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PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM
New Screening System Cuts Pre-Eclampsia False Positives in Half
What: A study in the American Heart Association’s journal found that a new system to screen pregnant patients for pre-eclampsia (a potentially deadly pregnancy complication) did a much better job at avoiding false positives. The system currently recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists has “almost all Black women” taking aspiring during pregnancy as a way to prevent high blood pressure. This new system would individualize care.
Why it matters: The new system, developed by Fetal Medicine Foundation, had a false positive rate of 16%, the current ACOG system had a false positive rate of 34%.
Source: American Heart Association
Surveillance and Optimization in Baby Land
What: The New Yorker’s Jia Tolentino tries to hide her second pregnancy from the internet—and briefly succeeds.
Why it matters: Tolentino uses the essay to point out how the digital surveillance state is increasingly dangerous for women after Roe fell, and how parenting tech gives us the false idea that control is even *possible* when it comes to babies.
Source: New Yorker
ABORTION ACCESS
Vigilante Ex-Partner Tries to Legally Punish Woman for Legal Abortion
What: A Texas man, Collin Davis, retained a “high-powered antiabortion” attorney as soon as he found out his ex-partner was traveling to Colorado to have an abortion in February. He said, via his lawyer, that he would “seek a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abortion and ‘pursue wrongful-death claims against anyone involved in the killing of his unborn child.’”
Why it matters: Davis has now disclosed the abortion to a state district court in Texas and is seeking the power to investigate further. There will be plenty more cases like this to come.
Source: Washington Post
Virginia Abortions Jump Just Days After Florida Ban
What: Florida’s 6-week abortion ban took effect less than a week ago, and Virginia has already seen a significant increase in people seeking abortions. In April 22% of people seeking abortions were from out-of-state, last week it jumped up to 30%.
Why it matters: Florida has a ballot referendum on guaranteeing abortion access in November, but until then, women will be forced to travel hundreds of miles to get the health care they need.
Source: Axios
ONCOLOGY
We Can Eliminate Cervical Cancer. Why Is It Increasing?
What: Eliminating cervical cancer is a once-crazy goal that’s possible, thanks to the HPV vaccine, which protects against the virus that causes 90% of cervical cancers. But here’s the bad news: “HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. lag behind those for other shots. Screening rates also have fallen, and some women who do get screened and have abnormal results don’t return for treatment. Cervical-cancer cases among women 30-44 rose nearly 2% annually from 2012-2019. Some 4,300 women will die of the disease in the U.S. this year.”
Why it matters: The Wall Street Journal looks at a program in Alabama, which buses nurse practitioners out to rural pockets to do exams and provide vaccinations.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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