Single Mothers Profiled In New Book By Ruth Sidel

Unsung Heroines: Single Mothers and the American Dream, a new book by long-time Section member Ruth Sidel, was published in 2006 by the University of California Press.  It is a study of 50 women who did not choose single motherhood but became single mothers through separation, divorce, death, or becoming pregnant outside of marriage.  In-depth interviews with the mothers show that, despite the shocking lack of societal support, they are uncommonly hard working, courageous, and committed to the well-being of their children.

New Drinking And Reproductive Health Tool Kit For Women’s Health Providers 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has assembled a multi-component tool kit for providers to guide women of reproductive age in safe alcohol use and to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.  This tool kit stresses the importance for women who are not pregnant to drink at non-risk levels, to use contraception if drinking, and to abstain from alcohol use when planning a pregnancy or when pregnant.  It answers questions patients and providers often raise about drinking during pregnancies without apparent harm, about reporting to authorities, and about drinking prior to knowledge of pregnancy.  The CD-ROM has a brief guide, downloadable handouts for patients and their families, additional screening and counseling tools for providers, patient contracts, and resources.  There is also a laminated pocket card illustrating standard drink equivalents and a simple alcohol use assessment tool.   This tool kit was developed through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.  It is available free and in quantity.  Please e-mail jmahoney@acog.org.  It may also be downloaded from the ACOG Web site at http://www.acog.org/from_home/misc/dept_pubs.cfm.