From Hospital to Home: Postpartum Rehab for Any Birth
Experience (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Rebeca Segraves and Jenna Segraves
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This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
The first six weeks after birth represent the highest-risk period for complications, yet most postpartum rehabilitation programs do not begin until after this time. Many new parents—including those who have experienced perinatal loss—face challenges with mobility, self-care, and daily living without the benefit of occupational or physical therapy during this critical phase.
This webinar will address this practice gap by presenting strategies to initiate rehabilitation in the hospital and continue services into the home setting, ensuring that recovery is supported for all birth experiences. Participants will explore evidence-based screening tools, functional outcome measures, and targeted interventions designed to improve maternal function, safety, and well-being. The approach discussed not only closes the gap in early recovery but also extends support through the first 12 weeks postpartum to promote lasting gains in independence and quality of life.
Applicable to occupational and physical therapists working in acute care, home health, and outpatient settings, this session will provide actionable steps to expand access to inclusive, equitable maternal health rehabilitation. Learners will leave equipped to design programs that address the diverse needs of the postpartum population and elevate the standard of care.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze medical, surgical, and psychosocial factors that impact functional recovery and participation in daily routines in the early postpartum period after any birth experience
- Apply evidence-based screening tools and outcome measures that guide acute postpartum discharge planning and follow-up rehab services across home health, virtual care, and outpatient settings
- Implement occupational and physical therapy interventions that address activity limitations and role changes related to self-care, newborn care, and home management in the first weeks after birth
- Implement effective interprofessional collaboration strategies to integrate rehab services into maternal care plans across hospital, home, virtual, and outpatient settings
- Analyze current research to inform rehabilitation strategies that address maternal health needs from hospital admission through the early postnatal phase
Meet your instructors
Rebeca Segraves
Dr. Rebeca Segraves, PT, DPT, WCS is a board-certified women’s health clinical specialist. She has extensive experience treating perinatal and pelvic health conditions in acute care, home health, and outpatient settings including long-term hospitalizations for high-risk pregnancy and following perinatal loss. She has worked…
Jenna Segraves
Jenna Segraves, PT, DPT is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist in physical therapy and a certified lymphedema therapist. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor for Graceland University’s DPT program. Her clinical practice involves a wide variety of settings and populations including outpatient neurology,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Current Gaps and Opportunities in Postpartum Rehabilitation
Speakers will review maternal health outcomes in the U.S. with emphasis on functional recovery, participation in daily activities, and the impact of delayed rehabilitation. Data will be compared to other developed nations, highlighting how early, inclusive rehabilitation services can address persistent gaps, particularly for families navigating perinatal loss. Risk factors such as cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, infection, and role changes will be discussed in the context of opportunities for earlier intervention. NEEDS QC
2. Early Evaluation and Intervention in the Hospital and Home
Participants will be guided through an evidence-based evaluation process for the postpartum population, including those who have experienced perinatal loss. Participants will learn to integrate screening tools, outcome measures, and targeted interventions into both hospital and early home visits. Practical strategies will be shared for addressing common impairments, facilitating safe activity participation, and creating a bridge to ongoing care through the first 12 weeks postpartum.
3. Building an Inclusive Postpartum Rehab Continuum of Care
Speakers will present a model for delivering postpartum rehab services that begins in the hospital and continues into the home setting, ensuring inclusion of all birth experiences. Participants will learn communication strategies that strengthen interprofessional relationships and support equitable access to occupational and physical therapy. Current literature will be reviewed to showcase innovative intervention approaches and scalable solutions that improve maternal function, safety, and quality of life.
4. Question and Answer Session
This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session facilitated by the instructors.