Research and resources for perinatal professionals.
May 03, 2023 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension and HELLP syndrome are all classified as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs). Throughout the globe, up to 10% of pregnant people are impacted by HDPs. Preeclampsia often presents as a rapid rise in blood pressure. This can lead to complications that include strokes, seizures, organ failure and death for both the parent and/or the baby. Severe maternal morbidity events impact Black parents at twice the rate of their white peers. Preeclampsia can be a concern during pregnancy and also after delivery, during the postpartum period.
Childbirth educators and other perinatal professionals have a responsibility to inform pregnant people about the signs and symptoms to watch for, in the case of preeclampsia, and to encourage them to reach out to a health care provider if they have any concerns. It is important for people to be insistent, and express their concern to their doctor or midwife and request that their concerns be taken seriously. Oftentimes, especially for Black and brown people, concerns are dismissed and opportunities are missed to prevent a serious consequence.
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May 20, 2021 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
May is 2021 Preeclampsia Awareness Month. May 22 is World Preeclampsia Day. Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure in pregnancy, affects approximately 5-8% of all pregnancies in the United States and is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The 2021 campaign’s theme is Beyond Pregnancy. When a pregnant person experiences preeclampsia either during their pregnancy or after giving birth (which can happen even if preeclampsia was not present during the course of pregnancy) the impact of this serious disease lasts long after the birth and postpartum period are over
September 10, 2020 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, CD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, CLE
Gestational hypertension is a major concern as people move through their pregnancy. Abnormal blood pressures indicating a hypertensive disorder is a significant cause of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes worldwide. Preeclampsia along with infection and hemorrhage are the three largest cases of maternal mortality currently. It is thought that 1 in 4 deaths that occur from hypertension/preeclampsia in pregnant people are preventable. A new study was just released “A new definition of gestational hypertension? New-onset blood pressures of 130 to 139/80 to 89 mm Hg after 20 weeks of gestation” that attempts to predict those pregnant people who may be at risk of experiencing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
May 25, 2017 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
States and healthcare systems that are making a concerted effort to respond to the alarming maternal mortality and morbidity rate in this country are discovering something important. Preeclampsia has a significant impact on maternal mortality and increasing awareness can help reduce the impact.
June 07, 2016 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
Parent Melissa Krawecki shares her story of HELLP syndrome, loss of her beloved daughter Ava, and the near loss of her own life in her recent book, "In the Shade of Avas Tree (2015, Praeclarus Press). Kaitlin Lewis, of Praeclarus Press interviews Melissa about her experience.
May 17, 2016 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month and today on Science & Sensibility, Preeclampsia Foundation Director of Community Relations Laney Poye provides a look at four important things that childbirth educators and other birth professionals can share to educate families about preeclampsia.
May 23, 2013 | by: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE
by Caryn RogersMay is National Preeclampsia Awareness Month and the Preeclampsia Foundation has been holding Promise Walks all around the country to raise awareness of this disease and generate funds for research. Caryn Rogers, Senior Science Writer for the Preeclampsia Foundation has provided
July 03, 2012 | by: Christine H Morton, PhD
Guest post by Science & Sensibility contributer Christine H. Morton, PhD(Full disclosure: the organization I work for, CMQCC, has been working with representatives from the Preeclampsia Foundation over the past year on the CMQCC task force developing a Preeclampsia Toolkit, and I am a big
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