encounter While postpartum nurses care for women and infants after childbirth, they can see an extensive range of cases and conditions during this time! No shift will ever be the same, and each family's needs will be different.   Patients recovering from both cesarean and vaginal deliveries. Patients who have high-risk pregnancies or other medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These patients may require closer monitoring and need to stay in the hospital longer.  While postpartum complications can be rare, they do happen. Postpartum nurses are always watching for excessive bleeding, hemorrhage, blood clots, high blood pressure, and more. Newborn infants who are born slightly early, are small for their age, are jaundiced, or have difficulty eating can often be cared for by postpartum nurses.  Sometimes, infants need to be transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for even more specialized care. Postpartum nurses stay alert for signs that an infant may need increased attention and alert the team as needed.  While childbirth can be a very joyful time in someone’s life, postpartum nurses also care for families whose childbirth journey doesn’t go as planned. Their unique skills, knowledge, and empathy help women and families through miscarriages, stillbirths, and other complications of pregnancy and delivery.  ‍ How to Become A Postpartum Nurse The first step to becoming a postpartum nurse is earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Once you have a nursing degree, here’s your next move: Study for and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.  After passing the NCLEX, you must apply for a nursing license in the state where you wish to work. Take a look at our licensure guide for more information on this process.  Once you have a nursing license, begin applying for postpartum nurse jobs. Some units hire postpartum nurses without prior nursing experience, but others may require nursing experience first.  If you need to gain experience as a nurse before applying for a postpartum nursing job, medical-surgical nursing is a great place to start. Other areas that allow you to gain valuable experience prior to postpartum nursing are outpatient women’s health, outpatient pediatrics, and community health jobs.  Is it hard to become a postpartum nurse? Like any area of nursing, hard work and determination are needed in this specialty. Postpartum nursing has unique challenges as well as meaningful rewards.     Once you are hired onto a postpartum nursing unit, continue to grow your skills and challenge yourself!  ‍ How to Advance Your Career As A Postpartum Nurse There are plenty of opportunities to advance and expand your career as a postpartum nurse. Postpartum nurses with advanced degrees, skills, and certifications are often amongst the highest-paid postpartum nurses, If you choose to further your education and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree, you can become a: Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)  There are plenty of ways to grow your skills in postpartum nursing that don’t always require an advanced degree. Here are a few options that don’t require graduate school: Postpartum nurse manager Postpartum nurse educator Postpartum nursing clinical instructor  Lactation nurse specialist ‍ Education Requirements & Helpful Certification To work as a postpartum nurse, you will need a nursing degree and a nursing license. Once you have those credentials, here’s what to do next: Postpartum nurses must have their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.  Different facilities require different certifications in newborn resuscitation. Depending on the unit you work in, you may be required to complete the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or S.T.A.B.L.E. certification, which stands for sugar, temperature, airway, blood pressure, lab work, and emotional support.  Once you have experience in postpartum nursing, you may choose to obtain further certification to show your dedication to your patients and profession. The Registered Nurse Certification- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) highlights your professional experience in the care of the childbearing family in both hospital and outpatient settings, from birth to six weeks. Average Salary For Postpartum Nurses In the United States, postpartum nurses make between $72,000 and $99,000 annually, with the average pay being $80,000 annually. Postpartum nurses with more experience, certifications, advanced degrees, and postpartum travel nurses can earn considerably more.  Postpartum nurse pay also varies by location. Currently, Washington is the state that pays the most for postpartum nurses, followed by Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.  Don’t forget that Trusted Health’s Travel Nurse Salary Guide is an excellent resource for staying current on the latest travel RN postpartum pay information and more! Specialty Organizations & Communities Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses- AWHONN  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists- ACOG National Certification Corporation- NCC ‍ Ideal Personality Traits Browse Jobs Let's start building the life you want.

Education Requirements

To work as a postpartum nurse, you will need a nursing degree and a nursing license. Once you have those credentials, here’s what to do next:

• Postpartum nurses must have their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 
• Different facilities require different certifications in newborn resuscitation. Depending on the unit you work in, you may be required to complete the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or S.T.A.B.L.E. certification, which stands for sugar, temperature, airway, blood pressure, lab work, and emotional support. 

Once you have experience in postpartum nursing, you may choose to obtain further certification to show your dedication to your patients and profession. The Registered Nurse Certification- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) highlights your professional experience in the care of the childbearing family in both hospital and outpatient settings, from birth to six weeks.

How to advance/career pathway

There are plenty of opportunities to advance and expand your career as a postpartum nurse. Postpartum nurses with advanced degrees, skills, and certifications are often amongst the highest-paid postpartum nurses, If you choose to further your education and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree, you can become a:

• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) 

There are plenty of ways to grow your skills in postpartum nursing that don’t always require an advanced degree. Here are a few options that don’t require graduate school:

• Postpartum nurse manager
• Postpartum nurse educator
• Postpartum nursing clinical instructor 
• Lactation nurse specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES

Most common cases.

While postpartum nurses care for women and infants after childbirth, they can see an extensive range of cases and conditions during this time! No shift will ever be the same, and each family's needs will be different.  

• Patients recovering from both cesarean and vaginal deliveries.
• Patients who have high-risk pregnancies or other medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These patients may require closer monitoring and need to stay in the hospital longer. 
• While postpartum complications can be rare, they do happen. Postpartum nurses are always watching for excessive bleeding, hemorrhage, blood clots, high blood pressure, and more.
• Newborn infants who are born slightly early, are small for their age, are jaundiced, or have difficulty eating can often be cared for by postpartum nurses. 
• Sometimes, infants need to be transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for even more specialized care. Postpartum nurses stay alert for signs that an infant may need increased attention and alert the team as needed. 
• While childbirth can be a very joyful time in someone’s life, postpartum nurses also care for families whose childbirth journey doesn’t go as planned. Their unique skills, knowledge, and empathy help women and families through miscarriages, stillbirths, and other complications of pregnancy and delivery. 

How to become a

The first step to becoming a postpartum nurse is earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Once you have a nursing degree, here’s your next move:

• Study for and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. 
• After passing the NCLEX, you must apply for a nursing license in the state where you wish to work. Take a look at our licensure guide for more information on this process. 
• Once you have a nursing license, begin applying for postpartum nurse jobs. Some units hire postpartum nurses without prior nursing experience, but others may require nursing experience first. 
• If you need to gain experience as a nurse before applying for a postpartum nursing job, medical-surgical nursing is a great place to start. Other areas that allow you to gain valuable experience prior to postpartum nursing are outpatient women’s health, outpatient pediatrics, and community health jobs. 
• Is it hard to become a postpartum nurse? Like any area of nursing, hard work and determination are needed in this specialty. Postpartum nursing has unique challenges as well as meaningful rewards.    
• Once you are hired onto a postpartum nursing unit, continue to grow your skills and challenge yourself! 

Specialty Groups and Communities

• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses- AWHONN 
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists- ACOG
• National Certification Corporation- NCC

Personality Traits

Average salary.

In the United States, postpartum nurses make between $72,000 and $99,000 annually, with the average pay being $80,000 annually. Postpartum nurses with more experience, certifications, advanced degrees, and postpartum travel nurses can earn considerably more. 

Postpartum nurse pay also varies by location. Currently, Washington is the state that pays the most for postpartum nurses, followed by Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and New York. 

Don’t forget that Trusted Health’s Travel Nurse Salary Guide is an excellent resource for staying current on the latest travel RN postpartum pay information and more!

Certifications

Work setting.

Postpartum nurses generally work in hospitals. A hospital may have a separate postpartum unit where families are transferred to recover after labor and delivery. Other hospitals may combine labor and delivery and postpartum into one nursing unit.

Postpartum nurses typically work full-time, which consists of three 12-hour shifts per week. Postpartum nurses can also work part-time, PRN, and as travel postpartum nurses for more flexibility.  

Professional Newborn Care

 Empowering families with the highest standard in newborn care services. All team members have updated background screening, are reference checked, have postpartum liability insurance, infant cpr and specialty newborn care training. Providers include: Newborn Care Specialists, Registered Nurses, Postpartum Doulas & Night Nannies.

Pediatrician and OBGYN Recommended.

What We Do Best

Overnight newborn care provides both education and support to parents during the first few months of baby’s life. Our newborn care professionals are by your baby’s side throughout the night to help aid in the transition home from the hospital. From one night to seven, we are here to meet your family’s needs.

Hush Little Baby has a team of IBCLC’s & Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC) that can provide newborn care in addition to lactation services. Consultations can be set up on an as needed basis depending on lactation needs or combined with our overnight and temporary day newborn care services.

24 hour newborn care is our beloved overnight newborn care service combined with daytime services. Your newborn care specialist (formerly baby nurse) will take care of your newborn’s every need during a 16-20 hour shift. Your specialist will help keep the nursery stocked and organized, tend to your baby’s needs. and perform any other household needs related to the baby.

Bringing your baby home comes with joy and adjustments! Our postpartum doulas can assist with your baby’s care, light home care, sibling care, and most importantly, support and care for you and/or you and your partner. Postpartum doula services can be arranged during the daytime hours or be used in addition to overnight care services.

Meet the Founder

Welcome to Hush Hush Little Baby Newborn Care! As  the founder , I created this agency over 13 years ago, personally providing overnight care. I eventually brought 2 team members to assist with client care needs, and we now have over 300 professionals on our roster from coast to coast. We are the largest agency in the United States providing postpartum services, but I work daily to ensure that client care services remain personable. Our reputation grew this agency to its current success, and I look forward to having your family join us. While I am no longer providing services or behind the computer daily, I have handpicked the finest administrative team (all former Newborn Care Specialists and parents) to assist with client relations. 

Where You Can Find Us

Maryland, Northern Virginia & Washington, D.C. (Including Baltimore, Richmond & Charlottesville areas) Texas: Austin, San Antonio, Dallas & Houston Florida: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale & Miami Minnesota: Minneapolis California: San Francisco, Los Angeles & San Diego Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Pittsburgh New Jersey

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Minneapolis St. Cloud

Inclusivity

Our job is to support every family and assist them in feeling confident and empowered with their choices as new parents. Our agency provides non-judgemental support to every family regardless of race, religion, or identity, including but not limited to (LGBTQ or People of Color). Inclusivity and respect are at the core of our agency within our team of professionals and the clients we serve. Hush Little Baby will not tolerate any form of racism, bigotry, or hate. 

GET IN TOUCH 

Wake County, NC

Postpartum & Newborn Home Visits

Women with high risk prenatal conditions can receive home visits from public health nurses who monitor and provide education for their high-risk condition. Public Health nurses also provide postpartum home visits that include physical assessments for mother and baby, teaching and support.  

HOME VISITS FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Home visits are provided to newly delivered women and their newborn living in Wake County who: 

• Received prenatal care through the WCHHS Prenatal Clinic G 
• Received prenatal care through WakeMed’s high risk prenatal clinic 
• Received prenatal care through private doctor's offices and receive Medicaid benefits 
• Delivered with no prenatal care 

Families receive: 

• Physical assessments, including BP check for mom and weight check for baby 
• Teaching and support 
• Information about and assistance linking with community resources 
• Interventions designed to promote family health and well being 

AS PART OF YOUR POSTPARTUM CARE

(After you deliver) 

New moms are provided a home visit after they deliver, to check on the mother and the newborn. For you, as a new mother during the postpartum period, teaching may include: 

• Emotional changes/family support 
• Physical changes 
• Postpartum blues 
• Postpartum exercises 
• Family support 
• Birth control 
• Postpartum check-up 
• How to take care of your baby 
• Other medical follow-up 

POSTPARTUM 6-WEEK CHECK-UP

• You should leave the hospital with an appointment for your 6-week check-up. If you do not receive an appointment, call 919-250-1004  and leave a message. Someone will call you back. 

High-risk prenatal conditions often benefit from home visits during the pregnancy for follow-up and teaching: 

• The Public Health Nurse, under the direction of your physician, will check your high-risk conditions during a home visit and report any abnormal findings to your health care provider. 
• Your monthly home visit will provide additional teaching about your high-risk condition and how to take care of yourself during your pregnancy. 
• You will receive support in preparing for your baby and the changes you will experience as a new mother. 

For more information contact us at  919-250-1004   or  [email protected] . 

DHEC is Restructuring

On July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) becomes two separate agencies — the South Carolina Departments of Environmental Services (SCDES) and Public Health (DPH). Additionally, DHEC's retail food program and milk and dairy lab will merge with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture . See our DHEC Restructuring page to learn more.

Search DHEC

Postpartum newborn home visits.

The Postpartum Newborn Home Visit (PPNBHV) is a free, no cost to you, service for new moms and their babies. Health Department nurses provide visits to eligible families. Ask your doctor or nurse to make a referral or write an order for a visit. You may contact your local Health Department for more information about scheduling a home visit at Public Health Clinics | SCDHEC

A nurse will review the referral and have a member of staff contact you to schedule an in-home or virtual visit.

DHEC prioritizes visits for moms/babies with high risk factors:

• Mothers 17 years of age or younger
• Infants weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth
• Infants born prematurely (<37 weeks gestation)

The nurse will usually spend 1-2 hours with you and your baby to assure you both are doing well.

What will the Nurse Do?

• Ask you about how you and your baby are doing
• Weigh your baby
• Do a physical exam on your baby
• Check your blood pressure
• Do a partial physical exam on you, if needed
• Help you with getting health care provider's appointments for you and your baby
• Offer you a barrier method of birth control (condoms)
• Refer you to other community resources as needed (Things like WIC, BabyNet, local parenting groups, and others)

To help you care for your baby, the nurse will talk to you about:

• Well Baby Care
• Immunizations for your baby
• Ways to keep your baby safe at home, while sleeping, in the car, and at other places
• Ways to keep your baby healthy
• Taking care of your baby's skin, mouth, umbilical cord, circumcision.
• Breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding your baby
• Signs and symptoms of illness
• Developmental milestones

To help you care for yourself, the nurse will talk to you about:

• Breast care
• Postpartum hygiene
• Postpartum activity
• Postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood
• Sleep needs
• Nutritional needs
• Birth control methods
• Prevention of sexually transmitted infections

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Pre-Discharge Home Visit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Pre-Discharge Home Visit is a service provided to families of eligible infants who are ready to go home from the hospital after a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These visits are provided at no cost to you by a public health nurse prior to hospital discharge when ordered by the baby's doctor or nurse.

For more information, contact your local health department or call the phone number for the county where you live on this brochure:

• Postpartum Newborn Home Visits brochure
• Visita Domiciliaria al Recién Nacido

Other Resources:

• HealthyChildren.org - From the American Academy of Pediatrics
• CDC's Developmental Milestones | CDC
• Mom's IMPACTT: IMProving Access to Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care Through Telemedicine and Tele-Mentoring | MUSC Health | Charleston SC
• South Carolina Chapter of Postpartum Support International (psichapters.com)
• CDC Hear Her Campaign
• CDC Recommended Immunization Schedule
• SCDHEC Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
• American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Preventive Pediatric Health Care

Related Resources

Baby & me - tobacco-free program™ - español, clínicas de salud pública, electronic case reporting (ecr).

Career Advice > Nursing Professions > Nursing Roles > How to Become a Postpartum Nurse

How to Become a Postpartum Nurse

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A postpartum nurse plays an important role in keeping mothers and newborns healthy. Like NICU nurses , their actions have lasting effects on their patient’s lives. In this article, we explore their role, necessary skills, their career path, and more.

What Is a Postpartum Nurse and What Does a Postpartum Nurse Do?

These nurses — also referred to as mother-baby nurses — care for new mothers and their infants shortly after birth and, in some cases, for weeks after discharge. They can work in hospitals, birthing centers, and community health clinics. Some postpartum nurses work in Nurse-Family Partnership programs, which involve home visits to support new parents and connect them with resources.

Postpartum Nurse Responsibilities

Typical tasks for postpartum nurses include:

• Providing emotional support.
• Assisting with bottle or breastfeeding .
• Educating families on maternal and newborn care.
• Looking out for potential complications, including maternal warning signs .
• Communicating pertinent information to the healthcare team.
• Facilitating a smooth maternal recovery and infant development.

For more insight into job duties for this specialty, check out our sample postpartum nurse resume .

It may sound nice to start this position as soon as possible, but each step of this career path is crucial. Let’s check out the steps you’ll need to take before joining this field.

Step 1: Go to Nursing School

Nursing school is where you learn foundational principles that every nurse needs regardless of their specialty. It’s also where you first learn which work environment is right for you.

Step 2: Take the NCLEX

Passing the NCLEX exam proves you have what it takes to work as an entry-level nurse. It’s a right of passage that predicts a student’s chances of success in the field.

Step 3: Gain Experience

Prior experience builds confidence in many of your hands-on skills. Unless you participate in a nurse residency program unique to postpartum nursing, it’s helpful to first gain experience in acute care. Working as a medical-surgical nurse is a common route new nurses take before specializing.

Step 4: Get Certified

Once you start working in your desired field, you can deepen your knowledge by obtaining a certification. This decision also shows a commitment to your career. Two options offered by the National Certification Corporation include:

• NCC Certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) : This computerized exam is offered to nurses who have at least 2 years of specialty experience. Nurses are tested on their competency in caring for a childbearing family for up to 6 weeks after birth in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• NCC Credential in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) : This computerized exam is for nurses who’ve worked in their specialty for a minimum of 2 years. They’re tested on their competency in caring for hospitalized women throughout the entire pregnancy, and after birth.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Postpartum Nurse?

The amount of time it takes for you to begin working in this specialty varies based on your path. Including nursing school, expect to spend at least five years working towards this niche.

How Much Do Postpartum Nurses Make?

The typical postpartum nurse salary ranges from $72,552 and $90,274 annually. Your salary may vary based on your location, years of experience, and facility.

Thinking of relocating? Here are five states with some of the highest salaries for nurses :

• Massachusetts

Postpartum Nurse Skills

Many nursing skills overlap regardless of your work environment, but it’s important to emphasize particular traits in certain specialties over others. Here are some qualities that are especially important in postpartum nursing.

Attention to Detail

Paying close attention to maternal health doesn’t end after pregnancy and birth; the healthcare team must remain astute to catch early signs of postpartum complications . Your patients may not be aware of early indicators of future problems, so it’s up to you to educate them and watch out for their well-being while they’re in your care.

Adaptability

How you address each patient varies based upon what occurred during birth and conception, socioeconomic factors, family dynamics, and more. No two births are the same, so you must be prepared for anything.

Giving birth causes huge life changes whether or not your patient wants to or feels ready to become a mother. On top of that, they’ll likely be experiencing physical discomfort and emotional fluctuations. Always remember to be empathetic and put yourself in their shoes to ease some of the difficult interactions you may have.

Therapeutic Communication

For many people, the days after giving birth can be joyous, but for others, it’s a fragile and complicated time. Your communication style can have a significant impact on their emotions, and compliance. Be mindful of both your verbal and nonverbal cues to make them feel supported and facilitate smooth interactions.

Find Fulfilling Postpartum Nurse Jobs

Are you ready to begin this rewarding career? Receive nursing job notifications unique to you through IntelyCare today.

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