PA State Affairs | Advocate to Build 4th Trimester Care Awareness

Written by Dr. Gina Cunningham, PT, DPT, WCS, Board Certified Women’s Health Specialist of Empower Physical Therapy, Exton PA (Gina@empowerpa.com)

As a mother and Women’s Health pelvic floor physical therapist, I have been affected and disappointed in our healthcare system with the lack of postpartum physical and mental support. Through my own experience, through my friends, and especially my patients, I decided to contact a state senator and try do something for this postpartum time commonly known as the “Fourth Trimester”.My concerns were heard. On WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8TH, 2020 I am asking for your support to join me in HARRISBURG, PA to advocate for a resolution to be put in place to build awareness for what new mothers endure mentally and physically postpartum. The next step would be for the bill to become law which would mandate policies for complete postpartum care.

“The purpose of this resolution is to bring attention to the need for Fourth Trimester care and raise awareness of the attendant benefits for both mothers and infants by designating April 8th as the Fourth Trimester Care Awareness Day.”

You can help in one of two ways:

1. COME TO HARRISBURG! Advocate during the press conference, see the resolution enacted (hopefully), and have the chance to share personal stories to senators. More details on this will be posted but please email gina@empowerpa.com if interested in attending this exciting event or submitting a personal story to be read at the press conference.
2. CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!
   1. Click: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm
   2. Find your state senator and then google their website (usually www.senatore(lastname).com )
   3. Click on the tab “contact”
   4. In the message box Type:

Dear Senator ……

I am writing to ask you to co sponsor the memo: “Dedicating April 8th as Fourth Trimester Care Awareness Day.” Then type a few sentences why the Fourth
Trimester is important to you. Have you or a loved one suffered from postpartum pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, diastasis recti, breastfeeding issues, anxiety, or depression? If you are a mother, have a mother, know a mother then here is your chance to voice your postpartum concerns! Mental and physical health care postpartum is mandated in other countries and starting to become mandated in certain states.

Thank you for your help and support in anyway possible! Shedding light to these issues will hopefully build a better future for mothers and infants.