Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Guest blog from The Office of Women’s Health

Pregnancy is one of the most miraculous and beautiful events that could happen in the lifetime of a woman and her family, but can be one of the most painful experiences if it were coupled with infant loss.

Infant loss is defined as the loss of a baby during pregnancy, and can happen anytime during the pregnancy. Whereas neonatal death is when a newborn is born alive but sadly passes away within the first 28 days of life. Several factors during pregnancy play a role and contribute to outcomes such as infant loss or neonatal death, however, it is important for the mother to realize that some factors are beyond her control, especially with regards to infant loss.

Preterm birth, defined as the birth of a newborn before 37 weeks of gestations, is the leading cause of infant mortality. Several factors can lead to preterm birth, including lack of regular prenatal care, poor control of preexisting risk factors and comorbid conditions, as well as complications during pregnancy such as infections or a diagnosis of short cervix. Therefore, it is imperative that a woman establishes care with her obstetric provider as soon as she finds out that she is pregnant, and continues to see her provider regularly during her entire pregnancy.

It is the provider’s role to screen the mother for underlying conditions that may have been overlooked and develop a management plan that best suits the her and her baby. Make Your Date is an evidence-based implementation program that aids expecting mothers with completing their pregnancy. It does so through bridging guidelines and practical prenatal care for the mothers of Detroit. Mothers who sign up can expect assistance with establishing prenatal care, regular follow-up, reminders to complete important screening tests such as cervical length screening, resources based on the mother’s needs, as well as education sessions regarding important topics during pregnancy, such as preterm birth.

The provider, the mother, and the family all play an important role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and ensuring that the baby is carried to full-term. It is important for everyone to be involved early in the pregnancy for a healthy mom and baby during and after the pregnancy.

Resources:

Make Your Date Website: https://makeyourdate.org/

E-mail address: [email protected]

Phone number: (313) 577-1000

To make an appointment with a Wayne Health OB/GYN, visit our appointment page or call (877) 929-6342.