Latest news with #maternalhealth
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Up to 85,000 women may have had postnatal depression last year, analysis finds
Up to 85,000 new mothers in England may have been impacted by postnatal depression last year, according to new analysis. The illness can be 'truly devastating' when left untreated, potentially leading to the 'unnecessary' deaths of women and sometimes their babies, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) warned. Postnatal depression is a condition that can develop after childbirth. While many women may feel tearful or anxious after giving birth, this does not usually last for more than two weeks. Persistent feelings of sadness, low mood, a lack of interest in things and a lack of energy could indicate postnatal depression. Other symptoms can include trouble sleeping, withdrawing from other people, problems concentrating and scary thoughts, such as thinking about hurting your baby. Using Office for National Statistics data which shows there were 567,708 live births in 2024, RCPsych estimates between 56,000 to 85,000 mothers – or between 10% to 15% – may have experienced postnatal depression. The college highlights that maternal suicide is the leading cause of death in women from six weeks to a year after birth and also said prenatal mental illness – conditions that develop during pregnancy – can put unborn babies at risk of premature birth or low birth weight. RCPsych is urging women and their partners to seek support for these treatable conditions. Dr Trudi Seneviratne, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and immediate past RCPsych registrar, said: 'Women can experience an enormous amount of change, including increased stress factors when they become pregnant, and this may negatively affect their mental health. 'Postnatal depression is far more common than many people realise and can have a devastating impact on mothers, babies and families if left untreated.' Treatment for postnatal depression can include talking therapies or antidepressants. Dr Seneviratne stressed that medics are trained to ensure medication is safe to take when pregnant or breastfeeding, and warned that the risks of untreated depression outweigh the risk of antidepressants. ' Mothers who receive talking therapy and other forms of care from mental health services will often be able to recover, but some might be so unwell that they need medication, including antidepressants,' she said. 'Medication helps save lives. The dangers of untreated depression far outweigh the risks of antidepressants. 'The unnecessary deaths of mothers and sometimes their babies that result from failure to treat these conditions are truly devastating. 'Doctors are trained to ensure that the medication they prescribe is as safe as possible to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Medication should be reviewed regularly, and any side effects closely monitored. 'For children to thrive, they need as good a start in life as possible, and this is important not only for the child and their mother but also communities and society as well. We all have a role to play in ensuring mothers and their partners feel confident seeking support when they need it.'
National Post
a day ago
- Health
- National Post
As RSV Season Approaches, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada Urges National Response to Protect Infants Across the Country
Article content FMWC's Maternal RSV Task Force releases new white paper highlighting gaps in access and calls for immediate action ahead of RSV season Article content TORONTO — Today, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) released its latest white paper through the Maternal RSV Task Force—a national group of experts in maternal, infant, and public health—highlighting the urgent need for equitable access to maternal RSV prevention across Canada. With the 2025–2026 RSV season approaching, the task force is calling for immediate action to protect infants, especially healthy, full-term newborns who account for the majority of severe RSV cases. Article content Article content Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in Canada, with 1 in 50 infants hospitalized during their first year of life 1. The RSV virus causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) 2, and babies who develop LRTI in early childhood have almost double the risk of premature death from respiratory disease relative to unaffected individuals. 3 Although two newly approved RSV immunization options have been authorized by Health Canada — a maternal vaccine RSVpreF (Abrysvo™, Pfizer) and a monoclonal antibody for infants nirsevimab (Beyfortus™, Sanofi) — access remains inconsistent across provinces and territories. Article content Ontario is leading by covering both RSVpreF for pregnant women and pregnant people and nirsevimab for infants, yet provinces like B.C. only cover the older monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, for high-risk infants — leaving 98% of infants unprotected and at risk for RSV. 4 'With two safe and effective immunization options now available, we have the tools to protect infants from RSV—but awareness, access, and equity remain critical challenges,' says Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician and Co-Chair of the FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force. 'This white paper highlights the urgent need for national coordination, public funding, and ongoing education to ensure that every pregnant woman and pregnant person, regardless of where they live, can protect their infant from this serious and preventable disease.' Article content The white paper outlines 13 short- and long-term recommendations to improve RSV prevention in Canada, including: Article content Public funding for RSV immunization (maternal vaccine year-round; nirsevimab seasonally) Authorizing pharmacists to administer publicly funded vaccines Tailoring education for a range of healthcare providers, including midwives and pharmacists Engaging with manufacturers to clarify the predicted availability of immunization options Implementing a universal, national immunization registry Strengthening national guidance on vaccination and provincial implementation Article content 'This is fundamentally about health equity,' says Dr. Shelley Ross, Family Physician and Co-Chair of the FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force. 'Our hope is that by providing a clear, evidence-based roadmap that outlines the steps we can take as a united healthcare system, we can close the gaps and ensure every infant in Canada has the opportunity to be protected from RSV, regardless of geography or circumstance.' Article content The task force also launched a national hub for healthcare providers and the public, offering up-to-date information and comprehensive educational resources on RSV and RSV protection strategies. Article content The FMWC urges pregnant women and pregnant people to speak with their healthcare providers about RSV prevention options and calls on policymakers to help close the access gap as the upcoming 2025–2026 RSV season begins. Article content For more details on the FMWC Maternal RSV White Paper and its recommendations, please visit Article content About FMWC Article content The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is a national organization recognized for its leadership and advocacy for women's evolving health. We are committed to promoting the well-being and health of women and women-identifying individuals both within the medical profession and society at large. The FMWC has a 100-year history in Canada, is a member of the non-governmental organization (NGO) section of the Department of Global Affairs at the United Nations (UN) and is a member of the Medical Women's International Association (MWIA), making us a part of the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSO). For more information, please visit: Article content _____________________________ 1 Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide. immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/ Updated May 14, 2025. Accessed May 21, 2025. 2 Sanchez-Martinez A, Moore T, Freitas TS, et al. Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus disease. J Gen Virol. 2025;106(4). doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.002095 3 Zar HJ, Cacho F, Kootbodien T, et al. Early-life respiratory syncytial virus disease and long-term respiratory health. Lancet Respir Med. 2024;12(10):810-821. 4 Paes B, Brown V, Courtney E, et al. Optimal implementation of an Ontario nirsevimab program for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis: Recommendations from a provincial RSV expert panel. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024;20(1):2429236. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media: Article content Article content Article content Article content
CBS News
5 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Community baby shower in North Philadelphia provides resources for new moms, families
It takes a village to raise a child, and a community baby shower in North Philadelphia on Saturday looked to make the job of being a parent a little easier. Kanika Force-Carter attended the event at Temple University. As a mom of three, she knows the hardships of being a parent. Carter recently had her youngest child, Kingston, and says having the support from the community eases the pressure of being a mom. "It takes a lot of stress off of you by giving you the resources needed so you can accomplish your goal of being a good parent," she said. Carter joined hundreds of families on Temple's campus for the event, which is now in its fourth year. The event focuses on promoting maternal health and wellness for new mothers while also providing resources to help them be successful parents. "These days, even working two jobs and having a man, it's hard," Carter said. "Rent is triple what it was when I was able to stay home and breastfeed my last two, so just having things like this really helps." For parents like Carter, it's the small things at the event that make a huge difference. Items such as diapers, formula and clothes were given to the new moms and families free of charge. Pennsylvania State Representative Sharif Street teamed up with Temple and other community partners to bring this event to North Philadelphia. Street says the event is also hoping to tackle the issue of maternal mortality, and it's something that continues to disproportionately affect Black and Brown women. "Part of that is lack of connection to resources, so we want to connect. We were intentional being in a zip code where those disparities are high," said Street. Over 80 vendors took part in the event, including Vera Thompson-Jenkins with Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment. Jenkins was at the event to provide educational resources about breastfeeding to help new moms. "Because again, maternal health is our goal, to make sure our babies and our communities ... that we're growing, we're thriving, that we are getting the best maternal care as possible." And for parents like Carter, the support from the community goes a long way in helping her and her family. "Makes a huge difference," she said.
Fast Company
6 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
Femtech changed fertility. Now it's ready to rebuild maternal health
It's time to rebuild how women give birth. In the U.S., we've poured billions into fertility tech, helping people conceive. But when it comes to pregnancy, birth and the first year, innovation is lagging and outcomes are suffering. With the proper focus and attention, we can ensure the health and safety of mothers and infants through remote monitoring, improved tools for labor and delivery, and wraparound care postpartum. We have a chance to not only make pregnancy safer but also ensure every mother gets the care and attention they deserve. In the past decade, femtech has emerged as an industry helping women manage a range of health challenges. Maternal health, however, hasn't received nearly the attention it deserves. There is a pressing need for innovation across prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum care. The United States' maternal mortality rate is still 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live maternal health and delivery complications, while not fatal, may impact women's cardiovascular, pelvic, and mental health for the rest of their lives. It's instructive to look at the fertility market to see just how much we could improve maternal health with a concerted effort by technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors. Fertility solutions have received the most investment across femtech, with over $10 billion in venture and private equity investment in the past decade. Every aspect of fertility has received significant investment, from employer-based benefits programs to cycle-tracking apps and wearables, to at-home fertility and insemination kits, plus a range of high-tech solutions for fertility clinics. This investment of capital has led to meaningful gains: At-home kits are reducing costs for individuals, AI is improving IVF outcomes, and employer-backed benefits are expanding access to care. We need the same attention and investment focused on maternal health. Here are three places to start: 1. REAL-TIME PREGNANCY MONITORING AND SCREENING With more maternal health deserts occurring in the US and abroad, remote monitoring may help fill the gap to detect complications before they escalate. Femtech startups are developing robust wearable technology, including smart rings and adhesive sensors designed to track fetal movement, as well as connected devices for early detection of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Bloomful recently earned FDA clearance for a device that tracks blood pressure, glucose levels, and fetal heart rate. Their system has demonstrated significant improvements in maternal health outcomes, including a 61% reduction in preeclampsia cases among high-risk pregnancies. Another promising development is Armor Medical's wearable to proactively detect postpartum hemorrhage. The company has developed a wrist sensor that provides objective, real-time insights on blood loss for early intervention. While wearables are one way to monitor pregnancy and detect early complications, biomarkers offer another option. For example, Dionysus Health has created an epigenetic test to prescreen for postpartum depression in the third trimester. And MOMM Diagnostics is pioneering a simple finger-stick kit to be used at home that detects preeclampsia biomarkers well before symptoms arise. The critical challenge is making maternal monitoring and screening tech scalable, affordable, and accessible to all expectant mothers, and building the systems necessary to monitor and respond to the issues surfaced. 2. PRETERM LABOR DETECTION AND PREVENTION 10% of all babies in the US are born preterm, often ending up in intensive care and facing more health issues over time. These babies may struggle with feeding and immune system development, while preterm mothers are at greater risk for postpartum bleeding and infection, postpartum depression and challenges with breastfeeding. Although the technology is still in its early stages, promising tools are available to help detect and prevent preterm labor. Pregonlia is developing a medtech device to detect early signs of preterm labor, and Stanford is using health data from wearables plus AI to identify disrupted circadian rhythms, which may indicate an increased risk of pre-term labor. In the future, new devices like Novocuff can help close the cervix to retain amniotic fluid and maintain cervical length, thereby preventing early delivery. Preterm labor technology is still in its infancy, but with increased investment and careful integration into clinical workflows, these tools have the potential to make a meaningful impact. 3. POSTPARTUM CARE Many women experience physical and mental health issues after they leave the hospital. Yet, in most cases, the postpartum care plan consists of a follow-up appointment six weeks after delivery. It is no surprise that complications are often missed and mental health conditions go untreated. Femtech can provide continuous care, and a wave of new tools is emerging to help close this gap. Some offer continuous physical recovery tracking, while others integrate mental health screening and virtual access to doulas, pelvic floor specialists, and lactation support. The opportunity in this space is huge, and many fertility-focused companies, like Maven and Progyny, now offer wrap-around care to support families through the first year, understanding the benefits afforded to the mothers as well as employers. The solutions moving forward need both better research and broader reach, which can only be achieved through continued innovation, increased investment in research and technology, and policy change. WHERE CHANGE IS NEEDED Healthcare transformation moves slowly. Shifting the standard of care requires clear clinical evidence, upfront investment, and coordination across the system. New models must demonstrate real-world outcomes, fit into existing workflows, and be reimbursable to even have a chance at successful adoption. Change will be driven by two factors: investment and employers. Specialized funds like Wellstar Catalyst, the Laerdal Million Lives Fund, and Medicines360's Innovation Hub are stepping up investment in maternal health innovation. More investment is needed from VCs and private equity to fund maternal care innovation at scale. At the same time, employers have a unique opportunity to accelerate this transformation using the same playbook that worked for fertility and family building benefits. By supporting new mothers through comprehensive care, companies can improve retention with better support for their employees. We've already proven that focused investment and innovation can transform women's healthcare. Femtech changed everything for conception and family building. Now, maternal health is ready for the same revolution. It's time to rebuild birth and the first year.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Axmed and Every Pregnancy announce transformative partnership to enhance access to affordable essential medicines for mothers and babies affected by conflict and crisis
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Axmed, a health technology venture revolutionizing access to medicines and health products through an innovative procurement platform, and Every Pregnancy, a global, faith-based coalition that provides health services to mothers and babies affected by conflict and crisis, today announced a strategic partnership to bring affordable, quality medicines to mothers and babies who need them most. Approximately 92% of maternal deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In these regions, pregnant women are dying from preventable causes due to lack of access to and high costs of essential medicines and health supplies. Families in low-income countries often pay more than double for the same medicines as families in high-income settings. This new collaboration will provide Every Pregnancy partners access to affordable and quality medicines through Axmed's pioneering B2B marketplace. Together, Every Pregnancy and Axmed will break down systemic barriers that prevent medicines from reaching mothers and newborns – including fragmented supply chains, missed demand, and the limited purchasing power of local NGOs who are best positioned to meet the needs of local populations. "No mother or newborn should die simply because of where they live or how much they earn," said Emmanuel Akpakwu, Founder & CEO of Axmed. "Through our partnership with Every Pregnancy, we're combining cutting-edge procurement and supply technology with a powerful network of frontline maternal health providers to drive systemic change – faster, smarter, and at the scale this crisis demands." Through its tech-enabled procurement platform, Axmed aggregates demand from public, private, and nonprofit health care procurers, enabling bulk purchasing directly from qualified manufacturers and drastically reducing costs and improving the quality of products. By partnering with Every Pregnancy, Axmed extends its platform's reach and impact in over 20 countries with high burdens of maternal mortality – including Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Palestine, and more. "This is what it looks like when community power and innovation work hand-in-hand," said Isra Chaker, CEO of Every Pregnancy. "Our collaboration with Axmed is about more than access – it's about equity, justice, and building responsive health care systems that save lives." The Axmed–Every Pregnancy partnership marks a turning point in equitable health care delivery for moms and babies, so that one day, every mother and child will have access to the quality care they deserve. About Axmed: Axmed is a technology-enabled marketplace revolutionizing how medicines and health products are sourced, financed, procured, and delivered across low- and middle-income countries. By digitizing large-scale procurement and aggregating demand across diverse procurers, Axmed enables direct access to a trusted network of local and international prequalified suppliers. Visit About Every Pregnancy: Every Pregnancy is a faith–inspired initiative committed to ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy newborns in areas impacted by conflict or crisis. The organization unites a coalition of over 40 faith–inspired philanthropists and NGOs across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Pakistan, Yemen, and beyond. Visit Media inquiries: info@ or comms@ Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Axmed; Every Pregnancy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
