New Law Mandates Personalized Postpartum Care Plans

New legislation aims to enhance maternal health by addressing postpartum needs and ensuring care continuity.

Governor Phil Murphy has signed bipartisan legislation (S912/A3887) into law, requiring healthcare professionals to provide pregnant patients with personalized postpartum care plans tailored to their unique needs. The law, which also mandates postpartum planning sessions as early as the first trimester, seeks to address preventable maternal health risks during the postpartum period.

“New Jersey has made significant progress over the last seven years in our work to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and our efforts have shown how increased care continuity and access to information can improve outcomes for families across our state,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s action will ensure our health professionals are empowering pregnant patients and new families with information and resources to stay healthy, identify postpartum risks, and reach care after the end of a pregnancy."

Key Provisions of the Law

Healthcare facilities offering maternity care must now provide detailed postpartum care information to all patients before discharge, including those who have experienced stillbirth or pregnancy loss. A postpartum care plan must include:

• Contact information for the patient’s care team and scheduling details for follow-up visits.
• Guidance on breastfeeding to support informed decision-making.
• A reproductive life plan, including contraceptive options.
• Notes on pregnancy complications with recommended follow-ups.
• Advice on managing postpartum depression or anxiety and other mental health conditions.
• Recommendations for addressing postpartum issues, such as pelvic floor exercises or remedies for dyspareunia.
• A comprehensive treatment plan for ongoing physical and mental health concerns.

Addressing Maternal Mortality

The New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee has identified the postpartum period as the time when most pregnancy-related deaths occur. This new law aligns with efforts to improve maternal health outcomes by enhancing care continuity and equipping patients with critical knowledge about risk factors and treatment options.

"There is no playbook one mysteriously inherits after delivering a baby and certainly not one that eases the physical challenges moms need to overcome while taking care of a newborn. As a society, we must uplift our families and ensure they have the care and support they need," said First Lady Tammy Murphy.

Building on Nurture NJ’s Mission

The legislation advances the goals of Nurture NJ, a statewide initiative led by First Lady Tammy Murphy to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state for childbirth and parenting. Since its inception in 2019, Nurture NJ has driven significant policy advancements, including Medicaid reimbursement for doula care, a universal home visitation program, and the creation of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, the nation’s first government body dedicated to maternal health innovation.

Legislative Leadership

The primary sponsors of S912/A3887 are Senator Kristin Corrado, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.

By enhancing postpartum care planning and information dissemination, the new law underscores New Jersey’s commitment to maternal health and the well-being of families statewide.