Breastfeeding rates have risen in recent years, but big differences remain between states. Here's a look at the latest numbers and why many moms still find it hard to breastfeed.
Women's and Maternal Health
Zika has become the biggest health story of the summer, and the volume of coverage reflects that. But some of the most interesting reporting has started to focus on the longer-term effects of the virus on children.
Criminalizing pregnant women and new mothers for drug dependency problems leads to poorer health outcomes while disproportionately punishing low-income women of color, argues maternal health advocate Emily Eckert.
Variation in C-section rates has been well explored, but journalistically, there is much more to do: What is the impact on women from these surgeries? What are the costs? What strategies are working to reduce rates?
A new data-rich almanac on maternity care in California highlights persistent racial disparities in prenatal care and maternal mortality rates.
Infant mortality may be one of the most cold, impersonal terms out there, especially when what we're talking about is dying babies....
Tennessee was one of four states that recently passed important new laws taking aim at the country's high maternal death rate. Yet you’d be hard pressed to find out about the legislation from reading the news.
The FDA finally took action on a long-delayed petition Thursday, allowing folic acid to be added to corn-masa flour to potentially prevent birth defects. The vitamin has been added to other grains for years.
Just before President Obama announced a new set of new initiatives to boost access to addiction treatment this week, a four-part series on NPR looked at the opioid epidemic's smallest victims, and what can be done to improve their care.
The percentage of babies born to women who didn't receive prenatal care had increased dramatically in Bexar County, Texas, over four years. What was driving this? Sometimes the lack of answers becomes part of the story.