pregnancy

AdventHealth Orlando’s director of high-risk pregnancy care, Dr Rachel Humphrey, says she’s optimistic the worst of the latest surge is behind us, but she’s still treating very sick patients.

Pregnant people have suppressed immune systems, so doctors say they need to consider the urgency of getting vaccinated, particularly given that the delta variant is so contagious.

Only 23% of those pregnant in the U.S. have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, statistics show. And with the delta variant surging, those who are unvaccinated are especially vulnerable.

Amid the pandemic and quarantines, doulas — trained professionals who offer support to expectant mothers — noticed an increased interest in their services.

Top Senate and House budget negotiators met Wednesday but did not make public offers on health care spending.

The program would be required to use telehealth to coordinate with prenatal home-visiting programs to provide services and education to pregnant women and to provide training to health care professionals.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls wants to extend Medicaid coverage for mothers after giving birth from the current two months to a year.

For decades, new mothers in Florida without health insurance have been eligible for 60 days of Medicaid. This proposal would extend coverage up to a year.

In all, the plan would provide $244 million for benefits, which also include mental health counseling. Under current law, many people lose benefits 60 days after having children.

The bill, which drew emotional debate among subcommittee members. would involve situations in which doctors know a person is seeking an abortion because the fetus will have a disability.