Latest news with #expectantmothers
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Taking common antibiotic in early pregnancy increases risk of devastating birth defects, study finds
Taking an antibiotic for a common health problem during pregnancy could increase the risk of a baby having devastating birth defects, a study suggests. American scientists found that taking a specific kind of medication for a urinary tract infection (UTI) significantly increased the odds of baby being born with a congenital problem. These issues ranged from a cleft palate to potentially serious problems with a baby's heart. UTIs—infections which affect the tube where urine exits the body (the urethra), bladder, or kidney—are particularly common in pregnant women. They are considered serious infections for expectant mothers as they can cause devastating consequences for both woman and baby. But now experts have found an antibiotic medics prescribe to clear UTIs could have health complications of its own. Called trimethoprim, researchers found the risk of birth defects in the woman taking the drug in their first trimester was 26.9 per 1,000 infants. This translated to about one out of every 145 more patients having a baby with a congenital anomaly that they would otherwise. Such defects included 'severe' heart malformations as well as cleft lip and palates. In contrast, the risk posed by other antibiotics was lower, with only 19.8 to 23.5 malformations per 1000 infants. The researchers said this figure was in line with the standard chances of a baby having a birth defect, meaning there was no 'elevated risk' from other antibiotics used to treat UTIs. Trimethoprim is prescribed about 130,000 times in England per month. Women in the study—aged between 15 and 49—had either been prescribed a strong, specialised antibiotic such as nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, or fluoroquinolone or a 'standard' antibiotic, such as penicillin. Dr Caroline Ovadia, an expert obstetrics at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study said previous research suggested trimethoprim blocked a key nutrient in pregnancy. 'Trimethoprim can block the action of folic acid, which we know is important in early fetal development,' she said. UTIs are among the most common infections in pregnancy, affecting up to 10 per cent of all pregnant women. This is roughly double the prevalence compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. Left untreated, they have been connected to premature births, low birth rate, kidney infections, and even sepsis. While UTIs classically cause symptoms like a burning sensation they can be asymptomatic meaning they are hidden infections causing no obvious problems but still still increasing the risk of complications. This is why pregnant women in Britain offered a urine test, to check for such hidden UTI at their first midwife appointment, which typically happens at around 10 weeks. In the US, the test is performed slightly later, between 12 and 16 weeks.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Jackson South to close maternity unit this fall as part of systemwide realignment
Jackson Health System announced Thursday it will close the maternity unit at Jackson South Medical Center this fall, citing a shift in community needs and a broader strategy to support the hospital's ongoing growth. The move comes more than two decades after Jackson South opened in 2001 and nearly a decade after it expanded emergency services with the addition of Ryder Trauma at Jackson South in 2016, the health system said. "Closure will help better align services" In a statement, a spokesperson for the health system said the closure will help better align services with the current demands of the surrounding community in southern Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. "Jackson South's continued success relies on adapting to our patients' needs," the statement said. "While the types of services offered may vary from hospital to hospital, as a system, we provide the most comprehensive, high-quality care for every patient." Employees affected Hospital officials said employees affected by the maternity unit closure will be offered opportunities at other Jackson South departments or similar units across the Jackson Health System. What about the moms-to-be? Expectant mothers nearing their delivery dates will continue to receive care at Jackson South. Others earlier in their pregnancies will be transitioned to other centers. Comprehensive maternity services — including high-risk obstetric care — will remain available at The Women's Hospital at Jackson Memorial and Jackson North Medical Center, the health system said. The Women's Hospital at Jackson Memorial and Jackson North Medical Center is at least 20 miles further. "We're just really sad to hear that they're going to shut down the delivery unit," expecting mom Bianka Ramirez said. Ramirez is due on July 30th. During her checkup Thursday, she found out she'll be among the last to have her baby at Jackson South. "She told us that, unfortunately, by September, they're going to shut it down and if we are planning to have kids in the future, we might not be able to come to this hospital." Jackson South will continue operating its OB-GYN physician practice in collaboration with UHealth – University of Miami Health System. Jackson also pledged to maintain prenatal care access for underserved populations through its ongoing partnership with Community Health of South Florida (CHI). Sheila Simms Watson, a licensed midwife with the Southern Birth Justice Network, said, "What's the community going to do? Where are we going to go?" Simms Watson said this will only hurt the already underserved area, with a lack of other options that aren't private and may not accept everyone's insurance. She says more expecting moms may consider birthing centers or even delivering at home. "So, it's a delay in care and that delay in care can be the difference between life and death, to put it bluntly." Both women now hope the hospital will reconsider. "Rethink about all the great doctors you have there and all the people that want to have kids there," Ramirez said. CBS News Miami requested an interview with hospital leadership but was told no. The maternity ward here is set to close in the fall; no word on an exact date yet.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community Baby Shower takes place in Greenville
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Greenville Recreation and Parks had its second-annual Community Baby Shower Saturday, May 17, 2025. It's an event designed to support new moms and expectant mothers. Nearly 80 women registered to attend. The event aims to assist mothers facing hardships by providing essential items for their children. It also serves an educational purpose, offering information and help on postpartum care and breastfeeding. 'It's super important to make sure that we take care, especially of the mothers, because they're the ones who have nurtured our community,' Recreational Supervisor Jalyn Brown said. 'I was always raised by a village, different moms, and that really touched my heart. Here, the City of Greenville's outreach is incredibly important and being able to support families in need is one of our major goals.' Greenville Recreation and Parks is already planning another baby shower event in September. They said to follow Greenville Recreation and Parks social media accounts and visit its website for updates and more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I hired a 'death doula' to help my terminally ill mother in her final days - it was the best decision I made and here's why you should consider it
Doulas have become an increasingly normal part of childbirth. These hired assistants help expectant mothers, providing emotional and practical support in the lead-up to, during and after childbirth – including speaking up for the woman. And now doulas are growing in popularity to support people through life's other huge transition: dying.
