A First of its Kind Boston Conference Tackles Pregnancy and Women’s Health

When Serena Williams spoke out about her life threatening childbirth experience, that was the first time many became aware of the rising number of childbirth and pregnancy complications. In fact, millions of women are without the critical support they need. How is is that a wealthy woman with the best available medical care was at risk? It turns out that Serena is one of millions of women suffering from childbirth complications here in the most developed nation in the world. Researchers gather for a first of its kind Boston conference this week on Monday and Tuesday, July 16th and 17th, focusing on the increase in pregnancy and childbirth complications and women’s health. Listen in as our guests discuss this issue:

Guests:

Lois McCloskey, organizer of "Bridging the Chasm between Pregnancy and Women’s Health over the Life Course,” conference. She is director of the Boston University Center of Excellence for Maternal and Child Health, and an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Community Health Sciences at BU’s School of Public Health.

Aviva Lee-Parritz, Chair of Ob-Gyn at Boston University School of Medicine, and a physician at the Boston Medical Center with a focus on women’s health, especially diabetes in pregnancy

And Letrez Cole, who had her first baby 18 months ago after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes. She joined us from 89.3 WRKF studio in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

Want more? You can watch the conference's keynote panel on FB Livestream Monday morning, July 16, 8:15-9:45 am. Follow the conversation on Twitter at #BridgetheChasm.