The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a recent summary of pregnancy-related deaths from 2008-2017 (1). The data summarized was voluntarily given to the CDC by 14 Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) across the country. In an effort to understand the incidence of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S., these committees reported a vast amount…
Magnesium sulfate is an inorganic salt that may have a variety of health benefits during pregnancy. It can be prescribed to mothers in order to treat preeclampsia or eclampsia (1). Additionally, when premature birth is expected, it can be used to protect a baby’s brain. There is evidence that antenatal magnesium sulfate reduces the risk…
In the 1970s, women with lupus were often advised against becoming pregnant because of associated complications that can make pregnancies with lupus dangerous to both mothers and babies. Today, doctors recognize that with proper medical oversight and careful timing, most women with lupus can have a successful pregnancy (1). However, it is important to note…
The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones, which affect heart rate and metabolism. A thyroid disorder occurs when the thyroid makes too much or too little of certain thyroid hormones (1). Hyperthyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid is overactive, or makes too much thyroid hormone. It can cause…
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a relatively common ailment, affecting about 50-60% of women in their lifetimes (1), and in many cases are easily treatable. However, if not effectively treated, they can lead to a variety of dangerous complications, especially in certain high-risk groups. One population particularly threatened by UTIs is pregnant women and their…
Maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Shivani Patel, wrote an op-ed piece for STAT in May that detailed her experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during pregnancy (1). Eight years ago, Patel learned she had preeclampsia during her pregnancy. Preeclampsia is not an uncommon pregnancy condition, affecting roughly 5-8% of pregnant women (2). It involves high blood pressure,…
The placenta, or “afterbirth,” was previously considered a simple, relatively unimportant organ. However, over time, researchers have realized that it plays a critical role not only in fetal development and maternal health during pregnancy, but also in the long-term well being of both mothers and their children. Although its importance is now generally recognized throughout…
The term grand multiparity is used in reference to women who have previously given birth several times. Some consider a pregnant patient to be a grand multipara if she has already given birth four or more times, and a great grand multipara if she has already given birth nine or more times. These numbers include…
The likelihood of a woman dying from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes in the United States is higher than that of a woman in any other developed nation. Currently, the rate of maternal mortality (estimated at 26 out of 100,000 live births[1]) is almost six times what it is in Scandinavia (2). It is higher even…
