11/15
Obstetrics
Questioning restrictions on physical activity for those at risk of preterm birth
Questioning restrictions on physical activity for those at risk of preterm birth
Undergraduates Ellie Mayers and Gladys Smith worked as research assistants this summer gathering data from pregnant patients for a study by Penn Medicine physician Beth Leong Pineles, researching bed rest orders and physical activity restrictions for those at risk of preterm birth.
Welcoming the first babies from Penn Fertility in Lancaster
Welcoming the first babies from Penn Fertility in Lancaster
The Penn Fertility Care practice is the first and only fertility clinic in Lancaster County that has an embryology lab, allowing patients outside of the Philadelphia metro area equal access to the full range of Penn Fertility services and treatments.
Helping Black families to grow and thrive
Helping Black families to grow and thrive
To reverse the nationwide trend of serious harm and death before, during, and after childbirth for Black and other parents from marginalized groups, Penn Medicine is taking bold action to improve maternal health and eliminate racial disparities.
For pregnant people in states with most restrictive abortion policies, higher rates of cardiovascular complications
For pregnant people in states with most restrictive abortion policies, higher rates of cardiovascular complications
New research from Penn Medicine finds that states with tighter restraints on abortion may be tied to higher maternal morbidity and mortality, the effects of which may extend beyond pregnancy.
High pregnancy weight gain tied to higher risk of death in the following decades
High pregnancy weight gain tied to higher risk of death in the following decades
Findings from a Penn Medicine study, which analyzed 50 years of data, highlights the health risks tied to conditions like heart disease and diabetes that can occur when more weight is gained in pregnancy than recommended.
National Academy of Medicine elects five new members from Penn
National Academy of Medicine elects five new members from Penn
Kurt T. Barnhart, Christopher B. Forrest, Susan L. Furth, Desmond Upton Patton, and Robert H. Vonderheide are among 100 new Academy members elected this year, one of the highest honors in health and medicine.
New research eyes closer integration of doulas and hospital maternity care
New research eyes closer integration of doulas and hospital maternity care
Projects from Penn’s new Research Center for Advancing Maternal Health Equity help determine how non-medical birth support workers can be more a part of maternal care teams.
Remote blood pressure monitoring may stave off postpartum health issues for those with preeclampsia
Remote blood pressure monitoring may stave off postpartum health issues for those with preeclampsia
Penn Medicine’s remote heart-monitoring program, Heart Safe Motherhood, is likely to drive down total health care costs for the new mothers.
Pregnancy complications tied to higher risk of death as long as 50 years later
Pregnancy complications tied to higher risk of death as long as 50 years later
Even decades after delivering pre-term or with conditions like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, those with complications in pregnancy or birth have a higher risk of death.
Racial disparities in postpartum visits decreased with telehealth
Racial disparities in postpartum visits decreased with telehealth
A new study shows disparities in postpartum visit attendance improved considerably for Black patients after telehealth was implemented.
In the News
WHYY (Philadelphia)
As FDA requires national breast density notification, Delaware Valley women say more counseling is needed
Peter Gearhart of the Perelman School of Medicine says that providers are still playing catch up to newer research and data about breast density and screening outcomes for breast cancer.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Can texting new parents to report their blood pressure help address maternal mortality? Penn thinks so
The Heart Safe Motherhood program, created by Sindu Srinivas and Adi Hirshberg of the Perelman School of Medicine, helps new mothers follow up on high blood pressure screenings with text reports rather than in-person visits.
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The Washington Post
Tua the endangered orangutan gives birth to a baby at Philadelphia Zoo
A Penn Medicine obstetrician partnered with a team at the Philadelphia Zoo to help a critically endangered orangutan give birth.
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Daily Mail (U.K.)
Florida’s new law will let women have C-sections outside of hospitals, but doctors warn of deadly complications
Alice Abernathy of the Perelman School of Medicine says that Florida’s new birthing centers represent a bad band-aid on a chronic issue that will make outcomes worse rather than better.
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NBC News
Florida to allow doctors to perform C-sections outside hospitals
Alice Abernathy of the Perelman School of Medicine says that Florida’s “advanced birth centers” are a poor substitute for quality obstetrical care, though they’re being billed as something that gives people more choices.
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Today
Meet the women who pioneered the development of IVF
Wanda Ronner of the Perelman School of Medicine explores the history of the women scientists who played a crucial role in the development of IVF.
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