Davenport doctor to testify in Washington

A Davenport doctor who teaches at the University of Iowa med school is testifying today in the nation’s capitol. Dr. Thomas Gellhaus is speaking in favor of a bill that would boost federal research of prescription drugs given to pregnant women, as well as the medical problems many women face during pregnancy. He says there still has not been treatment developed for many of the problems involved with pregnancy, including nausea.Gellhaus says healthy motherhood is a vital social and economic investment, but the U-S death rate among pregnant women hasn’t changed in 20 years. He says access to care is still a major concern.The “Smart Mom Act” is sponsored by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.