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Chronic pain after caesarean delivery linked to poorer quality of life for months and years after giving birth

A comprehensive review of global evidence finds that chronic postsurgical pain after caesarean delivery is associated with disruption to daily activities, sleep, mood, energy, and sexual wellbeing in the months and years after giving birth. Chronic pain was found to persistently interfere with general activity, walking, normal work, sl...

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateSep 24, 2026

Postpartum pain, depression hinder women’s recovery after childbirth

A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that postpartum pain and depression can significantly impact women's ability to care for themselves and their infants. The study highlights the need for better support services and comprehensive monitoring to address these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCanadian Journal of Nursing Research·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2026

New study reveals how birth method and antibiotics may shape babies' gut bacteria

A systematic review found that babies born by caesarean section or exposed to antibiotics around the time of birth tend to have differences in their gut bacteria composition, with less diversity and beneficial bacterial groups less abundant. Exclusively breastfed infants appear to show a partial restoration of microbial balance.

SourceBournemouth University·JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 9, 2026

Early birth safer for mother and baby in high blood pressure pregnancies

A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 20, 2026

Tranexamic acid prevents severe bleeding in caesarean births

A new trial from China finds that giving tranexamic acid to women with placenta praevia undergoing caesarean birth leads to a significant reduction in severe bleeding after delivery. The treatment also showed no evidence of an increase in serious adverse events.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 13, 2026

Caesarean birth: sex-specific effects on the microbiota

A study reveals that caesarean delivery alters microbial colonisation in the first days of life, with distinct effects on male and female mice. Males born by caesarean section develop increased susceptibility to colitis in adulthood, while females do not. This difference is linked to changes in gut microbiota and barrier function.

Novel AI model accurately detects placenta accreta in pregnancy before delivery, new research shows

A novel AI model has been developed to accurately detect placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in pregnancy, a life-threatening condition often undetected by current screening methods. The model was retrospectively reviewed on 2D obstetric ultrasound images from 113 patients at high risk for PAS and found to be accurate in detecting all cases.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·JournalPregnancy·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 12, 2026

Caesarean sections for sale

A systematic review of 12 million births in 25 European countries found that private hospitals have a significantly higher caesarean section rate than public hospitals. Among low-risk first-time mothers, the increase in caesarean sections is attributed to non-medical factors such as local routines and financial incentives.

SourceLund University·JournalEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 28, 2026

Sexual minority individuals face higher cesarean risks

A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that sexual minority individuals have a 7% higher odds of primary Cesarean birth compared to completely heterosexual participants. Disparities were especially pronounced when labor was induced, raising concerns about potential provider bias and unequal interve...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateDec 11, 2025

Cesarean sections during labor appear associated with recurrent preterm birth and mid-trimester loss in subsequent pregnancies, and cervical damage may be an underlying mechanism, suggest the authors of a new Perspective article

A new study suggests that cesarean sections performed during labor are associated with an increased risk of recurrent preterm birth and mid-trimester loss in subsequent pregnancies. Cervical damage may be the underlying mechanism for these findings, highlighting a growing clinical concern.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 12, 2024

Brigham researchers identify factors associated with lower breastfeeding duration for mothers with higher BMIs

A multi-nation cohort analysis found that mothers with higher BMIs have shorter breastfeeding durations due to inflammation and cesarean section deliveries. The study identified dietary and systemic inflammation as modifiable factors associated with longer lactation duration in people with high BMI.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 22, 2023

State study: labor induction doesn’t always reduce caesarean birth risk or improve outcomes for term pregnancies

A new Michigan statewide study found that inducing labor at 39 weeks of pregnancy does not necessarily reduce the risk of cesarean births. In fact, for some birthing individuals, it may even have the opposite effect if hospitals don't take a thoughtful approach to induction policies.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Perinatology·DateMay 1, 2023

Infants who die unexpectedly in the first week might have different risk factors than those who die in the first month

A Rutgers study found that infants who died unexpectedly in the first week of life had different risk factors compared to those who died later. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2015 and found that mothers of infants dying in the first week showed less evidence of common risk factors such as smoking during pregnancy.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2022

Vaginal birth may be safer for pregnant women with kidney and liver transplants

A new study found that pregnant women with kidney or liver transplants can safely undergo trial of labor without increased risk to themselves or their babies. In fact, vaginal births resulted in improved outcomes for the baby without compromising maternal health. Conversely, cesarean births were associated with higher risks of complica...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2021

Cesarean-born babies at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation in childhood

A new study of over seven million births from four countries found that cesarean-born babies are at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation during early childhood. The study recorded a small but consistent increase in the absolute risk of infection-related hospitalisation rates in children up to five years of age compared w...

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 19, 2020

Delivery method associated with pelvic floor disorders after childbirth

A decade-long study found that vaginal childbirth substantially increases the probability of developing pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse, later in life. The study also identified delivery modes associated with higher risk, including spontaneous vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateDec 19, 2018

Indigenous group add to evidence tying cesarean birth to obesity

A Purdue University study of an indigenous group of Maya people reinforces the link between Cesarean births and obesity. The study found that mothers who have high BMI and had a cesarean are going to have the fattest children in the village, with differences in child sizes suggesting birth method plays a role in development.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateOct 12, 2016

Increased risks of planned cesarean births must be clearly conveyed

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that women having a planned cesarean section are at a significantly higher risk of severe complications. The rate of severe complications was found to be 27.3 per 1000 deliveries for cesarean sections, compared to 9.0 per 1000 deliveries for vaginal deliveries.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 12, 2007

Elective cesarean sections

The Canadian Medical Association Journal explores the trend of elective cesarean sections, highlighting concerns about comparing vaginal birth to planned cesarean delivery. Hannah argues that only a comparison of planned vaginal and planned cesarean births can determine which carries greater risk to mother and baby.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 1, 2004