The CDC recently released new data showing pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 have a 70 percent increased risk of death. The virus also increases the risk of preterm birth and admission of the baby to the NICU. We chatted with Dr. Lana Dbeibo, medical director of infection prevention at Methodist Hospital, about what care teams are seeing at hospitals around our area. Plus, she shares her personal experience as a mom who had a baby in May of 2020. She discusses her decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while breastfeeding ..read more

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Rebekah Delaney, director of the Riley Maternity Tower bereavement program, joins us to discuss the support available to families experiencing this type of loss and ways loved ones can be there for these parents in a positive way.  The bereavement program, known as Pathways to Hope, is also hosting an event for the public this weekend called "Light the Night" which will involve a candlelight vigil for the children parents have lost. More information on the event can be found here: https://give.rileykids.org/event/light-the-night-perina ..read more

What does care with a midwife look like? Can you only use a midwife if you plan to have an unmedicated delivery?  Darla Berry, one of our Riley Children's Health midwives, debunks some myths and explains what midwifery is really all about.  ..read more

Lauren Hall-Riggins lost her first baby when she was 33 weeks and one day pregnant. "It the greatest anguish, shock and pain," Lauren said. She eventually turned to the Kate Cares Stillbirth Assessment Program, from Riley Children's Health, to learn what may have caused this tragic outcome. The team was able to investigate and informed Lauren that there were no conditions that would cause subsequent pregnancies to have the same outcome. When Lauren became pregnant with her rainbow baby, she turned to the Riley Maternal Fetal Medicine team. She says their care and compassion helped navigate th ..read more

As you near the halfway point of your pregnancy, you will be scheduled for a 20-week ultrasound. This appointment allows your provider to get a clear view of the baby and check for any abnormalities. Some patients are referred to Riley's maternal fetal medicine team for additional consultation.  Dr. Anthony Shanks is one of the Riley maternal fetal medicine physicians. He provides insight into what happens during the 20-week anatomy scan and what parents can expect.  ..read more

The latest Indiana Maternal Mortality Report found there were 92 pregnancy-associated deaths in 2020 happening during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy. The expert committee also found that 79 percent of these deaths were preventable.  Dr. Carrie Rouse, medical director for Riley Maternity Services and member of the committee, joined us on this episode to delve into the findings of this report. She shared the most noticeable trends in these deaths and how additional support for maternity patients could make a positive impact in the future.  ..read more

Riley genetics counselors provide support to families before pregnancy and in the months leading up to delivery. Through different types of screenings, these counselors can help parents prepare for any obstacles their baby may have to overcome after birth.  The counselors are trained in genetics, biology, statistics and psychology. Their expertise allows them to guide parents as they learn information about their child.  This week, one of those counselors explains what it looks like when a parent opts for genetic testing and how the field has advanced in the last couple of decades.&n ..read more

What is NEC?  Necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition that can impact babies born prematurely. The condition can severely impact a baby's intestines. Often, surgical intervention is required.  We spoke with Dr. Troy Markel, a Riley pediatric surgeon, about how the surgical team jumps in action to help these patients.  ..read more

Newborns are routinely screened for high bilirubin levels, which allows the medical team to determine any risk of jaundice. This condition is accompanied by a yellowing of the skin. Left untreated, jaundice can cause some serious issues.  For the babies who do experience jaundice, there are effective treatments that are carried out either at the hospital or at home.  Riley neonatal nurse practitioner Katelyn Redman joined us for a discussion about what parents should know if their newborn falls into this category.  ..read more

Many women are choosing to delay starting a family. And, there is a lot of information out there about what it means to become pregnant later on in life.  In this week's episode, we chat with Dr. Amanda Underwood about pregnancy at age 35 and over. Underwood will be the lead laborist for the Riley Maternity Tower. She discusses what steps to take before becoming pregnant, the types of screenings that may be offered and other helpful information.  ..read more