New Program Offers Free Home Visits for Parents With Newborns

Despite a growing maternal and infant mortality rate, the United States continues to struggle to implement an impactful approach to postnatal care. While countries like the Netherlands, Australia and Switzerland offer ample parental leave, midwife assistance and newborn education, parents in the US are often left wanting with only one or two in-office checkups scheduled post-birth. But this dated mode of care may change soon.

A new program called Family Connects has just been chartered as a model of better postpartum care in Oregon. Under Family Connects, any family with a new baby can sign up for one to three no-cost home visits with a trained nurse. During the visits, trained medical providers will check vitals and assess symptoms to ensure mom and baby are doing alright and progressing normally.

But that’s not all, after the initial examination, parents are able to ask whatever questions they may have. From issues with breastfeeding to postpartum depression and the “is this normal?” anxiety, nurses are here to not only assess new parents’ physical wellness but also to help them through the mental challenges that come with parenting a newborn.

The program—initially developed in North Carolina—has already shown to have big benefits. Since its launch, reports have shown more parents modeling positive parenting behaviors and 28 percent less clinical anxiety reported by mothers at 6 months. The program also has plenty of benefits that extend to life-saving care. Research shows a reduction in emergency medical care (hospital overnights, emergency department and emergency doctor visits) for infants at 6 months, 1-and-2 years old.

“So great and should be the norm nationwide. Waiting 6 weeks for a check up is bananas and downright dangerous. I was badly injured after both my kid’s births and they just stitch you up and send you on your way?! Thank you Oregon,” wrote one parent in the comments of a NPR post announcing the new program. “Outstanding! I had 10 home visits from a midwife in Switzerland. Made a tremendous positive impact,” added another. “Finally!! This is common in European countries. We are behind!” wrote a commenter.

The Family Connects program is currently available in 12 states. To see if your area is serviced by the program, visit FamilyConnects.org