The virtual platform allows new mothers to speak directly with nurse care advocates, receive support for their physical and mental health, and schedule appointments with doctors or lactation consultants.
The program is intended to help close gaps in postpartum care experienced by women between giving birth and their first six-week check up, BS&W OBGYN Dr. Wright Bates said.
“It is truly a demanding time and a dramatic change,” Bates said. “What better time to impact a new family and support a new mom with the latest technology, which is an app that really is personalized to improve their quality of life.”
How it works
The virtual postpartum program is a free offering available to mothers up to six months after delivering their baby at a BS&W hospital. Through an online portal, mothers can discuss their questions or needs with a nurse care advocate via messaging and phone or video calls.
Women often need support for their physical healing after delivery or receiving a cesarean section, as well as coping with postpartum depression, BS&W Nurse Care Advocate Kristen Sapp said. Nurse care advocates may refer mothers to a specialist, such as a lactation consultant or mental health provider.
Leander resident Rayann Quinones has received weekly health check-ins and breastfeeding support through the program after delivering her baby at BS&W Medical Center in Round Rock. Within two days of giving birth, the application began asking Quinones to check in on her emotional and physical health with questions about specific symptoms.
“It forced me to think about myself,” Quinones said about the virtual postpartum program. "If I'm not at 100% or not feeling well, then I can't really be there for my baby.”
The backstory
BS&W launched virtual postpartum care services in 2024 to address an unmet need for new mothers, Bates said. After leaving the hospital, mothers often have questions and need support before making it to their next appointment six weeks post-delivery.
The virtual program was designed to improve care for mothers during this initial six-week period while continuing postpartum care months for women months after they give birth.
More than 2,000 women have enrolled in the program, with 10% of users coming from the Austin region, according to BS&W information. The hospital system saw a 68% increase in mothers using the program from October to March.
The impact
One in eight women with a recent live birth had symptoms of postpartum depression, according to a 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mothers with postpartum depression may experience sadness, overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety and anhedonia, or the loss of pleasure, Bates said.
The virtual nature of BS&W’s postpartum program helps reduce the stigma around receiving mental health support, Bates said. The app is convenient and accessible for mothers who may feel guilty or embarrassed for experiencing depression, he said.
Women using the program may be able to avoid delays in care and wait times for doctor appointments, Sapp said. Sapp said she has helped patients book appointments within days after they initially expected to wait months to see a provider.
“Making patients feel heard and supported is really what we're here for,” Sapp said.
Going forward
BS&W is planning to expand its virtual support for women before and during their pregnancy journey. The hospital system expects to launch a virtual program for prenatal care services in the next year and eventually offer preconceptual counseling, Bates said.
“This is really a first step in the journey and reflects our health system's commitment to optimizing health care and our greater commitment to women's health,” Bates said. “The women and families of Texas are a priority for us.”
