Rethinking Recovery: Valley View’s Family Birthplace Launches Life-Saving Protocol

A new report from Colorado’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) reveals a troubling trend: between 2016 and 2020, the state’s maternal death rate—including deaths from pregnancy through one year postpartum—stood at 54.7 per 100,000 live births. The situation is even more severe for Black mothers, with a maternal mortality rate of 104.5 per 100,000 live births and for Hispanic women it is 53.5 per 100,000 live births. Alarmingly, these numbers continue to rise.

Most maternal deaths in Colorado occur after mothers leave the hospital, often within the first year postpartum. Causes vary widely, says Valley View Certified Nurse Midwife Bonnie Sihler, who has served as an MMRC member since 2019. While economic barriers, limited access to care, and lack of community resources contribute, a startling number of deaths stem from self-harm and unintentional overdose. MMRC data shows that 89% of these cases were preventable.

To address these risks and improve postpartum care, Valley View’s Family Birthplace is implementing a new discharge transition bundle in line with statewide initiatives. The bundle includes updated protocols and take-home checklists for new mothers, aimed at raising awareness of postpartum symptoms and complications.

“The postpartum period is magical, but it’s also when mothers are most vulnerable,” says Sihler. “We must provide families with better education on warning signs—high blood pressure, blood clots, infection, excessive bleeding—and mental health concerns. We also need to recognize the socioeconomic stressors affecting each family.”

Under the new discharge protocol, every family leaving Valley View’s Family Birthplace will receive enhanced postpartum education, access to referrals and community resources, and a proactive follow-up plan. A major emphasis will be placed on mental health and substance use screenings before discharge, ensuring patients receive necessary support. Additionally, the approach prioritizes family bonding, breastfeeding success, safe sleep practices, and overall well-being.

Valley View is already ahead of the curve, formalizing its multidisciplinary care teams and expanding its postpartum resources. “We’re fortunate to have integrated care with obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, and a dedicated behavioral health team,” says Sihler.

Kelly Dohn, a Licensed Integrated Behavioral Health Specialist at Women’s Health, explains how their team supports mothers throughout pregnancy. “We start during pregnancy, creating a mental health plan and connecting families with community resources. We follow up after birth, ensuring each patient is set up for success before leaving the hospital.” Behavioral Health has a bilingual staff member who cares for patients and ensures patients can receive some of their care in their primary language. (Valley View also offers childbirth education in Spanish.)

Starting in July 2025, Family Birthplace will enroll in the Colorado Perinatal Care and Quality Collaborative’s (CPCQC) SPARK initiative. This statewide effort aims to strengthen postpartum care and ensure every birthing person and newborn receives the right support, regardless of location, insurance, or risk factors.

Sihler stresses the importance of long-term care. “Postpartum isn’t just the first few days—it’s a full year of vulnerability. We have a responsibility to ensure families aren’t just surviving but thriving.”