Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
The study found that using the laborist model resulted in significant reductions in labor inductions (15% fewer), maternal length of stay (0.09 days less), and preterm delivery (17%). This improvement in pregnancy outcomes is attributed to continuous coverage without competing duties.
Researchers studied over 2800 women and found that planned vaginal birth is as safe as a planned cesarean section for twins born between 32-38 weeks. The study reveals no advantage in choosing cesarean births for these types of twins, with no decrease or increase in perinatal/neonatal death or serious neonatal morbidity.
A study of 1,265 pregnant and reproductive women found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a 31% incidence of cardiac dysfunction. The research suggests that echocardiograms should be considered in the clinical management of women with OSA and cardiac symptoms.
Researchers suggest refining definition of intrauterine growth restriction based on pregnancy outcomes, finding adverse effects mostly in pregnancies with EFW less than the 3rd centile. Most babies born to those with lower fetal weights were healthy despite abnormal ultrasound features.
Researchers found that progesterone shots do not reduce the risk of preterm delivery among women with twin pregnancies, contrary to previous findings. A study of 165 women with short cervixes found an increased rate of preterm delivery in the treatment group compared to the non-treatment group.
New research in American Heart Association journal Circulation reveals that high blood pressure during pregnancy may signal a higher risk of heart and kidney disease, as well as diabetes. Women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy were found to have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life.
A recent study published in Neurosurgery found that pregnancy and delivery do not increase the risk of brain aneurysm rupture. In fact, women with unruptured aneurysms have a high rate of cesarean deliveries, which may be unnecessary. The study also suggests that prompt treatment after rupture can help decrease poor outcomes.
A large study found that one in 20 cases of pre-eclampsia may be linked to increased levels of ozone during the first three months of pregnancy. Mothers with asthma are more vulnerable, and ozone exposure was associated with a higher risk of premature birth and pre-eclampsia.
Pharmacists warn that morning after pill conscience clauses can lead to unwanted pregnancies and undermine the principle of universal healthcare in the NHS. The current 'fudge' approach, allowing pharmacists to opt out on moral or religious grounds, is not morally defensible or legally feasible.
Research by Tina Bloom at the University of Missouri's Sinclair School of Nursing highlights the dangers of chronic, long-term stress on low-income pregnant women in rural areas. These women experience financial problems, lack of employment opportunities, and isolation, which exacerbate their emotional and physical well-being.
Animal studies suggest that type of anesthetic used, number of exposures and age contribute to risk of inflammation, cognitive deficits. Research findings indicate potential safer alternatives for young children.
Researchers found a 43% increase in autism among mothers with top 20th percentile CRP levels and an 80% increase at the top 10th percentile. The study used a large national birth cohort and adds to evidence of an overactive immune response altering fetal brain development.
A study of 305 pregnant women found that valproate exposure was associated with reduced IQ and verbal memory abilities in children, with effects dependent on drug dose. Folic acid supplementation may improve IQ scores, suggesting a potential positive effect on cognitive development.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are at higher risk of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 women in Taiwan and found an increased risk of end-stage renal disease among those with preeclamps...
Women with severe pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy should opt for vaginal delivery over caesarean section to avoid increased risk of persistent pain. The study found a significant association between planned or emergency caesarean sections and severe pelvic girdle syndrome six months after delivery.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that H1N1 flu shots do not increase the risk of pregnancy loss. In fact, vaccination reduces the risk of fetal loss by up to twofold compared to influenza infection alone.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco, discovered a light-response pathway that controls retinal neuron development during pregnancy. This finding has significant implications for understanding fetal eye development and ocular diseases caused by vascular disorders.
Researchers found that choline supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy inhibited the response to repeated sounds, a trait commonly seen in schizophrenia patients. The study suggests choline may be a new approach to schizophrenia prevention.
Serial compression ultrasonography with Doppler imaging is a reliable method for ruling out deep vein thrombosis in pregnant women, detecting 94% of cases. This approach safely allows physicians to withhold anticoagulation therapy, reducing unnecessary risks during pregnancy.
Researchers found that mothers with higher levels of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy had fatter children. Conversely, those with higher levels of n-3 PUFAs had less fat and more muscle in their offspring. This discovery could lead to a beneficial diet strategy for pregnant women.
Women with a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia are at increased risk of postnatal hypertension, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. The review emphasizes the need for prolonged vigilance in the postpartum period and recommends monitoring blood pressure surveillance in future pregnancies.
Pregnancies after bariatric surgery are safer than in morbidly obese women, but there are still risks involved. Experts recommend that women should wait at least 12 months before trying for a baby following weight loss surgery.
Researchers at University of Warwick discover a dysfunctional monthly fertility window can cause recurrent miscarriage. Prolonged inflammation in the uterus can lead to embryos implanting out-of-phase, resulting in miscarriage.
A new study suggests that treating mild sleep-disordered breathing in pregnant women with preeclampsia with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves fetal activity levels and may improve fetal outcomes. On average, fetal movement increased by 273 during the night with CPAP therapy.
Researchers found no significant association between SSRI use during pregnancy and increased risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, or postneonatal death. However, women exposed to SSRIs had higher rates of stillbirth and postneonatal mortality due to underlying maternal psychiatric disease.
A new five-year grant will support research on the benefits of pre-pregnancy maternal nutrition for baby health. The project aims to compare daily supplements given at three months or 12 weeks gestation, as well as a control group with home visits and education.
A new study found married women experience less intimate-partner violence, substance abuse and post-partum depression compared to cohabitating women. Married couples tend to have fewer psychosocial problems regardless of their relationship duration.
A new study on mice suggests that common anesthetic agents like Nitrous Oxide and isoflurane can cause neuronal cell death and changes in gene expression in developing brains. The findings have implications for the use of anesthesia during pregnancy and childbirth.
Research found that healthcare providers often advise overweight and obese women to gain less weight than recommended, leading to potential health risks. Women also received limited exercise guidance, with most advised to limit or stop exercising altogether.
A study found that pregnant women who follow a Western diet, high in saturated fats but low in carbohydrates, increase the risk of their child being born with a diabetogenic profile. The researchers emphasize the importance of a balanced Mediterranean diet during pregnancy to avoid this risk.
A new study has identified factors during pregnancy and postpartum that can predict pelvic girdle pain among working women. History of low back pain and higher somatization are found to be predictors, while more sleep or rest and fewer days of bed rest after delivery are associated with a lower risk.
Researchers identified four new genetic regions associated with birth weight, which also link to adult metabolism and disease. The study found that these genetic regions influence blood pressure, height, and type 2 diabetes risk in adulthood.
A recent study found that two-thirds of Australian mums-to-be are unsure about how much weight they should gain during pregnancy. The majority knew healthy eating was important but struggled to identify the right amount from different food groups. Overweight women were more likely to gain too much weight, while those with a lower BMI s...
Researchers at NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that prenatal intervention with neuroprotective peptides reduces learning deficits in mice with Down syndrome-like characteristics. The study suggests potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with Down syndrome.
A pilot study involving 30 at-risk adolescent girls will assess the feasibility and promise of a bundled risk reduction intervention to address HIV, alcohol-exposed pregnancy, and nicotine-exposed pregnancy. The intervention includes counseling sessions, pediatrician appointments, and referrals for smoking cessation.
Researchers have found that a specific enzyme, CYP2J2, is overexpressed in women with preeclampsia, contributing to the development of high blood pressure. Inhibiting this enzyme reduced disease symptoms in animal experiments, suggesting a potential new treatment for preeclampsia.
A new study found that rapid tumor growth in pregnant women with meningiomas is linked to blood flow changes, not hormonal fluctuations. Most of the tumors showed an unusual 'hypervascular' pattern and high edema rates.
Two new clinical practice guidelines from six organizations address testing for patients with stable ischemic heart disease (IHD), recommending thorough history and physical examination prior to additional testing. A separate study found that adding testosterone to sildenafil therapy does not improve erectile function in men with low t...
A study found that pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood had a 61% lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis, compared to those with low levels. However, the mother's vitamin D level did not affect her child's risk of developing MS.
Researchers at Yale University have found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower reading scores in children. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 children and found that those exposed to high levels of nicotine scored 21% lower on reading accuracy and comprehension tasks.
A new study at the University of Copenhagen found that maternal vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy can stunt fetal hippocampus development by up to 10-15%, potentially leading to memory problems and learning difficulties. The damage cannot be reversed even with vitamin C supplements after birth.
Low levels of omega-3 during pregnancy may trigger depressive episodes. Increasing fish consumption could help bring maternal omega-3 levels up to recommended levels, potentially reducing the risk of postpartum depression.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have identified a genetic link between pre-eclampsia and a variant of the AGT2R gene. Women who are overweight or obese during pregnancy are more likely to carry this variant, which increases their risk of developing the condition.
Experts claim that lowering preterm birth rates by an average of 5 percent across 39 high-resource countries can prevent prematurity for 58,000 babies a year. Combining five proven interventions can lower the preterm rate and save about $3 billion in health costs.
A preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that couples with high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and similar environmental pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy. The study suggests a possible link between exposure to these pollutants and pregnancy delay.
Research suggests that military women are more likely to experience unintended pregnancy due to limited access to contraception and reproductive health services. The study emphasizes the need for improved healthcare education and emergency contraception to address this issue.
A new study using genetic variation to investigate the effects of moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy found that exposure to alcohol in the womb can lower a child's IQ by almost two points. The study suggests that even moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can have an impact on future child intelligence.
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt thyroid function in pregnant animals and their offspring. The study used sheep as a relevant model for human pregnancy and analyzed the internal exposures of the fetuses and their mothers to BPA.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that stressed mothers during pregnancy can affect their baby's developing brain, making them more susceptible to bullying. The study of over 8,000 children found a link between prenatal stress and increased risk of childhood bullying.
The US preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7 percent, giving thousands more babies a healthy start in life and saving billions in health and social costs. Four states earned an 'A' on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, while the US earned a 'C', despite progress.
A new study estimates that antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with pregnancy loss, stroke, myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis in up to 60,000 cases each. The research provides a rough snapshot of the prevalence of autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with various health conditions.
A four-year health care project in India's poorest district resulted in a half-fall in infant mortality and a three-quarters reduction in women's death from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Nurse-based clinics expanded access to healthcare, changing attitudes towards patients and leading to increased check-ups and hospital births.
Researchers found evidence of worsened pregnancy outcomes with SSRI antidepressants, no benefits, and increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and congenital abnormalities. The study suggests prescribing these medications with caution and counseling for women trying to get pregnant.
Research finds women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia. DMARD use during pregnancy may also pose a slight risk, with the severity of autoimmune disease contributing to the increased risk.
A systematic review of over 200,000 participants found that maternal overweight and smoking during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of childhood overweight. High birth weight and early rapid weight gain also contribute to this risk. Breastfeeding can help mitigate this risk to some extent.
Researchers found that maternal smoking during pregnancy increases lung function issues in children and grandchildren due to increased levels of proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The effects are so long-lasting that stop-smoking education for expectant mothers is necessary.
A new Harvard study found over half of people in northeastern Madagascar engage in geophagy, a widespread behavior previously thought to be non-existent. Researchers also discovered high rates of geophagy among men and young children, contradicting earlier studies that linked the practice mainly to pregnant women or adolescents.
Researchers found that only 18.7% of female patients aged 14-21 were tested for pregnancy after visiting the ED. Despite potential reproductive health concerns, such as abdominal pain or radiation exposure, testing rates remained low, affecting vulnerable populations.
A nested case-control study found increased concentrations of estradiol and progesterone during early pregnancy associated with a heightened risk for HR-negative breast cancer. The study, presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, included 223 cases and 417 controls.
A study of nearly 3,000 women in Denmark found that those with an ectopic pregnancy had significantly lower delivery rates and total number of pregnancies over 20-30 years compared to others. These women also have a high risk of another ectopic pregnancy.