In the first few days after leaving the hospital with a new baby many changes take place. We are here to help.
The Postpartum Newborn Home Visit (PPNBHV) is a service for new moms and their babies. Health Department nurses will visit with you in your home to make sure you and your baby are doing well. The nurse will usually spend 1-2 hours with you and your baby. The visit is covered by Medicaid insurance plans. Referrals are accepted from your doctor, pediatrician, other local agencies and family members
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 (WIC, local parenting and support groups)
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, in the car and at other places
- Ways to keep your baby healthy
- Taking care of your baby’s skin, mouth, umbilical cord, circumcision.
- How your baby’s brain and body develop.
- Feeding your baby
- Signs and symptoms of illness
To help you care for yourself, the nurse will talk to you about:
- Breast care
- Signs and symptoms of illness
- Postpartum hygiene
- Postpartum activity
- Sleep needs
- Nutritional needs
- Birth control methods
- Prevention of sexually transmitted infections
The Postpartum Newborn Nurses for the Appalachian District are:
Alleghany County: Erica Bobbitt, RN (336-372-5641)
Ashe County: Darby Rash, RN (336-372-9449)
Watauga County: Tiffany Minton, RN (828-264-6635)