Have you heard?
States with midwife-friendly laws and regulations tended to have lower rates of premature births, cesarean deliveries and newborn deaths, according to a new nationwide “report card” for maternity care that published in the journal “PLOS ONE.”
At the top of the list? Washington state. We had the highest integration score, a.k.a. how much midwives are involved in the specific state’s health care system. With a 61 out of a possible 100, there’s room for improvement but the study’s results are promising.
“Our findings suggest that in states where families have greater access to midwifery care that is well-integrated into the maternity system, mothers and babies tend to experience improved outcomes,” said Melissa Cheyney, a licensed midwife, medical anthropologist and associate professor in Oregon State University’s College of Liberal Arts and one of the study’s co-authors.
Right now, about 10 percent of U.S. births involve midwives and each state has its own laws and regulations on midwives. See the full list of state rankings.
A fun idea for pregnant mamas
Who says you have to wait until your baby’s born to start reading together?! We’ve got nine books that are perfect for reading aloud to your unborn bundle of joy. On the list: the classic “The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh” and the beloved “Llama Llama Red Pajama.”
ICYMI: Your new favorite place to buy diapers?
If you’re a fan of The Honest Company (or just of Jessica Alba), you’re in luck. The well-known household goods company is now selling diapers at Costcos on the West Coast. Look for their printed diapers in new “Super Club Boxes.” The boxes hold the equivalent of four packs of diapers and are priced at $38.99 (a 30 percent discount, Costco says). Diapers available in sizes 3, 4 and 5.
Gear we're gaga for
A necklace they can chew
We’ve all seen our fair share of teething necklaces but Anjie + Ash’s modern designs caught our eye. We also like that they use non-toxic silicone, beech wood and stainless steel for their jewels. anjieandash.com
A “soothing mat”
Developed by a Boston maternity nurse, the portable and washable Tranquilo Mat mimics the womb through vibrations and white noise, thus lulling Baby into a state of calm and (hopefully) off to sleep. tranquilomat.com
A seat to help them sit up
The cozy floor seat Hugaboo “hugs” your baby’s little legs to help them sit up and see the world around them. It’s designed for infants ages 3 to 11 months, and is also super cute.
An app to track fertility
Winner of a 2018 The Best Baby Tech Award, Eveline Smart Fertility System is an ovulation program that works with your phone. You literally attach an ovulation test strip to your phone — it’s pretty cool. (And available on Amazon.)
