Having a baby can be an exciting time for families. The journey of expectant mothers is filled with anticipation, joy and maybe a few challenges.
CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital now has an obstetrics nurse navigator to help mothers handle the uncertainties during pregnancy and postpartum.
Katelyn Jarrett, RN, is a specialized nurse guiding expectant and new mothers through the prenatal, birth and postpartum phases of their pregnancy.
She has worked as a labor delivery and mother baby nurse for 16 years and is certified in inpatient obstetrics. Jarrett has a lactation counselor certification and is working on becoming certified in perinatal mental health.
“I serve as an advocate and resource for OB patients throughout pregnancy and into their first year of parenthood, connecting them with the support and services they need,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett’s assistance includes answering questions, completing paperwork, setting up educational classes and connecting mothers with necessary resources.
Her work builds on a program recently started by Women and Children’s Hospital to screen patients after they have been discharged from the hospital. Six times during their first year after delivery, Cipher Health screens patients with the Edinburg Postpartum Depression screening tool.
Postpartum depression is often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“By identifying it early, we can provide the right support to improve outcomes for both the mother and the baby,” Jarrett said. “I follow up with patients after these screenings who scored high and offer resources and referrals to a therapist/psychiatrist if they desire.”
Jarrett uses her own experience as a mother in working with patients.
“The postpartum depression screening we are doing through Cipher Health would have been something I would have deeply appreciated. I truly love helping mothers find the support and care they need. I have already helped a lot of mothers connect with a therapist and Dr. Rebecca Creel at the CAMC Family Resource Center to get the help they need.”
Jarrett also can help with scheduling tours of the labor and delivery and mother baby units as well as get registered for virtual and other classes through the CAMC Family Resource Center.