Maternity Matters

Patient stories: pregnancy after a loss

July 19, 2023 01:46 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

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...

Indiana report on maternal mortality finds increase in number of deaths, most happened in postpartum period

October 26, 2022 14:53 - 9 minutes - 8.75 MB

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 suppo...

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month discussion

October 20, 2022 14:51 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MB

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...

How the Riley team treats infants with jaundice

September 19, 2022 18:50 - 9 minutes - 8.48 MB

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 ...

Things to know before a c-section

August 29, 2022 12:57 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

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 overvie...

What to expect during the 20-week ultrasound

August 01, 2022 15:10 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MB

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 for maternity patients at Riley Hospital for Children

July 25, 2022 16:05 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MB

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? What parents of premature babies should know

July 12, 2022 17:56 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MB

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.

Patient shares postpartum anxiety struggles and how she found help

May 09, 2022 13:48 - 25 minutes - 23.9 MB

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 ...

How friends and family can support NICU parents

April 25, 2022 00:42 - 13 minutes - 12.9 MB

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 ...

Riley Maternity Tower obstetrics emergency department supports moms throughout pregnancy

April 18, 2022 00:43 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MB

The Riley Maternity Tower obstetrics emergency department is available to pregnant patients from the moment they get a positive pregnancy test all the way through the very end of their pregnancy. The specialized medical team can evaluate the patients who come in with a focus on their pregnancy concerns. Dr. Amanda Underwood, OBGYN, chats about the benefits of having this type of dedicated emergency department. The OB ED is staffed by obstetrics providers who are familiar with common comp...

Art therapy provides additional support to families in the Riley Maternity Tower

April 04, 2022 18:46 - 9 minutes - 8.5 MB

Families in the Riley Maternity Tower have access to art therapy as a way to cope with the hospital experience. Trained art therapists are there to provide the various activities while also being a safe person to talk to about emotions surrounding hospitalization. From high-risk pregnancy patients to NICU parents, those in the Riley Maternity Tower can turn to the art therapists to help them create special items for their babies. Some pregnant patients who are hospitalized for weeks leadin...

A new way to care for babies at risk for withdrawal

March 21, 2022 19:08 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MB

At Riley Hospital for Children, there is a new care model being used to care for babies at risk for withdrawal. The approach is called "Eat, Sleep, Console" and it focuses on meeting the needs of the baby and empowering parents to respond appropriately. To encourage all of this, babies "room in" with their caregiver. Evidence shows that rooming in can decrease the likelihood of a baby going to the NICU or requiring morphine therapy, which is an escalated treatment for babies with significant...

OB ICU provides highest level of care to pregnant patients

March 14, 2022 01:34 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MB

The Riley Maternity Tower has the state's only OB Intensive Care Unit. A comprehensive team is able to quickly respond to any issue one of these patients may face. The unit is just steps away from four operating rooms just in case there's a need for any kind of emergency procedure. We chatted with Kelly Knight, who is the OB ICU program manager, about how this kind of care can improve outcomes for moms and babies.

Stork team supports patients during high-risk deliveries

December 06, 2021 01:41 - 10 minutes - 9.91 MB

In the moments after a baby is born in critical condition, seconds matter. The Riley Maternity Tower Stork Team is at the ready to jump into action. This team includes highly trained neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They're present for high-risk deliveries that may require a baby to be resuscitated or other critical care strategies. NICU nurse Andrea Purdy is part of the team and shares more ...

Music therapy helps families find joy in the NICU

October 18, 2021 02:03 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MB

For many families in the NICU, music is a creative outlet that allows them to escape the day to day stress of the unit. Riley music therapists are there to guide them through sessions that help parents bond with their newborns. From writing personalized songs to creating meaningful playlists, there are many ways parents can use music to connect with their baby in the NICU. Music therapist Lauren Servos focuses her work on these patients. She chatted with us about the way music therapy se...

BONUS: The COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy

October 11, 2021 01:29 - 4 minutes - 4.33 MB

The CDC recently released new data showing pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 have a 70 percent increased risk of death. The virus also increases the risk of preterm birth and admission of the baby to the NICU. We chatted with Dr. Lana Dbeibo, medical director of infection prevention at Methodist Hospital, about what care teams are seeing at hospitals around our area. Plus, she shares her personal experience as a mom who had a baby in May of 2020. She discusses her decision to receive...

When it's not just the 'baby blues' after giving birth

October 04, 2021 03:06 - 16 minutes - 15 MB

For many women, it's common to experience the 'baby blues' in the first couple of weeks after welcoming a new baby. But, there are those who actually experience a perinatal mood disorder such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder or PTSD. Tracey McInnes, perinatal mood disorders program coordinator for IU Health, explains the signs a mom may need additional support and shares information about the resources available. From mom support groups to professional therapy, Tracey emphasi...

What to keep in mind when you bring baby home from hospital

September 20, 2021 01:46 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MB

So, you finally get to take your new baby home -- now what? Newborns do not come with instructions and first time parents may face a lot of uncertainty in those first few days. Dr. Pat Clements, medical director of well newborn care for Riley Children's Health, offers some advice for families about what to monitor once you leave the hospital. He offers tips on how to ensure your newborn is safe and when to call the pediatrician. Plus, he provides some advice on how to handle COVID-19 con...

Milk Lab at Riley Hospital for Children

September 12, 2021 19:48 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

The Milk Lab at Riley Hospital for Children handles all the milk for babies who are in the NICU or other units. The lab is equipped to safely handle breastmilk and formula. The staff is also trained to create precise formulas that provide nutrition to the youngest patients, who often have complex medical conditions. Soon, a second milk lab will open in the Riley Maternity Tower.

What's it like in the NICU for families?

August 29, 2021 23:49 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MB

This week, we hear from one of the NICU team members. Beth Dehoff is part of the NICU Nest team and provides support to families in the unit. She explains the ways they are able to provide guidance to families when they first arrive in the NICU, how parents are encouraged to be involved in their baby's care and what NICU parents should keep in mind as they adjust to life in the hospital.

Riley midwives provide another option for expectant parents

August 16, 2021 02:39 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

What does care with a midwife look like? Can you only use a midwife if you plan to have an unmedicated delivery? Darla Berry, one of our Riley Children's Health midwives, debunks some myths and explains what midwifery is really all about.

Lactation consultants offer support to breastfeeding moms

August 09, 2021 00:59 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, a Riley lactation consultant discusses the resources available to moms who decide to breastfeed. Jamie Kreuzman is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who provides support in the hospital to families soon after they welcome their babies. She shares the top obstacles moms face with breastfeeding, options available to families whose babies must go to the NICU and how parents can get some guidance even once they leave the hospital...

Riley genetic counselors provide support to parents

August 01, 2021 23:35 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

Riley genetics counselors provide support to families before pregnancy and in the months leading up to delivery. Through different types of screenings, these counselors can help parents prepare for any obstacles their baby may have to overcome after birth. The counselors are trained in genetics, biology, statistics and psychology. Their expertise allows them to guide parents as they learn information about their child. This week, one of those counselors explains what it looks like when a...

LifeLine respiratory therapist shares what it's like to care for sickest babies

July 25, 2021 18:17 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

This week, we hear from a LifeLine team member who is part of the crew that transports the sickest babies to Riley Hospital for Children. Cathy Overley is a respiratory therapist with more than 25 years of experience. She opened up about her passion for this role and how the transport team is able to act as an intensive care unit for these babies until they arrive at Riley.

Pregnancy at age 35 and older

July 18, 2021 15:10 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MB

Many women are choosing to delay starting a family. And, there is a lot of information out there about what it means to become pregnant later on in life. In this week's episode, we chat with Dr. Amanda Underwood about pregnancy at age 35 and over. Underwood will be the lead laborist for the Riley Maternity Tower. She discusses what steps to take before becoming pregnant, the types of screenings that may be offered and other helpful information.

Postpartum recovery

July 04, 2021 14:36 - 26 minutes - 24.9 MB

What happens after you deliver your little one? Two Riley team members break down the process that occurs once mom, baby and support person move to Mother Baby unit.

What really happens when you go into labor?

June 27, 2021 18:48 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MB

Two Riley Children's Health labor and delivery team members share details about what laboring moms can expect once they arrive at the hospital. Can you eat while you're in labor? When do can you get an epidural? Are you able to give birth in a bathtub? They answer some of the frequently asked questions plus provide insight into what it's really like to work in this unit.

Maternity Matters: A new way to care for moms and babies

June 13, 2021 17:51 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

Riley Children's Health is changing the way mothers and babies are treated in Indiana. The new Riley Maternity and Newborn Health Tower will open this fall. For the first time, women will be delivering babies at Riley. Dr. Carrie Rouse, a maternal fetal medicine physician, chats about this new care model and what it will mean for families.

Episodes