For years, the exhaustion, the intrusive thoughts, the numbness, and the shame that can follow pregnancy and childbirth were mostly whispered about, if they were spoken of at all. That’s changing. As CNN reported this week, women are increasingly telling their stories about maternal mental health “on the internet, at work, at home and in […]
Your recovery after delivery deserves the same attention as your pregnancy. Here’s how modern postpartum care is changing — and what it means for you. For decades, postpartum care meant one thing: a single appointment at six weeks. You came in, your provider checked your incision or confirmed your uterus had returned to size, and […]
In recent years, marijuana (also known as cannabis) has become increasingly mainstream. Many states have legalized it for recreational or medical purposes, and products are widely available in dispensaries and, in some places, even delivered to your door. With this shift, more women of reproductive age are using cannabis, including during pregnancy. At the same […]
Diabetes in pregnancy, whether pregestational type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is one of the most common and high-risk medical conditions encountered in obstetric care. Poorly controlled glucose during pregnancy has been consistently associated with adverse outcomes for both mothers and their babies. Fortunately, advances in technology—specifically continuous glucose monitoring […]
The pitch vs. the reality Both drugs are neuroactive steroids that boost GABAergic signaling, a pathway thought to be disrupted after childbirth. In clinical trials, participants taking these medicines did show improvements on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17). But so did participants on placebo—and that matters when we ask, “Is the drug’s added […]
Acetaminophen in Pregnancy From the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology What is ACOG’s position regarding the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy? ACOG supports the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy when taken as needed, in moderation, and after consultation with a doctor. Acetaminophen has long been established as a safe […]
This Practice Advisory was developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in collaboration with Nathaniel DeNicola, MD, MSHP, FACOG. Source: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2025/09/acetaminophen-use-in-pregnancy-and-neurodevelopmental-outcomes ACOG Recommendation ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen remains the analgesic and antipyretic of choice during pregnancy. Judicious use at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration, in consultation with an obstetrician–gynecologist or […]
Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with significant implications for reproductive health. From 1994 to 2003, the obesity rate surged by 70%, and by 2019, nearly 29% of women were obese before pregnancy. Bariatric surgery—once considered a niche treatment—has become the most effective intervention for morbid obesity, especially among women of reproductive […]
Pregnancy is often celebrated as a time of joy and anticipation, yet for a significant number of American women, it is marred by abuse. According to a recent study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), one in every 20 pregnant women in the United States experiences physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. These […]
Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety are mental health challenges affecting many women who have recently given birth. As new mothers adapt to the demands of caring for a newborn while managing the significant physical and emotional changes that accompany childbirth, they often experience a range of emotions, from joy to profound stress, sadness, or worry. […]