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Obstetrics
Moderate amounts of caffeine not linked to maternal health risks
In a prospective Penn Medicine study of 2,529 pregnant women, drinking caffeinated beverages was associated with a reduced risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Reproductive justice in nursing
The Penn chapter of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health works to expand students’ engagement in Reproductive justice.
Using race to diagnose anemia during pregnancy may increase its risk at delivery
Penn researchers suggest going against national guidelines and standardizing the threshold at which pregnant women are treated for anemia
Penn Medicine’s first living donor uterus transplant
Cheryl Cichonski-Urban donated her uterus to Chelsea Jovanovich through Penn Medicine’s Uterus Donation program. In May, Jovanovich gave birth to a baby boy.
Why young, pregnant women develop heart failure similar to older patients
Researchers at Penn Medicine uncover more genetic mutations that predispose women to peripartum cardiomyopathy, with implications for the future of increased genetic testing.
Living in a majority-Black neighborhood linked to severe maternal morbidity
Penn Medicine researchers studied the association between neighborhood-level risk factors and poor maternal health outcomes in Philadelphia between 2010 and 2017.
Doulas help families meet breastfeeding goals
Research from the School of Nursing shows that these support professionals can be another tool to improve outcomes for newborns and parents.
Pregnant mothers’ antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 transfer to their fetuses
Antibodies to coronavirus in pregnant women cross the placenta efficiently, and are found at similar concentrations in their newborns, according to a large study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine.
Toward more optimal birth outcomes
A new study from Penn Nursing is the first to assess hospital vaginal birth rates rather than cesarean rates, which can further quality improvement initiatives that focus on encouraging vaginal birth rather than on decreasing the cesarean birth rate.
No change in preterm birth or stillbirth in Philadelphia during pandemic
Challenging earlier reports, a CHOP-Penn Medicine study employed a rigorous analysis of a diverse, urban pregnancy cohort and found no significant changes.
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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