FRISCO, Texas – Texas Health Hospital Frisco is taking steps to support the health and well-being of at-risk pregnant women by providing blood pressure monitor kits. Through the new program, the hospital aims to empower women with the necessary tools for a safe and healthy pregnancy and postpartum.

“This program gives women the tools to keep a more detailed log at home. They’re able to accurately track and report back to their healthcare provider with any questions or concerns,” said McKenzie Steelman, M.S.N., R.N., RNC-OB, Labor and Delivery supervisor at Texas Health Frisco.

During pregnancy, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases the risk of life-threatening problems for the mother and baby, including pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth, stillbirth and fetal growth restriction.

“Our participation in the latest Texas AIM learning collaborative helped us identify an addressable gap. All at-risk women should have access to a blood pressure monitor at home to identify any potential complications early on,” said Dawn Nichols, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, director of Women and Infants Services at Texas Health Frisco.

Texas AIM is a state quality improvement initiative that supports best practices to make birthing safer, improve maternal health outcomes and save lives. The most recent learning collaborative was held in April and focused on maternal hypertension. Texas Health teams attended to learn from peers across the state.

“The kits will not only help during pregnancy, but also during the postpartum period,” said Stephanie Cox-Faust, M.S.N., RNC-MNN, mother baby unit interim manager at Texas Health Frisco. “Some new moms will experience no blood pressure complications before or during pregnancy but can quickly become hypertensive in the days following childbirth.”

The blood pressure kits are available to qualifying women with a prescription from their healthcare provider. Expecting Texas Health Frisco patients interested in learning more should contact their healthcare provider.