Articles tagged with Abortion
A new study by veterinary researchers at Oregon State University has linked vesivirus to a major epidemic of abortion in Kentucky Thoroughbred mares. The findings suggest that broodmares are being commonly exposed to vesivirus from unknown sources, and that exposure to such horses might be a concern for pregnant women.
A Romanian study reveals that children born after an abortion ban had significantly better educational outcomes, finishing high school and working in advanced jobs. The study attributes this positive effect to changes in the composition of women having children, particularly among urban and educated mothers.
The Lancet comments on the FDA's delay in approving Plan B, an emergency contraceptive. The agency's failure to make a decision undermines its credibility. The acting FDA commissioner is urged to move swiftly and show independence.
The UK Department for International Development has pledged £3 million over two years to address the shortfall in funding for safe abortion services. This move aims to support the third, fourth, and fifth Millennium Development Goals, which focus on empowering women, saving children's lives, and reducing maternal mortality.
A first published analysis of the FDA's mifepristone reports reveals 607 adverse events, including fatalities from bleeding or septic shock. The authors call for increased research into allergic and fatal septic reactions and propose measures to improve safety monitoring.
Women who had an abortion experienced more mental distress in the long term compared to those who had a miscarriage. They also reported higher levels of anxiety and felt guilty or ashamed about their decision.
A new gene mutation in a plant has been found to reduce seed production by up to 70%, potentially allowing crops to conserve resources during stressful environments. This discovery may lead to improved crop yields and more resilient plants.
Researchers propose a mechanism by which mifepristone increases the risk of fatal C. sordellii infections, including septic shock and death. The antiprogesterone effects of mifepristone may disrupt immune function, allowing bacteria to thrive in the cervical canal.
The nuclear family model is becoming widespread in St Petersburg, with Russian women giving birth to one child on average. However, many women experience health problems and unintended infertility. Positive developments include improved sexual education and the use of reliable contraceptives among young women.
The Cairo Conference's 20-year plan for reproductive health is under threat from conservative and liberal ideological battles, international funding shortfalls, and the HIV pandemic. The situation has resulted in 60 million unwanted pregnancies, 19 million unsafe abortions, and half a million maternal deaths annually.
A study of 273 family physicians and obstetricians found that many doctors overestimated the risk of major fetal malformations from X-rays and CT scans. Most diagnostic imaging exams result in less than 50 mGy of radiation exposure to the fetus, dispelling a misconception that can lead to unnecessary anxiety and terminations.
A large-scale re-analysis of data from 53 studies suggests that pregnancies ending in miscarriage or induced abortion do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The findings contradict previous, less reliable studies that suggested a potential link between abortion and breast cancer.
Researchers analyzed over 13,000 live term births to assess the effect of medical abortion on subsequent pregnancy's birth weight. The study found that women who had undergone a medically induced abortion had lower rates of Low Birth Weight compared to those with no abortion history.
Maternal deaths worldwide can be addressed by investing in effective technologies and ensuring their availability. The Lancet series highlights key causes, including haemorrhage, sepsis, and obstructed labour.
A manual, low-tech method for 2nd trimester abortions has been deemed safe and effective. The study, conducted at Johns Hopkins Medicine, compared the procedure to electric vacuum aspiration and found no significant differences in complications or procedure time.
The Bush administration is considering implementing a pro-life policy that would restrict foreign non-governmental organizations from receiving US funds if they provide abortions or lobby for abortion liberalization. This policy threatens the $15 billion HIV/AIDS fund, which relies on local clinics providing family-planning and materna...
A new study by sociologists found that teenage boys' sex rates dropped 8.5% between 1991 and 1997, while teen pregnancy rates fell 14%. The decrease was largely attributed to fewer boys having sex during this period.
A study in Matlab, Bangladesh reveals that improved family planning services decrease abortion rates without increasing population growth. The availability of better-quality services led to lower abortion rates compared to areas with standard government services.
A recent study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a lower dose of mifepristone is as effective as higher doses when used with misoprostol for early pregnancy termination. The study showed that 72 out of 80 women experienced complete abortions after using the lower dose regimen.
A mathematical model developed by Population Council scientists John Bongaarts and Charles Westoff shows that increased contraceptive use and effectiveness can significantly reduce abortion rates. The study estimates that a woman who uses no contraception would need about 12 abortions to restrict her fertility to two births.
A study of 442 women in US and India found that most could calculate their gestational ages accurately, with most errors within a clinically insignificant margin. This suggests that unsupervised medical abortion using mifepristone-misoprostol may be safe for many women.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals that low to moderate lead levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. The research, conducted in Mexico City from 1994 to 1996, found that the risk nearly doubles for every five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
A recent Penn State study found that new welfare reform legislation and abortion restrictions may have created a paradoxical outcome. The increase in single mothers, who are often on welfare, may be due to the decreased access to abortion services, leading more women to choose childbearing over termination.
A study of over 2,000 American women who underwent medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol found that the method was highly effective and satisfactory, even among those for whom it failed. Women preferred the non-invasive nature and natural experience of the method, and reported few side effects.
Researchers found that restrictive policies, such as Medicaid funding limits and 24-hour waiting periods, significantly reduced access to abortion services, leading to a decline in abortion rates. Meanwhile, increased birthrates were observed in regions with limited access to reproductive health services.
A historian's research reveals that physicians' campaigns to control midwives were driven by stigmatization and a desire to suppress abortion. The campaign successfully restricted midwifery practices in the US by the early 20th century, despite the role of physicians in illegal abortions.