All posts tagged: maternal

Momnibus: A Fix for the Preventable Maternal Health Crisis

Momnibus: A Fix for the Preventable Maternal Health Crisis

Published by Jenni Sidey

Maternal mental health remains an area of critical need in the U.S. Despite newer maternal mortality data showing some declines, alarming maternal health disparities remain. Furthermore, the latest report from the CDC’s maternal mortality review committees continues to show that the vast majority of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, with continued indicators demonstrating the role played by mental health and substance use in these deaths. This is particularly alarming because the proposed President’s Budget Request for 2027 calls for cuts to the CDC’s Safe Motherhood/Infant Health Portfolio—a collection of programs that support coordinated national efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve outcomes through data collection and data-driven clinical care. While this may sound dire, there are structural changes through political reform already on the table that could significantly reshape the landscape of this crisis. In honor of May being Maternal Mental Health Month, you can help turn awareness into action. The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive package of bills designed to address maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the U.S. The Momnibus includes investments …

Black Women Deserve Better Maternal Care, Safety And Support

Black Women Deserve Better Maternal Care, Safety And Support

Published by Sam Flores

“Do you think I should consider freezing my eggs?” I posed this question to my grandmother and aunt recently as the reality set in that I’m about to turn 30. According to medical science, the older I get, the fewer chances I have for pregnancy. But as we approach Black Maternal Health Week, I find myself returning to that question, and my age isn’t the only thing giving me pause. Black women’s bodies have long been at the mercy of harsh surveillance, financial instability and health inequities. Because I have a Ph.D. in maternal and child health, I am well aware that maternal mortality among Black women has been a persistent inequity since the 1930s. In 2023, for example, the maternal mortality rate among Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births and significantly higher than rates for white, Hispanic and Asian women. And though there was a slight dip in 2024 (44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births), the statistics remain frighteningly high. The higher rates of maternal deaths aren’t attributed to one singular …

A Mom Forgot Who Her Daughter Was After Losing Her Memory But Still Felt The Maternal Urge To Protect Her

A Mom Forgot Who Her Daughter Was After Losing Her Memory But Still Felt The Maternal Urge To Protect Her

Published by Jenni Sidey

Every parent has an innate desire to make sure their children are safe at all times. We worry about where they are going, who they are with, and what outside influences might come their way. Finding out your child may be in danger is a terror only a parent can relate to. For a woman named Nesh Pillay, that extreme anxiety is something she has to deal with much more than anyone else could ever imagine. Pillay, 32, was confused and scared when she recently woke up from a nap, unable to remember anything.  Pillay told Newsweek in October 2022 that she told family members she had bumped her head before deciding to take a nap. Though Pillay cannot remember the incident, it is what preceded the deterioration of her memory.  She has suffered numerous incidents of trauma to her brain over her lifetime, the first occurring during a car accident when she was just nine years old. Since then, according to Pillay, she has had multiple head injuries resulting in concussions. Pillay found herself …

Maternal exposure to short-chain PFAS causes persistent memory problems in adult rats

Maternal exposure to short-chain PFAS causes persistent memory problems in adult rats

Published by José Betancourt

Exposure to supposedly safer alternatives to traditional forever chemicals during pregnancy and nursing causes lasting memory and learning problems in adult rats. The animal research suggests that early contact with these synthetic compounds interferes with normal brain development. The study was published in Frontiers in Toxicology. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, universally known as PFAS, are highly stable synthetic chemicals characterized by extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Manufacturers have used them since the 1940s to make products resist heat, oil, and water. These functional properties make them highly useful in nonstick cookware, food packaging, and waterproof clothing. Because they break down very slowly, they accumulate in the environment and inside the human body. Older versions of these chemicals are typically composed of molecular chains featuring eight or more carbon atoms. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly linked prenatal exposure to these long-chain PFAS with adverse developmental outcomes, altering cognition and behavior in children. In response to health and environmental concerns, manufacturers largely phased out these long-chain variants. They replaced them with short-chain varieties, which contain fewer carbon atoms and …

Autism associated with age of maternal grandparents in new study

Autism associated with age of maternal grandparents in new study

Published by José Betancourt

A new study published in Autism Research reveals that the age of maternal grandparents when they have children is linked to the likelihood of their grandchildren developing autism. The research shows that this association varies substantially across different racial and ethnic groups. These variations suggest that environmental and social factors operate alongside biology to influence child development across multiple generations. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive behaviors and challenges with social communication. In recent decades, the identified prevalence of autism has grown rapidly. In California, the proportion of children diagnosed with the condition increased dramatically between the early 2000s and recent years. During this period, the diagnostic rates among historically underrepresented minority groups surpassed the rates seen in white children. As diagnostic rates have shifted, demographic patterns in family planning have also changed. The average age of parents at the time of childbirth has steadily increased in the United States. Past research has established a firm association between older parental age and a higher chance of having a child on the …

Maternal health and the innovative technology helping to support new mothers

Maternal health and the innovative technology helping to support new mothers

Published by Daniella Wilson

According to research by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, at least one in four women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the early years of motherhood – and yet 70 per cent of those who do will hide or underplay their struggles. This speaks volumes about both the scale of the issue and the culture of silence that surrounds it. Marie Louise, NHS midwife, bestselling author, and Momcozy brand ambassador for the company’s International Women’s Day campaign, spoke at the AllBright Step Forward 2026 summit as part of her partnership with the brand. Addressing the pressures facing modern mothers, she shared: “More women than ever before have so much pressure on them, to do it all, to be it all, to perform at work and be this kind of perfect mother at home. It’s so unachievable and unrealistic.” Marie Louise spoke candidly about the state of maternal healthcare and workplace culture in the UK, making a compelling case that society is asking more of mothers than ever before while providing less …

‘Baby brain’ is not cognitive decline, it’s a maternal superpower — according to neurologists

‘Baby brain’ is not cognitive decline, it’s a maternal superpower — according to neurologists

Published by Daniella Wilson

A landmark new study is challenging everything we thought we knew about baby brain, and the findings might surprise you. Research has found that women lose nearly five per cent of their brain’s grey matter during pregnancy, but researchers say the change is not only normal, it is actually essential preparation for motherhood. The study, led by Professor Susana Carmona at the Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute in Madrid, and described as the largest of its kind, tracked women’s brains before conception, throughout pregnancy, and after birth. The findings challenged many common misconceptions about baby brain. © Getty ImagesResearch shows that changes to pregnant women’s brains can support bonding What the research found Using neuroimaging techniques, the study found a reduction and partial recovery of almost five per cent of grey matter in the brain, especially in regions linked to social cognition. The affected areas are concentrated in the parts of the brain responsible for reading emotions, interpreting social signals, and attuning to others – many of the skills demanded by new motherhood. The study …

Early maternal touch may encourage sympathy and helping behaviors in adolescence

Early maternal touch may encourage sympathy and helping behaviors in adolescence

Published by José Betancourt

A study in China found that junior high school students who recall more maternal touch in childhood tend to manifest more prosocial behavior. Attachment to mothers might be a mediator of this relationship. The paper was published in the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. Maternal touch refers to physical contact initiated by a mother toward her child, such as holding, cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, or gentle stroking, especially during early development. Although it was long underemphasized in developmental research, recent studies show that maternal touch plays a crucial role not only in infants’ physical growth but also in cognitive, emotional, and social development. Frequent maternal touch has been linked to better psychomotor development, reduced stress responses, improved emotional regulation, and stronger mother–child bonding. Health organizations now formally recognize its importance, as reflected in recommendations for immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, particularly for preterm and low-birthweight infants. Maternal touch is thought to support early attachment formation by providing comfort, safety, and a rewarding relationship experience. Secure attachment, in turn, is associated with greater empathy, emotional stability, …