LITTLE BITS
“ All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and mother- hood—all of them are true. And all of them are the most beautiful things you will ever experience.” — Penelope Cruz
To Pierce or Not To Pierce? Baby ear piercing often sparks debate among parents and medical professionals. Some argue that it’s a personal choice, with cultural and aesthetic significance, and that babies generally experience minimal pain during the procedure. Many believe it’s better to get it done early so the child won’t remember the discomfort. However, others caution against piercing a baby’s ears, arguing that it’s unnecessary and could lead to infections, allergic reactions, or complications during the healing process. Some medical experts recommend waiting until the child is old enough to express interest and make an informed decision about the procedure. If the decision is made to pierce your child’s ears, it is crucial to visit a professional. Many pediatricians even offer ear piercing services.
Moms and Babies Getting Healthy on the Go: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Funds March of Dimes’ First Alabama Mom and Baby Mobile Health Center There’s currently a desert in the state of Alabama: a maternity care desert. A county qualifies as a maternity care desert if it does not provide access to birthing hospitals, birth centers offering obstetric care, or obstetric providers. According to the March of Dimes’ 2024 report, over half of the population in Alabama has low to no access to maternal care. The report found that women across Alabama had to travel on average 18 miles to give birth in a hospital. One of the ways March of Dimes fights for the health of families is through Mom and Baby Mobile Health Centers, which are buses that offer moms preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and newborn interventions, as well as other maternal health services. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is partnering with March of Dimes to launch a mobile unit in the state of Alabama in fall of 2025. It will focus on Florence, Selma, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Anniston, and Montgomery. The upcom- ing mobile unit will help close access gaps to maternal care at all stages of moms’ pregnancies in Alabama. ■ marchofdimes.org
Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act Reintroduced
A bipartisan bill advocating for financial support “to train practitioners in rural health care facilities” was reintroduced on February 4, 2025 by four U.S. Senators, including Alabama’s own Katie Britt. “Alabama women deserve access to high-quality care throughout their pregnancy journeys, no matter their zip code. The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would equip rural hospitals with the tools, training, and resources to deliver urgent obstetric care throughout Alabama,” shares Britt. The state has lost several birthing hospitals over the past few years: Three Alabama hospitals closed their labor and delivery departments in 2023, followed by another last year. Moreover, Alabama’s infant mortality rate has been on the rise, reaching the highest single-year rate it’s been since 2016. The state’s infant mortality rate, 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, is higher than the US average of 5.6. The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act would help develop maternal health care telehealth access as well as provide equipment and technical assistance to train non-specialists for obstetric emergencies. ■ congress.gov
Local Baby News Earlier this spring, Paris Mann was born at Grandview Hospital weighing more than 13 pounds, over double the size of the average baby. You can consult the World Health Organization (WHO) weight chart to see how your baby’s weight compares to the average for babies up to 2 years of age. ■ cdc.gov
12
PINK&BLUE | SPRING / SUMMER 2025
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker