Maternity Matters

Lauren Hall-Riggins lost her first baby when she was 33 weeks and one day pregnant.

"It the greatest anguish, shock and pain," Lauren said.

She eventually turned to the Kate Cares Stillbirth Assessment Program, from Riley Children's Health, to learn what may have caused this tragic outcome. The team was able to investigate and informed Lauren that there were no conditions that would cause subsequent pregnancies to have the same outcome.

When Lauren became pregnant with her rainbow baby, she turned to the Riley Maternal Fetal Medicine team. She says their care and compassion helped navigate the anxiety she felt after losing her first baby.

The latest Indiana Maternal Mortality Report found there were 92 pregnancy-associated deaths in 2020 happening during pregnancy or within one year of the end of pregnancy. The expert committee also found that 79 percent of these deaths were preventable. 

Dr. Carrie Rouse, medical director for Riley Maternity Services and member of the committee, joined us on this episode to delve into the findings of this report. She shared the most noticeable trends in these deaths and how additional support for maternity patients could make a positive impact in the future. 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Rebekah Delaney, director of the Riley Maternity Tower bereavement program, joins us to discuss the support available to families experiencing this type of loss and ways loved ones can be there for these parents in a positive way. 

The bereavement program, known as Pathways to Hope, is also hosting an event for the public this weekend called "Light the Night" which will involve a candlelight vigil for the children parents have lost. More information on the event can be found here: https://give.rileykids.org/event/light-the-night-perinatal-and-infant-loss-candle-lighting-memorial/e419544

Newborns are routinely screened for high bilirubin levels, which allows the medical team to determine any risk of jaundice. This condition is accompanied by a yellowing of the skin. Left untreated, jaundice can cause some serious issues. 

For the babies who do experience jaundice, there are effective treatments that are carried out either at the hospital or at home. 

Riley neonatal nurse practitioner Katelyn Redman joined us for a discussion about what parents should know if their newborn falls into this category. 

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, one in three babies are born via cesarean section (c-section). While some of these types of deliveries are scheduled ahead of time, other patients require a c-section in a more emergent situation. 

In this episode, we hear from a Riley labor and delivery nurse who has cared for many c-section patients. She shares the reasons a patient may require a c-section, the steps to preparing a patient for a c-section and an overview of what recovery is like after this type of delivery. 

As you near the halfway point of your pregnancy, you will be scheduled for a 20-week ultrasound. This appointment allows your provider to get a clear view of the baby and check for any abnormalities. Some patients are referred to Riley's maternal fetal medicine team for additional consultation. 

Dr. Anthony Shanks is one of the Riley maternal fetal medicine physicians. He provides insight into what happens during the 20-week anatomy scan and what parents can expect. 

Physical and occupational therapy is available to pregnant patients in the Riley Maternity Tower. From high-risk pregnancy mothers who are hospitalized for weeks to the patients recovering from a c-section, these therapies can make a big difference in their recovery experience. 

Lauren Broniarczyk, physical therapist, and Kelly Salter, occupational therapist, discuss the ways they interact with these patients each day. 

What is NEC? 

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition that can impact babies born prematurely. The condition can severely impact a baby's intestines. Often, surgical intervention is required. 

We spoke with Dr. Troy Markel, a Riley pediatric surgeon, about how the surgical team jumps in action to help these patients. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and one IU Health patient hopes sharing her own story will help others. 

Amanda Phillips noticed herself withdrawing from facets of her life and feeling high levels of anxiety after welcoming her identical twins in 2021. Her OB connected her with the perinatal mood disorders support group, facilitated by an IU Health team member. Amanda says this group of other moms allowed her to feel validated and supported. 

"That first group meeting I just remember sitting in my car in tears because I knew I had found a release," Amanda said. "I had found people that got it."

She says she feels she has made a lot of progress over the last year thanks in, large part, to the support group. She still participates in the group. 

For some parents, welcoming a baby into the world comes with the challenge of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). As NICU families navigate this time, there are specific things their friends and family can keep in mind in order to offer the best support. 

Rachel Scott, a Riley NICU Nest family support coordinator and former NICU mom, shared some advice for those hoping to help parents who may be spending a lot of time in the hospital in those first few weeks or months after their baby's birth.