All articles tagged with #maternal care
Research on mice shows that even mild early-life neglect, such as limited nesting material, impairs maternal care, leading to increased stress hormones, growth delays, and attachment issues in pups, highlighting the importance of consistent, adequate caregiving for healthy emotional and physiological development.
A Cornell University study suggests that the long lifespan of humans and other primates can be partly attributed to the intense mother-child relationship, which promotes offspring survival and slower reproduction rates. This maternal care model extends to other social mammals like elephants and whales. However, experts caution against misinterpreting the findings to pressure modern mothers, emphasizing that the study focuses on evolutionary trends rather than contemporary parenting practices.
Oula, a midwifery company backed by Chelsea Clinton and Glamour magazine, is facing a lawsuit after a baby was born with brain damage. The lawsuit alleges negligence and reckless behavior by Oula's midwives, doctors, and nurses, leading to the baby's brain damage. Oula, which aims to redesign the birth experience for women, has not yet responded to the lawsuit. The company's predominantly midwife-led approach and lack of a dedicated obstetrician at the hospital have raised concerns.
Researchers studying ringed caecilians in Brazil have discovered that the wormlike amphibians produce milk to feed their young, a behavior typically associated with mammals. The milk, mainly composed of lipids and carbs, is released through the maternal vent in response to tactile and acoustic stimulation by the babies. This finding sheds light on the diverse ways in which maternal care and nutrition are provided in the animal kingdom, showcasing the concept of convergent evolution.
Women's rights and better female representation in politics have taken center stage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ahead of the upcoming presidential election. President Félix Tshisekedi has implemented policies such as free maternity care, which has had a positive impact on women's access to healthcare. However, there is still progress to be made in improving women's rights and addressing cultural obstacles to their emancipation. The election results will also determine the progress of women's representation in Congolese public life.
Women who have experienced mistreatment during pregnancy and childbirth are speaking out after a CDC report highlighted the prevalence of such incidents. The report includes cases of ignored requests for help, physical restraint, violations of privacy, and coerced or unwanted treatments. Mistreatment during maternity care has historically been underreported and unaddressed, contributing to the high maternal mortality rate in the US, particularly among Black and Hispanic women. Advocates are calling for increased awareness, training, and a shift in societal attitudes to ensure respectful and patient-centered care during childbirth.
A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that one in five women experienced mistreatment during their most recent pregnancy, including verbal abuse, unanswered requests for help, and threats to withhold treatment. The survey also found that nearly a third of respondents faced discrimination based on factors such as age, weight, income, and race/ethnicity. The study highlights disparities in mistreatment based on race and insurance coverage, with Black and Hispanic women being more affected. The CDC recommends hiring diverse workforces and improving communication with patients to address these issues. The report did not directly link mistreatment to maternal mortality rates, but emphasized the need for better understanding and reporting of concerns to reduce pregnancy-related complications.
GOP Representative Nancy Mace warns that Republicans must prioritize addressing women's issues, including child care, maternal care, prenatal care, and abortion, in order to retain their slim House majority in 2024. Mace emphasizes the need for meaningful change and warns that failure to address these issues will result in losing support from women voters. She acknowledges the importance of reading the room and suggests that the party sometimes comes across poorly on women's issues. Mace joins Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Moms First CEO Reshma Saujani to discuss the child care crisis and the need for bipartisan efforts to address it. They highlight the impending child care cliff and the economic threat it poses. Mace notes that child care funding has not been a priority within the Republican Party, while Khanna aims to craft legislation that allows families to choose their preferred form of child care.
A new study has identified a previously unknown neural circuit in the brains of female mice that is activated during infanticidal behavior and inhibits another circuit that promotes maternal-care behavior. These circuits show opposing changes in excitability when female mice become mothers, explaining the switch in young-directed behaviors that occurs with motherhood.
The US has a higher rate of preterm births than most developed countries, with about 1 in 10 live births occurring prematurely. Roughly half of all preterm births are preventable, caused by social, economic, and environmental factors, as well as inadequate access to prenatal health care. Many maternal-fetal specialists worry that the incidence of premature birth could soon soar, with abortion now banned in at least 13 states and sharply restricted in 12 others. States that restrict abortion have fewer maternal care providers than states with abortion access.