Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A large study found no increased risk of serious health problems in babies born to mothers who consumed their placentas. The research also identified some motivations behind the practice, including a desire to prevent postpartum depression.
A new animal model study found that brief maternal deprivation in early life alters adult brain function and cognition, leading to memory impairment and decreased communication between brain regions. The findings suggest a potential link between early-life trauma and the development of schizophrenia.
A recent study found that maternal binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation can impair the mental health of their offspring, leading to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse as adolescents. The research suggests that even occasional heavy drinking can have a depressive effect on the mother and pass on chan...
Researchers found inducing labor at 39 weeks reduced C-section rates by 22 percentage points compared to waiting until after 41 weeks. This study used a rigorous mathematical model of 100,000 patients to simulate patient outcomes, revealing fewer maternal complications and stillbirths.
A recent study of almost 100,000 school children has found that children born to teenage mothers have the highest risk of developmental vulnerabilities at age 5. The risk declines with every additional year of a mother's age up to 30 years before increasing slightly after 35 years and older.
A new study from UCSF reveals the fetal immune system can trigger preterm labor when it mistakenly identifies the mother's cells as foreign. The researchers found activated immune cells in the cord blood of preterm infants and higher levels of inflammatory chemicals, leading to uterine contractions.
Teens prioritize family as the most important factor in happiness, but many don't consider their own family a positive example. Researchers believe this may contribute to high divorce rates and unpreparedness for married life.
A study published in Health Care for Women International found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improves the lives of single, illiterate mothers in Uganda by reducing stress and improving their health and ability to support themselves and their children. The research shows that the practice empowers these women to overcome ...
A recent study published in Child Development found that a mother's depression can negatively affect her child's cognitive development up to age 16. Mothers who were highly depressed invested less emotionally and provided fewer learning materials, leading to lower verbal IQ scores in their children.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 15,000 girls and their mothers found that maternal overweight and hyperglycemia are associated with earlier onset of puberty. The study suggests that the in utero environment may affect pubertal development, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes.
A University of Seville study found that family support networks in Peruvian barrios play a crucial role in preventing child labor. The networks facilitate the exchange of information and social support between families, which helps control child labor. Schools serve as hubs for these relationships, bridging gaps to external resources.
A new study reveals that cheetahs modify their eating strategies depending on the presence of top predators like lions and hyenas. Mothers with cubs prioritize vigilance over speed, while single females and males focus on quick consumption to avoid prey theft.
Researchers found that a specific set of brain cell signals, involving dopamine and estrogen receptor alpha, trigger a mother's instinct to retrieve her offspring. The study's findings may explain human maternal behaviors like breastfeeding and could lead to new ways to support mothers with infant care challenges.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that judges may be biased against women in sexual discrimination lawsuits and favor mothers in custody cases, even when similar to the general public's views. This bias is linked to traditional gender roles and their influence on court decisions.
Perinatal depression affects 12-19% of US women, but rates are significantly higher among women of color, with 43% of Latinas and 28% of African-American women at risk. Barriers include stigmatization, mistrust of healthcare systems, and cultural beliefs about motherhood.
Research finds that lullabies soothe both mothers and babies simultaneously, while playful songs increase babies' attention and displays of positive emotion toward their mothers. Live concerts also trigger neural synchronization, creating a sense of community among concert-goers. These findings shed light on the universal power of musi...
Research shows that human hunting has changed the relationship between mother bears and their cubs, causing mothers to stay with them for an additional year. This shift is attributed to the increased killing of females without cubs, forcing them to prioritize cub survival over reproductive efforts.
New findings from fetal brain scans reveal that mothers' stress during pregnancy changes neural connectivity in their developing child's brain. The cerebellum plays a key role in this effect, which may be linked to future human health and development.
The study highlights the significant burden of hepatitis B virus globally, with 292 million individuals living with the virus in 2016. Only 5% of eligible patients received antiviral therapy, and less than 1% of expectant mothers with high viral load received prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Salk scientists discover that maternal behavior changes brain cells in mice by altering L1 gene copy number and methylation. This correlation suggests a unique role for the jumping gene L1 in shaping brain development.
A new study reveals that pups with less maternal care have more repeated genetic sequences in their neurons. The researchers found a link between maternal care and transposon replication in the hippocampus, but not in other brain regions or organs.
A study published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine found a significant link between mother's alcohol use one month prior to or early in pregnancy and an increased risk of gastroschisis. The condition occurs when an infant's intestines form outside the abdomen, posing risks for other organ system anomalies.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that parenting style and a baby's temperament have a significant impact on their weight gain. Babies with a surgent temperament are more likely to be offered food as a comfort measure, leading to overeating and a higher risk of obesity.
A new study found that children born to mothers with a larger waist size (80 cm or more) before pregnancy are at a 65% higher risk of developing autism. The research suggests inflammation may play a key role in this link.
Researchers found that new mothers attended 92.7% of their babies' appointments, creating a significant window to discuss maternal health. The IMPLICIT ICC model screened for tobacco use, depression, contraception use, and multivitamin use, with notable intervention rates.
A recent study found that pregnant women infected with Zika virus experienced a significantly lower rate of congenital neurological abnormalities than initially thought. The study, which monitored over 2,000 women, revealed a 12.7% risk of complications when infected during the first trimester.
A group of women in science, including Dr. Patricia C. Lopes, have published recommendations for conferences to better accommodate parents with young children. The suggestions include financial support, flexible registration options, and inclusive policies to reduce the 'baby penalty' on female researchers' career mobility.
Research found that fetal exposure to high-fat diets can lead to fatty liver development, increasing the risk of childhood obesity and metabolic diseases. The study identified microRNAs playing a role in this process, shedding light on potential strategies to combat childhood obesity.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that young Southern white rhinos produce four distinct calls, including 'Whine', 'Snort', 'Threat', and 'Pant', which are used in different social interactions. The calls have a strong innate component, suggesting that vocal development may be an innate trait rather than learned from mothers.
A randomized trial in rural India found that educating mothers on the benefits of tetanus vaccination increased immunization coverage by 43%. The intervention also improved measles vaccination rates and reduced the cost per disability-adjusted life year averted.
High-ranking mothers' cubs have lower CDV infection probability and reduced mortality, while high-ranking adults are more likely to be infected but experience similar mortality rates. The study highlights the impact of social status on immune processes and disease transmission in a wildlife population.
A new study found that low-income mothers, especially black and Latina mothers, are subject to greater scrutiny over their children's weight. The mothers worry about losing custody of their kids if they can't meet the health standards.
A new study from the University of Georgia highlights the need for humanitarian aid groups to be trained in safe infant and young child feeding protocols following natural disasters. Exclusive breast-feeding is recognized as the safest form of infant feeding, but alternative formula feeding can be dangerous due to contamination risks.
A new study from Stanford Medicine found that female soldiers who give birth within six months of returning from military deployment face a higher risk of having a preterm baby. The study also found that women giving birth soon after deployment are younger, with lower education and pay.
A new study led by Michigan State University aims to scale up a preventative program that has already shown it can cut postpartum depression rates among low-income women in half. The ROSE program teaches pregnant women to recognize signs of depression and reduce stress through social support and seeking help.
Research finds that mothers who continue to co-sleep with their babies past six months are more likely to feel depressed, criticized, and anxious about their baby's sleep. Despite the trend to discourage co-sleeping, experts emphasize the importance of finding a sleep arrangement that works for everyone in the family.
In working-class Russian families, conservative stereotypes about men's roles as breadwinners and homemakers prevail. Fathers tend to be emotionally distant, rarely involved in childcare. However, some young fathers are trying to break this mold by showing emotional involvement and equal parenting. This change is slow and often met wit...
A study found that oxytocin increased brain activity in response to infant and adult faces in mothers, indicating a stronger neural connection. This research explores the role of oxytocin in early parent-infant interaction and its potential benefits for parenting.
Research found that postnatal depression continues to impact mother-child relationships into later life, affecting emotional, cognitive, and physical development in children. Women who experienced PND reported lower relationship quality with their offspring, even those now adults.
A study of over 40,000 people in Canada found that single fathers had a higher risk of premature mortality than single mothers and partnered parents. Single fathers were more likely to lead unhealthier lifestyles, which may explain the increased risk.
A Swedish study revealed that social benefits can mitigate the financial impact on parents of children diagnosed with cancer. However, mothers of children with cancer often experience persistently lower income after these benefits are no longer provided.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mothers over 40 have an increased risk of preterm birth, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Mothers aged 30-34 years old had the lowest risk of prematurity.
A study by Dr Shona Minson explores the lived experience of children whose mothers are imprisoned, revealing negative impacts on their relationships, education, health, and wellbeing. The research highlights the importance of considering child dependents in sentencing decisions to safeguard their welfare.
Research in Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that teenagers whose mothers had abortions are more likely to have abortions themselves. The study found a 10.1% abortion rate among these teens, compared to 4.2% for those without maternal abortion history.
A new study from Aarhus University found that health visitors using video feedback with the Marte Meo method can improve early mother-child relationships in vulnerable families. The research involved 69 families who received extra visits with video clips, showing a significant improvement compared to a control group.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine suggests that premature births are associated with an imbalance of bacteria in the mother's reproductive tract. The researchers found that subtle changes in vaginal microbiota were strongly linked to early water breakage and preterm birth, which can increase the risk of sepsis for newborns.
Close female relatives are disproportionately viewed as difficult due to their emotional and practical support. Research found that 15% of relationships were categorized as difficult, with conflicts most often with close kin like parents, siblings, and spouses.
New research shows that babies' babbling has a significant impact on their language development, with mothers responding more often to speech-like sounds. The study found that infants who babble more effectively learn words and vocabulary earlier in life, highlighting the importance of social feedback in language acquisition.
A new study reveals that Arctic warming is negatively impacting muskoxen, with juvenile growth hindered by mothers' inability to access food during winter rain events. The research found that even minor amounts of winter rain can have long-lasting effects on the growth of arctic mammals.
A 30-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that breastfeeding duration is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who breastfed for six months or more had a 47 percent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not breastfeed at all.
A study of over 1,200 women found that longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The study, which followed participants for 30 years, used laboratory testing to screen for diabetes and found greater reductions in risk for mothers who breastfed for longer periods.
A new study found that both type 2 and type 1 diabetes are associated with complications during pregnancy, including stillbirths, emergency Caesarean sections, and infant mortality. The research also found a significant increase in high birth weight and preterm delivery among babies born to mothers with diabetes.
Research at Case Western Reserve University explores how maternal cocaine use affects behavioral problems in children, with a focus on gender differences. The study aims to better understand and address behavioral issues in boys and girls exposed to cocaine in utero, potentially informing strategies for prevention and treatment.
The African and Western clawed frog hybrid crossbreeding reveals that a duplication of chromosomes can occur, allowing viable offspring. However, some hybrids are not viable due to dysfunctional separation of paternal chromosomes, leading to the death of early-stage embryos.
A new study found that caregivers of children with obesity used more direct statements to restrict their child's eating, unlike mothers of healthy-weight children who relied on indirect comments. This discovery has important implications for practice guidelines and future research.
A new review of studies suggests that tight sugar control during labour and delivery may reduce newborn hypoglycaemia. The evidence is currently limited, emphasizing the need for high-quality investigations.
The study found that expanded Medicaid coverage led to a 2.3% decrease in uninsured rates among pregnant women who already had a child, and a 7.9% decrease in the number of uninsured mothers during pregnancy. Additionally, lower-educated mothers were 1.7% more likely to receive adequate prenatal care due to the expansions.
Researchers found that a vaccine inducing killer T cells provides broader protection for children of vaccinated mothers. The vaccine prevents the immune system from producing antibodies specific to the virus and induces protective killer T cells that can recognize and attack the virus.
New Hampshire's neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) diagnoses increased fivefold from 52 to 269 between 2005 and 2015. The average hospital stay for NAS-diagnosed newborns rose to 12 days, compared to three days for non-exposed infants.
A study led by Stanford University School of Medicine found that higher blood sugar levels in early pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of congenital heart defects in babies. The researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 pregnancies and found a significant link between blood glucose levels and the risk of heart defects.