Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
Research reveals pregnant women with severe sickle cell disease are six times more likely to die during or after pregnancy. Women with the most severe form of SCD face increased risks of high blood pressure, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and smaller-than-average infants.
A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women who have given birth to four or more children are more likely to experience cardiovascular changes that can indicate heart disease. Researchers compared data from the Dallas Heart Study and found a U-shaped association between the number of births and heart disease risk.
High-definition scans of fetuses whose mothers smoked showed a significantly higher rate of mouth movements than normal declining rates. The researchers believe this may be due to delayed fetal development of the central nervous system, which controls facial movements.
A study found that men are attracted to women with a specific angle of lumbar curvature, which would have supported pregnant women during childbirth. This preference has evolutionary roots and is not related to buttock size.
A new study found that obese women who develop gestational diabetes are 43 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they gain 5 kg or more after pregnancy. The research emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight before and after pregnancy to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have identified over 300 proteins in the uterus that can increase IVF success rates. By boosting or reducing these protein levels, embryos may implant more successfully. The study provides new insights into fertility treatments and could lead to improved IVF outcomes.
A cross-sectional study of 1,309 children found a significant association between low birth weight and the development of enamel defects. The study suggests that prenatal hypertension and prematurity may also contribute to the severity of these defects.
A study published in Patient Education and Counseling journal found that the title and font of participant information sheets can significantly influence pregnant women's perceptions of written information. Pregnant women perceived a program as less complex and easier to understand when presented with an easy-to-read font, while traine...
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that even mild stages of chronic kidney disease during pregnancy can increase risks of preterm delivery, neonatal intensive care, and hypertension. In contrast, risks of intrauterine death or fetal malformations were not significantly higher in women wi...
Researchers found that prenatal yoga classes reduced depressive symptoms in pregnant women with mild to moderately depressed women. The study's results suggest that a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers found that restricting maternal immune cells from the placenta can protect against pregnancy complications during maternal infection and complications not triggered by prenatal infection. Blocking CXCR3 effectively eliminated fetal resorption and restored healthy live offspring to Listeria infected mice.
Excessive pregnancy weight gain was associated with greater overall and abdominal body fat in children and obesity at age seven. The study found that excessive pre-pregnancy weight gain was linked to a 300% increased risk of childhood obesity.
A study from Thailand finds that 56% of pregnant women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes have obstructive sleep apnea. The severity of sleep disordered breathing is associated with higher blood glucose levels and greater daytime sleepiness, highlighting the importance of OSA diagnosis in this population.
A new study found that high maternal thyroid hormone levels during early pregnancy can significantly lower a child's IQ later in childhood. Researchers evaluated data from 3,839 mother-child pairs and discovered a U-shaped relationship between TSH levels and child IQ, with both low and high levels associated with lower IQ scores.
Research found that exposure to phthalates early in pregnancy disrupts essential pregnancy hormone levels, leading to adverse effects on male genital development. Higher phthalate levels were linked to lower hCG levels and shorter anogenital distance in male babies.
A new study confirms that prenatal exposure to phthalates disrupts male sexual differentiation and correlates with lower fertility rates. Higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in mothers' blood were associated with a lower anogenital distance in male babies.
A new study found that mothers who smoke during pregnancy are putting their daughters at a greater risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer later in life. Early menarche, triggered by smoking, increases the number of ovulation cycles, leading to increased exposure to hormones like oestrogen.
A new study reveals that over 40% of Indian women are underweight before pregnancy, leading to lower birth weights and potential long-term consequences. The findings highlight the need for improved maternal nutrition monitoring in India, where social status and patriarchal societies contribute to health disparities.
A recent study suggests that helping fetuses achieve optimal weight before birth may prevent metabolic problems like high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity in grandchildren. Researchers found that low birthweight infants may pass on their risk of metabolic disease to their own children and grandchildren.
A recent study found that financial incentives can encourage one in five pregnant women to quit smoking, with a significant number stopping at least for the duration of their pregnancy. The scheme, which provided vouchers worth up to £752, was successful in motivating many women to quit, with only a small number 'gaming' the system.
Researchers found that pregnant lemur moms carrying boys produce simpler scents with fewer odor compounds compared to those carrying girls. The change in scent patterns correlates with changes in blood hormone levels. The study provides the first evidence of a pregnant mother's scent differing depending on the sex of her baby.
A proactive labor induction practice from 37 weeks gestation improved perinatal outcomes in Denmark, reducing neonatal deaths and asphyxia risk by almost half. The study found decreases in macrosomia and peripheral nerve injury but an increase in shoulder dystocia.
Nearly 3 in 5 pregnant teens report using substances in the previous 12 months, with alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used. Engaged parents and academically involved teens show lower rates of substance use during pregnancy.
A 12-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that common surgical procedures for precancerous cervical lesions do not decrease women's chances of becoming pregnant. In fact, women who had these procedures were more likely to become pregnant than those who did not.
A large-scale study confirms BGI's NIFTY test accuracy for trisomy 21, 18, and 13 in nearly 147,000 pregnancies, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The study also found that high-quality NIPT service can be achieved with strict protocols and standards.
A newly discovered protein called HKDC1 may be a genetic predictor for gestational hyperglycemia and its long-term health effects. The enzyme appears during pregnancy in women with less of the gene, which could lead to a predictive test and potential therapeutic targets.
In 35 low- and middle-income countries, an estimated 16.7 million unwanted pregnancies occur annually, with 15 million preventable by modern contraception use. The study found that traditional methods are associated with a 2.7-fold increase in undesired pregnancies compared to modern methods.
New reproductive technologies identify genetic disorders through fetal DNA analysis. Social pressures hinder breastfeeding adoption in Western nations, while advanced parental age increases autism risk.
The study analyzed 11,535 women with preterm birth in the first pregnancy and found that an interval of less than 12 months increases the risk for severe preterm birth. Women with preterm birth are advised to postpone their next pregnancy for at least 12 months.
The non-invasive first trimester blood test reliably detects Down syndrome in over 99% of cases, making it superior to other testing methods.
A recent study published in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting found that induced or augmented labor is not associated with an increased risk of Autism spectrum disorder. The research analyzed data from over 166,000 children and found no link between labor induction/augmentation and ASD diagnosis.
A study has found that certain genetic variants in a baby's DNA may increase the risk of preterm birth. The researchers analyzed the DNA of hundreds of babies and their mothers, finding a link between duplicated or deleted genes in the babies and an increased risk of early birth.
Researchers report that real-time audiovisual feedback during second stage labor substantially shortens labor time, increasing the chances of a spontaneous vaginal delivery. The study also found improved maternal pushing efficacy and decreased neonatal intensive care admissions.
A study of 100 women with gestational diabetes found that a probiotic capsule intervention had no effect on glucose control, but did reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels. This suggests a potential role for probiotics in improving the metabolic profile of pregnant women at risk of future cardiovascular disease.
A study of 4,446 pregnancies found a high rate of chromosomal abnormalities in patients where non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) fails to provide results. Nearly half of these tests will fail on subsequent attempts, highlighting the importance of clear understanding and follow-up for patients with failed NIPT.
Research finds that mothers with low birth weight or preeclampsia are more likely to have offspring with similar conditions. This study of over 2,300 mother-daughter pairs suggests careful surveillance may help detect complications early.
A study of 825 women with mild gestational diabetes found that those with preeclampsia/gestational hypertension had a higher frequency of subsequent hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Women who delivered preterm and had preeclampsia/gestational hypertension were at greatest risk.
Changes to labor and delivery care systems, introducing expanded midwifery and streamlined obstetric staffing, led to significant decreases in primary and repeat cesarean delivery rates. This study suggests that modifying the traditional model of obstetric care can lower cesarean delivery rates while improving maternal safety.
A study identified thousands of genes expressed in the uterus during the evolution of pregnancy in mammals, with many recruited from other tissue types by transposons. These genes played a crucial role in establishing maternal-fetal communication and suppressing the maternal immune system, protecting the developing fetus.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating elevated blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of stroke without increasing risks for babies. Normalizing blood pressure levels is recommended for pregnant women to minimize harm.
Pregnant women exposed to high levels of flame-retardants are more likely to deliver babies early, with over 15 million preterm births occurring annually worldwide. Researchers analyzed blood samples from pregnant women and found a correlation between flame-retardant chemicals and preterm birth.
A survey of female meningioma survivors aged 25-44 found they were more likely to want and intend to have a child than the general population, driven by concerns over recurrent meningioma and treatment needs. Physicians' advice on risk factors also influenced their decisions.
New research published in The BMJ finds that financial rewards motivate pregnant women to quit smoking. A study of 612 pregnant smokers showed that those offered shopping vouchers had a 69% quit rate compared to 23% in the control group.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology found that increased stress hormone levels in pregnant mice can lead to overeating and reduced fetal growth. However, this effect is not seen when the hormone is administered earlier in pregnancy or when the diet is restricted. The researchers believe that maternal glucocorticoid le...
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that high stress levels in pregnant mice led to increased cortisol levels, causing mothers to eat more but reducing placental glucose transport. This can result in decreased fetal weight and long-term metabolic health implications for children.
A new review suggests thyroid disorders significantly affect reproductive health in women, leading to reduced conception rates and increased miscarriage risk. Routine screening and prompt management can reduce these risks, emphasizes the authors.
A new analysis found that opioid-based prescription painkillers increase the risk of serious birth defects and preterm birth. The CDC and March of Dimes recommend using safer alternatives during pregnancy to protect babies from exposure to opioids.
Researchers at KU Leuven discovered genetically modified mice producing human growth hormone, altering insulin production and previous research findings. This unexpected turn reveals the need for reinterpretation of 250+ published diabetes studies.
A new study found that BPA exposure during pregnancy causes oxidative stress, which may lead to the development of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers analyzed blood samples from mother-infant pairs and found higher levels of BPA associated with increased oxidative stress in both mothers and babies.
A systematic review found that prolonged sitting is independently associated with negative health outcomes and mortality, especially among those who exercise little. Tips from the author include taking regular breaks to stand or move around, setting achievable goals for reducing sedentary time.
A landmark study in remote Fitzroy Valley communities in Western Australia found that one in eight children have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a preventable condition. The research, led by Aboriginal community leaders, provides Australia's first comprehensive data on the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in remote communities.
Fortifying grain foods with folic acid has saved about 1,300 babies each year from being born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Despite this progress, many women still do not get enough folic acid, highlighting the need for continued education and supplement use.
Researchers discovered that knocking down a single gene can prevent stress-induced female infertility and miscarriage in rats. The study found that this genetic silencing restored reproductive success to levels comparable to non-stress controls.
A new study published in BJOG found that medical co-morbidities are a significant factor associated with direct maternal deaths in the UK. The study identified six factors, including previous pregnancy problems and substance misuse, which contribute to increased risk of fatality.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that chronic stress activates a hormone reducing fertility long after stress ends, and blocking this hormone restores female reproductive behavior to normal in rats. The study's findings suggest the potential for a gene therapy approach to help women overcome infertility caused by stress.
Autologous and donor ART cycles showed low risk of complications, with OHSS being the most common patient issue. Maternal death rates decreased over time, indicating improved patient safety.
Women with high DDT levels and sufficient B vitamin intake had a 42% greater chance of early miscarriage than those with lower DDT levels. However, women with high DDT and low B vitamin levels took nearly twice as long to conceive.
A daily multivitamin supplement given to pregnant women in rural Bangladesh reduced pre-term births and increased infant birth weight, resulting in healthier babies. The study found that the supplement improved birth outcomes by increasing fetal development time and birth weight.
A nationwide study in Israel found exposure to air pollutants PM10 and NOX during full-term pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. The research also discovered that exposure to SO2 and O3 in ART pregnancies are linked to a higher risk of congenital defects.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, may increase the risk of autism in children. The study analyzed data from over 116,000 female nurses and found a significant association between PM2.5 exposure and autism risk.