New mothers in some hospitals will soon leave with a home blood pressure monitor alongside diapers, wipes and an infant thermometer. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit program, called NEST, on Oct. 9 at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Each family receives a one-time kit with postpartum recovery and breastfeeding supplies, newborn essentials, and information on postpartum health, infant safety, and feeding. HHS says it will prioritize maternal care deserts, rural communities and other medically underserved areas.
