childbirth

Addario's coverage of maternal mortality took her to a remote village in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan in 2009, where she photographed a midwife giving a prenatal check in a private home. "In these areas someone will announce that a doctor and a midwif

PHOTOS: Why Lynsey Addario Has Spent 10 Years Covering Maternal Mortality

9:19am October 19, 2019

by Emily Vaughn

The Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, known for her work in war zones, turns to a topic that is often shied away from: the risks women face when giving birth.

Why Are Health-Care Providers Slapping And Yelling At Mothers During Childbirth?

12:41pm October 14, 2019

by Susan Brink

Physical and verbal abuse are a shockingly common experience for mothers, a new study in The Lancet reports.

Charges for nitrous oxide during labor and delivery haven't been standardized.

Health & Safety

Bill Of The Month: $4,836 Charge For Laughing Gas During Childbirth Is No Joke

5:30pm May 28, 2019

by Lauren Weber

Nitrous oxide is making a comeback for pain relief during childbirth. But charges for the option vary from free at some hospitals to thousands of dollars at others.

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Zulekha Dawood leads female cyclists through a neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan. They ride early in the morning to avoid the worst of traffic.

Daring To Ride A Bike And 5 Other Ways Women Are Changing The World

6:56pm March 07, 2019

by Malaka Gharib

For International Women's Day, we're spotlighting women and movements that have made an impact around the globe.

Chronic pain is just one health concern women can struggle with after giving birth. Some who have complicated pregnancies or deliveries can experience long-lasting effects to their physical and mental health, researchers find.

'4th Trimester' Problems Can Have Long-Term Effects On A Mom's Health

5:50pm January 24, 2019

by Lauren Bavis

A woman's health issues related to pregnancy don't always end at the baby's birth. Scientists say complications from childbirth, such as hypertension or diabetes, increase her risk of heart disease.

Hillary Frank is the creator of the podcast The Longest Shortest Time. Her new book is Weird Parenting Wins.

Childbirth Injury Led A New Mom To Start A Parenting Podcast 'To Feel Less Alone'

6:38pm January 07, 2019

by Terry Gross

Hillary Frank struggled after a childbirth injury left her in chronic pain for months. Her podcast The Longest Shortest Time, and her book Weird Parenting Wins aim to give other parents a voice.

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Health & Safety

Federal Legislation Seeks Ban On Shackling Of Pregnant Inmates

4:56pm December 05, 2018

Incarcerated pregnant women are often shackled during medical appointments and childbirth. A provision in a criminal justice bill aims to end the practice in federal facilities.

Dr. Ruth Levesque (right) hands Shaun McDougall his newborn son Brady at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass. The birth of the second twin, Bryce, was much trickier than Brady's. Good communication between the health team and parents was crucial to saf

Twin's Difficult Birth Put A Project Designed To Reduce C-Sections To The Test

3:47pm November 24, 2018

by Martha Bebinger

A woman had twins in a hospital south of Boston last summer. For doctors aiming to reduce cesareans, the second baby's tricky arrival tested the limits of teamwork.

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Evelyn Marie Vukadinovich is swabbed with a gauze pad immediately after being born by cesarean section at Inova Women's Hospital in Falls Church, Va.

Health & Safety

Doctors Test Bacterial Smear After Cesarean Sections To Bolster Babies' Microbiomes

9:58am October 30, 2018

by Rob Stein

After a C-section, does swabbing a baby with the mother's microbes reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems later in life? An ambitious study to help answer the question is underway.

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Delayed pushing made no difference in whether first-time mothers had a cesarean section, a large study finds.

Health & Safety

When Giving Birth For The First Time, Push Away

5:26pm October 09, 2018

by Patti Neighmond

There's no benefit to delaying pushing after receiving epidural anesthesia and reaching full dilation. A delay increases the risk of complications, particularly for the mother, a large study finds.