Jeanette describes what happened when her workplace was able to implement
phone follow up at critical junctures in the first few weeks.  What jumped
out at me was that many women said they didn't want to bother anyone by
phoning themselves, even when they had lots of concerns.  Leaving it up to
mothers to call, or opting in, requires that the person view their problem
as important enough to bother the health services, AND as having a potential
solution. Can be a tall order.  Postpartum is probably one of those times
when it's most appropriate for the services to go to the users and ask how
they are doing, and the user can opt out at that point by saying fine,
thanks for calling, bye bye.

When it's set up that way, you are not simply providing info and keeping
people from falling by the wayside.  You are saying that it is NORMAL to
have a lot of questions and to need contact with someone knowledgeable and
caring at short, regular intervals to answer them.  Those who are doing fine
will rarely take offense at being contacted, and those who are struggling
will be grateful as they are often too overwhelmed to even find the phone
number.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway, getting ready for International Midwives' Day tomorrow!

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