A recent study by Edith Cowan University highlights the lack of information available to women with a breech presenting baby. Women often feel pressured into having a caesarean section without being fully informed of all options, including vaginal birth and alternative techniques such as moxibustion.
A recent study published in Environmental Research found a significant association between air pollution and low birth weight in Israel. The study, which analyzed data from over 380,000 births, revealed that mothers who were underweight or of lower socioeconomic status were more vulnerable to exposure to air pollution.
A new Curtin University study found diet, malaria, substance use, and inadequate antenatal care services are associated with one in 10 preterm births in the Pacific Island region. The research highlights the need for improved health promotion interventions during pregnancy.
A new test procedure using human stem cells identifies chemicals that may cause birth defects in humans. The method assesses the likelihood of toxicity by monitoring disturbances in precisely programmed signaling pathways.
A new study found significant variation in preterm birth rates among Black parents by region, country of origin, and nativity. Despite adjusting for socioeconomic, health, and behavior factors, the researchers suggest that racism and discrimination may be key drivers of these inequities.
A new study found that women who deliver babies at Catholic hospitals are about half as likely to have undergone a sterilization procedure to prevent unwanted pregnancies after the birth. This difference is attributed to factors such as age, marital status, education level, and insurance status.
New research links structural sexism and anti-LGB stigma with increased risk of preterm birth and decreased birth weight, regardless of the mother's sexual orientation. The study found that these systemic issues can limit access to reproductive health care and socioeconomic opportunities, contributing to adverse birth outcomes.
A study led by the Institute for Systems Biology found that unvaccinated pregnant people with COVID-19 are more likely to have poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth and stillbirth. The risk of these outcomes is particularly high for infections during the first or second trimester.
A CHOP study found that infants born via uncomplicated cesarean delivery have a low risk of early-onset sepsis and should not receive antibiotics at birth. The study's findings could help clinicians tailor antibiotic use in newborns, reducing complications and unnecessary treatment.
Research involving nearly 250,000 US families found that medically assisted reproduction techniques, including IVF, do not significantly affect birth weight and pregnancy term. Once family circumstances are considered, the differences between MAR-conceived babies and naturally conceived children become insignificant.
A recent NIH study found that pregnant women with disabilities have a significantly higher risk of severe pregnancy- and birth-related complications and death. Women with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery.
A study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that women who experienced pre-eclampsia in both pregnancies were 17 times more likely to have another preterm birth. The research also showed a three-fold higher risk of subsequent pre-eclampsia after a preterm birth.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that maternal hypertension genes influence infant birth weight through effects on the placenta. The researchers analyzed fetal growth data and found a significant association between maternal genetic risk score and placental weight.
Children of depressed parents are more likely to develop depression and poor academic performance, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that both maternal and paternal depression have significant effects on children's mental health and educational outcomes.
Exposure to fire smoke from landscape fires during pregnancy is linked to low birth weights, a public health problem in LMICs. Newborns from families with lower average birthweights are most susceptible to the risks of pollution.
A twisted human birth canal requires rotation during birth, increasing complications, yet provides stability. Researchers linked the shape to pelvic floor muscle support.
A nationwide study of nearly 625,000 births in Israel found consistent links between high and low temperatures and lower birth weight. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat in the second and third trimesters, was associated with reduced fetal growth.
New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.
A study of 7,512 pregnancies in women with congenital heart disease found no maternal deaths, but more health complications for mothers and babies compared to a control group. Babies born to CHD mothers had an increased risk of stillbirths, low birthweight, and major visible abnormalities.
A study by researchers at Wayne State University found a dose-response relationship between SARS-CoV-2 severity and the risk of preterm birth, with severely infected mothers more likely to experience early birth. The study also linked severe COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of preeclampsia.
A recent study analyzing over 10,000 community births in Washington state between 2015 and 2020 found that planned home births with licensed midwives are as safe as births at a licensed birth center. The research team discovered no increased risk for parents or babies associated with the birth setting.
A new study found that pregnant women with kidney or liver transplants can safely undergo trial of labor without increased risk to themselves or their babies. In fact, vaginal births resulted in improved outcomes for the baby without compromising maternal health. Conversely, cesarean births were associated with higher risks of complica...
A global study found that air pollution contributed to almost 6 million premature births and 3 million underweight babies worldwide. Indoor air pollution, mainly from cook stoves, accounted for two-thirds of the measured effects.
Researchers have found that maternal diabetes can cause premature aging of neural tissue, leading to birth defects such as neural tube defects. A study published in Science Advances suggests that treatments could be developed to prevent miscarriages and certain birth defects in babies born from mothers with diabetes.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University sociologist Andrew Cherlin found that college-educated women are increasingly likely to have a first child before marriage. The study suggests that the role of marriage in starting families is shifting among young adults, with many opting for cohabitation instead.
A large study found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of very preterm birth and all preterm births. People of color face disproportionate infection risk while pregnant. Researchers recommend vaccination to reduce COVID-19 infection and prevent preterm birth.
A simple blood test during a routine prenatal visit can identify women at risk for preterm birth, according to Michigan State University researcher Hanne Hoffmann. Lower levels of mRNA in the CRY2 and CLOCK genes are associated with a higher risk of preterm birth.
A new ultrasonic method improves fetal weight prediction accuracy by analyzing three-dimensional limb volumes and abdominal circumferences. The algorithm outperforms traditional formulas in predicting macrosomia and birth weights.
A widely used procedure to treat birth-related brain damage in newborn babies in low and middle income countries (LMICs) may increase the risk of death. The HELIX trial found that 50% of infants who received the cooling treatment died or had moderate or severe disability.
Researchers project a further decline in excess male births in countries like China and India, but warn of a surplus of young men globally, posing social and economic challenges. A global loss of 22 million female births could occur by 2100 if all at-risk countries are included in projections.
A new study led by Dr Gizachew Tessema found that a 15-year-old WHO recommendation to wait at least 24 months after a previous birth may be too long for mothers in high-income countries. The research discovered no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes after an interpregnancy interval of less than six months.
A new testing technique using fruit flies could identify potential non-hormonal birth control drugs with fewer side effects for women. The method uses compounds that stop ovulation in fruit flies to test potential human birth control drugs.
A study published in The Lancet found that survival rates for babies born with intestinal tract birth defects differ significantly across countries, with low-income countries facing a higher mortality rate. Improving antenatal diagnosis, surgical care, and perioperative care are key to increasing survival rates, the researchers say.
A new risk prediction model may improve the prediction of impending spontaneous preterm birth, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and treatment costs. The model combines clinical risk factors with vaginal fluid fetal fibronectin concentration analysis, showing promising performance in predicting preterm birth within seven days.
A new study published in CMAJ found that Indigenous mothers are 23% more likely to travel 200 km or more to give birth compared to non-Indigenous women. The disparity is attributed to a lack of birthing facilities and providers near rural Indigenous communities, reflecting colonial policies prioritizing non-Indigenous settlements.
A new study explores how Haitian women's beliefs and values influence their decision making about pregnancy and birth after a C-section. Key findings highlight the importance of family, friends, and providers, as well as cultural background and fear of pain, in shaping birth plans.
Research from the UK Biobank and the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis consortium found that heavier birth weight is associated with a higher risk of bone fracture and osteoporosis. The study suggests that genes affecting birth weight may also influence an individual's risk of developing osteoporosis as they age.
Researchers found that a mother's birth weight and litter size were associated with early neonatal death, but not adult maternal characteristics. The study suggests that current approaches to understanding perinatal mortality are incomplete and highlight the need for further research on structural and intergenerational factors.
A Swedish study found a link between HPV infection and increased risk of preterm birth, even in women without previous abnormal cell changes. The study included over 1 million births and suggested that vaccination against HPV may be beneficial for pregnancy outcomes.
Research comparing adults born very preterm or very low birth weight to those born full term found a significant difference in average IQ scores, with VP/VLBW individuals scoring approximately 12 points less than term-born adults.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth significantly improves survival rates for pre-term babies with a very low birth weight. Continuous Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) reduced mortality by 25% and lowered the risk of low body temperature or bacterial blood poisoning.
A NIH-funded study found that taking 1,000 mg of DHA daily in pregnancy was associated with a lower rate of early preterm birth. Women with low DHA levels at study entry showed the greatest reduction in early preterm birth rates.
A team of scientists discovered that three dozen dwarf galaxies simultaneously accelerated their star birth rates, defying expectations. The galaxies, separated by up to 13 million light-years, had a synchronized decrease in stellar birth rate 6 billion years ago and an increase 3 billion years ago.
Researchers found that premature boys age more quickly than their normal weight counterparts, with a biological age gap of 4.6 years by age 30-35. This accelerated aging may be influenced by prenatal stress and hospital care after birth, emphasizing the need for monitoring and healthy aging strategies.
A study published in EClinicalMedicine found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements can significantly reduce the risk of early preterm births. Women with low DHA levels who received a higher dose of 1000 mg had half the rate of early preterm birth compared to those given a 200 mg supplement.
Research reveals that prenatal detection of heart defects is less likely in rural, low-income areas and among Hispanic women. Diagnosing heart defects before birth reduces infant death rates and improves outcomes.
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome of babies is established during and after birth, not before. The study suggests a person's relationship with their own gut bacteria is most important in early life.
A study found that women who conceive within 12 months of bariatric surgery are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy, including lower gestational age and neonatal birth weights. Inadequate gestational weight gain was also linked to increased preterm births.
A new study published in Science Advances found that increased access to birth control in Colorado led to a 14% decrease in the percentage of young women who left high school before graduating. The program, which expanded access to more forms of contraception, also showed improvements in graduation rates among Hispanic women.
A five-year study reveals that only deer migrating long distances and matching peak green-up timing successfully synchronize birth with forage availability. Conversely, shorter-distance migrants gave birth earlier, out of sync with green-up.
Women with high-deductible health plans opted for long-acting reversible contraception devices more than those with other plans, increasing LARC use by 35% between 2013 and 2017. The study found that higher out-of-pocket costs before the ACA mandate severely inhibited women from using LARCs.
A systematic review of 31 clinical trials found that vaginal progesterone and 17-OHPC reduced the risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks for high-risk single baby pregnancies, particularly for women with a previous preterm birth or short cervix.
A study found that pregnant women who consumed moderate amounts of caffeine had infants with smaller birth sizes, lower lean body mass, and smaller head circumferences. This may increase the risk of obesity and related health issues later in life.
New research published in CMAJ finds COVID-19 infection during pregnancy associated with increased risks of preeclampsia, stillbirth, and preterm birth. Pregnant individuals with severe COVID-19 symptoms are particularly vulnerable to these complications.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that preterm birth rates in Tennessee declined by 14% during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily attributed to lower late preterm infant births. The study suggests that stay-at-home orders may have contributed to this reduction.
A new study by researchers at UCSF found that fatal police violence near a pregnant woman's home increases the risk of preterm birth. The study analyzed records of 3.8 million pregnant women and found that deaths due to police violence, particularly among Black victims, were strongly associated with moderate or late preterm delivery.
A University of South Florida Health study uncovers a novel mechanism by which maternal stress triggers idiopathic preterm birth. Elevated FKBP51 levels and enhanced progesterone receptor binding stimulate labor, while Fkbp5-deficient mice are resistant to preterm birth.
New research highlights how extreme rainfall associated with climate change harms babies' development, leading to smaller birth-weight and premature birth. The study found that even non-extreme intense rainfall resulted in lower birth-weight, with children from disadvantaged households facing the most severe effects.
A new study found no association between COVID-19 infection and stillbirth or early neonatal death in pregnant women. However, the research did reveal a higher risk of preterm birth among those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The study analyzed data from over 4000 pregnant women in the UK and US.
A new study suggests that vaccinating all babies on the day of birth with BCG could reduce neonatal infections and death in areas with high infectious disease rates. The results also increase the possibility that the vaccine might be used to protect children and adults against COVID-19 and other new infectious diseases.