Becoming a mom is a big change – whether you’re having your first baby or adding to your growing family. But you shouldn’t have to navigate those changes alone. Kari Horvath, LSW leads a pilot program in Marshall, MN, that is helping ensure new and expecting moms continue to get the care they need.
What is an OB navigator?
I serve as the bridge between our OB patients and the hospital, the clinic and community resources, just trying to fill in the gaps and make sure that our moms are getting all the care and support that they need.
What challenges do you help expecting mothers face?
Moms are going through such a big change in their life. They may be having needs like food or housing insecurities, or maybe they're having issues with a domestic situation, insurance issues, transportation issues getting to their appointments. Sometimes if one of our patients is missing some appointments, then I'll follow up and make sure every thing is alright. Checking what is the barrier that's keeping them from making it to their appointment. It could be transportation, it could be childcare. Just trying to figure out what the barriers are to provide the best patient-centered care we can.
Does your role continue postpartum?
Absolutely. Care coordination is a huge part. I follow up with them after they have the baby and see how things are going at home. We are so focused on the physical part, but once that's over and the baby's there, sometimes the mom gets forgotten. And just checking in, making sure that they are feeling OK emotionally, physically, that the feedings are going well, that they don't have any extra needs as far as postpartum depression screenings, and offering that warm handoff to our therapist or to our providers if they're needing extra support.
What do you hope the take-home message is for women and families?
That there's support and we're here just to help make the best experience that it can be having a new baby added into your life and that it's OK to ask for help if you need it and that we're here just to support you in any way that you need.
Learn more about obstetric and postpartum care at Avera.
