Articles tagged with Prenatal Care
A new Dartmouth study reveals high rates of childbirth fear in US pregnant people, associated with factors such as racism, low income, and pre-existing conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these fears, leading to increased stress and anxiety during labor.
Eight low-cost interventions can prevent an estimated 566,000 stillbirths and 5.2 million babies born preterm or small for gestational age each year. Implementing these interventions in 81 low- and middle-income countries could save the lives of millions of babies and improve long-term health outcomes.
A team of clinicians successfully treated an aggressive vascular malformation in an infant's brain before birth, preventing potentially fatal symptoms and brain damage. The procedure marked a paradigm shift in managing vein of Galen malformation, reducing the risk of long-term disability or death.
Researchers found that the 'Eat, Sleep, Console' (ESC) care approach is more effective than Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring Tool (FNAST) in assessing and managing opioid-exposed newborns. Newborns cared for with ESC were medically ready for discharge approximately 6.7 days earlier and 63% less likely to receive medication.
A comprehensive care plan has been published to prevent preeclampsia, a leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the US. The plan provides specific recommendations for both expecting parents and clinicians, including daily low-dose aspirin, surveillance, and behavioral strategies.
A recent study analyzing 46 million births across nearly three decades reveals a concerning pattern of maltreatment of non-white pregnant women, including disregarding their birthing wishes. The research suggests that medical induction of labor nearly tripled between 1990 and 2017 in the U.S., with no clear association with increased r...
Individuals who experienced depression during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease within two years after giving birth. The study found a significant higher risk of developing six major cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure and ischemic heart disease.
Research found that newborns of low-income immigrant mothers had a significantly lower risk of severe neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to those of Canadian-born mothers. The study suggests that immigration status may influence birth outcomes, with healthier immigrants possibly being more likely to migrate.
Regular third trimester ultrasound scans can help identify undiagnosed breech pregnancies, allowing for better care before and during labor. This could lead to improved perinatal outcomes and reduced rates of undetected breech pregnancy by 71%.
A new study published in CMAJ found that privately sponsored refugees were more likely to receive adequate prenatal care than government-assisted refugees in Ontario. The study analyzed data from over 5000 pregnant women and found a significant difference in the use of prenatal care services between the two groups.
A recent study found that hospitals serving more vulnerable childbearing populations tend to have inadequate nurse staffing levels, which can lead to poor maternal health outcomes. The researchers surveyed 3,471 registered nurses from 271 hospitals and discovered inconsistencies in nurse-to-patient ratios with national staffing standards.
The Center will develop accessible educational tools to reduce stress, improve social support, and promote family well-being. Led by Dr. Catherine Monk, the TtP Center will assemble services, accelerate research, and support interventions promoting optimal outcomes for parents-to-be and their developing children.
Researchers have found that embryos in pregnancies ending in miscarriage take four days longer to develop in the womb than those in live births. This delay is associated with a higher likelihood of miscarriage and may be used to estimate pregnancy outcomes.
A US analysis of perinatal care found that discretionary care varied by patient race, with Non-Hispanic Black women being 20% less likely to receive a prenatal depression screen and 60% more likely to have a urine drug test when denying drug use. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Asian women were also less likely to receive similar tests.
A new study reveals limited supportive care for pregnant women with cancer, who often delay medical help due to natural changes in their body. The research emphasizes the need for emotional support and educational programs to address psychosocial issues and long-term negative impacts.
A recent study published in BJOG found that nearly all women in England (97.5%) have at least one indicator of potential health risks during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for improved preconception care and policies to support women's overall well-being before pregnancy. The research highlights health disparities across different age...
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals a 104% increase in pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian/Alaska Native people, with rates nearly doubling from pre-pandemic levels. The Delta and Omicron variants contributed to the worsening burden of mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.
A new study found pregnant people with schizophrenia are three times more likely to experience emergency department visits for interpersonal violence. The research emphasizes the importance of routine violence screening in antenatal care settings to prevent harm to patients and their children.
A recent study by Amsterdam University Medical Center found that transgender men face significant barriers in accessing maternity care due to a lack of understanding and guidance from healthcare providers. The research highlights the need for gender-inclusive care and guidelines to support pregnant transgender men, addressing their uni...
A new UBC study reveals midwives provide safe primary care for all medical risk levels, with comparable or improved birth outcomes. Midwives also assist with lower caesarean delivery rates and collaborate with specialists.
A recent BC study found that midwifery care is safe and effective for clients with varying levels of medical risk. Midwife-led care resulted in lower rates of preterm births and low-birth-weight babies, as well as increased cesarean delivery rates at higher medical risks.
A recent study found that adverse pregnancy outcomes are largely driven by pre-pregnancy health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. The rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy rose by over 50% during the decade, while the shift in age distribution accounted for less than 2% of that change.
People with technology-assisted pregnancies are twice as likely to develop preeclampsia as those with traditional pregnancies, according to a study. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related complication that poses risks to the pregnant person and baby.
A 20-year study by Swansea University researchers found that mothers with a history of substance misuse, smoking, or mental health conditions are at higher risk of having low-birth-weight babies. The study analyzed data from over 693,000 children born in Wales between 1998 and 2018.
Targeted RNA therapy aims to treat pre-eclampsia by delivering mRNA to placental cells, reducing maternal blood pressure and restoring fetal circulation. The treatment has shown promising results in mice, paving the way for potential treatments for human patients.
A large study of over 2.5 million pregnancies in California found that exposure to wildfire smoke increased the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The researchers analyzed data from 2007-2012 and found a significant association between wildfire smoke and premature labor, with an average exposure of 7.5 days.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System presented studies on the association between obesity and adverse outcomes in forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries, as well as the utility of cervical length surveillance after cerclage placement for predicting preterm birth. Additionally, a new tool for managing postpartum hemorrhage was showca...
The February issue of the CHEST journal features 37 articles exploring various topics in chest medicine, including asthma, COPD, and pulmonary vascular disease. The journal also highlights its equity topic collection, focusing on conditions that affect women, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and sarcoidosis.
Research suggests that restricted access to abortions will cause severe stress for individuals carrying unwanted pregnancies, which may lead to psychiatric illnesses and developmental problems in children. This stress can exacerbate existing psychiatric vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of relapse or new episodes.
A study led by University at Buffalo physician Elana Tal found that people in states with restrictive abortion policies are less likely to receive optimal care after a miscarriage. The researchers found disparities in the management of early pregnancy loss, including lower rates of uterine aspiration and mifepristone prescription.
A large international study found no robust difference in blood pressure, heart rate, lipids, and glucose measurements between children conceived naturally and those conceived using assisted reproductive technologies. Children conceived via ART had slightly higher cholesterol levels in childhood, which did not persist to adulthood.
A study by George Washington University professor Sonia M. Suter finds that reason-based abortion bans harm minority groups and restrict reproductive rights. The research challenges the notion that such bans are a remedy against eugenics, revealing instead a performative effort to justify discriminatory policies.
A study published in Women and Birth found that seeing the same midwives throughout the perinatal period makes a substantial difference to a woman's experience of care. The continuity of care model improves trust, advocacy, access, and consistency of care for high-risk mothers, reducing anxiety and stress.
As abortion restrictions take effect, acute care surgeons should prepare to treat complications such as infection, haemorrhage, and injury to the uterus, bowel, bladder, and circulatory system. Experts argue that providers have an ethical duty to protect patient privacy and not report complications to law enforcement.
A new study reveals that US pregnancies are shorter than those in England and the Netherlands, with average lengths declining by over half a week between 1990 and 2020. This finding suggests that reducing medical interventions during the birthing process could improve maternity care outcomes in the US.
A recent study from West Virginia University found that states permitting nurse practitioners to exercise full practice authority (FPA) tend to have a more diverse and racially aligned NP workforce. In FPA states, Black NPs serve 2.8% more Black Medicare beneficiaries than in non-FPA states.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that pregnant women who struggle with executive functions – planning and regulating their behavior – tend to consume more fat. Coaching these skills may be key to improving dietary outcomes.
A recent study found that pregnant Black women who felt upset by racism in the 12 months prior to delivery had significantly higher odds of depression. The study, which analyzed survey questions from 7,328 women, also highlighted the importance of respectful maternity care.
A new study by Brown and NYU researchers found that expanding Medicaid led to improved postpartum health for low-income birthing people. The study showed a 17% reduction in hospitalizations during the first 60 days postpartum, primarily due to decreased childbirth-related hospitalizations.
Researchers developed a framework to address women's reproductive needs holistically, combining family planning, contraception, and preconception care. The model suggests teaching children about reproductive health in school and using social media campaigns to raise awareness of reproductive preferences.
Researchers developed a blood test using circulating microparticle proteins to predict placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases as early as the second trimester. The study found five unique proteins that can distinguish PAS patients from control patients, enabling safe predication before delivery.
Researchers investigated the relationship between diet quality and gestational weight gain during pregnancy, ruling out poor diet quality as a major cause. The study found that a high intake of red meat may be associated with an increased risk of gestational weight gain.
A large cohort study in Tanzania found that antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child by 99.5%. The study suggests that achieving the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission is possible with modern antiviral drugs.
A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.
A new study found that 1 in 10 women without pre-existing hypertension may develop it up to a year after childbirth, highlighting the need for extended blood pressure monitoring. Mothers at highest risk include those over 35, current or former smokers, and C-section deliveries.
A new study found that postpartum visit attendance declined by 5.8% during the pandemic, with uninsured women, Black women, and women under 19 facing the largest decreases. The study highlights the need to address health policy and system challenges to reduce ongoing disparities in postpartum care.
A new national study found pregnant women in legalized US states are far more likely to use cannabis, with a 4.6 times higher rate compared to CBD-only states. The study emphasizes the need for prenatal and primary care providers to screen and counsel patients regarding cannabis use in pregnancy.
A study of over 45,000 births in Scotland found that women who had a planned vaginal birth after a previous C-section were more likely to undergo pelvic floor surgery compared to those who planned another C-section. The risk was particularly high for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
A new study using human brain organoids reveals that prenatal alcohol exposure impairs brain cell development and functioning. The findings confirm the harm inflicted by alcohol on the developing fetus, with effects including faulty brain architecture and impaired electrical activity patterns.
Researchers identified key risk factors for intimate partner violence in pregnant women, including head injuries, multiple contusions, and certain injury patterns. The study highlights the importance of screening for IPV in pregnant trauma patients to prevent poor outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight.
A study analyzing data from eight European countries found that younger and older mothers, as well as those born abroad or from minority ethnic backgrounds, are at particular risk. The maternal mortality rate is significantly higher in Slovakia and the UK compared to Norway and Denmark, with a fourfold difference.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that over 37% of insured Massachusetts residents experienced an insurance transition during the perinatal period. Individuals with Medicaid and Medicaid managed care were more likely to have a transition than those covered by private insurance, suggesting disruptions in continuity of care.
A decades-long effort to lower the US stillbirth rate has stalled, with no progress made in reducing disparities between Black and White women. Despite advances in prenatal care and maternal health, excess stillbirths experienced by Black women have remained unchanged since the mid-2000s.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination results in higher antibody concentrations compared to natural infection, providing robust protection for mothers during pregnancy. The study also suggests optimal vaccine timing can maximize the transfer of antibodies to babies.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with delays in children's gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development. The study of 17,683 infants in Taiwan suggests that protection from air pollution should start during pregnancy.
A recent study found that immigrant pregnant people faced persistent inequities in obtaining timely prenatal care compared to native-born individuals, exacerbating longstanding health disadvantages. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address disparities in Medicaid coverage based on immigration status and education level.
A qualitative study reveals that low-income Black pregnant people face suboptimal prenatal care, emphasizing the importance of integrated services addressing social needs and preferences. Healthcare workers also report challenges in meeting patients' needs, underscoring the need for improved care delivery models.
The C-STICH clinical trial found that single-stranded suture threads may improve outcomes for mothers at risk of preterm birth by reducing the risk of infection. Researchers tested whether using single stranded sutures could decrease miscarriage or stillbirth rates due to an increased risk of infection.
A study in Medical Care found that rates of prenatal care among foreign-born Latinx pregnant people decreased below expected levels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The researchers suggest that harmful anti-immigrant rhetoric may have contributed to this decline, particularly among those who fear deportation.
A recent Indiana University study found that high levels of glyphosate in pregnant women were associated with lower birth weights and higher risk of neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The researchers observed a cohort of 187 pregnant women and detected glyphosate in 99% of their urine samples.