Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
A new study from the University of Exeter found that married American moms are more likely to try to time their pregnancy for a spring birth, with factors such as age, education, and marital status influencing this decision. On average, a married woman aged 20-45 would be willing to pay $877 USD to guarantee a spring birth.
Researchers found that a pregnant woman's sense of personal space expands only during the third trimester of pregnancy. This expansion is believed to be an adjustment made by the brain to protect the vulnerable abdomen from daily interactions.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new hypothesis to explain the phenomenon of women being more prone to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus. The Pregnancy Compensation Hypothesis suggests that women's immune systems evolved to facilitate survival during pregnancy, leading to heightened immune su...
The USPSTF updates its 2013 recommendation to screen for HIV infection in all ages with increased risk; approximately 15% of people living with HIV are unaware of their infection, responsible for 40% of transmissions.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1 million transfusion recipients to assess potential associations between donor characteristics and in-hospital mortality. No statistically significant associations were found between female donors, previously pregnant donors, or opposite-sex pairs with death among transfusion patients.
A large study of over 1 million patients found no association between red blood cell donation from previously pregnant women and increased risk of death among recipients. The research adds to the growing body of literature on blood donor characteristics and transfusion outcomes.
Researchers found that early alcohol exposure restricted placenta growth and blood vessel formation, leading to reduced nutrient delivery to the embryo. This study has significant implications for understanding pregnancy-associated conditions like fetal growth restriction.
Studies found many prenatal supplements contain too much folic acid and often have higher nutrient content than labeled, while vitamin D supplementation improves babies' growth. A healthier diet before pregnancy may lower the risk of preeclampsia, and obesity severity affects weight gain and baby size during pregnancy
A study published at the 52nd Annual Meeting of ESPGHAN found that high fiber intake during pregnancy is linked to a decreased risk of childhood coeliac disease. The study, which assessed over 88,000 children, showed that mothers with higher fiber intake had lower rates of coeliac disease in their offspring.
Researchers at Boston University discovered that administering relaxin, a natural pregnancy hormone, can restore full range of motion to stiff shoulder joints. The study found that relaxin helps maintain tissue structure and function, potentially leading to an unprecedented cure for the frozen shoulder condition.
A new analysis of 997 twin pregnancies reveals that cell-free DNA testing for Down syndrome is just as accurate as in singleton pregnancies, with a detection rate of 98% and only 0.05% misdiagnosis rate. The study provides compelling evidence to recommend cfDNA testing for mothers carrying twins.
Research funded by the British Heart Foundation found nearly 276,000 pregnancies affected by high blood pressure and 223,715 with pre-eclampsia. The study revealed a 45% increased risk of serious heart conditions for women with high blood pressure during pregnancy, and a 70% increased risk for those with pre-eclampsia.
The Department of Defense is funding a study on a promising experimental Zika vaccine at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine that can protect pregnant women from the virus and its devastating birth defects.
A recent study by WVU biostatistician Snehalata Huzurbazar found a correlation between the vaginal microbiome and preterm birth rates, particularly in African American women. The researchers identified specific bacteria species that proliferated in women who gave birth prematurely, which may help predict and prevent preterm births.
A research project funded by the National Institutes of Health has identified differences in vaginal bacteria that may raise the risk of preterm birth among pregnant African-American women. The study found that women who delivered preterm had a more diverse microbiome in early pregnancy compared to those who delivered at term.
A study published in the Journal of Perinatology found that pregnant black women with low vitamin D levels have higher levels of bacteria associated with preterm delivery. In contrast, white women with higher vitamin D levels had more lactobacilli, a type of bacteria that promotes vaginal health.
A study of 643 young men found that those exposed to stressful life events during early gestation had worse sperm quality and lower testosterone concentrations than those not exposed. This suggests that maternal exposure to stress may have long-lasting effects on male fertility.
A Texas A&M University study found that particulate matter in the atmosphere can cause birth defects, fatalities, and damage to organs in adult rats. High levels of fine particulate matter were detected in Asia, Houston, and Los Angeles, posing a significant health risk to millions worldwide.
A large-scale study of nearly half a million births in Canada found that first-trimester fainting episodes are linked to preterm births, low birth weight, and increased heart problems. Researchers urge expectant mothers who faint during pregnancy to report it to their doctors.
A Rutgers-led study found that father-friendly cues in OBGYNS offices can boost men's involvement in prenatal care. Men who visited a waiting room with images of both men and babies reported higher expectations and confidence about parenting, leading to healthier behaviors and outcomes for women and infants.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial argues that the Motherisk program should be reinvented to support healthy pregnancies and births. The proposed program would involve collaboration among clinical experts, front-line providers, and health organizations to ensure responsible conduct and independence from industry.
A new study reveals that women undergoing fertility treatment are at a higher risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a life-threatening condition. PPCM affects about one in 1,000 pregnant women worldwide and is characterized by an enlarged and weak heart, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling.
Research found that pregnant women with high glucose blood levels are at increased risk of their children developing obesity in childhood. The study followed over 40,000 pregnancies and found a 13% higher risk of obesity if blood glucose levels were elevated on the screening test.
Research in rats found high linoleic acid intake may harm pregnant women, increasing inflammation and disrupting hormone regulation. The study suggests reducing linoleic acid consumption during pregnancy may mitigate these risks.
A pilot study found pregnant women living near fracking wells in northeastern British Columbia had higher concentrations of barium, aluminium, strontium and manganese in their hair and urine compared to the general population. The study suggests that exposure to these metals could be linked to health risks for mothers and children.
A study found that assessing women's feelings towards their changing bodies during pregnancy can predict their emotional wellbeing and ability to bond with their unborn baby. The BUMPS questionnaire revealed positive associations between body satisfaction and lower depression, anxiety, and better relationships.
Researchers from Germany have found that a previous dengue infection can protect against Zika-associated damage. This discovery has important implications for pregnant women, particularly those living in regions with high Zika virus prevalence.
A new study by IFPRI examines the links between teenage pregnancy and child undernutrition in India, finding a strong association between adolescent mothers and undernutrition. The study suggests that ending early marriage is a key policy target to address the problem.
Women with severe morning sickness during pregnancy are invited to join the largest European study of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. The study aims to build a database of information about the genetic basis for the condition and potentially find new ways to treat it.
An observational study of over 442,000 pregnancies in Canada found that benzodiazepine use in early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of miscarriage. The study suggests that physicians should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of prescribing benzodiazepines in early pregnancy due to alternative treatment options.
The University of Illinois Chicago will launch a program using community health workers, social workers, and doulas to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their children in historically underserved neighborhoods. Maternal mortality rates are disproportionately high among black women, prompting the initiative.
A new UCL-led study found that women with a history of eating disorders are more likely to experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy and beyond. The research suggests that early identification and treatment of eating disorders in pregnant women could reduce the long-term impact on both mothers and children.
A new tool developed by Queen Mary University researchers can accurately predict the risk of seizures during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. The EMPiRE tool uses routinely collected data to inform care and close monitoring, potentially reducing maternal and fetal mortality.
A new European study found that families with a higher socioeconomic position are at a greater risk of exposure to environmental chemical contaminants. Pregnant women and their children from more affluent backgrounds had higher levels of pollutants such as PFAS, mercury, and pesticides in their bodies.
Research published in CMAJ found that women whose physician infrequently performs surgical abortions have almost twice the risk of severe complications. High-volume physicians are more likely to recognize and troubleshoot potential problems, resulting in lower complication rates.
Research found that maternal microbes can impair the gut barrier during pregnancy, leading to increased inflammatory markers and altered placental development. A high-fat diet exacerbated these effects, impacting fetal intestinal development and potentially affecting metabolism after birth.
A Rutgers study found that men over 45 experience decreased fertility and increased pregnancy complications in their partners. Infants born to older fathers are also at higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and childhood cancers.
A new study at the University of Utah Health found that drug-induced death is the most common cause of pregnancy-associated death in Utah. Postpartum women who have previously or currently struggle with substance abuse are at greater risk of overdosing.
Researchers found a connection between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting impaired bile acid metabolism as a potential link. Women with ICP were 5.7 times more likely to have a diagnosis of fatty liver disease than controls.
A prospective study of 18,481 pregnant women found obesity in early pregnancy associated with spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and large birth weight. Being underweight during pregnancy was linked to early neonatal deaths and low birth weight.
A large trial has found that progesterone treatment can increase the chances of a baby being born for women who experience early pregnancy bleeding and have a history of miscarriage. The study involved over 4,000 pregnant women and showed a significant increase in live births among those receiving progesterone treatment.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology found a strong link between maternal nut intake during pregnancy and improved cognitive function in children. The research, conducted in Spain, analyzed data from over 2,200 mother-child pairs and discovered that those who consumed more nuts during the first trimester sco...
Researchers have found that anakinra, a long-standing immunosuppressive drug, can diminish fetal deaths and birth defects in mice infected with the Zika virus. The study suggests that targeting placental immune responses may be a viable treatment approach for reducing Zika-related birth defects.
Research by the University of Saskatchewan found that exposure to inflammation during pregnancy alters brain development, predisposing offspring to psychiatric illness like schizophrenia. Young adult rats exposed to a simulated viral infection displayed abnormal behavior, reduced working memories, and altered fear responses.
A new study finds that women and mice experience changes in their daily schedules and activity levels during the first third of pregnancy. The study suggests that these changes may be related to hormonal influences and could have implications for preterm birth prevention.
The proportion of pregnant women with obesity has doubled from 22% in 2010 to 44% in 2018, according to a new hospital study. The findings also show a rising incidence of caesarean section births alongside increasing BMI.
A new study suggests that prenatal stress may be involved in shaping psychiatric resilience, with high-violence communities showing less frequent depression and PTSD symptoms. Prenatal stress interacts with postnatal stress to influence resilience.
This study reveals lower cigarette use among pregnant US women compared to nonpregnant women, but identical e-cigarette use rates. E-cigarette use is more common among pregnant smokers than nonpregnant dual users.
A study of nearly 50,000 Danish women found that those with overweight in childhood were more likely to develop hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than normal-weight peers. Women with higher childhood BMI had a significantly increased risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
Research finds that placental hormone allopregnanolone plays a crucial role in fetal brain development, and its disruption can lead to brain injuries associated with ASD. The study suggests that subtle changes in utero may set the stage for neurodevelopmental disorders later in life.
A Duke University study suggests that giant devil rays may have an unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, which could be a good news for conservation efforts but requires action to limit fishing during birthing months.
A study of over 25 million pregnant women found that quitting smoking during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of preterm birth. The research also revealed that smoking cessation rates at the start and during pregnancy have increased in recent years.
A Dartmouth-led study published in JAMA Network Open found that quitting smoking during pregnancy reduces the risk of preterm birth. The probability of preterm birth decreased by up to 20% if cessation occurred at the beginning of pregnancy. However, only about 25% of women who smoked prior to pregnancy were able to quit throughout the...
A systematic review of 631 pregnant women with Marfan Syndrome found an estimated 5.3% prevalence of acute aortic dissections during or after pregnancy. Conservative management with beta-blockers is recommended for type B dissections, while emergency surgical intervention is indicated for type A dissections.
Research from Florida State University finds that pregnant women are more likely to feel 'pushed out' of their workplaces, leading them to opt-out. The study confirms inherent biases against expectant mothers and highlights the need for employers to provide equal career support to both men and women with children.
Researchers found a dramatic change in bacterial composition during late pregnancy, with Bifidobacterium increasing in relative abundance. Progesterone regulates microbial growth, aiding in baby development and potentially impacting preterm delivery.
A new study found that routine ultrasounds can eliminate undiagnosed breech presentations, lower emergency caesarean sections, and improve maternal health. The research suggests that screening for breech presentation near term could be introduced in a cost-effective manner.
The US Preventive Services Task Force now finds no evidence to support or refute screening for elevated blood lead levels in asymptomatic children under 5 years old and asymptomatic pregnant women. This recommendation updates the 2006 statement and is based on a review of existing literature.
Regular ultrasounds at 36 weeks' gestation can identify undiagnosed breech presentations, reducing the risk of complications for both mothers and babies. By performing these scans, hospitals could potentially save thousands of pounds annually while improving patient outcomes.
A new study found that female rats exposed to maternal immune activation during pregnancy exhibit autism- and schizophrenia-like behaviors, similar to their male siblings. The researchers argue that this limitation may contribute to conflicting results in the field of psychiatric disorders.