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Improving Pregnancy Outcomes in the US

The infant mortality rate and pregnancy outcomes in the United States are among the lowest in the developed world. Various health organizations, the March of Dimes and researchers have been focusing on finding answers to improve the health of mothers and babies in the US. RTI Research Institute has recently announced targeted recommendations for improving pregnancy outcomes in the country. One of the recurring themes in research into infant mortality shows that minority and poor mothers are disproportionately affected by problems leading to preterm birth and health care. In fact, the infant mortality rate for African American mothers is nearly … Continue reading →

Maternity Care in the U.S.

The recent birth of the royal prince cost $15,000.  That sounds like a lot, right?  It is, but it’s only half the cost of a birth in America.  That’s right: the average price of a birth — in a normal hospital, not a luxury wing — in the U.S. is $30,000.  That makes us, according to an in-depth article by The New York Times, the nation that pays the most for maternity care.  Yet, we also have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the developed world.  It seems like these two things should counter one another, but in … Continue reading →

How Soon Is Too Soon?

I’m guilty of it, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. At thirty-seven weeks pregnant, I found myself trying nearly every trick in the book to start labor naturally (it didn’t work). From what I understood, thirty-seven weeks was full term and the sooner I could go into labor, the better. I was uncomfortable! But I was also wrong. A new study suggests that many women do not know what constitutes a full term birth. Like me, more than half of women consider thirty-seven to thirty-eight weeks full term. Research shows, however, that thirty-nine to forty weeks is optimal. … Continue reading →

Never Take Health Care for Granted

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I read an interesting and sad article this evening about the high mortality rate among women in India during childbirth. A large number of women die from preventable causes, and the numbers aren’t even accurate, since many of the deaths are not even recorded. Due to a lack of accountability, corruption, and a lack of awareness, many women in India are not receiving the proper care they need, despite the fact that maternal health care is supposed to be free for poor women. Currently our country is divided over health care reform. I understand: I know first hand the staggering … Continue reading →