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Uterus transplant enables woman to have a baby after doctors said she couldn’t
Today

Uterus transplant enables woman to have a baby after doctors said she couldn’t

Kathleen O’Neill of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about a Penn Medicine uterus transplant trial. “These women have ovaries, they have eggs, they just don’t have the uterus to gestate the pregnancy,” said O’Neill. “So once we are able to give them that uterus, the vast majority get pregnant and have babies.”

2019 was the safest year for women to give birth globally. Then, the pandemic hit
The Washington Post

2019 was the safest year for women to give birth globally. Then, the pandemic hit

Elizabeth Howell of the Perelman School of Medicine co-wrote an op-ed about global maternal mortality rates, which have risen dramatically since the pandemic began. “Reversing the trajectory of maternal mortality requires action on a global scale,” she said.

The White House issues its first-ever proclamation on Black maternal health
The New York Times

The White House issues its first-ever proclamation on Black maternal health

Elizabeth Howell of the Perelman School of Medicine said that severe maternal morbidity, in which women experience severe complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, impacts more than 50,000 U.S. women each year. “Similar to maternal mortality, Black and brown women have elevated rates of maternal morbidity,” she said.

Doulas help families meet breastfeeding goals
Close up head shot of a smiling young person wearing a black V-neck shirt.

Stephanie N. Acquaye, from Woodbury, Minnesota, is a Bachelor of Nursing Science candidate at the School of Nursing. She is also a Hillman Scholar and will continue in the Penn Nursing Ph.D. program upon completion of her bachelor’s degree. (Image: Courtesy Stephanie Acquaye)

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.

Michele W. Berger

I sang through labor to manage the pain
The New York Times

I sang through labor to manage the pain

Veena Graff of the Perelman School of Medicine weighed in on how singing may be able to aid the birth process. “Mechanistically, the act of singing helps with breathing and is a great distraction method, which in turn can relax a woman while experiencing labor pains,” she said.

Pregnant mothers’ antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 transfer to their fetuses
Pregnant person sits on a seat on public transit wearing a face mask.

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.

Melissa Moody

Evidence builds that pregnant women pass COVID antibodies to newborns
The New York Times

Evidence builds that pregnant women pass COVID antibodies to newborns

Scott Hensley and Karen Puopolo of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about their study of pregnancy and COVID-19. The team found evidence that COVID-19 antibodies can cross the placenta, though it’s still unknown if the amount of antibodies passed on can prevent newborns from contracting the virus.