Every year in the United States, 3,500 infants between the ages of one month and one year die tragically – while sleeping – from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). These deaths are occurring in Black babies at twice the rate of white babies, and Alabama has one of the highest infant death rates in the country.

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023 Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Bradley Lecture Center, located at Children's of Alabama 1600 5th Ave South Birmingham, AL 35233

We are pleased to announce that UAB Medicine’s obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) specialty was ranked the No. 13 best program of its kind nationally in the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

UAB Women and Infants Center (WIC) has expanded its meal provision for mothers who are breastfeeding their infants during a stay in UAB’s Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) and Continuing Care Nursery (CCN). Meals for mothers and their families have been provided on a limited basis in the past through a partnership with the March of Dimes Family Support Program. The expansion of this program by UAB Food and Nutrition Services now ensures that meals are available for mothers six days a week.

Every expectant mother has rehearsed a story of how they would like their birth experience to unfold, including preparation, pain management, comfort items, and who will be present. As much as possible, UAB Women & Infants Services supports moms’ choices, approaching pregnancy as a partnership between patients and care providers.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which seeks to raise awareness for the importance of emotional and mental well-being. National Women’s Health Week also takes place in May, to bring attention to the mental health issues that women may face. Both men and women can experience the same emotional and psychological disorders, but women should be aware of specific biological factors that may affect their mental health.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who don’t already have the disease. It affects 2-10% of pregnant women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

UAB Hospital was rated as “high-performing” – the highest level possible – in U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals for Maternity Care survey for 2022-2023.

Oct. 15 is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, a health care observation recognizing one of the most emotionally difficult experiences that parents and medical professionals can face. There’s no way to make up for the loss of an infant, but hospitals can guide and support families throughout the grieving process. UAB Women & Infants Services provides support specialists as part of its comprehensive bereavement care for families.

UAB Hospital was again named the best hospital in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report. Eight adult specialties are ranked among the best in the nation. The magazine also notes UAB Hospital as “high-performing” in 16 of 20 assessed adult procedures/conditions in the 2022-2023 Best Hospital rankings, released today.

UAB Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was ranked No. 5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This achievement reflects the exceptional quality of care provided to UAB Medicine patients, which is supported by the department’s groundbreaking research and academic excellence.

UAB Women and Infants Services encourages new moms to provide breast milk for their newborns. This advice follows recommendations by the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.