The Autoimmune Association recently hosted the first ever Autoimmune Summit on October 15-16, 2021. The virtual two-day event featured 23 educational and empowering sessions and over 50 autoimmune experts including physicians, nurses, policy experts and of course, patient advocates (who will make up the majority of speakers). One of the sessions focused on Autoimmunity & Fertility/Pregnancy and featured: Natalie Hayden – IBD advocate, mother of 3, and founder of Lights, Camera, Crohn’sDr. Marla Dubinsky – Director of Preconception and Pregnancy Planning Clinic in New York and physician researcher at Mount Sinai Health SystemMariah Leach – chronic illness advocate, mother of…
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While not meant to replace the advice and guidance of doctors on these topics, Mamas Facing Forward endeavors to be a “one stop shop” for moms and moms-to-be who are living with chronic illnesses and have questions or concerns about pregnancy and motherhood. We want to make existing resources easier to find and work towards creating additional resources where they are needed. We want moms with chronic illnesses to know they aren’t alone and that help is available.
Mamas Facing Forward founder, Mariah Leach, recently presented at the virtual American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting alongside researcher Courtney Wells and occupational therapist Cheryl Crow. This article has an overview of the important points made during the session: Mothers with rheumatic diseases need more support from healthcare providers ACR Convergence Today
Mamas Facing Forward Founder, Mariah Leach, recently had the opportunity to participate in Healthline’s Live Town Hall: Healthcare Policy Edition. Americans are so stressed about healthcare services and costs these days. This Town Hall discussion featured healthcare industry officials and patient advocates to have a non-partisan discussion of the healthcare issues that matter most in the upcoming election. Check out the full Town Hall Discussion below! Patient advocates say “vote like your life depends on it” – because it does! Get out there and VOTE!
I understand the desire to put illness in terms of winning and losing battles. It’s comforting to think that with enough grit, enough firepower and medication and doctors and energy and sheer force of will, we can overcome anything that dares try to stop us. But the problem with this myth is the implication that those who continue to struggle daily, those who do not “win,” are simply not strong enough. We are not trying hard enough. Caroline Shifke In this honest and personal essay, Caroline Shifke shares her difficult journey trying to obtain a diagnosis – and how she…
Update on the MOTHERS study and introducing the PARTNERS study In November 2019, we reached out to Mamas Facing Forward to help us spread the word about our research study on how women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) make decisions about taking medications before and during pregnancy. We are excited to share that we recruited 23 women with RA and conducted 2 focus groups and 4 interviews with them. We are learning about the complex issues that make these decisions so challenging and how they not only affect women with RA but their loved ones – and we want to know…
“How will my chronic illness affect my infant feeding experience? Will my symptoms get better or worse during pregnancy and after my baby is born? How might all of this influence my sleep patterns and mental health?” These are some of the questions we’ve heard from mothers with chronic illness that our team at the University of Calgary is trying to answer with the Motherhood and Chronic Illness (MaCI) study. The MaCI Study is being done to address a gap in knowledge about the experiences and outcomes of mothers with chronic illness and their children from pregnancy to early childhood.…
IBDMoms is a resource and tool created by moms with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for moms affected by inflammatory bowel disease as patients or caregivers. IBDMoms was started in 2018 by IBD advocates, Brooke Abbott & Amber Tresca. What began as a hashtag has grown into a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides education, resources, and donations and hosts social events to ensure that the IBDMoms community has what they need to live their best lives despite IBD. If you are a mom or mom-to-be living with IBD, you can connect with IBDMoms today! Facebook Twitter Instagram Newsletter Website Podcast
From Mary:As a researcher and mother to two girls who has experienced being diagnosed with cancer post-partum, I have a unique understanding of the challenges of making personal health decisions when growing a family. From Nevena: As a pharmacist and researcher, I am all too familiar with the lack of information on the safety of medication use in pregnancy and I want to change this narrative. To do this, we need your help!We reached out to Mariah to help spread the word about our research study on how women with rheumatoid arthritis make decisions about taking medications before and during…
The LactMed database is a searchable database that contains information about medication use while breastfeeding. The data comes from current scientific literature and is reviewed by a peer review panel to ensure accuracy. You can search the database for a specific medication to learn the level of medication that is known to cross into breast milk and infant blood, as well as the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. The database also provides suggested therapeutic alternatives, where appropriate. LactMed – A TOXNET Database Toxicology Data Network
I want you to meet Mariah, a participant in our MotherToBaby Rheumatoid Arthritis Study. I chatted with Mariah to learn about her experience being pregnant with a chronic medical condition and to find out what motivated her to participate in our study…This month’s Baby Blog focuses on the role of research at MotherToBaby and puts a spotlight on those who make our program possible: the woman who decide to share their pregnancy experience with us. In this article, Beth Kiernan, a Teratogen Information Specialist with MotherToBabyPregnancy Studies, interviews Mariah Leach, founder of Mamas Facing Forward, about her experiences participating in…