SAVE THE DATE: The final Maternal Health Alliance All Alliance meeting for this Tri-Regional Chapter of our efforts will take place on September 21, 2023, from 1:30 – 3 pm CDT. Register HERE today! 

WPSI is accepting comments for the Screening for Urinary Incontinence draft recommendation update. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard—submit your comment today at womenspreventivehealth.org/public-comment/.

ACOG

On August 21, the FDA approved the first RSV vaccine for use in pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks to protect newborns and infants against severe RSV disease in the first six months after birth. ACOG is supportive of this RSV vaccine being approved and available to pregnant individuals and looks forward to CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s recommendations related to the implementation of this vaccine. Implementation considerations to be addressed  include  co-administration with other maternal immunizations, the relationship between the maternal RSV vaccine and the recently recommended monoclonal antibody for infants, and whether all patients will have access to the vaccine. ACOG guidance related to maternal RSV vaccination will be forthcoming following careful review of FDA indications and CDC recommendations.

New resources are attached from the Maternal Health Alliance. There are English and Spanish versions of information on the PUMP Act, which expands existing employer obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide an employee with reasonable break time to express breast milk for the employee's nursing child for one year after the child's birth. Check them out and share with your networks!

• PUMP Card (english)
• PUMP Card (spanish)

Thank you to everyone who joined this week to learn more about the two pieces of stillbirth prevention legislation that have been introduced in the 118th Congress. We are grateful for the community of supporters and advocates who are helping us build a coalition of voices to raise the volume on the U.S. stillbirth crisis!  

In case you missed the meeting, we invite you to watch the recording to learn more about the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and the SHINE for Autumn Act. Feel free to share this recording with other advocates who may have questions!

Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act

This bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation would add stillbirth and stillbirth prevention to Title V of the Social Security Act. This bill recognizes that stillbirth (defined as the loss of a baby at 20 weeks or greater during pregnancy), and the disparity in those impacted by stillbirth, requires further research, support, and prevention programming. The Stillbirth Prevention Act also calls for evidence-based programs and activities and outcome research to reduce the incidence of stillbirth in the United States. 

LEARN MORE

• More information on the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act
• More information on the SHINE for Autumn Act
• Facts about the impact of stillbirth in the U.S.

Find out who your members of Congress are (if you don't already know) and make a plan to reach out and engage with them this month. Our Advocacy platform makes it quick and easy to reach out:  

STILLBIRTH PREVENTION ACT

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. Use these resources to help you discuss routine vaccinations with your patients and parents during NIAM and throughout the year.

• Resources for Healthcare Professionals
• Interactive Resources for Parents and Patients
• Promotional Materials (English and Spanish)

CLICK HERE to access more information and resources. 

Reproductive Rights Resources

Visit https://reproductiverights.gov/ for information and resources.

• Update on medication abortion
• Reproductive Rights

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.

• 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

• Click Here for more information

Created by the SGO Advanced Practice Provider Committee with physician support, this resource was designed as an introductory educational tool with an overview of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and is intended for advanced practice providers and allied health professionals who are new to caring for women with gynecologic malignancies. New APPs need a convenient way to access an overview of GTN that includes information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management.  In addition, experienced APPs can benefit from using it as a reference for brief updates.

This resource is a downloadable PDF, and is not currently eligible for CE credit. 

Launched in May 2023. 

This resource is free for SGO members. Log in to see your correct pricing. 
TARGET AUDIENCE

APPs, APPs, Nurses, PAs, RNs, NPs, Pharmacists, Trainee Members, SGO Members

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the epidemiology, risk factors and work-up associated with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)
• Become familiar with GTN staging
• Understand the pathology associated with GTN
• Identify treatment options for GTN
• Determine surveillance strategies for patients with GTN

VIEW FULL INFO HERE

ACOG is very excited that this week S. 2415, the bipartisan Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, was introduced in the U.S. Senate. In addition, the House companion, H.R. 3838, cleared an important hurdle and was unanimously advanced out of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, setting it up to be voted on by the full House of Representatives.

This bill will ensure continued support for the critically important work of state maternal mortality review committees, which are vital to our ability to address the rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States. Maternal mortality review committees play an essential role in improving maternal health outcomes across the country. These committees help advance our understanding of why and how maternal deaths occur so that they can be prevented.

As the United States maternal mortality rate continues to rise, Congress must ensure its continued support for the essential work of state maternal mortality review committees. Tell your U.S. Senators to cosponsor S. 2415 today!

Thank you,
The ACOG Federal Affairs team

• Respectful maternity care (RMC) is a well described, common-sense approach for improving person-centered and equitable intrapartum and postpartum care, but it lacks a standard definition, clear measurement method, or evidence of effectiveness.
• Two types of RMC frameworks described in the literature based on either 1) Disrespect and Abuse (D&A) or 2) Rights-Based, have overlapping themes with components that reflect efforts to implement metrics to eliminate practices identified as disrespect or abuse, and initiatives to work toward healthcare systems and settings that focus on respectful care. Common themes include: freedom from abuse; consent; privacy; dignity; communication; safety; and justice.

Comments accepted until August 14, 2023. View full details here.