—
In California, many women who are planning families pay higher premiums with larger deductibles to secure optional maternity coverage.
At the same time, thousands of other women are guaranteed maternity benefits at no extra charge.
The disparity lies in state law, but attempts to change it are entangled in broader questions, from affordable premiums for individuals to the long-term societal costs of not providing prenatal care.
State Read the rest of this entry »

—
In California, many women who are planning families pay higher premiums with larger deductibles to secure optional maternity coverage.
At the same time, thousands of other women are guaranteed maternity benefits at no extra charge.
The disparity lies in state law, but attempts to change it are entangled in broader questions, from affordable premiums for individuals to the long-term societal costs of not providing prenatal care.
State Read the rest of this entry »

GAZA CITY, Gaza (WOMENSENEWS)–Two days after the air strikes started, Ola Othman’s water broke.
She told Women’s eNews that she could not check into any hospital in Gaza because they were all overcrowded and filled with injured patients.
“I thought my baby and I were going to die because we didn’t get any medical attention till too late,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it when the nurse told me to look in other hospitals for a doctor since all Read the rest of this entry »

While most new mothers take at least some time off work after bringing the baby home, far fewer take advantage of entitled maternity leave before they give birth – and they should, researchers said.
Women who worked right up until delivery day were more likely to have a cesarean section, according a study released this week and funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
C-sections are not only costly, but can lead to complications Read the rest of this entry »

Sophisticated maternity wear helps moms-to-be stay fit and fashionable during pregnancy.
New York, NY (
) September 17, 2008 — Zobha, the new movement in yoga and fitness apparel launched in February 2008, is expanding its already-popular collection to include a new maternity line for women who want to stay fit and fashionable during pregnancy. Flattering the graceful curves of a pregnant woman's body, Zobha's new maternity collection Read the rest of this entry »

While most new mothers take at least some time off work after bringing the baby home, far fewer take advantage of entitled maternity leave before they give birth – and they should, researchers said.
Women who worked right up until delivery day were more likely to have a cesarean section, according a study released this week and funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
C-sections are not only costly, but can lead to complications Read the rest of this entry »

Studies Find Maternity Leave Before, After Birth Improves Health Of Infants, Women
researchers found that pre-birth maternity leave and longer post-birth maternity leave are associated with better health for both infants and women, the
reports. The first
— is the first study to assess birth outcomes among women who work full time, according to the
. The study assessed 447 Southern California women who work full time, comparing women who took Read the rest of this entry »

Published: January 26, 2009
The Rutherford-Polk-McDowell Health Dept. intends to halt maternal health services to pregnant clients effective July 22.
According to the Heath Department’s Web site, staff members currently “assess, counsel, educate, refer and follow up all patients” and provide instruction on “maternity care and nutritional needs.”
A legal notice in Monday’s McDowell News announced that will stop in July. The notice adds that after Read the rest of this entry »

,”
: The report argues that while U.S. women pay more than those in any other country for maternity care, they do not receive the highest quality care. The report looks at how maternity care is delivered and financed, and how it is received from the perspective of mothers’ families and health care payers. The report concludes that maternity care can be greatly improved by using evidence-based care. The report also notes that caesarean sections Read the rest of this entry »

By contrast, Kraus said the maternity unit had only 31 percent occupancy last year, when it lost $2.7 million. In 1978, the hospital delivered 1,770 babies; that was down to 640 births last year, the hospital said.
Kraus said an obstetrician will be on-call at Brookhaven and that emergency department staff are fully trained to deliver babies in emergencies. A separate room in the department will be dedicated to maternity care and Stony Brook will Read the rest of this entry »