Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
Research published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found a significant association between pre-pregnancy obesity and asthma-like respiratory symptoms in adolescents. Teenagers whose mothers were severely overweight before pregnancy were 20-30% more likely to wheeze or have asthma.
A new study finds that California pregnant women have the highest reported exposures to PBDE flame retardants worldwide. The research suggests a link between PBDE levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone, which regulates thyroid activity.
A pilot study at UCSF found the highest levels ever reported of banned flame retardants among pregnant women worldwide, with high levels associated with thyroid hormone disruption. The chemicals were linked to liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental toxicity, highlighting concerns over exposure in lower-income populations.
A systematic review found that taking aspirin during IVF did not increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. There is limited evidence on the potential benefits and risks of aspirin use in IVF, with some studies suggesting improved blood flow to the womb and ovaries.
Researchers found that women share more about their infertility than men, and they often turn to other women for support. Couples adjust their information-sharing habits based on each partner's feelings of stigma and societal pressure.
A study found that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids and methyl nutrients may reduce the risk of breast cancer in female offspring. Researchers also discovered that supplementing a mother's diet with lipotropic nutrients during pregnancy may induce epigenetic changes, altering gene expression permanently.
A novel therapy reducing soluble Flt-1 levels in women with very preterm preeclampsia showed promising results, with two patients experiencing prolonged pregnancies. The treatment's safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed in larger trials.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 801 pregnant women found a significant link between maternal magnetic field exposure during pregnancy and the development of asthma in their children. Women with high MF exposure were more than three times as likely to have an asthmatic child, highlighting the need for awareness about EMF health effects.
A UCI-led study found that prenatal exposure to stress accelerates cell aging, affecting chromosome regions controlling aging processes. Telomere shortening is a key marker of accelerated aging.
A large-scale study found that pregnant women taking DHA supplements had fewer colds and shorter illnesses in their infants. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that prenatal DHA supplementation may help deliver healthier babies.
A Quebec-based study shows a significant reduction in multiple pregnancies after implementing single embryo transfers, sparking debate on the balance between patient rights and government intervention in IVF treatment. Experts weigh in on the ethics of regulating assisted reproductive technology.
The new clinical guidelines for managing thyroid disease in pregnancy focus on diagnosing and treating subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, and postpartum thyroiditis. They aim to improve patient care and drive future research.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a potential therapy to boost resistance against prenatal infections by manipulating an immune suppressive cell type. This approach allows pregnant women to more efficiently fight off infections without compromising pregnancy outcome.
Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine discovered that caffeine inhibits the actions of pacemaker cells in Fallopian tube walls, reducing egg movement and potentially leading to infertility. This finding provides an explanation for why women with high caffeine consumption tend to take longer to conceive.
A new study finds that women in conflict-affected areas often want access to family planning but are unable to get it due to limited healthcare services. The research highlights the gap between what women want and what is available, with only a small percentage using modern contraception.
A comprehensive review of 173,687 cases found maternal smoking causes a range of serious birth defects. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of premature birth and related health problems.
A comprehensive review of 172 research papers found a significant association between smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk of birth defects. Missing or deformed limbs, clubfoot, facial disorders, and gastrointestinal problems were among the most common malformations linked to maternal smoking.
A Nordic study of 60,650 singletons from ART registers found a marginal increase in the risk of stillbirth in ART children compared to naturally conceived peers. The overall risk remains low, however.
New research from the American Academy of Neurology found that breastfeeding does not have a protective effect on multiple sclerosis relapses. In fact, women with high disease activity and high risk of postpartum relapses may need to resume MS treatment after giving birth.
Researchers found a nearly two-fold increased risk of congenital malformation in surviving babies and a threefold increase in multiple birth defects. Early loss of a co-twin was linked to the risk of birth defects in the surviving twin.
A recent study found that gum disease can increase the time it takes for women to conceive, with non-Caucasian women facing a greater risk. The study, which followed over 3,700 pregnant women, revealed that those with gum disease took an average of seven months to become pregnant, compared to five months for those without gum disease.
A recent study by Professor Michael Davies reveals that the 'vanishing twin' phenomenon is associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk of any congenital malformation and nearly three-fold risk of multiple malformations in surviving babies. The research also found that early pregnancy loss, including loss before six weeks, is linke...
Researchers analyzed records of 987 women with recurrent miscarriages to find long-term prognosis for live birth. The study found that 66.7% of women achieved a live birth within five years and 71.1% within 15 years after referral.
Research found that women over 35 have higher rates of first trimester pregnancy loss and preclinical abortion after ICSI treatment. Ovarian response significantly impacts live birth rates, with optimal outcomes seen in those with 11 or more eggs retrieved.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy may modestly increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers reported a two-fold increased risk of ASD associated with maternal treatment with SSRI anti-depressants during the year before delivery.
Researchers found that maternal height over 1.74cm and multiple oocyte retrieval (11+) are associated with twin pregnancies in IVF treatment. The study may lead to personalized fertility treatment with predictive models for choosing single or double embryo transfers.
A study found that poor pre-pregnancy diet can lead to reduced birth weights, catch-up growth after weaning, and increased insulin sensitivity in offspring. These effects combined increase the risk of developing type II diabetes and obesity later in life.
Research found vitamin D supplementation in healthy pregnant women to be both safe and effective, with no adverse effects on mothers or newborns. Daily dosages of up to 4,000 IU were necessary to reach optimal circulating levels of vitamin D.
A landmark study from Monash University found that preterm babies have fewer nephrons and underdeveloped kidneys, increasing their risk of renal disease. The research aims to develop strategies to minimize the consequences of preterm birth and improve kidney development in these babies.
A new study found that infants born to mothers who received the influenza vaccine during pregnancy are 45-48% less likely to be hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. The researchers analyzed data from seven flu seasons between 2002 and 2009, involving 1,510 babies hospitalized within the first six months of life.
Researchers found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children. The study suggests that this could predispose them to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had lower HDL cholesterol levels, wh...
A new study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica reveals that inducing labor around term does not associate with higher rates of cesarean sections. The research analyzed data from the Danish Birth Registry and found no increased risk for cesarean section among induced women compared to those who waited longer.
The March of Dimes suggests fortifying corn masa flour with folic acid to lower the rate of neural tube defects among Hispanics. Studies show that folic acid supplements before conception and early pregnancy can prevent these birth defects.
Research finds one-third of pregnant women with depression have a history of eating disorders, while many others have experienced physical or sexual abuse. Mental health screenings are crucial to identify at-risk patients and provide early treatment.
A study of over 200 pregnant women found that nearly half used alternative methods such as walking, sex, or spicy food to try to bring on labor. These techniques were often tried despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and some may pose risks to mother and baby.
A meta-analysis of 41,000 women found that interventions like decentralised testing and treatment can reduce perinatal deaths by 54% and stillbirths by 58%. Implementing universal screening for syphilis in all pregnant women could lead to significant reductions in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Research suggests that pregnant women with severe sleep apnea may have a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes and early preterm birth. The study found that moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing was associated with these outcomes, particularly in overweight or obese women.
Research in baboon primates shows that even moderate nutrient deficiencies during critical periods of development can damage the pancreas and predispose to type 2 diabetes. The study found that young baboons whose mothers were undernourished were more likely to develop prediabetes before adolescence.
A blood test for AMH can help predict IVF success, with women having higher AMH levels yielding more eggs and a higher rate of pregnancy. The study found that women with low AMH levels had an average of six eggs harvested, while those with higher levels had around 20.
A new study at Oregon Health & Science University found that immediate IUD insertion after abortion significantly reduces unintended pregnancies compared to delayed insertion. The study also highlighted the challenges of accessing IUDs due to federal policy restrictions.
A new study finds that pregnant women who gain too much weight are more likely to have newborns with high body fat, regardless of pre-pregnancy weight. This increased obesity risk exists even when birth weight is normal and may be associated with higher childhood obesity rates.
A long-term study of 1,749 women found no link between taking the combined contraceptive pill and weight gain. Women who took the pill did not put on more weight than their peers who never took it, with ageing and smoking being the only factors affecting weight.
A new study found that fetal exposure to BPA changes the development of the uterus in female primates. The research suggests that oral and subcutaneous forms of BPA can alter gene expression and affect uterine cell development.
Research in mice reveals a link between pregnancy and tumor dissemination, with decreased NK cell activity and myeloid-derived suppressor cells contributing to metastasis. The study suggests that these immune cells may represent a shared mechanism of immune suppression during pregnancy and tumor growth.
A large population study found that gestational diabetes does not increase cardiovascular risk in all women, but may pose a higher risk to Hispanic women, with a 70% increased likelihood of developing heart disease compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.
Researchers found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells mediate immune suppression during pregnancy, allowing tumors to spread more easily. This mechanism may also be relevant to lung cancer patients with poor prognosis.
A low-cost healthy lifestyle program, including self-weighing weekly or monthly, has been shown to prevent excessive weight gain in pregnant women with pre-existing overweight. Regular monitoring of weight gain and simple health messages can reduce pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and birth complications.
A new study reveals that four common epilepsy medications associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of major birth defects. The research suggests that doctors should select the safest effective treatment for pregnant women with epilepsy by considering individual drug and dose options.
A survey of 541 ED residents found that 84% think it's acceptable for female residents to have children during residency, and 82% would rearrange their schedule to help a pregnant colleague. The study suggests that most emergency medicine residents are supportive of their colleagues having children during residency.
A new study reveals that a high-fat diet during pregnancy can decrease blood flow from the mother to the placenta and increase the risk of stillbirth. Researchers found this effect regardless of whether the mother was obese or slender, and in monkeys with hyper-insulinemia.
Researchers have discovered that combinations of a mother's body size and the shape and size of her baby's placenta can predict heart disease in men in later life. The study found three specific combinations where this prediction is accurate, including an oval-shaped placental surface in short mothers who had not been pregnant before.
A study found that older smokers and men are more likely to successfully quit than younger and female smokers, despite women attending more smoking cessation services. Pregnant women and disadvantaged groups face unique challenges in quitting, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
Research found that caffeine inhibits specialized pacemaker cells in the Fallopian tubes, which coordinate muscle contractions and egg movement. This discovery provides a possible explanation for why women with high caffeine consumption take longer to conceive.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women's risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be identified up to seven years before pregnancy based on routine measures of blood sugar and body weight. The study revealed a strong correlation between adverse cardio-metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar, hypertension, and bein...
A new study found that folic acid supplements given to mother rats significantly protect their offspring from developing colorectal cancer. The research suggests that folic acid may have different effects on cancer development in different organs, and more studies are needed.
A UK survey found variations in approaches to treating women with rheumatic conditions during pregnancy, with some clinicians continuing treatment while others discontinued it. Guidelines for managing this patient population are also lacking, with only 25% of rheumatologists and 6% of obstetricians having locally developed guidelines.
A new University of Illinois study published in the Journal of Physiology found that a high-fat diet during pregnancy programs a woman's baby for future diabetes. Exposure to such a diet modifies gene expression in the livers of offspring, increasing the likelihood of early insulin resistance and diabetes.
A new study reveals that babies born at 39 weeks have a significantly lower risk of death compared to those born earlier, with mortality rates declining by up to 50% per week after 37 weeks. This research supports the importance of continuing pregnancy until 39 weeks for optimal baby health.
Women who gained 2-3 BMI units between the first and second pregnancy were more likely to develop GDM in the second pregnancy. Conversely, women who lost over 6 pounds between pregnancies reduced their risk of developing GDM by approximately 50%. The association was strongest in women who were overweight or obese in their first pregnancy.
Researchers found that women who gained more than the recommended weight during pregnancy were three times as likely to be overweight or obese. Regular monitoring of weight in pregnancy may need to be reconsidered to prevent these health problems.