Maggie Huether’s Post

In just a few days, Jasper County's only birthing center will close its doors on October 15, pushing women to travel over 20 miles and nearly 30 minutes for care, three times the national average. One-third of Iowa’s 99 counties now face a dire reality, no access to birthing hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric doctors, according to March of Dimes. Since 2000, 41 birthing units have shut down, and between 2019 and 2020 alone, Iowa saw a 6.7% drop in birthing hospitals. This crisis is forcing expectant mothers to travel longer distances, with 14% of Iowans now living more than 30 minutes from the nearest birthing center, compared to a national average of 9.7%. The consequences are clear: as Iowa’s rural hospitals lose 62% of their labor and delivery services, maternal and infant health are at greater risk. Higher rates of inadequate prenatal care, stillbirths, and NICU admissions are the direct result of this growing desert of maternity care. These closures are not just numbers, they represent lives put in jeopardy. #MaternalHealth #IowaHealthCrisis #MaternityCareDeserts #HealthcareAccess #PrenatalCare #PublicHealth https://lnkd.in/gyYY9WXD

Pioneering Research to Transform Maternal Health for Pregnant Individuals with Heart Disease. The University of Missouri-Kansas City Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality and Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, led by Dr. John Spertus, Dr. Anna Grodzinsky, and Dr. Karen Florio, have announced a four-year, nationwide study, Heart Outcomes in Pregnancy Expectations (HOPE) for Mom and Baby to address maternal mortality and morbidity among pregnant individuals with cardiovascular disease. HOPE will study the care and outcomes of 1,000 pregnant individuals with heart disease to better understand the patient characteristics, treatment, and organization of health care delivery that most influence these outcomes so that standardized care protocols can be developed and disseminated to combat the United States’ tragically high rate of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of maternal death, particularly among marginalized communities, the study aims to identify key patient care factors and develop standardized protocols to improve health outcomes for pregnant individuals with heart disease. #MaternalHealth #CardiovascularCare #HealthEquity #HealthcareInnovation #WomensHealth #CardioObstetrics #HOPEStudy #CardioObstetrics #MaternalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #WomensHealth #HealthEquity

A recent study highlights a concerning disparity in prenatal care for pregnant women covered by Medicaid. These women are less likely to receive the crucial 20-week ultrasound, which is essential for detecting fetal heart defects. The 20-week ultrasound is critical for assessing the baby’s major organs and should not be missed. However, barriers like scheduling issues, transportation difficulties, work commitments, and childcare responsibilities often prevent women from accessing this vital care, despite it being covered by Medicaid. Understanding these barriers can help develop policies and programs to reduce disparities and improve access to essential prenatal care. Prenatal diagnosis is linked to better health outcomes, allowing for timely interventions that can significantly impact a baby’s development. https://lnkd.in/g4CmnyeE

Hypertension during pregnancy is becoming an increasingly common and dangerous condition. Despite advances in monitoring and care, too many families are still affected by preventable tragedies. One story that echoes through the hearts of many is of a mother who passed away shortly after delivering her son due to undiagnosed eclampsia, a condition that can develop from untreated high blood pressure. While recent efforts, like new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, are improving outcomes, the reality is that maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are rising. The challenge is ensuring that every healthcare provider applies these life-saving practices consistently. More can be done to prevent strokes and other life threatening complications during and after pregnancy by monitoring for signs like high blood pressure and listening to patients. Every mother's voice deserves to be heard, and their lives should be safeguarded. #MaternalHealth #HypertensionAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #WomensHealth https://lnkd.in/gfKHeicE

New Insights into the Maternal Brain. A recent study offers a groundbreaking look at how pregnancy transforms the brain. It reveals that nearly every part of the brain is affected, with gray matter reducing by about 4% during pregnancy. This change, similar to puberty, is believed to help the brain adapt to motherhood. This research, involving 26 MRI scans over time, kicks off a larger international project aiming to explore maternal brain health and potentially predict postpartum depression. #Neuroscience #MaternalHealth #PregnancyResearch #WomenInScience #MentalHealth https://lnkd.in/gci-DT6h

Most maternal deaths occur after hospital discharge, from postpartum to one year, highlighting the need for continued care beyond delivery. Alarmingly, Black women face a maternal mortality rate three times higher than white women due to birth-related complications. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD, MAS, OB-GYN at Ochsner Health, shares effective strategies to reduce maternal morbidity after childbirth and emphasizes that equity must always be at the forefront of these solutions. https://lnkd.in/gMuH9Ekf

Woman's Hospital in Louisiana opened the state’s first Perinatal Mental Health Unit (PMHU), dedicated to providing specialized inpatient care for women who are pregnant, postpartum, or have experienced pregnancy loss. This new unit fills a critical gap in maternal mental health support, offering care to women during vulnerable times. #WomensHealth #MaternalMentalHealth #PerinatalCare #HealthcareInnovation #Louisiana https://lnkd.in/gGktN_ce

The CDC's latest report reveals a concerning trend: more pregnant women in the U.S. are going without prenatal care, despite a decline in overall births. The percentage of mothers without prenatal care rose from 2.2% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2023. This slight increase raises alarms, as prenatal care is essential for monitoring potential health risks, including birth defects and high blood pressure. With just under 3.6 million babies born in the U.S. last year, the continued decline in births underscores the need for greater attention to maternal health services. Ensuring access to prenatal care is vital to safeguarding the health of both mothers and babies. #MaternalHealth #PrenatalCare #CDC #HealthAccess https://lnkd.in/gFJdTinG

Groundbreaking Research in Endometriosis Treatment Endometriosis affects 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, causing severe pain and often infertility. Traditional treatments, primarily hormone-based, come with significant side effects and are not an option for those trying to conceive. In a revolutionary study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Yale researchers have identified a new way to target the inflammation at the root of this disease. This discovery could lead to a new, non-hormonal treatment option for endometriosis, potentially transforming care for millions of women. This breakthrough not only offers hope for effective endometriosis treatment but also has implications for other chronic inflammatory diseases. https://lnkd.in/g7kc-SGs