Research

Cannabis-related diagnosis in pregnancy and adverse maternal and infant outcomes

The article highlights the importance of educating women about adverse outcomes that can occur during pregnancy. Including increasing prevalence of cannabis-related diagnosis (CRD) from 2011 to 2017, increased risk of all maternal and infant outcomes assessed from CRD, strongest effects for prematurity and gastrointestinal malformations, and stronger effects when another substance-related diagnosis accompanied CRD.

Birth with Irth

Irth - Birth without the Bias: A Mini-Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Black People

Prenatal Care Adequacy Among Women With Disabilities: A Population-Based Study

This study assessed and compared prenatal care adequacy among women without disabilities and women with physical, sensory, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The results demonstrate that among women with disabilities, there are differences in prenatal care adequacy based on disability status. They emphasize that inequitable access to prenatal care for women with disabilities, especially those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, must be addressed.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Mortality in the United States Using Enhanced Vital Records, 2016‒2017

Researchers studied racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality in the United States. They found that the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 3.55 times that of non-Hispanic white women. 

Inequities in Adverse Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes: The Effect of Maternal Race and Nativity

Researchers aimed to assess how race and ethnicity impact maternal and perinatal outcomes among U.S.-born and foreign-born women. The researchers found that compared to foreign-born women, U.S.-born women had a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, low birth weight at term, and NICU admission. 

Perceived discrimination during the childbirth hospitalization and postpartum visit attendance and content

Researchers analyzed information from the Listening to Mothers in California Survey and found that perceived discrimination was related to lower postpartum visit attendance and a lower probability of discussing birth control, depression, and breastfeeding. 

Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in postpartum consultation for mental health concerns among US mothers

Limited research has examined factors that impact access to postpartum mental healthcare. We investigated the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with postpartum consultation for mental health concerns in US mothers with or without depressive symptoms and examined potential disparities in access.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Death Associated With Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States: Failure to Rescue

Despite general improvements, this study finds that severe maternal morbidity continues to contribute to excess maternal mortality among racial and ethnic minorities.

The effect of solution-focused counseling on violence rate and quality of life of pregnant women at risk of domestic violence

This study assessed the effectiveness of solution-focused counseling in terms of reducing violence and improving the quality of life of women who have previously experienced domestic violence.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 

The authors aimed to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's access to contraceptive services, desire for pregnancy, and economic conditions.

Preterm care during the COVID-19 pandemic

A comparative risk analysis of neonatal deaths averted by kangaroo mother care versus mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Addressing maternal and child health equity through a community health worker home visiting intervention to reduce low birth weight

This quasi-experimental retrospective study aimed to assess whether participating in the Arizona Health Start Programme reduced rates of low birth weight (LBW), very LBW (VLBW), extremely LBW (ELBW), and preterm birth (PTB). 

Health Information Technologies in the Support Systems of Pregnant Women

The quality and quantity of families’ support systems during pregnancy can affect maternal and fetal outcomes. The support systems of expecting families can include many elements, such as family members, friends, and work or community groups. Emerging health information technologies (eg, social media, internet websites, and mobile apps) provide new resources for pregnant families to augment their support systems and to fill information gaps.

When and Where Birth Spacing Matters

This study addresses this issue by estimating within-family models on a sample of 4.5 million births from 77 countries at various levels of development. We show that after unobserved maternal heterogeneity is controlled for, intervals shorter than 36 months substantially increase the probability of infant death. However, the importance of birth intervals as a determinant of infant mortality varies inversely with maternal education and the strength of the relationship varies regionally. 

Interpregnancy Care

nterpregnancy care aims to maximize a woman’s level of wellness not just in between pregnancies and during subsequent pregnancies, but also along her life course. Because the interpregnancy period is a continuum for overall health and wellness, all women of reproductive age who have been pregnant regardless of the outcome of their pregnancies (ie, miscarriage, abortion, preterm, full-term delivery), should receive interpregnancy care as a continuum from postpartum care.