pregnancy Archives

Common questions about COVID vaccine and pregnancy

Nov. 15, 2021— Recently, Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Tom Talbot, sat down to speak with his colleague Dr. Milner Staub, one of VUMC’s Adult Infectious Diseases specialists, about COVID vaccines, pregnancy and fertility. Staub, who is pregnant and has been vaccinated for COVID, answered important questions about issues and misperceptions associated with pregnancy and...

HCV infection among pregnant people increasing

Oct. 29, 2021— by Emily Stembridge Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to long-term health problems including liver damage, liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. These outcomes are especially dangerous for pregnant people and their babies. The leading cause of HCV in the U.S. is injection drug use as a result of opioid use...

Fibroids and preterm birth

Sep. 30, 2021—In a large, prospective study, Vanderbilt researchers found no association between fibroids and any clinical subtype of preterm birth, supporting a reconsideration of the impression that fibroids increase preterm birth risk.

Alarming number of pregnant COVID-19 patients hospitalized in August

Sep. 1, 2021—Vanderbilt University Hospital treated 39 pregnant patients hospitalized with active COVID-19 infections in August, 10 of whom were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

VUMC sees increase of COVID-19 in pregnant patients

Aug. 2, 2021—Physicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have recently noticed an increase in pregnant patients ill with COVID-19. These cases are especially concerning due an increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation and ventilatory support, and increased risk of death in pregnant patients with COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant patients.

Fibroids and birth outcomes

Sep. 8, 2020—Women with three or more uterine fibroids — non-cancerous growths — during pregnancy are more likely to have infants with reduced birthweight and may need additional surveillance.

Study finds patients’ access to opioid treatment cumbersome

Aug. 14, 2020—Women are having a difficult time getting into treatment for opioid addictions, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published today in JAMA Open.

Miscarriage risk increases each week alcohol is used in early pregnancy

Aug. 10, 2020—Each week a woman consumes alcohol during the first five to 10 weeks of pregnancy is associated with an incremental 8% increase in risk of miscarriage, according to a study published this week by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers.

Opioid prescriptions after childbirth linked to increased risk of overdose, persistent use

Jun. 9, 2020—Women who are prescribed opioids after childbirth have an increased risk of persistent opioid use or other serious opioid-related events, including overdose, in their first year postpartum, according to a new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers. This is true regardless of whether the woman had a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section.