New mothers may have a range of emotions regarding breastfeeding. Along with looking forward to bonding with their babies, they usually have questions and concerns.

Half of pregnancy-related deaths in Alabama occur in the first six weeks postpartum. Studies show early recognition and treatment of post-birth complications can prevent many of these deaths.

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.

In April 2021, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team celebrated as Curtis Means was discharged after 275 days in the hospital. Six months later, Curtis and his team held another celebration as he was officially named the world’s most premature infant to survive by Guinness World Records. 

Fetal loss is emotionally traumatic. To make matters worse, women who have a miscarriage or stillbirth also must deal with the stress of procedures necessary to remove the deceased fetus. So the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) developed a music therapy program to comfort mothers in this situation.

UAB Medicine once again achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation from Baby-Friendly USA, the accrediting body for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States.

When we found out we were expecting twins, we were nervous about the usual things you expect when you first hear the word “twins”: twice the feedings, twice the diapers, and twice the sleepless nights. At 19 weeks, however, we found out that there were serious complications, and our initial worries couldn’t even compare. We had started our prenatal care at another Birmingham hospital, and were referred to a specialized hospital out of state for further testing and opinions.

Individuals who are diagnosed with cancer can benefit from compassion and understanding shown by hospital volunteers. Patients at UAB Medicine's Breast Health Center (BHC) who experience such comfort from a stranger may suspect an angel is in their presence. In one sense, they would be correct.

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the UAB Women & Infants Center (WIC), we asked some women who delivered babies or received care at the WIC to share their experiences. Michelle Granger describes the care and compassion she received as a patient.