When Yvonne Tsao was pregnant with her third baby, she learned about Hoag’s at-home postpartum care program and signed up immediately. Postpartum+ appealed to her because for six weeks she would have a board-certified nurse practitioner visiting her and her baby in the comfort of her home. Now, she’s an advocate for the program, helping increase access for other new moms.  

“It can be scary leaving the hospital after giving birth. I got to take my Hoag nurse home with me, which gave me extra reassurance in how we were doing at home. I want every woman to have that; it’s so helpful,” Yvonne said of her experience.  

Postpartum+ nurses collaborate with patients’ health care providers to deliver individualized care plans for moms and newborns at home, including lactation support, newborn care guidance, and emotional support during the crucial early weeks after leaving the hospital. Yvonne knew from giving birth to her first two children the value of family bonding and recuperation during that time. In Chinese culture, the practice of “Zuo Yue Zi” which translates to “sitting the month,” involves a 30- to 40-day rest period to help women recover from childbirth.  

“Right after you come home from the hospital, all you want to do is be home and be with your baby to finally settle in,” she said.     

Yvonne’s nurse practitioner, Erica, was caring and attentive—and came to the rescue when Yvonne got mastitis her third week home from the hospital. When she began feeling extremely ill with a high fever, Yvonne texted Erica, who wrote a prescription right away. Yvonne was on the necessary antibiotics that evening. Erica also recommended over-the-counter and at-home remedies to help relieve Yvonne’s symptoms.   

When Erica went on vacation, Grace, another Postpartum+ nurse, stepped in and picked up where Erica left off, checking in on Yvonne and providing the personalized support she needed. “I felt their love and dedication for their jobs,” Yvonne said. “They were completely present.”   

As a donor to Hoag’s mother-baby services, Yvonne is committed to supporting a more holistic birthing experience and mother’s mental and emotional well-being. “When you don’t have enough support, your mental health can really suffer with how demanding and lonely it can be. And when mom is not well, dad and baby won’t be doing well,” she insisted.     

Thanks to philanthropists like Yvonne and her family, the Women’s Health Institute at Hoag also offers pelvic floor physical therapy before, during, and after pregnancy, as well as acupuncture, massage, meditation classes, and more. Postpartum+ complements these wraparound services to make the transition from pregnancy to motherhood as smooth and as comfortable as possible, especially for first-time moms.  

“This would make a great baby shower gift, whether for three weeks after birth or the full six-week package,” Yvonne suggested. “The nurses are so accommodating to your schedule—you just have to open the front door—and the emotional support makes a huge difference if you’re feeling the baby blues.” 

To learn more and join Yvonne in supporting new moms through Hoag’s Postpartum+ program, contact Camille O’Connell, Senior Director of Development for the Hoag Hospital Foundation, at Camille.Oconnell@hoag.org or 949-764-7244.