Stories about Women’s Health

1. 

   The Path to Parenthood

   For Torey Covington, motherhood was a journey that she expected to face alone. “I was 19 and pregnant and didn’t have any support from my child’s father,” Covington says. “I couldn’t even finish school.” “I was young and lost, and I didn’t know where I was heading.” “But as soon as I met my case worker from Baby University, MaryBeth Steffey,  I knew I was in good hands.” Since 2015, Baby University has been partnering with expectant parents and those with young children to create sustainable futures so children can thrive. The Chattanooga-based program focuses on childhood development from prenatal stages to preschool. And it provides mothers and fathers with the tools to enhance a child’s stability while achieving their […]

   The Path to Parenthood: Two women talk about how Baby University helped them realize their full potential

   For Torey Covington, motherhood was a journey that she expected to face alone. “I was 19 and pregnant and didn’t have any support from my child’s father,” Covington says. “I couldn’t even finish school.” “I was young and lost, and I didn’t know where I was heading.” “But as soon as I met my case worker from Baby University, MaryBeth Steffey,  I knew I was in good hands.” Since 2015, Baby University has been partnering with expectant parents and those with young children to create sustainable futures so children can thrive. The Chattanooga-based program focuses on childhood development from prenatal stages to preschool. And it provides mothers and fathers with the tools to enhance a child’s stability while achieving their […]
2. 

   Fewer NAS babies born in East Tennessee

   While the opioid crisis continues to wreak devastation throughout the state, one of the hardest hit areas is seeing a glimmer of good news. Recent reporting shows that cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Tennessee have started to decline in 2018. NAS cases are down 26% in 2018 compared to the same time period last year. Rates of NAS in East Tennessee have decreased each of the last several years. NAS occurs when a pregnant woman abuses drugs and her unborn child develops a dependency on them in the womb. Awareness of the dangers of drug use during pregnancy has had an impact on women of childbearing age. But the decrease in the number of NAS babies in Knox County has […]

   Fewer NAS babies born in East Tennessee: Last year, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome in Tennessee dropped in some areas

   While the opioid crisis continues to wreak devastation throughout the state, one of the hardest hit areas is seeing a glimmer of good news. Recent reporting shows that cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Tennessee have started to decline in 2018. NAS cases are down 26% in 2018 compared to the same time period last year. Rates of NAS in East Tennessee have decreased each of the last several years. NAS occurs when a pregnant woman abuses drugs and her unborn child develops a dependency on them in the womb. Awareness of the dangers of drug use during pregnancy has had an impact on women of childbearing age. But the decrease in the number of NAS babies in Knox County has […]
3. 

   Moms, Babies and Drugs

   The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in Tennessee, where pregnant young women pass along drug dependencies to their babies. Dr. Craig Towers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, has been instrumental in changing how they are treated.

   Moms, Babies and Drugs: OB/GYN Craig Towers talks about his research to prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

   The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in Tennessee, where pregnant young women pass along drug dependencies to their babies. Dr. Craig Towers, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, has been instrumental in changing how they are treated.