Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Tennessee

Post Partum Support InternationalGet HelpCall the PSI HelpLine:1-800-944-4773#1 En Español or #2 EnglishText “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN)Text en Español: 971-203-7773Key Takeaways Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders extend far beyond depression and can manifest as anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and psychosis—each requiring different recognition and treatment approaches. Baby blues are normal, hormone-driven, and resolve within two weeks; symptoms persisting beyond two weeks indicate a clinical PMAD requiring professional evaluation and support. Individuals with PMADs are not to blame—these conditions result from identifiable, evidence-based risk factors (hormonal, psychological, social, and circumstantial) over which they have no control. Intrusive thoughts in perinatal OCD are not desires or intentions but unwanted, distressing "what if" scenarios that are highly treatable with proper therapy and support. Screening for risk factors during pregnancy and postpartum is essential, as is ensuring individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis history receive psychiatric care throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum to prevent relapse. Provider awareness and education about the full spectrum of PMADs—not just depression—enables earlier identification and appropriate referral, reducing maternal and paternal morbidity. Quotable Moments "You are not alone. This affects one in five to seven women, one in 10 men." "You're not to blame. You didn't cause this. This is caused from risk factors." "With the proper treatment, you will be well. That is giving hope because see, when they feel that bad, they think, now this is who I am. I'm going to be like this forever." "Baby blues only last two weeks. Baby blues are caused from the hormone changes at the moment of delivery." "It is debilitating. It gets in the way of your day. You really have to clean, clean, clean." "What if my baby stops breathing? What if someone breaks in my house and steals my baby? What if I drop my baby? What if, what if, what if?" "One in two women are now saying that something traumatic happened at their birth." "Nobody has a clean history, but some people are much more affected." Show Notes by BarevalueNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

The NEC SocietyKey Takeaways:Small gestures matter profoundly: Healthcare providers' thoughtful touches—photographs, decorations, keepsakes, and holiday participation—provide immeasurable comfort to grieving families and create lasting memories.Trust your instincts: Pregnant individuals should never hesitate to contact their healthcare provider about unusual symptoms; early detection can be life-saving for both mother and baby.The human element is irreplaceable: While medical expertise is essential, the emotional support and presence of compassionate caregivers create a healing environment that families remember forever.Grief can fuel purpose: Parents who have lost children can honor their memory through advocacy and support work, transforming personal tragedy into meaningful change for other families.Patient-family partnerships improve care: Including families in quality improvement initiatives brings essential perspective that helps healthcare providers communicate more effectively and compassionately.Quotable Moments"Those little keepsakes that we do have are so, so meaningful.""Even when parents aren't saying it, they feel the gratitude. And so just because someone's not saying thank you, then just know that your work is so important.""It keeps him alive for me. It keeps him here. And his spirit through mom is helping other families and other babies.""If there's something that doesn't feel right, they would so much rather you call them and then get to say, There's nothing for you to worry about.""It's not the worst thing in the world. And if anything, you get a lot of extra special attention and your babies are loved by so many other people as well."Show Notes by BarevalueNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Tennessee Department of Health Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program and VFC interest form: Vaccine Operations Enrollment HubQuestions, please email [email protected] TakeawaysThe VFC program removes financial and logistical barriers to vaccination, allowing infants to receive life-saving vaccines at birth and during routine pediatric visits without cost to families.RSV immunization availability represents a major breakthrough in infant protection, with up to 90% effectiveness; birthing hospital enrollment is critical to reaching newborns during peak RSV season (October-March).Tennessee's declining kindergarten immunization rates and rising pertussis cases underscore the urgent need to expand VFC provider enrollment and improve vaccine access across the state.Hospital enrollment in VFC is administratively manageable with state support; the process includes paperwork, staff designation, temperature monitoring, and a site visit—not prohibitive barriers.Despite vocal vaccine hesitancy, most Tennessee parents support immunization; increasing provider enrollment directly addresses access issues rather than demand issues.Quotable Moments"VFC has prevented over 508 million illnesses across the U.S., avoided over 1.1 million deaths, and saved nearly $2.7 trillion.""Our ultimate goal is for babies to have access to life-saving vaccines before they leave the hospital.""These immunizations are up to 90% effective in preventing RSV-related hospital admissions. So we have a really, really great tool in our toolbox and we want to try to find a way to get this tool to all of our babies across Tennessee.""Most people still want their kids to be vaccinated. So I want everyone to take that home as like the main takeaway."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

In this episode of Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Tennessee, Dr. Connie Graves and Dr. Lynlee Wolfe explore the critical role of patient event debriefs in perinatal care, with a particular focus on women with cardiac conditions during pregnancy. They discuss what a clinical debrief is, how it differs from informal feedback, and why structured debriefs are essential for improving team performance and patient safety. The conversation also touches on the emotional well-being of providers following adverse events, the emerging practice of patient-centered debriefs, and how simulation training has long modeled effective debriefing. A real-world example illustrates how a debrief led to a meaningful system change that directly improved care for future cardiac patients.Key TakeawaysA clinical debrief is a structured, team-based conversation held after any clinical event — positive or negative — with the goal of identifying what went well, what could be improved, and what actionable system changes should follow.Women with cardiac conditions face heightened risks throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, making regular and structured debriefs especially critical in their care.Debriefs differ from informal feedback in that they are structured, team-wide, and designed to maintain psychological safety by preventing blame, hierarchy, and emotion from dominating the discussion.Anyone on the care team can facilitate a debrief — the key is establishing a blame-free, improvement-focused environment where all voices are equally valued.Using a structured debrief form — whether from ACOG, AIM, SMFM, or a unit-developed version — is essential for keeping discussions on track, brief (typically five to ten minutes), and productive.Debriefs play a meaningful role in supporting provider well-being by addressing the "second victim" phenomenon, helping team members process difficult events without internalizing blame.Patient-centered debriefs, while not yet standard practice, are an emerging tool for addressing birth trauma and validating patient experiences following adverse events.Simulation training has long demonstrated the power of post-event debriefs, and clinical teams can draw directly from that model to strengthen real-world learning and outcomes.A real-world example showed that a single debrief following a cardiac patient's ICU admission led to a lasting system change — a dedicated, accessible location for patient care plans — that improved safety for all future patients.Quotable Moments"The process of doing a debrief is you go through an event. It can be a good event. It can be a bad event, a critical event, an adverse event. There's some clinical event that occurs and the team feels like it's time to sit down and discuss what happened." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"Everybody thinks pregnancy is not really a medical condition, but we all know it is a medical condition and there are definitely things that can happen." —Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"When we perform that debrief, we're trying to make sure everybody's input is taken and you do it in a non-punitive, non-blame-free environment." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"The purpose of the debrief is quality improvement. It's emotional processing. It is not blame. It is not to find mistakes or evaluate personal performance." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"We work as a team. We win as a team. We lose as a team. Everything's a team effort, especially on our labor and delivery units." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"The debrief is really that learning point. And as in that simulation cycle that solidifies knowledge and helps improve outcomes overall and long term." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"The best one is the one that you know you will use on a regular basis." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"What somebody feels is what they feel. So we need to validate and then help process through that rather than explain to them, no, this is actually what happened." — Dr. Lynlee Wolfe"There was a care plan in there. It did talk about fluid management and how we should be careful because even though she's physically stable at that moment, her ejection fraction was not at a point where we really needed to push anything." — Dr. Lynlee WolfeShow Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Key TakeawaysCardiac disease is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States, making multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics teams essential for improving outcomes.Effective cardio-obstetrics teams should include maternal-fetal medicine specialists, experienced cardiologists, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, social workers, nurse navigators, and other specialists as needed, all centered around the patient.Starting a cardio-obstetrics program doesn't require having everything in place at once - begin by identifying existing strengths and building from there with passionate team members.Vaginal delivery is typically safer than cesarean section for women with cardiac conditions due to less blood loss and fewer rapid circulatory changes.Standardized protocols should form the foundation of care, with individualization based on patient-specific factors like exercise tolerance, other medical conditions, and other health factors.Communication style matters significantly in multidisciplinary teams - asking "can you tell me why" instead of "I'm not sure why" fosters collaboration rather than defensiveness.Telemedicine and technology can help overcome major barriers to care, particularly transportation challenges in rural areas where hospitals are closing.The biggest challenge in building cardio-obstetrics programs is often changing mindsets from competition to collaboration, with all team members understanding that the patient should be at the center.Quotable Moments"Cardiac disease is one of the leading killers of pregnant women in the United States in particular, not just during pregnancy, but in the postpartum period where women are left are often vulnerable.""The cardiologist is not the obstetrician. So what cardiologists should not do or there should not be an overlap between delivery planning.""Labor is like running a marathon and so therefore when one is in labor, there are a lot of shifts that go on that affect the heart.""Vaginal delivery is, is much easier. You're much less likely to lose blood. It is much better for the baby.""It is quite difficult to navigate pregnancy even when it's normal. But now when you're asking a patient to come in, take medications, see the cardiologist, see the maternal fetal medicine specialist, sometimes they already have an obstetrician, they need to have a scheduled appointment with the anesthesiologist, it can be overwhelming.""I believe in starting small is important, find what you need to do and, and we talk about this in the CCOC bundle. Find what your team is already doing.""The hallmark of care should be your standardized protocols. You should start there.""I think you have to balance moving toward programming. Say okay, if you want me to build a cardio obstetrics program because we are the level four regional perinatal center in my area, these are the resources I'm going to need.""I always talk about this a lot as how you ask questions and how you present yourself really helps team dynamics.""If I've conveyed to the patient as somehow one of the team members doesn't, is not trustworthy or really doesn't know what they're doing, then the patient loses trust in the whole team.""We should be talking about equity, but we should be talking about health justice. because there's so many barriers in the American medical system to getting care.""If the patient is at the center, then we all join hands around the patient to make sure that there are just no gaps in the care that the, that patient receives."Show Notes by BarevalueNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Infant Health Strategic Plan: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/INFANT%20HEALTH%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN%202024-2028.pdfCFR Webpage: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/child-fatality-review0.htmlFIMR Webpage: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/infant-mortality-reduction.htmlKey TakeawaysTennessee's infant mortality rate of 6.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 consistently exceedsthe national average, with over half of all child deaths occurring before a child's first birthday.The Tennessee Infant Health Strategic Plan (2024-2028) provides a comprehensive, data-drivenroadmap with seven key strategic areas: family planning, prenatal care, birth outcomesinfrastructure, safe sleep, preterm birth prevention, breastfeeding support, and smoking cessation.Approximately 25% of infant deaths in Tennessee are sleep-related, making education andimplementation of the ABCs of safe sleep (Alone, on their Back, in a safe Crib) a criticalprevention strategy.Early prenatal care is essential, with the goal to increase first-trimester access from 71.4% to75% through programs like presumptive eligibility, TennCare enrollment, and the CHANT (CommunityHealth Access and Navigation in Tennessee) program.New legislation (Senate Bill 1283) requires three syphilis screenings during pregnancy to combatrising congenital syphilis rates, demonstrating the state's commitment to evidence-basedinterventions.Successful implementation of the plan requires collaborative efforts across state agencies,healthcare providers, community organizations, and families, with all partners encouraged to thinkcreatively about their role in promoting infant health.Supporting maternal health through comprehensive services—including mental health treatment,substance use disorder support, smoking cessation programs, and breastfeeding resources—isfundamental to improving infant outcomes.Quotable Moments"Our data shows us that in 2022, over half of all child deaths in Tennessee occurred before thechild's first birthday from 2017 to 2022, the Tennessee infant mortality rate or a number ofinfants who died for every 1000 live births was consistently higher than the national rate with 6.6deaths per 1000 live births in Tennessee in 2022.""The primary focus of this work is to bring that number down, increasing the number of childrenborn in Tennessee that get to celebrate their first birthday and many more birthdays after.""In Tennessee, about a quarter of all infant deaths are sleep related. The American Academy ofPediatrics Safe Sleep recommendations play an important role in preventing these deaths and theABCs of safesleep.""A leading cause of infant mortality in Tennessee is preterm birth. Any infant born earlier than 37weeks gestation is considered preterm and is at higher risk for adverse outcomes, including death.""These are real children and real families, and unfortunately, far too often real tragedies, weneed to all work together to improve infant outcomes for families, communities, and the future ofTennessee." "Together we can help ensure that more babies born in Tennessee get to celebrate theirfirst birthday and many more beyond that."Show Notes by Barevalue.Add Show Notes HereNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Contact information:West Tennessee: Sequitha LeFlore-Thomas, Email: [email protected]/Fax: 901-448-9982Instagram: @wombandwell_npMiddle Tennessee: Susan Drummond, email: [email protected]@vumc.orgPerinatal Regionalization Program Class Registration FormEast Tennessee: Michelle Oglesby, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]: 865-305-9300 Office or 715-401-3548 CellSoutheast Tennessee: Jennifer Shelton, Email: [email protected] Office: (423) 778-3547Northeast Tennessee: Brandi Pratt, Email: [email protected] TakeawaysTennessee faces significant rural healthcare challenges with many counties lacking hospitals or obstetric services, making emergency department and EMS training critical for maternal and infant outcomesAll five regions offer comprehensive, tailored education including fetal monitoring, high-risk pregnancy complications, simulation training for emergencies, and NRP certification for first respondersSimulation-based training has proven immediately effective, with multiple examples of providers successfully applying learned skills within hours or days of receiving educationRegional educators customize their offerings based on local equipment, resources, and scope of practice, ensuring practical application in real-world scenariosThe statewide initiative provides free NRP training for EMS, fire departments, and police as first responders, recognizing that many deliveries occur outside hospital settingsCollaboration between hospital systems, emergency departments, EMS, and educational teams is essential for improving maternal and infant health outcomes across TennesseeHealthcare providers can access these educational resources by contacting regional educators directly via email or phone to schedule customized training sessionsQuotable Moments"I am passionate about women's health. I'm a Mississippi native, but Memphis has been home for me for about 15 years now.""Just seeing how confident they were in their skillset afterwards, we kinda assess it before the class and then again afterwards.""I've been in this position for over 30 years""It's so rewarding to see a new nurse go from novice to expert in their skill in interpreting tracings, which is such an important part of care for patients in labor.""Many patients deliver far from home and first responders and emergency departments without OB services are often the first point of contact.""The crew arrived, delivered the baby, and successfully provided care for both mom and baby. Knowing that the education we provided was immediately applied in real life and made a difference for the family was incredibly rewarding""I love having an opportunity to educate in several different variations of skill sets and to be able to have fun and allow them to walk away with that one wow factor that kind of sticks with them""Without this education we would've never known what to do. I think that makes all of our jobs rewarding and it really hits home when we get to help celebrate those wins""One of the things that I really focus on as part of the OB um, educator is being ready for the delivery with how to set up their warmer""Being asked to come back always makes me feel like I'm doing a good job and that we're all taking part in and helping to take care of our moms."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Key TakeawaysRespectful care panels provide invaluable opportunities for healthcare teams to hear directly from patients in a non-clinical setting, bridging the gap between provider intentions and patient experiences.Simple actions like sitting down when speaking with patients, using their names, and making eye contact can dramatically improve how patients perceive their care and feel respected, often requiring no additional time.When recruiting patient and family partners for panels, plan to invite at least twice as many participants as you hope to have attend, as last-minute conflicts with young children and family illnesses are common.Financial stipends for patient participation demonstrate that healthcare organizations value patients' time and opinions, and can be especially important for economically disadvantaged families.Creating comfortable environments for patient panelists through thoughtful seating arrangements, positioning trusted advocates nearby, and using welcoming body language helps facilitate honest, open dialogue.Patient panel members can become ongoing resources for healthcare teams, providing quick feedback on proposed changes and helping ensure patient-centered decision-making beyond the initial panel event.Increasing survey response rates through accessible methods like QR codes on discharge instructions is essential for gathering actionable feedback to improve patient experiences.Quotable Moments"I think the patient family just gives the medical team another look just to sometimes that you just don't think of it. You think you're doing everything that you should be doing, but things slip through the cracks and this panel is able to, you know, kind of point those out.""I feel very strongly that the best way to be patient-centered and to make patient-centered changes is to listen directly to the patients.""Her doctor took the time and she said that when he pulled up the stool and sit down and, and called her by name, which I thought was so funny, called her by name and began to go through the next step with her that that changed how she felt about what was going on.""It is interesting how much things that we as providers consider to be small changes can really make such a huge impact in how the patient perceives their care and how they feel.""The best way to take care of patients and give good patient care is to listen to your patients."I would wholeheartedly agree with inviting at least twice as many patient family partners as you would like to have in attendance because there will always be last minute things that come up in conflicts where they're not able to attend."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Disclosures:Dr. Creech has disclosures of grant funding from NIH, CDC, Moderna, Pfizer and has been a consultant for Merck, Sanofi Paseur, TD. Cowen. Guidepoint Global, GSK, Delbiopharm, Dianthus, AstraZenecka and receives royalties from UpToDateWebsites:Philadelphia Children's Hospital Vaccine Education & ResourcesVUMC Children's Immunization GuideAAPRecommended Books:Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, Jonathan HaidtRighteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, Jonathan HaidtKey TakeawaysRSV prevention now includes both maternal vaccination during third trimester and monoclonal antibodies for infants, both showing 60-80% reduction in hospitalizationsHepatitis B vaccine is fundamentally a cancer prevention tool, and the birth dose is recommended at population level to prevent missed cases even when individual risk appears lowCocooning newborns through family immunization for influenza, pertussis, RSV, and measles is critical as community vaccination rates declineEffective vaccine conversations require avoiding shame and blame, expressing intellectual humility, asking "why" to understand concerns, and providing trusted resources rather than just educationThe future of vaccine development includes improved flu vaccines requiring less frequent administration, alternative delivery methods (intranasal, oral, microneedles), and advanced tools to understand rare adverse eventsWhile vaccine-preventable diseases like measles are increasing in pockets of under-vaccinated communities, maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to prevent widespread outbreaks of highly contagious diseasesParents face significant peer pressure around vaccine decisions, and healthcare providers should acknowledge this while modeling respectful dialogue with those who disagreeQuotable Moments"What is hepatitis B vaccine? It's a cancer prevention vaccine period. It prevents liver cancer. Why would I not want a cancer preventing vaccine?""An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rather than knowing how to treat meningitis really effectively. Wouldn't it be great if we could prevent it all together?""I think we need to recognize that we probably want the same thing, except in extraordinarily weird situations. We both want the health of that child.""I recognize that there is still much to learn about these things, but here's where I land.""Vaccines and your baby's health, that's just more complicated than 140 characters.""Measles is the second most contagious virus on the planet behind smallpox, which is eradicated. So it's the first most contagious virus on the planet.""I want to prevent you from coughing by jabbing this metal needle into your child's thigh. Like that's weird.""we need to find common ground. Ground. We need to be curious. We need to be intellectually humble. We need to invite conversation."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Neonatal Resuscitation Contact Neonatal Outreach for Middle TennesseeKey TakeawaysTennessee has 55 out of 95 counties without OB services, making EMS preparedness for unexpected deliveries critical for saving newborn livesNeonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training for EMS has increased from less than 3% to almost 31% statewide through dedicated funding and outreach effortsNewborn resuscitation differs fundamentally from adult resuscitation, requiring ventilation first rather than compressions because babies have never breathed beforeProper equipment including small masks, uncuffed tubes, and appropriate supplies must be available on ambulances for effective neonatal careMultiple EMS schools now require NRP certification before graduation, ensuring future EMS professionals are prepared to handle neonatal emergenciesRegular simulation drills involving multiple disciplines (dispatch, EMS, ED, OB, pediatrics) are essential for maintaining skills and identifying system gapsThe first few minutes of a baby's life are irreplaceable, making immediate, proper resuscitation techniques critical for positive outcomesFamilies should know their local EMS response times and which nearby hospitals offer OB services for emergency planningQuotable Moments"I think the most important thing that I have learned out of all of those travels is the most important thing in these babies' lives are the first responders, whoever is right there at delivery because we cannot give that time back to those babies.""I said, but can we put a price tag on a baby's life?""So we have taken the numbers that have NRP from less than 3% in the state to almost 31%. So we're getting there one class at a time.""if you don't use it, you lose it.""And the babies are coming in in so much better shape than what they were before we started doing education.""I said there's really, there's only two, two facts about babies. One, they'll always be babies conceived. And two, no matter how good you are at your job, not all babies survive. But we owe it to them to do the best job we possibly can because that's why we're here.""No mother should have to bury a child.""I said, if you are not a little bit afraid, you scare me to death.""Time is important. We have a, a county on the northern border and they got a call from the county.""I'm hoping it won't be long until we have all the equipment on these trucks that we need"Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Website: www.charitylasha.comContact Charity: [email protected] TakeawaysMiracles require going through difficult processes - wanting a miracle and being willing to endure the challenging journey to achieve it are two different things that require faith and commitment.Parents of NICU babies need support too - while medical teams and loved ones focus on the sick infant, parents often neglect their own emotional and physical wellbeing and need reminders that they will also be okay.Hope can be cultivated through small daily practices - naming a feeding tube "Hope" transformed a medical device into a daily reminder of possibility and positive thinking.Pushing children beyond their comfort zones builds critical skills - introducing children to various activities like music, cooking, and sports develops executive function, dexterity, and self-confidence, especially important for children with developmental challenges.Living in the present moment provides strength during crisis - focusing on "we're still alive right now" rather than catastrophic future possibilities can provide the resilience needed to continue fighting.Statistics don't determine individual outcomes - despite a 7% chance of normal life, faith, determination, and consistent effort can lead to outcomes that defy medical predictions.Reframing negative self-talk matters - changing "I'm a sick kid" to "I'm a kid that gets sick" shifts perspective from identity to temporary circumstance.Quotable Moments"Who am I to stop the opportunity at life? But at the same time, I didn't want to be selfish." - Charity on making the decision to give Leia a chance at life."I think oftentimes we like to want miracles to happen in our lives, and we're excited to hear about other people experiencing miracles, but we're not always willing to go through the process of what that looks like practically." - Charity on the reality of miracles."I decided that we had two options. I was either going to leave the hospital with my kid or I was going to leave the hospital with my kid." - Charity on refusing to consider giving up."The idea of thinking about having a funeral for a 6-year-old was just not an option." - Charity on what drove her determination."Hope, which is the belief that a positive future is possible. And it's often accompanied by a sense of expectation and desire for an outcome to occur." - Charity defining why she named the feeding tube Hope."Stay encouraged and stay courageous." - Leia's message to babies in the NICU and their families "I think the one thing I would have wanted to know is that charity, you're going to be okay too." - Charity on what she wishes someone had told her during the NICU stay."Jesus is not dead. He's alive." - Charity's billboard message."Strong elephant actually meant that I was going to get through it. And like, I'm very strong and brave 'cause elephants are not scared of anything." - Leia explaining her book illustration."With practice and consistency and me encouraging her to believe in herself. She then gets things that someone else may have said she would never be able to do." - Charity on her parenting philosophy.Show Notes by Barevalue.

Help us improve the health of all moms and babies | March of DimesKey Takeaways:Perinatal quality collaboratives like TIPQC serve as essential engines for change by building local trust and driving clinic-by-clinic, hospital-by-hospital improvements that create momentum for state and national progress.Data-driven approaches that engage diverse stakeholders can shift harmful narratives and create more effective, compassionate policy solutions, as demonstrated by Tennessee's neonatal abstinence syndrome surveillance system.Maternity care deserts are not naturally occurring phenomena but result from deliberate policy decisions, requiring intentional policy solutions around reimbursement models and workforce development.Clinicians should leverage their expertise in policy and advocacy spaces, starting with addressing frustrations in their own practice settings and recognizing they are the experts policymakers need.The United States faces a maternal and infant health crisis with two women dying daily during pregnancy or postpartum and two babies dying hourly before their first birthday.Low-dose aspirin for preventing preeclampsia is a cost-effective intervention that remains woefully underutilized, with less than half of high-risk women receiving recommendations from providers.Progress is possible even in challenging circumstances, as Tennessee has shown statistically significant improvement in preterm birth rates through focused efforts on interventions like pregnancy smoking cessation.Effective maternal and infant health improvement requires collaboration across multiple sectors including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, Medicaid programs, community-based organizations, and retail pharmacies.Quotable Moments"Every single day we lose two women in this country either during pregnancy or labor and delivery or the year postpartum. And every hour of every day, we lose two babies in this country before their first birthday.""The solution to this crisis can't be driven solely by the federal government or by, by state governments or by a single organization.""What works in one state may not work in another. In fact, what works in Memphis may not work in Knoxville or Nashville.""I promise you, you are far and away the expert in maternal health or infant health in the room. You, you eat, sleep and breathe this every day.""Unlike those naturally occurring deserts where species have adapted over millennia to, to thrive in an, in an environment of scarcity, the deserts we're talking about are the result of deliberate policy decisions and deliberate resource allocations.""Those very basic easy questions should never be the stumbling block to a family meeting their breastfeeding goals.""We were able to show from our data collection that the majority of babies born with withdrawal were born to moms who were using at least one substance prescribed to them by a licensed prescriber in the state of Tennessee.""Start where you are. So if, if there's a, a challenge in the way, for example, your hospital approaches low dose aspirin for reducing the risk of preeclampsia, maybe you work in an outpatient clinical setting and you haven't built in the standardized screening to assess a pregnant woman's risk for preeclampsia."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

Articles:https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/3/e2021056036/184866/Vitamin-K-and-the-Newborn-Infanthttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/delivery-beyond/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Administration-of-Vitamin-K.aspxKey TakeawaysVitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) can occur in three time periods: early (1-2 days), classic (2-7 days), and late (2-12 weeks), with late VKDB being particularly dangerous and often presenting as catastrophic bleedingInjectable vitamin K is superior to oral formulations because babies' immature guts don't absorb it well, there's no FDA-approved oral formulation in the US, and injectable vitamin K provides both immediate protection and stores vitamin K in the liver for monthsCommon myths about vitamin K include confusion with vaccines, concerns about the boxed warning (which applies only to IV formulations, not the newborn IM injection), leukemia risk (thoroughly debunked), and assumptions that it causes jaundice (not with current formulations)Breastfed babies are at highest risk for VKDB because breast milk contains minimal vitamin K regardless of maternal diet or supplementation, while formula-fed babies receive vitamin K supplementation in their formulaHealthcare providers should approach each conversation about vitamin K with openness and adequate time, identifying the family's specific concern and providing evidence-based responses while offering strategies to minimize infant discomfort during administrationThe rate of vitamin K refusal has increased significantly from 2.9% in 2017 to 5.18% recently, mirroring broader trends in medical distrust and requiring healthcare providers to be prepared for these conversationsWhile vitamin K quickly corrects laboratory abnormalities in babies with VKDB, the damage from intracranial hemorrhage or other serious bleeding often results in long-term complications or death, making prevention criticalQuotable Moments"Vitamin K is one of your coagulation factors. It was actually discovered by two scientists back in the early 20th century who received the Nobel Prize for medicine for their discovery. And the K is because the word coagulation in German has a K in it.""Babies are born with very low levels of it. Vitamin K doesn't cross the placenta well from mom into babies.""Babies can have early vitamin K deficient bleeding, which is really within the first day or two of life, which is more related to mom being on certain medications""These babies can have kind of long-term impacts related to their bleeding complications.""I've never seen early, that's the one I've never seen, but I've seen classic and I've seen late. It's really a, a tragedy when those things happen.""The babies aren't very good at absorbing vitamin K just related to some of their gut immaturity. And then also because we don't have a standard uh, formulation of oral vitamin K in the United States.""We've had several that have come in over the past year that have had bleeding into their brain with intercranial hemorrhage.""If you're already having significant bleeding into your brain or into another kind of enclosed space in your body, that can cause significant problems that even if you fix the bleeding, you might still have complications related to that.""I never had a family refuse or decline their vitamin K until maybe 10, 15 years ago. And it really seems to have mirrored some of the distrust in medicine in general.""It gets lumped in I think with other kind of vaccines, but it's certainly not a vaccine in any way. It's a, it's a vitamin that the babies just aren't able, able to make at that time in their life""I think sometimes it's really hard for parents to kind of wrap their heads around doing something that they know is going to hurt their own child.""it's been several generations now. And so, the ability for families to kind of know someone who they've had this happen to is, is pretty rare""There are a lot of things we do to support an infant when they're first born, right?""Infant mortality rates are in the 19 hundreds or 165 per thousand. So, you know, we've gone down dramatically since then.""The boxed warning on the IV form for the benzoyl alcohol, correct me if I'm wrong, I think is for more of kind of allergic type reactions, which we don't have that kind of preservative in the intramuscular form""I sometimes hear is we're giving babies antifreeze and, and that of course is incorrect.""We do not consider babies to have kind of normal vitamin K levels, normal coagulation pathways until they're a little bit closer to six months.""Jaundice is so ubiquitous in this newborn population, but if you look back at the original forms of vitamin K that were given, there were higher reports of jaundice.""It's got to last for some months. Right.""Maternal milk does not contain very high amounts of vitamin K regardless of kind of how much you eat or how much you supplement or those sorts of things.""The levels that mom has to take to get detectable levels in the breast milk are like not available like in any way in the store or anything like that.""We do not have a kind of, um, approved version of oral vitamin K that's given in the United States.""In Denmark they moved to oral and then went back to injectable because of the increased rates of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.""This is where I think it's really helpful to talk to your pediatrician or to talk to another medical provider that you trust""I'm a parent and I've had these, you know, thoughts, uh, when my daughter was born and it's very hard to kind of recommend, uh, getting something that may or may not be an issue.""It's the first time for that family, right? And so approaching that conversation with the same level of openness and time commitment that you would on your first time versus your 30th time""I think it's hard when something's been recommended and in use since 1961 to really grasp on kind of a population level of like what happens if you don't do it because most people haven't seen that"Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient. Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.

The Naloxone ProjectKey TakeawaysDischarge prescriptions for naloxone have fill rates of less than 1-2% among highest-risk patients, making direct distribution at hospitals essential for reaching vulnerable populationsOverdose and suicide combined are leading causes of maternal mortality, surpassing traditional obstetrical complications like hemorrhage, eclampsia, and sepsis in multiple statesColorado's maternal overdose deaths dropped 60% (from 20 to 8 deaths) in one year after implementing universal naloxone distribution programs in birthing hospitalsThe postpartum period represents a particularly high-risk time for overdose deaths, and since most women give birth in hospitals, this creates a critical intervention pointUniversal opt-out distribution models normalize naloxone access and reach mothers who may be struggling silently with substance use disordersNaloxone protects entire households, not just the intended recipient, with studies showing it often saves fathers, children, and even pets from accidental overdosesTennessee's pilot program will distribute over 20,000 naloxone kits paired with first aid supplies across approximately 10 birthing hospitals starting in early 2026Empowering healthcare workers with proper education on substance use disorders and harm reduction improves their interactions with at-risk families and makes hospitals more welcoming spacesQuotable Moments"How does a young lady like you become addicted to something like heroin? And she shared a story where she said, funny, it was because of an emergency doctor like you who prescribed me opioids for an ankle sprain.""We're not always offer it along with all of the other medical care, behavioral healthcare, and addiction care that we should be providing. And so we really feel that those things should go hand in hand.""Someone is at such high risk of overdose after they've experienced a non-fatal overdose. We know that that immediate timeframe is very high risk.""I quickly realized that there are people outside of the medical institution who are doing a better job of caring patients than we were within medical institutions."Overdose and suicide were neck and neck leading maternal mortality for our state. And that those causes combined were really more than all of the other quote unquote medical causes that we were seeing.""In 2023, we just got this data, um, maternal overdose death dropped by 60% and they dropped from 20 in 2022 to eight in 2023.""We have an opportunity to give 20002nd chances to families out there. And that's a beautiful, beautiful thing, right? Everyone deserves a second chance.""This should be the standard of care. Okay? I know that we're asking you to be a part of a pilot and sometimes that can be a little scary, but the hope is that we iron this out so that this is truly the standard of care for every new mom, new family."Show Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Quotable Moments"I remember the fear of having this, you know, tiny new baby at home and also sending a bigger kid to daycare and being afraid of my daughter contracting illness.""We tell families that our responsibility is to make recommendations and to provide them with information and answer the questions that they have so that they can make the decisions that are best for them""It would take something like greater than 10,000 vaccines, administered at one time in order to overwhelm the system.""If someone's trying to make a decision and they're not getting good evidence-based information, then they don't have the tools they need to make the best decision for themselves and their family.""The family is the greatest influence on the health to care decisions that they make.""Parents have the opportunity by considering vaccination to prevent having a child that's sick and miserable and full of snot and struggling to breathe""The RSV vaccine is safe, effective, and very beneficial for your baby.""Women to know that they're not alone as they navigate this, as they think about how they're going to keep their baby healthy."Show Notes by BarevalueResources:ACOG:https://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-respiratory-syncytial-virus?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=inthttps://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-rsv-vaccine-top-3-reasonsCDChttps://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/index.htmlSociety for Maternal Fetal Medicinehttps://www.highriskpregnancyinfo.org/vaccine-guide-for-pregnancy-2024https://www.smfm.org/rsvVideo: https://youtu.be/BnpKnTlWZaI?si=mN4bxvw-S3NcAaKzHealthy Children.orghttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/follow-pediatricians-for-trustworthy-content-on-childrens-health.aspxACOG:https://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-respiratory-syncytial-virus?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=intAmerican Academy of Family Physicians https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2024/0700/maternal-rsv-vaccination.pdfAmerican College of Nurse Midwiveshttps://midwife.org/immunization-resources-for-providers/Association of women’s health and neonatal nurses (AWHONN)https://www.awhonn.org/resources-and-information/rsv/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)**Website: ACIP RSV Recommendationswww.Immunize.org/askexpertsHealthy Children.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)HealthyChildren.orgMarch of Dimeshttps://www.marchofdimes.org/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Resources:ACOG:https://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-respiratory-syncytial-virus?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=inthttps://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-rsv-vaccine-top-3-reasonsCDChttps://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/index.htmlSociety for Maternal Fetal Medicinehttps://www.highriskpregnancyinfo.org/vaccine-guide-for-pregnancy-2024https://www.smfm.org/rsvVideo: https://youtu.be/BnpKnTlWZaI?si=mN4bxvw-S3NcAaKzHealthy Children.orghttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/follow-pediatricians-for-trustworthy-content-on-childrens-health.aspxACOG:https://www.acog.org/programs/immunization-infectious-disease-public-health/tools-and-resources/infographic-respiratory-syncytial-virus?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=intAmerican Academy of Family Physicians https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2024/0700/maternal-rsv-vaccination.pdfAmerican College of Nurse Midwiveshttps://midwife.org/immunization-resources-for-providers/Association of women’s health and neonatal nurses (AWHONN)https://www.awhonn.org/resources-and-information/rsv/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)**Website: ACIP RSV Recommendationswww.Immunize.org/askexpertsHealthy Children.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)HealthyChildren.orgMarch of Dimeshttps://www.marchofdimes.org/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

TN Report Card: 2025March Of Dimes Report Card For Tennessee | PeriStats | March of DimesU.S. Report Card: 2025March Of Dimes Report Card For United States | PeriStats | March of DimesMiddle TN March for Babies Walk: Saturday, April 11th at First Horizon Park: March for Babies - Join March for Babies Event in Middle TennesseeMemphis March for Babies Walk: Saturday, May 16th at Audubon Park: Marchfor Babies - Join March for Babies Event in Memphis March for BabiesMeals that Matter Program: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17o8564ZaB/Show Notes:In this episode, Karen Schetzina, TIPQC Infant Medical Director, interviews Kelley Marshburn, Executive Director of Market Impact for the March of Dimes in Tennessee. They discuss the recently released March of Dimes Report Card, which shows Tennessee improved from a D- to a D grade in preterm birth rates, though the state still performs worse than the national average in key maternal and infant health metrics. Kelley shares the important work March of Dimes does in Tennessee, including their NICU Family Support Program in Memphis, educational initiatives, and community events like their annual walks. The conversation highlights both the progress being made and the significant work still needed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Tennessee.Episode Highlights00:02:37: Kelly explains the March of Dimes Report Card as an annual publication of facts and figures that provides comprehensive data on preterm birth rates and related metrics for the US, broken down by state and county, released every November since 2008.00:03:47: Discussion of the Report Card as a valuable, user-friendly resource with interactive website features, PDFs, and detailed data that many people use to understand maternal and infant health statistics.00:04:14: Kelely details that the Report Card data comes primarily from the National Center for Health Statistics, covers various time periods depending on the topic, and focuses heavily on preterm birth as the leading cause of complications and death for infants and mothers.00:06:04: Tennessee received a D grade in 2025, an improvement from D- the previous year, with the preterm birth rate improving from 11.3% to 10.9%, though the US overall received a D+ and Tennessee still performs worse than the national average.00:07:01: Kelley emphasizes that Tennessee ranks worse than the national average on preterm birth rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, and adequate prenatal care, despite having significant healthcare resources, particularly in Nashville.00:08:15: Overview of March of Dimes programs in Tennessee including fundraising events, walks, educational initiatives, and the NICU Family Support Program, with particular focus on counties like Shelby County which ranks as the worst in the state for preterm birth rates.00:09:09: Detailed explanation of the NICU Family Support Program, which places a March of Dimes social worker at Regional One Hospital in Memphis to support families, noting that while babies receive extensive care, families often have limited resources and support.00:09:58: Kelly describes how the NICU Family Support coordinator provides resources, support, and preparation for families taking babies home, expressing hope to expand this program to Nashville hospitals.00:10:48: Description of the annual "Meals That Matter" program every November, where March of Dimes brings warm meals, handwritten notes, care packages, and snacks to NICU families and staff, providing emotional support and connection.00:12:17: Kelley mentions upcoming educational programs being developed with Nashville Public Library to create support group-style educational series for NICU moms who have returned home.00:12:34: Kelly invites healthcare workers, families with healthy outcomes, and anyone interested to get involved with March of Dimes, emphasizing that the organization's 87 years of history and resources have contributed to improving pregnancy outcomes.00:13:29: Announcement of upcoming March of Dimes walks: Nashville spring walk on April 11th and Memphis walk on May 16th, describing the walks as the biggest support group of the year where families can connect with others who share similar experiences.Key TakeawaysTennessee improved its preterm birth grade from D- to D in 2025, with rates decreasing from 11.3% to 10.9%, demonstrating that progress is possible through collaborative efforts, though significant work remains to reach optimal outcomes.Despite having substantial healthcare resources, Tennessee performs worse than the national average on critical metrics including preterm birth rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, and adequate prenatal care access.The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program addresses a critical gap by providing social workers to support families, recognizing that while babies receive extensive medical care, families often lack adequate resources and preparation for taking babies home.Simple interventions like the "Meals That Matter" program can have significant emotional impact on NICU families and staff by providing warm meals, care packages, and human connection during difficult times.Community involvement in maternal and infant health improvement is important for everyone, not just those who have experienced complications, as healthy pregnancies also result from decades of research, education, and resources provided by organizations like March of Dimes.County-level data reveals significant disparities within states, with Shelby County ranking as Tennessee's worst for preterm birth rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in specific geographic areas.Quotable Moments"We know that that is kind of the leading cause for complications death, whether it be infant or mom. Um, and so we are really focused on preterm birth.""You don't really rank for being a healthcare mecca, if you will, and, and having tons of healthcare in certainly Nashville, but just in Tennessee, we aren't scoring where I think we all know we should be.""There's tons of care for the baby. There's a just limited resources and support and care for the families and the moms and people that are going to be taking these babies home.""I've been really shocked at the impact that can have on just one person or a family that comes in that day.""I think it's important not only that we talk about the complications and the scenarios where we've had worse outcomes, but also just healthy pregnancies and how those are improving.""The walk, I like to call kind of the biggest...

Caring Essentials https://www.caringessentials.net/ FCC Taskforce website: https://www.fcctaskforce.org/Trauma-Informed Professional 2.0 Certificate Program: https://caringessentials.net/tip2-2026Podcast: along with Tracey Bell, a phenomenal person and NNP: Timeless Topics. YouTube page that has our episodes as well as links to find us other places: www.youtube.com/@TimelessTopicsNICUKey TakeawaysTrauma-informed care in the NICU is a prevention model that addresses the developmental impact of early life experiences on infants, families, and healthcare providers, rather than just a responsive strategy to existing trauma.The core principles of trauma-informed care include safety (physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual), trust and transparency, healthy relationships and interactions, empowerment with voice and choice, and awareness of historical context.Trust cannot be expected or demanded based on credentials alone—it must be earned through consistent, compassionate interactions that validate families' experiences and emotions.Toxic positivity, where healthcare providers minimize parents' negative emotions by comparing their situation favorably to others, is harmful; grief is not a comparison act, and all NICU experiences are traumatic regardless of duration.Small moments of connection—such as using the baby's name, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the NICU admission, creating milestone cards, or simply saying "I see you, this is hard"—can build trust and provide healing validation.Trauma-informed care is not an additional task but an integrated approach that becomes part of who you are as a person, extending beyond the workplace into all human interactions.The NICU experience doesn't end at discharge; families may carry the emotional weight for years, requiring ongoing grace, self-care, and support through resources like parent-led support groups and therapy.Healthcare providers need to develop competencies in engaging with families in crisis, recognizing that technical medical skills alone are insufficient for providing truly compassionate, trauma-informed care.Quotable Moments"It's really seeing someone for who they are, where they are when they're there" - Jesse Barnes on the essence of trauma-informed care"We're not summing up the suffering but building the buffering" - Mary Coughlin on the true purpose of trauma-informed care"They didn't envision having to ask a stranger, can I hold my baby? Am I allowed to feed my baby? What am I allowed to do?" - Jesse Barnes on the difficult reality for NICU parents"Just because you have a license and you've got 80 million initials after your name and oh you've got that snazzy stethoscope, doesn't mean you automatically deserve my trust" - Mary Coughlin on earned trust"Grief is not a comparison act" - Jesse Barnes on avoiding toxic positivity"The call for nursing is managing the human experience of disease" - Mary Coughlin on the full spectrum of nursing"Sometimes the most healing thing you can say to somebody who's experiencing something that they identify as traumatic is, I see you, I hear you. This is hard" - Jesse Barnes on validation"Little moments of connection" - Patty Scott summarizing the approach to trauma-informed care "The story doesn't end at discharge" - Mary Coughlin on the lasting impact of NICU experiences"Being a parent doesn't end just because you go home without your baby" - Jesse Barnes on continued parenting during NICU staysShow Notes by Barevalue.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

In this episode of Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Tennessee, Dr. Linley Wolfe interviews Dr. Carrie Brackney, a maternal-fetal medicine physician in Memphis, about GLP-1 receptor agonist medications (commonly known as Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs) and their implications for pregnancy. The discussion covers how these medications work, their dramatic effects on weight loss and diabetes management, and the emerging phenomenon of "Ozempic babies" - unintended pregnancies occurring in women taking these medications. Dr. Brackney provides guidance on when to discontinue these medications before conception, discusses limited safety data in pregnancy, and explains what monitoring is recommended for women who become pregnant while taking GLP-1s. Both physicians share their personal experiences with these medications and express hope for future research on postpartum use.Episode Highlights00:00:04: Welcome to Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Tennessee podcast, brought to you by the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care (TIPQC), which exists to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants in Tennessee 00:00:46: Dr. Linley Wolfe introduces Dr. Carrie Brackney, a maternal-fetal medicine physician in Memphis who has been practicing as a perinatologist for three years after working as a general OB-GYN for nine years00:01:32: Dr. Brackney describes her passion for caring for women with complex pregnancies and helping them find joy during challenging times00:02:03: Dr. Wolfe introduces the topic of GLP-1 medications, noting they have been revolutionary for people struggling with weight00:02:38: Dr. Brackney explains that GLP-1 receptor agonists work by activating glucagon-like peptide one receptors, regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion through multiple mechanisms00:03:46: Discussion of how GLP-1 medications have been around for diabetes treatment but have been increasingly used for weight loss over the last four to five years00:04:04: Dr. Brackney notes these medications are also being used for patients with cardiovascular conditions and kidney disease, showing decreased complications00:04:28: Dr. Wolfe mentions recent approval for people who are overweight with sleep apnea, predicting more indications will emerge00:04:42: Cost identified as one of the biggest barriers to these medications becoming more popular00:05:01: Dr. Brackney reports that semaglutide and tirzepatide show potential for over 10% weight loss, while liraglutide shows 5-15% total weight loss00:05:49: Discussion of side effects, with nausea and constipation being the most common, though they are treatable and many people adjust over time00:06:09: Dr. Wolfe asks about common brand names versus generic names for listener clarity00:06:25: Dr. Brackney lists brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza and Saxenda (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide)00:07:02: Discussion of compounded medications versus manufacturer medications, with Dr. Brackney noting compounded versions are not FDA-regulated and therefore not considered as safe00:07:55: Dr. Wolfe transitions to discussing pregnancy and the phenomenon of "Ozempic babies"00:08:51: Dr. Brackney explains that obesity reduces fertility, with obese women having three times higher risk of infertility and 40% higher miscarriage rates00:10:28: Discussion of how GLP-1 medications may interfere with contraceptive distribution in the body due to slowed gastric emptying00:11:04: Dr. Wolfe summarizes that better overall health, weight loss, and potential contraceptive interference all contribute to "Ozempic babies"00:11:27: Dr. Brackney recommends discontinuing GLP-1 medications at least one to two months before trying to get pregnant, noting limited data on ideal timing00:12:38: Discussion of the lack of prospective studies on pregnant women, with only retrospective data and animal studies available00:13:22: Dr. Brackney describes animal studies showing lower fetal growth and delayed bone ossification in offspring of rats and rabbits given tirzepatide00:14:29: Comparison made to bariatric surgery patients, where rapid weight loss during pregnancy led to worse outcomes including growth restriction and birth defects00:15:14: Dr. Wolfe shares her partner's interesting theory about potential future use for excessive weight gain during pregnancy00:15:50: Dr. Brackney expresses interest in studying postpartum use, particularly during the 12-month Medicaid coverage period in Tennessee00:16:29: Both physicians disclose they are personal users of GLP-1 medications, with Dr. Wolfe noting they have been life-changing for her00:16:56: Discussion of rebound weight gain as a concern when stopping medications suddenly00:18:28: Dr. Wolfe shares a recent case of balancing when to stop medication in a patient with multiple comorbidities planning pregnancy00:19:58: Dr. Brackney suggests metformin as a potential alternative to prevent rebound weight gain while being better studied in pregnancy00:20:32: Discussion of what to tell patients who discover pregnancy while still taking GLP-1 medications00:21:03: Dr. Brackney provides reassurance that data thus far is pretty reassuring with no worrisome issues seen in early pregnancy exposures00:22:12: Discussion of long-term data limitations, with mention of thyroid cancer risk being very low and primarily in already high-risk patients00:23:38: Dr. Wolfe asks about pregnancy management for women who have been taking GLP-1 medications00:24:05: Dr. Brackney outlines comprehensive pregnancy monitoring recommendations including early ultrasound, anatomy survey, and specialized care based on underlying indication00:25:55: Dr. Wolfe concludes by noting the goal of a perfectly healthy pregnancy and beautiful vaginal delivery for these patients00:26:24: Dr. Brackney thanks TIPQC and expresses enjoyment of the discussion00:26:39: Closing remarks encouraging listeners to visit tipqc.org for podcast suggestions and to follow on social media for perinatal health news in TennesseeKey TakeawaysGLP-1 medications work through multiple mechanisms including regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion, making them effective for both diabetes and weight loss management Women taking GLP-1 medications should discontinue them at least one to two months before attempting pregnancy, though data on optimal timing is limitedThe "Ozempic baby" phenomenon occurs due to improved fertility from weight loss, better overall health, and potential interference with contraceptive effectivenessCurrent data on GLP-1 use in pregnancy is limited to retrospective studies and animal research, with animal studies showing concerns about fetal growth restriction and skeletal developmentWomen who become pregnant while taking GLP-1 medications should receive reassurance that current data is relatively reassuring, but should have comprehensive monitoring including early ultrasound and anatomy surveyRebound weight gain after stopping GLP-1 medications is a concern, with studies showing 62% of women who stopped at pregnancy onset experienced excess gestational weight gainFor women with diabetes taking GLP-1s, switching to pregnancy-safe alternatives like metformin before conception is important to maintain glycemic control and prevent birth defectsThe postpartum period may represent an ideal opportunity for GLP-1 use and research, particularly during the 12-month Medicaid coverage period in TennesseeCost remains one of the biggest barriers to GLP-1 medication access, though they show significant benefits for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney diseaseCompounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-regulated and therefore not recommended over manufacturer versions despite cost considerationsQuotable Moments"I really love some of the detective work that goes into caring for these conditions and figuring out what's going on. But I especially enjoy helping women to find joy during the challenges that they face throughout their pregnancies.""I think these medicines are going to become more and more popular, especially as they become more affordable because right now I think one of the biggest barriers is their cost.""Women who are obese have a three times higher risk of infertility and they have a much higher risk of stillbirth or miscarriage. Miscarriage rates go up by about 40% for women who are obese.""I recommend to my patients that they discontinue GLP one receptor antagonists at least a month or two before trying to get pregnant. And I'll be honest, there's not great data to say one way or another what the ideal timing is.""Full disclosure, I too have been taking these medications now I'm really in like the weight maintenance phase. But yeah, I mean I think they're really, really helpful as a tool for a lot of folks.""I think overall the data thus far is pretty reassuring. When we look at the folks who were exposed early in pregnancy, we haven't seen any really worrisome issues.""I think it remains to be seen, but to me, first you have to prove to me that whatever, whatever risks there are, are worse than all those things. Because certainly those are significant risks to people.""I do wonder if maybe there's an opportunity to do some studies for weight management or even diabetes management in, in postpartum moms, particularly in that first year after they deliver."Show Notes by BarevalueNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical...

Faith in HealingIn this deeply moving episode, Dr. Scott Guthrie sits down with Chaplain Scott Bloodworth, the lead chaplain at Jackson Madison County General Hospital, to discuss the spiritual and emotional dimensions of perinatal loss. With 15 years of experience walking alongside families through their darkest moments in the NICU and maternity wards, Chaplain Bloodworth shares profound insights on grief, hope, and the healing power of presence. The conversation explores how fathers navigate crisis differently than mothers, the role of prayer and faith in medical settings, and practical ways healthcare professionals can support families facing devastating diagnoses. Through personal stories and hard-won wisdom, this episode offers both medical professionals and parents a compassionate guide to finding meaning and connection in the midst of loss.Episode Highlights00:00:00: Introduction to the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Tennessee podcast and its mission to improve perinatal health outcomes across Tennessee00:00:46: Dr. Scott Guthrie introduces the episode as one focused on healthcare professionals while remaining accessible to families, addressing themes of loss, grief, and hope00:01:53: Chaplain Scott Bloodworth introduces himself and his role at Jackson Madison County General Hospital00:01:56: Dr. Guthrie provides Chaplain Bloodworth's background, including his 15 years as lead chaplain, his doctorate in behavioral health, and his research on fathers in the NICU00:03:18: Chaplain Bloodworth reflects on how frequently impactful moments occur in his work with families00:03:44: Chaplain Bloodworth shares a powerful story of a hospice baby whose father's only wish was to hear her cry, and the miracle of that cry despite all medical indicators suggesting it wouldn't happen00:05:03: Discussion begins on Chaplain Bloodworth's doctoral research about fathers in the NICU and how they navigate crisis00:05:22: Chaplain Bloodworth explains how fathers struggle with their inability to protect their child or comfort their wife in meaningful ways during NICU crises00:06:33: Chaplain Bloodworth advises fathers that true strength is crying with their wives rather than suppressing emotion, as it acknowledges shared grief00:06:45: Using the movie "The Green Mile" as an analogy, Chaplain Bloodworth explains how tears are designed to purge our systems of emotional pain00:07:26: Dr. Guthrie introduces the topic of prayer, citing a Forbes Magazine article about how faith can ease depression, anxiety, and loneliness00:08:11: Chaplain Bloodworth explains how prayer focuses the mind, shuts out surrounding noise, and helps people acknowledge what is beyond their control00:09:14: Discussion of how faith helps build coping skills during devastating news00:09:49: Chaplain Bloodworth emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present moment rather than jumping ahead to worst-case scenarios00:10:37: Chaplain Bloodworth uses a scene from "Apollo 13" to illustrate the importance of taking one step at a time rather than worrying about distant problems00:11:29: Dr. Guthrie asks whether medical professionals should leave faith issues to chaplains or engage themselves00:11:45: Chaplain Bloodworth encourages doctors to engage spiritually with patients through presence, touch, and reassurance that families are not alone00:12:27: Introduction to the Butterflies Embrace bereavement team at Jackson Madison County General Hospital00:13:23: Chaplain Bloodworth describes how the bereavement team first lets families know they're not alone and will be protected during their hospital stay00:14:25: Discussion of the unique challenge that perinatal loss presents no memories to cherish, leading the team to create tangible memories00:15:22: Chaplain Bloodworth describes memory-making activities including handprints, footprints, three-dimensional molds, memorial services, and weighted Build-a-Bear programs00:16:22: Dr. Guthrie asks about the heartbeat bear program00:16:33: Chaplain Bloodworth explains how the team records a baby's heartbeat and places it in a stuffed animal for parents to keep and hear whenever they need00:17:37: Dr. Guthrie emphasizes the importance of these tactile items as families move through months and years after loss00:18:19: Discussion shifts to advice for healthcare teams on how to better support families00:18:19: Chaplain Bloodworth advises medical teams to avoid talking over parents' heads and to explain situations in layman's terms00:19:27: Chaplain Bloodworth warns against trying to make sense of senseless situations and encourages honesty about not knowing why tragedies occur00:20:13: Dr. Guthrie introduces the topic of guilt that parents carry00:20:59: Chaplain Bloodworth discusses how humans want to assign blame and assume control, but must acknowledge when situations are beyond control00:22:48: Chaplain Bloodworth shares advice for a mother on bed rest facing potential loss00:23:17: Chaplain Bloodworth tells mothers to love themselves first, then love their baby, and cherish every moment as a gift00:24:07: Dr. Guthrie asks what Chaplain Bloodworth would say to fathers00:24:15: Chaplain Bloodworth advises fathers to hold onto their partners, cry with them, and tell them they are great mothers00:24:56: Dr. Guthrie reflects on how he will incorporate Chaplain Bloodworth's words into his own practice00:25:18: Dr. Guthrie poses the billboard question00:25:53: Chaplain Bloodworth's billboard message would be to love each other more today than yesterday00:26:12: Dr. Guthrie thanks Chaplain Bloodworth for his wisdom and heart00:26:57: Closing remarks and information about TIPQC and the Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Tennessee podcastKey TakeawaysFathers in the NICU often struggle with feelings of helplessness because they cannot protect their child or meaningfully comfort their wife; the best way they can show strength is by crying with their partner rather than suppressing emotionsPrayer serves a biological and spiritual purpose by focusing the mind, shutting out surrounding chaos, and helping individuals acknowledge what is beyond their controlMedical professionals should avoid talking over parents' heads using technical jargon and should not try to make sense of senseless situations—sometimes honesty about not knowing why tragedy occurs is most helpfulCreating tangible memories through handprints, footprints, heartbeat recordings, and weighted bears helps parents who have no other memories to cherish with their childParents experiencing perinatal loss need to be reminded that it's not their fault, that they should love themselves, and that the time they have with their child—whether hours or years—is a gift to be cherishedHealthcare providers can and should engage spiritually with patients through the ministry of presence—simply being in the room, offering touch, and reassuring families they are not aloneFathers should tell their partners "you are a great mother" even in the face of loss, as this affirmation helps with long-term healing and reminds both parents they are part of something bigger than themselvesQuotable Moments"I just want to hear her cry. And all of the indicators were there that her lungs were not going to be developed and she was not going to be able to produce any sound.""I tell dads, if you want to show how much you love your wife, cry with her. Take the time to cry with her. It acknowledges her grief and it allows for you to empty your heart of grief.""If prayer does nothing else, it focuses our attention on the fact that this is beyond me and I need help that is outside of my person.""Don't focus way down here. We've got to get past this point.""Not every situation makes sense. And we have to admit that to ourselves and to the people we're caring for.""No, this deal just stinks. You did nothing wrong. This is just the universe and it stinks.""The time that we have is a gift. Whether that's hours, days, or years. The time that we have is a gift. Cherish that moment, savor it and hold onto that.""Tell her what a great mother she is that is really gonna help her in the long run. It's gonna help her psyche, it's gonna help her spirit.""Love each other more today than you did yesterday."Show Notes by BarevalueNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

LetsTalkPPCM — Links & ResourcesWebsite: https://www.letstalkppcm.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/letstalkppcmFacebook: https://facebook.com/letstalkppcmYouTube: https://youtube.com/@letstalkppcmPPCM Awareness| Children Books: https://letstalkppcm.org/children-booksPPCM Awareness Magazine: https://www.letstalkppcm.org/magazine BNP Blood Test Info & Support: https://letstalkppcm.org/ppcm-screeningDoula Training (Heart-Healthy Birth Workers Program): https://letstalkppcm.org/trainingsDonate / Support the Mission: https://letstalkppcm.org/become-a-donorNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Improving+Healthcare+for+Coptic+Egyptian+MigrantsOpening cultural doors: Providing culturally sensitive healthcare to Arab American and American Muslim patients - American Journal of Obstetrics & GynecologyCultural Competence in the Care of Muslim Patients and Their Families - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

centerstone.orgCenterstone Maternal Workforce Solutions Project is hosting upcoming Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) virtual trainings.Join us for a 90-minute interactive workshop to receive training on how to infuse HOPE into your work and gain a deeper understanding of health impacts of positive experiences. By equipping the workforce with skills to create supportive and empathic interactions, this training can enhance the quality of care provided. Which then leads to increased patient satisfaction and reduced stress levels for all involved.  Topics covered during the training include: The Science of HOPE HOPE and Health The 4 Building Blocks of HOPEShifting Mindsets Toward a Strength-Based Approach Incorporating HOPE into your work To enroll in one of the trainings – please contact [email protected] dates include: October 21st 8:30am – 10:00am CT November 14th 11:00am – 12:30pm CT December 10th 1:00pm – 2:30pm CTNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

THA.comNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

ACOG PCAI website U.S. Postpartum Contraceptive Access InitiativeAJOG article from the TIPQC project Statewide quality improvement initiative to implement immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptionTIPQC Website for IPPLARC ProjectTIPQC Website for IPPLARC Initiative including resourcesLacy, Megan MPH; Monaco, Alexandra MD; Zite, Nikki B. MD, MPH. Initiating and Monitoring a Postpartum Contraceptive Program [8N]. Obstetrics & Gynecology 133():p 152S, May 2019.​Lacy Young M, Mastronardi A, Shelton Z, Maples JM, Zite NB. Tennessee Medicaid patient immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception utilization. Contraception. 2025 Feb;142:110721. ​Mastronardi A, Lacy Young M, Shelton Z, Maples JM, Zite NB. Short-interval births among patients choosing immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (ipp larc) after tennessee medicaid policy change. Contraception. 2022 Dec; 116:89-90​Kaak, Katherine MD; Zite, Nikki MD; Mastronardi, Alicia MPH; Maples, Jill M. PhD; Young, Megan Lacy MPH. Evaluating Contraception Counseling and Desire for Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Contraception in Publicly Insured Adolescents. Obstetrics & Gynecology 143(5S):p 10S, May 2024.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Mobile Device https://www.awhonn.org/education/post-birth-warning-signs-education-program/POST-BIRTH Warning Signs Education Program - AWHONNRevised POST-BIRTH Warning Signs Education Now Available Updated in December 2023, this online course provides participants with strategies to educate patients and their families to recognize POST-BIRTH warning signs and reducing their risk for postpartum complications. www.awhonn.orgNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Best practice for working with healthcare interpretersCode of ethics for healthcare interpretersTips for working with an over-the-phone interpreterCase study - the story of Willie RamirezNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Add Show Notes HereNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

https://tipqc.org/project-cardiac-conditions-in-obstetric-care/Cardiovascular Disease Assessment in Pregnant and Postpartum Women Cardiovascular Disease No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Nurses for Newborns www.nursesfornewborns.orgPostpartum support international www.postpartum.netNational Preeclampsia Foundation www.preeclampsia.orgTN.Gov for Evidence-based home visitation by county in TennesseeNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Cribs for KidsNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Read FCC Taskforce Spring Newsletter-Family Centered Care Taskforce Website-Become a Member What members receive! – sample example-Register for Office Hours-FCC Taskforce YouTube Channel-Improving Commitment to Family-Centered Care in the NICU: A Multicenter Collaborative Quality Improvement Project | Journal of Perinatology-#288 - The Future of Family-Centered Neonatal Care - The IncubatorNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

TennCare Programs https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/providers/programs-and-facilities/maternal-health.htmlPOST BIRTH Warning Signs https://tipqc.org/our-work/*TIPQC has distributed 277,980 AWHONN POST BIRTH Warning Signs patient education magnets & flyers to 37 hospitals and 50 doulas since 2020, plus the ongoing training from 2020-23, with 46 hospitals including a tool kit, online training, and statewide webinars.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Systematic Review of the Impact of Doula Support During Pregnancy, Childbirth and Beyond (2024) Website: www.birthsistersdoula.com             Social: Birth Sisters [email protected]                      Birth Sisters InstagramNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

The New Life Center (Nashville)Nashville Strong Babies – Strong Babies. Strong NashvilleHomepage | Fatherhood.govBoot Camp for New DadsNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Our website to make a referral is: Early Childhood Services Referral - Centerstone. For referrals to Healthy Start TN, Project LAUNCH, and Healthier Beginnings using this link.Rachel’s contact information for general questions, referrals, or to ask about how to be a part of the Healthy Start TN Consortium:[email protected] content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Middle TN family supports March of Dimes after daughter born at 22 weeksHelp us improve the health of all moms and babies | March of DimesNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Add Show Notes HereNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library https://governorsfoundation.org/Link to enroll - https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/?#selectedCountry=UShttps://imaginationlibrary.com/news-resources/parent-resources/www.GovernorsFoundation.org@GovEarlyLitTNNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

For more information on this project: https://tipqc.org/nec/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

For more on the TIPQC Tiniest Baby Chronic Lung Disease, please see https://tipqc.org/project-chronic-lung-disease/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Instagram: @borntobloomtherapyWebsite: www.borntobloomtherapy.comArticle on skin to skin efficacy in non-pharmacological pain relief: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6464258/#:~:text=SSC%20appears%20to%20be%20effective,of%20SSC%20with%20other%20interventions.No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Adapting a Risk Prediction Tool for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Pediatrics (2025) 155 (4): e2024068673.https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-068673No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Pediatrics Article https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-066158All of the OCC project resources can be found: https://tipqc.org/occ/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program with free print and digitalmaterials including CDC’s Milestone Tracker App https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.htmlWelcome Baby is the Tennessee Department of Health’s universal outreach program.https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/welcome-baby.html Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) offers services to families of infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities.https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/teis/teis-community-resources.htmlAmerican Academy of Pediatrics - Reference for clinician guidance for developmental surveillance and screening recommendationshttps://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/1/e20193449/36971/Promoting-Optimal-Development-Identifying-Infants?autologincheck=redirectedTN Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics – free Screening Tools and Referral Training (START) for clinicians https://tnaap.org/programs/start/start-overview/Imagination Library – check availability in your areahttps://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Pregnancy Smoking CessationNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program at NC A&T https://www.ncat.edu/caes/departments/family-and-consumer-sciences/lactation-cert.phpFamilyWell Health Collaborative Care Model https://www.familywellhealth.com/providersNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice. Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.  Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients. TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast. It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.  

Link to video: https://www.gochromacreative.com/forestforthetreesAdditional Resources:v&nbsp; Strategies to reduce the stigma of substance use disorderØ&nbsp;Changing language§&nbsp; https://www.recoveryanswers.org/addiction-ary/ Ø&nbsp; Respectful maternity care§&nbsp;https://www.awhonn.org/birthequity/ §&nbsp;**Respectful maternity care is an approach that emphasizes treating all women, regardless of their mental health or substance use struggles, with respect, compassion, and encouragement during their pregnancy to improve pregnancy outcomes.&nbsp;v&nbsp;International and national guidelines on managing substance use in pregnant/postpartum womenØ&nbsp; Substance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administration (SAMHSA)§&nbsp; https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Clinical-Guidance-for-Treating-Pregnant-and-Parenting-Women-With-Opioid-Use-Disorder-and-Their-Infants/SMA18-5054Ø&nbsp; World Health Organization (WHO)§&nbsp; https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548731 v&nbsp; Screening measures for pregnant womenØ&nbsp; Tobacco, Alcohol, PrescriptionMedication, and Other Substance Use (TAPS) Online Screening Tool; https://nida.nih.gov/taps2/§&nbsp; **Recommended universal screening (yetto be validated with pregnant patients) to identify problematic use ofnicotine, alcohol, and illegal drugs. This is a user-friendlycomputer-administered test that patients can complete on their own or aclinician can administer. It takes about 1 to 8 minutes to complete, dependingon which substances are endorsed. Responses are immediately scored, risk levelsare calculated, and detailed resources and recommendations for treatment areoffered for each substance use problem that is indicated. §&nbsp; **Recommended universal screening forall pregnant patients to identify who may be at risk of and need furtherassessment of alcohol and drug use. This is a 5-question paper and pencilscreener that asks about substance use (in general, not broken down bysubstance type) by a woman’s parents, peers, partner, as well as in her pastand currently during pregnancy. It takes about 1 minute to complete, althoughpositive responses will require additional assessments. Ø&nbsp; Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)§&nbsp; **Paper and pencil questionnaire (that could be made into an online survey to facilitate completion), which patients can complete on their own or can be administered by a clinician. Higher ACE scores indicate higher risk for physical and mental health problems, substance use, and other poor outcomes during pregnancy, and referrals to mental health services should be considered.&nbsp;v&nbsp; Substance use treatment services for pregnant womenØ&nbsp;MOM Power§&nbsp; https://familiesfree.com/mom-power-a-therapeutic-intervention-for-mothers-of-young-children/§&nbsp;**MOMPower is an evidence-based group therapy for pregnant/postpartum women with substance use disorder and other mental health concerns. Groups teach skills for coping with strong emotions and healing from past trauma. Currently offered by the organization, Families Free, this program has rolling admissions and provides childcare so that mothers can engage in and benefit from treatment. Located in Johnson City, TN.Ø&nbsp; Baby Steps Clinic§&nbsp;https://www.etsu.edu/com/pediatrics/babystepsclinic.php §&nbsp;**Babysteps supports families with a child who has been exposed to substances before birth. Babysteps offers wraparound services from birth until age 5, and their team includes a care coordinator, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, registered dietician, andboard-certified pediatrician. The team works with families to make surechildren get the support they need to thrive, and that parents get access tothe mental health and substance use treatment they may need. Located in Johnson City, TN.Ø&nbsp; ETSU Family Medicine Clinic§&nbsp; https://www.etsuhealth.org/locations/family-medicine-jc.php§&nbsp; **ETSU’s family medicine clinic is ledby Dr. Joyce Troxler, who also leads the Addiction Medicine Fellowship andtrains physicians to care for people with substance use disorders. The clinicprovides care for the whole family, including obstetrics,&nbsp; so you can see a primary care doctor and receive behavioral health or medication services if needed during pregnancy and beyond. Located at 917 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN 37604Ø&nbsp;East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Grow With Me Clinic§&nbsp;https://www.etch.com/medical-services/nicu/grow-with-me-clinic/§&nbsp;**The Grow with Me Clinic is an outpatient service for at-risk children who werediagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or were exposed to substances before birth. Grow with me provides medication and other supports to babies experiencing withdrawals after birth and continues to provide services that address medical, developmental, and emotional needs through age 5.Ø&nbsp;Strong Futures, Ballad Health§&nbsp; https://www.balladhealth.org/locations/behavioral-health/strong-futures-greeneville§&nbsp; **Strong Futures coordinates care for expectant or current parents of children under the age of 18 who are struggling with substance use problems in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. This program offers a variety of services for parents so that they can be healthy and stable for their children. Located in Greeneville, TN.Ø&nbsp; Tennessee Recovery-Oriented ComplianceStrategy (TN-ROCS)§&nbsp; https://tnsmartjustice.org/tn-rocs/ §&nbsp; **TN-ROCS is a program for people who have been arrested and determined to have a substance use problem that would benefit from treatment. TN-ROCS operates in 14 Tennessee counties (Cannon, Grainger, Hickman, Jefferson, Lewis, McMinn, Monroe, Perry, Rutherford, Sevier, Sullivan, Van Buren, Warren, and Williamson), and involves close coordination between a judge, probation officer, mental health service provider, and others in order to ensure people, including pregnant and parenting women, receive effective treatment for substance use disorder. Ø&nbsp; Additional treatment programs across the state may be found through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services resources§&nbsp; https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/mentalhealth/documents/Listing_of_Women_and_Pregnant_Women_(2).pdf §&nbsp; https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/treatment---recovery/treatment---recovery/treatment-for-pregnant-women-abusing-substances.html Ø&nbsp;Select clinics providing medication for opioid use disorder that will treat pregnant women§&nbsp; Cedar Recovery, Knoxville (https://www.cedarrecovery.com/)§&nbsp; Catalyst Health Solutions, Johnson City(https://catalysthealth.org/home-patient/)§&nbsp; Overmountain Recovery, Johnson City (https://www.overmountainrecovery.org/)§&nbsp; ReVida Recovery, multiple locations (<a...

Middle Tennessee Step Ahead 615-671-7837 (STEP)Chattanooga A Step Ahead 423-265-7837 (STEP)No content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice.&nbsp;Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients.&nbsp;TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast.&nbsp;It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

TIPQC Cardiac Project and resourcesAmerican Heart AssociationNo content or comments made in any TIPQC Healthy Mom Healthy Baby Podcast is intended to be comprehensive or medical advice.&nbsp;Neither healthcare providers nor patients should rely on TIPQC’s Podcasts in determining the best practices for any particular patient.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, standards and practices in medicine change as new information and data become available and the individual medical professional should consult a variety of sources in making clinical decisions for individual patients.&nbsp;TIPQC undertakes no duty to update or revise any particular Podcast.&nbsp;It is the responsibility of the treating physician or health care professional, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine appropriate treatment.&nbsp;&nbsp;