Postpartum Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring for Preeclampsia
At the University of Chicago Medicine, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists are committed to helping you prioritize and guard your health at an important and exciting, yet challenging time — during postpartum recovery.
With telehealth and remote patient monitoring, we can continue to treat our high-risk patients even after they’ve been discharged to return home following delivery. Our goal is to diagnose and treat postpartum preeclampsia as quickly as possible in patients who are most at risk, including patients diagnosed with:
- Chronic hypertension
- Gestational hypertension
- Preeclampsia/eclampsia
- Superimposed preeclampsia
All Family Birth Center patients who fit these criteria are encouraged to enroll in the Postpartum Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Program. Our team offers exceptional support and expertise to help you manage your risk during recovery from the convenience of your home.
What Is Postpartum Preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia is persistent high blood pressure that develops after childbirth. It is a serious condition that can happen up to six weeks after delivery. Even if you have no history of high blood pressure, you can still develop postpartum preeclampsia. Left undiagnosed or untreated, postpartum preeclampsia can have a major impact on your health.
Q&A: What you need to know about preeclampsia before — and after — pregnancy
About the Program
The program is six weeks long. By participating, you’ll be empowered to play an active role in your postpartum care and recovery by:
- Learning to recognize the early signs of preeclampsia
- Taking and recording your blood pressure
- Keeping track of your medications
- Communicating virtually (via telehealth using phone visits) with your postpartum care team
How It Works: Better Health in 4 Simple Steps
As part of your care plan, follow these four important steps every day. By using your smartphone and the PatientConnect Mobile app, you can easily stay on top of your postpartum recovery from the comfort of your home or whatever location you choose.
- Check your blood pressure at least twice a day — once in the morning before taking your medication and once in the evening after taking your medication.
- Take your medications as prescribed.
- Answer daily surveys to report any symptoms you have.
- Track your physical activity, including walking, yoga and more.
Our team will monitor your responses and contact you, the UChicago Medicine maternal-fetal medicine postpartum telehealth team and your obstetrical provider if needed to ensure you have a safe and speedy recovery. All data from your blood pressure and survey responses are automatically added to your medical records.
Additionally, each patient receives:
- A Bluetooth blood pressure cuff that transfers your blood pressure recordings to your phone app
- A postpartum preeclampsia medical alert bracelet
