For pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use disorder, the path to recovery can be filled with barriers — from stigma and fear to limited access to timely, coordinated support. Too often, the gap between clinical care and ongoing recovery support leaves families...

On Feb. 1, 2020, my life changed forever.  My name is Courtney Johnson. I am an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor, maternal health advocate and Missouri state liaison for the AFE Foundation. What began as a routine delivery of my second full-term pregnancy became a fight for my life...

What is the Postpartum Dinner Series? In January and February 2026, the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative hosted a series of six regional dinners that focused on sharing recommendations for extended postpartum care, based on the recently published report, “The One-year...

The 2026 Maternal and Infant Health Convening: Navigating Pathways Forward, held March 4-5 in Chesterfield, Mo., offered two days filled with urgency, honesty and a shared commitment to transforming maternal and infant health in Missouri.   Co-hosted by the Missouri Perinatal Quality...

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of profound physical and emotional change. For individuals managing chronic health conditions, these changes can feel especially daunting. To better understand how chronic conditions affect pregnancy — and how patients can be supported...

For decades, postpartum care in the United States was defined by a single six-week follow-up visit after delivery. Today, that model is evolving as clinicians and patients alike recognize that recovery and long-term health don’t fit neatly into a single appointment. SLUCare providers...

As we reflect back on 2025 and look ahead toward 2026 activities, the team at the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative celebrates the successes, strong collegial relationships and growth in the momentum to improve health outcomes for moms and babies in our state. Highlights from...

Improving care for moms and babies is especially urgent in Missouri, currently ranked 43rd in the United States in women’s health and reproductive care outcomes and fourth highest for maternal care deserts. Most pregnancy-related deaths occur in the postpartum period, making it a...

Access to quality maternal care shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code. Yet for many families in rural northwest Missouri, limited health care options have long meant traveling hours for prenatal visits or delivery. Thanks to an innovative partnership between Harrison County Community...