Maternal Health Task Force

Save the date! 🌟

Reproductive realities are shifting - are families able to achieve their desired size? Join Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s 2026 Maternal and Child Health Symposium on Fertility to explore gaps between desired and actual fertility, the forces driving those gaps, and how MCH research can move policy and practice forward.

📍 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Hybrid)

📅 November 18, 2026

🕐 1:00–5:30 PM EST

Featuring leading experts in economics, demography, epidemiology, and sociology.

Learn more and register: scan QR code or visit bit.ly/mchs26 for more information.

New research this week spans reproductive coercion and postpartum family planning, maternal smoking and SUID risk, Black-led solutions to the maternal health crisis, perinatal mental health and bonding, and postpartum outcomes after TOLAC/VBAC.

➡️ Swipe through for key takeaways and tap the link in bio to subscribe to Maternal Health Buzz, our biweekly newsletter highlighting key maternal health research studies.

What is the effectiveness and safety of medication abortion provided with and without in-person screening tests, specifically ultrasonography or pelvic examination:

Effectiveness and safety of medication abortion with vs without screening ultrasonography or pelvic examination - PubMed This study indicates that medication abortion care provided without screening ultrasonography or pelvic examination is comparably safe and effective to care with these screening tests. Although loss to follow-up was high, results are consistent with previous studies. Medication abortion should be ro...

What is the association between maternal reports of emotional distress due to racism and postpartum depression symptoms among persons with and without disabilities in minoritized racial and ethnic populations:

Intersections of racism, disability, and postpartum depression in minoritized racial and ethnic populations - PubMed EDR is significantly associated with PPD symptoms, and persons with disabilities in minoritized racial and ethnic populations may be particularly susceptible to EDR and PPD. Additional research using an intersectional perspective is needed to elucidate PPD disparities as related to multiple, interse...

Check out this study assessing the effectiveness of the USAID MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics intervention in reducing emergency cesarean delivery among women with previous CDs:

Effect of active follow-up of women with previous cesarean delivery on uptake of timely safe obstetric and surgical care: Comparison between pre-intervention and intervention cohorts in Rwanda - PubMed This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an active follow-up intervention in promoting delivery planning and reducing emergency CD rates among pregnant women with previous CD scars. The comprehensive intervention, including tailored education and personalized phone conversations around the deliv...

Check out this study examining the long-term effects of parity, age at first childbirth, and age at last childbirth on mortality in postmenopausal women:

Associations between parity, age at childbirth, and later-life mortality in postmenopausal women mediated by premature menopause - PubMed We found long-term adverse impacts of nulliparity and young age at first childbirth on women's mortality risk and lifespan. Premature menopause may operate as a critical intermediate between childbirth and later-life mortality, underscoring the importance to identify at-risk women early.

Check out this study investigating the association between ethnicity and severe maternal morbidity in England and the mediating effects of neighbourhood-level socio-economic deprivation across detailed ethnic groups:

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Check out this study assessing the levels, trends, and drivers of changes in Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood, between 2003 and 2018, in Nigeria:

Trend and decomposition analysis of factors influencing teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Nigeria, 2003-2018 - PubMed The TPM prevalence remained high in Nigeria, though a decreasing trend was observed within the studied period. Government and other stakeholders should focus pragmatic interventions on the identified drivers of TPM change over the last two decades in their efforts to alleviate TPM in Nigeria.

Check out this study examining the birth outcomes of Asian American women and birthing people in the US:

Characteristics and Outcomes Among Asian Birthing People in the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry - PubMed There were lower rates of CB among Asians who birthed in PDR user sites compared to the national average. Future research is needed in community birth outcomes among different Asian ethnicities and Asian birthing people's perspective on community birth.

Check out this study assessing the magnitude of gestational weight gain and identify its determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at West Shoa Hospital, Ethiopia:

Gestational weight gain and its determinants among pregnant women attending antenatal care at West Shawa Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia - PubMed A significant proportion of pregnant women experienced inadequate gestational weight gain. Pre-pregnancy BMI, partner's educational status, maternal occupation, hemoglobin levels, and alcohol consumption were key determinants of gestational weight gain. These findings highlight the need for targeted...

What are the experiences of Indigenous women in Canada regarding pregnancy and birth-related medical travel? Check out this study:

"I felt so alone in the process:" Experiences of Indigenous women with maternal medical travel in the Canadian Arctic and opportunities for improvement - PubMed While many women reported positive experiences, improvements in medical travel and care access are needed to guide Indigenous maternal healthcare policy and planning.