4/22
Obstetrics
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A new study shows disparities in postpartum visit attendance improved considerably for Black patients after telehealth was implemented.
An active research team brings better health care for postnatal patients
Katie Luzi Costantini and Chester County Hospital’s research department have worked out how obstetrics providers can better meet the needs of patients after giving birth and throughout the “fourth trimester.”
Five from Penn elected to National Academy of Medicine
Five Penn experts have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for their contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health.
In the News
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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Chester County mom, ovarian cancer survivor has miracle baby through surrogate
A Chester County woman and ovarian cancer survivor welcomed a new baby thanks to the help of a surrogate, with remarks from Clarisa Gracia of Penn Medicine.
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Medication abortion case could set up another explosive Supreme Court ruling—but it may not look like last year’s
Courtney Schreiber of the Perelman School of Medicine warns about the consequences of restricting access to the abortion drug mifepristone.
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Justice Department and abortion pill manufacturer ask appeals court to freeze judge’s order that could make drug unavailable after Friday
Courtney Schreiber of the Perelman School of Medicine says that some patients are unable to have procedural abortions due to their anatomy, while others might believe that abortion is no longer available or safe.
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For pregnant women and their newborns, COVID vaccine offers better protection than prior infection
Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that COVID vaccinations provide more robust protection for pregnant mothers than COVID infection, with a quote from CHOP’s Dustin Flannery.
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Revoke approval of preterm birth drug, FDA advisors say
Susan Ellenberg of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the FDA rejection of preterm birth drug 17-OHPC represents a return to square one.
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