New “NEST” program at Almonte General Hospital offers support for families after birth

Patients delivering the newest addition to their families at Almonte General Hospital (AGH) will now have access to enhanced postpartum care, thanks to a new collaborative program aimed at filling a critical gap in early parenting support.

Launched this month, the Newborn and Early Postpartum Support Team (NEST) is a joint initiative between the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team (OVFHT) and the Obstetrics Unit at AGH. The program offers next-day follow-up and ongoing care for newborns and their parents following hospital discharge, a time period that can be unpredictable and scary.

“The early days after delivery are joyful, but they can also be overwhelming,” said Dr. Laurel Kedrosky, Family Medicine Obstetrics Physician Lead at AGH. “The NEST Program is designed to give families the timely support, education, and reassurance they need, in a setting that feels calm, compassionate, and connected to their ongoing care.”

The NEST clinic is staffed by trained registered practical nurses (RPNs) and family medicine obstetrics (FMOB) physicians to provide both newborn and maternal health assessments. Among the key tools used is a transcutaneous bilirubin meter, which is used to painlessly monitor jaundice in infants. This new tool will eliminate the need for bloodwork. Mothers are also monitored for early signs of physical postpartum complications such as infection or high blood pressure.

Inspired by successful programs like Ottawa’s MONARCH Clinic, the NEST program is one of the first of its kind in the region. By providing early intervention in a non-hospital setting, organizers hope this will help reduce strain on emergency rooms and inpatient services.

“The first few days after birth are a time when families often fall through the cracks,” said Dr. Kedrosky in a release. “By offering early follow-up through NEST, we’re not only supporting individual families, we’re also improving system capacity.”

The program operates Monday to Friday at OVFHT, with weekend follow-up appointments handled by AGH’s obstetrics team. All families who deliver their newborn at AGH will be made aware of the clinic’s services before they are discharged, with referrals based on individual follow-up needs.

“Programs like NEST show what’s possible when hospital teams and community-based providers collaborate around a shared vision,” stated Brad Harrington, President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA). “This kind of innovative, integrated care strengthens the entire health system and, most importantly, improves outcomes for the families we serve.”

The MRHA noted that the NEST Program is expected to expand in the coming months, with long-term goals to offer services to infants and families who don’t currently have access to a primary care provider.

For more information on postpartum and family care services, visit www.ovfht.ca or www.mrha.ca/obstetricalunit