Federal Way families gain a new safety net for new mothers as St. Francis Hospital launches the Postpartum Wellness and Recovery (PWR) program, an expansion of a pilot that began in Burien in 2023. The initiative targets the critical period after delivery when two‑thirds of pregnancy‑related deaths occur, and 38% of those deaths happen between 43 days and one year postpartum.
How the program works
Each participant receives a home blood‑pressure cuff that the Perinatal Nurse Navigator, Lacey Parsadmehr, monitors remotely. “I can see their readings from home and get notified if they’re high or low, allowing us to adjust medications right away,” Parsadmehr explained.
For the first six weeks, the nurse conducts weekly check‑ins, adjusting treatment to stabilize blood pressure and wean mothers off medication safely. After that initial period, the program continues to support mothers through their first postpartum year, offering referrals for cardiac risk assessments, primary‑care follow‑up and connections to community resources.
Focus on high‑risk conditions
The PWR team concentrates on two leading causes of postpartum complications: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. By providing proactive monitoring and early intervention, the program aims to keep mothers at home with their babies rather than readmitted to the hospital.
Personal impact
Local mother Jazman DeWitt credited the program with saving her life. “My blood pressure was dangerously high and I felt scared and alone,” she said. “By the end of the year I was free of both blood‑pressure and antidepressant medications, and my mood was stable. The PWR nurse helped me navigate one reading, one phone call, one week at a time.”
Funding and future growth
The expansion is funded by a three‑year, $781,799 grant from CommonSpirit’s Mission and Ministry Fund. The grant also supports a Community Health Worker who will assist patients with language barriers, transportation and appointment coordination, allowing nurse navigators to focus on clinical care.
With 512 postpartum patients already enrolled and Federal Way’s larger population, Parsadmehr expects enrollment to rise. The hospital hopes the program will serve as a blueprint for other health systems across the region.
Why it matters
“The health of families rests so much on the health of the mother,” said Jennifer Fletcher, RN, of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this.” The PWR program reflects a growing recognition that maternal health is essential to strong families and thriving communities.
For more information, visit vmfh.org/about‑vmfh/news‑media/news‑releases/postpartum‑care‑expands‑at‑vmfh.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
