In addition to the specialized care our clinicians provide to patients across the country, many also serve as go-to expert sources for top national and regional media outlets. Pediatrix® clinicians regularly contribute to news articles, sharing their expertise to help educate readers on a wide variety of important topics related to women’s and children’s health, as well as unique stories of innovative patient care.
Here’s a roundup of some of the latest stories:
Suzy Lipinski, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN), spoke to Healthline about postpartum depression in response to celebrity Kylie Jenner opening up about suffering from the condition. “Postpartum depression is a very understudied complication of pregnancy, and there is a lot of variation between how it is experienced by different women,” said Dr. Lipinski. “The only way to reduce the stigma is to talk about it and show where women can get help.”
Andrew Combs, M.D., Ph.D., senior advisor for maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) clinical quality, spoke to Pregnancy & Newborn about the dangers of opioid painkillers after childbirth. Routinely prescribing opioids “became commonplace during the early 2000s when [doctors] were inundated with the dogma that encouraged us to overprescribe opioids and to be aggressive in our attempts to eradicate all pain,” said Dr. Combs. “Some of that teaching is still ingrained, and it has taken substantial reeducation for [providers] to learn that opioids are not usually needed in these cases.”
David Lobb, M.D., craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon, spoke to ABC7 about successfully performing Southwest Florida’s first-ever strip craniectomy on an infant patient. “Stetson and I got to know each other very soon after he was born here at Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Lobb. “Back before these services were available in the area, patients would have to travel hours away for this kind of care.”
Jill Purdie, M.D., OBGYN and practice medical director, spoke to Allure about the best pregnancy pillows to alleviate sleep discomfort. "Pregnancy pillows are designed to cradle the abdomen and offer additional support for the growing uterus," said Dr. Purdie. "A pregnancy pillow may be used during any trimester but is the most helpful after 20 weeks when the uterus comes out of the pelvis and becomes part of the abdomen."
Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist, spoke to Fox News about the dangers of co-sleeping in response to a Fort Worth, Texas, hospital’s reports of a staggering amount of infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping conditions. "These cases are devastating because they involve babies so full of life and potential, but also because they involve loving and well-meaning parents who are usually exhausted and may not fully comprehend how something so seemingly simple could have such life-altering consequences," said Dr. Ferry.
Amber Samuel, M.D., MFM specialist and practice medical director, spoke to Parents about the vital role of the umbilical cord in pregnancy. “The umbilical cord is often called your baby's lifeline for good reason. It brings the building blocks of cells, glucose and oxygen, and removes waste products like carbon dioxide from your baby,” explained Dr. Samuel. “Without it, no pregnancy could continue, as there would be no connection between the pregnant person's circulation and the baby.”
Suzanne Bovone, M.D., OBGYN, spoke to Prevention about urinary tract infections (UTIs). “The burning symptoms of a UTI often lessen after the first dose [of treatment],” said Dr. Bovone. “Many regimens are for three to five days. Once the culture comes back, the bacteria is identified and the correct antibiotic is noted.”
Sasha Andrews, M.D., MFM specialist, spoke to Verywell Family about how to navigate pregnancy with lupus. “Lupus can affect pregnancy in a variety of ways and increases the risks for both the patient and baby,” said Dr. Andrews. “Unfortunately, pregnant patients with lupus have higher rates of blood clots, infection, stillbirth and overall mortality.”
Amy Wetter, M.D., OBGYN, spoke to Byrdie about stretch marks during pregnancy. "Stretch marks in pregnancy are hard to impossible to prevent, as 50% to 90% of all pregnant women report some form of stretch marks," said Dr. Wetter. "This is because other factors associated with the development of stretch marks — including genetics, hormone changes, skin type and the fact that your belly skin has to stretch to make room for your growing baby — all impact whether or not, or to what degree, stretch marks develop."
Eileen Stewart, M.D., fetal and pediatric cardiologist, spoke to the Austin American-Statesman (subscriber-only access) about the specialized cardiology care provided to a local infant born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Before birth, "we try to counsel (parents) on the nuts and bolts of the condition and other things that can be affected," said Dr. Stewart. While HLHS was "a near-fatal condition" in the 1990s, "we're learning that's not true for patients diagnosed nowadays. They have wonderful contributions to their family. They are amazing kids and grow into amazing people."
To view additional stories, please visit the Pediatrix newsroom.
Members of the media, we invite you to view our multispecialty media panel and request an expert source at communications@pediatrix.com.