Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
Research shows that pregnancy outcomes remain poor for women with type 1 diabetes, especially those diagnosed at a young age. The study found higher rates of pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and low birth weight among mothers with childhood-onset T1D.
A new study by the University of Helsinki found that delaying weaning in cats until 14 weeks of age can significantly reduce behavioral problems. The research discovered that early weaning is linked to increased aggression and stereotypic behavior, suggesting a link between neurotransmitter changes and these behaviors.
Researchers found that programs aimed at reducing elective early-term births led to healthier deliveries for mothers and their babies, with higher birth weights and lower rates of complications. The campaigns effectively reduced the number of early-term elective inductions and C-sections in the US.
Researchers have successfully isolated fetal heart sounds from background noise using a mathematical technique, allowing for potential non-invasive and low-cost fetal monitoring at home. This could inform doctors about fetal health and make pregnancy safer by enabling long-term monitoring between checkups.
Researchers found that mothers who took recommended amounts of folic acid around conception had a significantly lower risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even when exposed to household or agricultural pesticides. Folic acid intake was associated with reduced autism risk, but did not eliminate it.
A nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark found that children born to mothers taking antidepressants during pregnancy were at increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The study suggests that medication alone may not be the sole cause, as heritability also plays a part in determining mental health later in life.
A new study found that fathers' testosterone levels after childbirth are linked to their own and partners' depressive symptoms. Low testosterone levels were associated with fewer symptoms of depression in women, while high levels led to more stress and relationship aggression.
A new study found that protecting unauthorized immigrant mothers from deportation significantly improved the mental health of their U.S. citizen children, with over 50% fewer diagnosis of adjustment disorders and anxiety. The researchers suggest that a broader analysis of the DACA program is needed to account for intergenerational effe...
The average paternal age at birth in the US has increased from 27.4 years to 30.9 years over the past four decades. Men over 40 now account for 9% of all births, while those over 50 make up nearly 1%. This trend is likely to have public health implications and affect demographics.
A recent study published in Sleep Medicine suggests that mothers' insomnia symptoms are closely related to their children's sleep quality. Researchers found that children of mothers with insomnia symptoms tend to fall asleep later and have poorer sleep, suggesting a strong influence of maternal behavior on children's sleep habits.
Researchers have discovered a fetal gene associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, which affects around 5% of all pregnancies worldwide. The genetic variant identified is linked to the FLT-1 protein, which damages the mother's vascular system and leads to symptoms such as high blood pressure.
A new Stanford University study found that protecting unauthorized immigrant parents from deportation leads to dramatic improvements in their children's mental health. Research examined the intergenerational effects of DACA on 8,610 children born between 2003 and 2015.
Research highlights the benefits of maternal stress in wildlife, influencing offspring characteristics and behaviors. Prenatal exposure to stress hormones can shape epigenetic changes, behavior, and physiology in offspring.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that mothers exposed to very high levels of pesticides during pregnancy experienced increased risk of adverse outcomes, including a 5-9% increase in birth weight and preterm births. The study analyzed data from over 500,000 single births between 1997 and 2011.
A recent study from North Carolina State University found that 21 percent of mothers experiencing postpartum mood disorders do not disclose their symptoms to healthcare providers. The study suggests that support networks and normalizing mental health discussions are key to addressing this issue.
A study found that mothers who respond with less physiological regulation and more emotional neutrality when their infants are distressed are more likely to have insecurely attached babies. This suggests that a muted maternal response can lead to increased infant distress.
A Yale University study finds that caregiver attitudes and subjective norms significantly influence the use of safe sleep positions for infants. Only 44% of mothers practice the recommended back-to-birth position consistently, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Mothers experiencing significant prenatal stress are at a higher risk of their child developing behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and conduct disorder. The study found that these changes can be long-lasting or permanent due to alterations in brain development caused by maternal stress.
New research from the University of Illinois finds that women's depression increases when they become primary breadwinners, while men's mental health improves when they take on this role. Conversely, mothers who exit the workforce to care for children experience no decline in psychological well-being.
Research reveals that exposure to environmental levels of triclocarban can transfer from mother to offspring and interfere with lipid metabolism. This could have serious implications for human health, particularly in early life development.
A study found that mothers with stronger opinions about responding to night wakings had poorer coparenting perceptions. The researchers emphasize the importance of early and frequent communication between parents to maintain a healthy coparenting relationship.
A study by Queen Mary University of London finds that children learn to balance work and family life from their parents' examples. Women who had stay-at-home mothers often struggle with balancing work and parenting, feeling torn between their fathers' strong work ethic and their own desire to parent like their mothers.
Researchers found exposure to temperature extremes can negatively impact birth outcomes for pregnant women, including changes in gestation length and birth weight. The study highlights the need for further research on climate change's effects on maternal health and neonatal outcomes.
A study in The FASEB Journal found that mothers who were malnourished in utero tend to have smaller babies, while fathers' malnutrition affects their offspring's weight by age 2. This intergenerational influence suggests it may take several generations to eliminate growth failure and stunting.
Researchers found that puppies raised by attentive mothers were less likely to succeed in training programs. Those whose mothers nursed more often while standing up had lower graduation rates as adult guide dogs. The study suggests that minor obstacles can help offspring succeed later in life.
Researchers found that puppies raised by doting mothers were less likely to succeed in a training program to become guide dogs. The study suggests that guide-dog-training organizations can better identify dogs who are more likely to succeed by understanding the impact of maternal style on offspring behavior.
A genetic study identified neuronal circuits responsible for mouse pups' ultrasonic calls, which summon their mothers. These findings may shed light on the development and manifestation of speech disorders in humans.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that women and men report similar levels of work-family conflicts, with no significant differences detected. The study suggests that societal expectations and stereotypes may contribute to these perceptions.
A new study found that calves born to cows experiencing heat stress during early pregnancy exhibit related effects throughout their lives. Milk production and fat yield are higher for winter-conceived calves compared to summer-conceived calves.
A new study found that a mobile health program using text messages and emails successfully encouraged mothers to follow safe sleep practices for their babies, resulting in improved compliance rates. The intervention significantly reduced the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SIDS) and infant mortality rates.
A mobile health intervention improved adherence to safe sleep practices among mothers of healthy term newborns, with higher rates of supine positioning and no soft-bedding use. The study found that 79% of mothers in the intervention group had placed their infants supine, compared to 80% in the control group.
A new study found that civil unrest after Freddie Gray's death led to a significant spike in maternal depressive symptoms and concerns about daily routines. The research suggests chronic stress may undermine young children's health and well-being, highlighting the need for policies to protect mothers and children from community violence.
A study found that nutrition advice aimed at children also improved their parents' diets, leading to reduced cardiovascular risk. The intervention focused on reducing saturated fat intake and increasing unsaturated fat consumption in children, resulting in better dietary habits among parents.
A new study suggests that maternal postpartum depression is associated with difficult infant temperaments when maternal sensitivity is low, but not when it is high. Family functioning also plays a critical role in shaping an infant's behavioral style.
A study published by Queen Mary University of London found that moderate exercise and a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk of cesarean section and diabetes in pregnancy. The research involved over 12,000 women and showed that lifestyle interventions can lead to lower maternal weight gain and a reduced risk of complications.
Researchers have developed a new class of NanoVelcro microchips that can capture and analyze rare circulating fetal cells in a mother's blood. This technology has the potential to noninvasively diagnose prenatal conditions, reducing the risk of miscarriage and harm to the fetus.
A study published in Springer's Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that paternal half-siblings in olive baboons develop stronger bonds when their shared father is present. This challenges the long-held assumption that maternal kin dominate primate social behavior.
A new study documents preeclampsia's alarming rise, with the condition costing $2.18 billion in healthcare expenditure in the first 12 months after birth. Mothers and infants affected by preeclampsia face increased risks of adverse health events, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory distress syndrome.
A study in mice found that antibiotics taken late in pregnancy and during nursing can alter the gut microbiome and increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in offspring. The antibiotic treatment also caused lasting changes in the mothers' gut microbiomes, which were passed on to their offspring.
Research found a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased odds of juvenile conduct disorder and adult antisocial personality disorder. The association was independent of other risk factors often present in smokers, suggesting a small to moderate causal effect on offspring's behavior.
A new study found that distractions occurred in almost half of feedings, with technology-based distractions being the most common. Mothers enrolled in WIC reported better feeding interactions, but frequent engagement in distractions was predicted by having more children or certain infant characteristics.
A study of single-mother-by-choice families found no differences in parent-child relationships or child development compared to heterosexual two-parent families. However, single-mothers-by-choice had a significantly higher social support network, which was valued as crucial for their well-being.
A University of Michigan study finds that low-income mothers view television as a positive tool when watching parent-approved educational programming with their child. The study also highlights the importance of parental mediation and setting limits on screen time, especially for obesity prevention.
Researchers have discovered rare gene variants in Finnish mothers that protect them from pre-eclampsia. The study found two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the sFlt-1 protein gene linked to lower risk of pre-eclampsia.
Researchers at Indiana University discovered banned flame retardants, like PBDEs, are passed from mother to baby through the umbilical cord. The study found higher levels of these chemicals in infant blood compared to their mothers.
A study led by the University of Nottingham has uncovered new clues on the connection between pre-eclampsia and an increased risk of heart disease in later life. The research suggests that the body's normal defence mechanism for flushing out cholesterol from the blood may be disrupted by the illness.
A new study found that breastfeeding duration was associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in mothers. Women who breastfed for two years or more had an 18% lower risk of heart disease and a 17% lower risk of stroke compared to those who never breastfed.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are more likely to transmit the virus to their infants, increasing the risk of congenital CMV infection. The study also found a significant association between gonorrhea and CMV transmission.
A study of 338 mothers found no evidence of increased autism risk from maternal influenza diagnosis alone, but a trend towards risk was seen in those with lab-verified infection and symptoms.
A recent Frontiers article explores the origins of music and its significance in human society. The study reveals that music is closely tied to human emotions, bonding, and social cohesion, suggesting that it may have played a crucial role in shaping human culture.
Among well-educated mothers, those who pursued their desired lifestyle experienced overall positive adjustment, while those who were 'misaligned' faced considerable distress and unhappiness. Feeling emotionally supported, unconditional acceptance, and satisfying friendships are key to promoting life satisfaction and mitigating loneliness.
A major international study found that some features in a baby's DNA can increase the risk of its mother developing pre-eclampsia. The condition affects up to 5% of pregnancies and can cause serious complications including high blood pressure and organ damage.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found a correlation between slower placental oxygen transport and lower newborn birth weights, brain, and liver volumes. Researchers used MRI to map oxygen delivery across the placenta in real-time, revealing differences in regional function that can predict fetal growth.
A randomized clinical trial of 230 Head Start mothers found that a problem-solving intervention significantly reduced depressive symptom episodes. The study suggests that such interventions can be an effective approach to addressing maternal depression, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A five-year study screened over 2,200 mothers for depression risk, using lay health workers to deliver a depression prevention intervention within the Head Start program. The study found a 40% reduction in clinically significant depressive symptom episodes, with a 61% reduction among those with low initial screening levels.
A study led by neuroscientists found that oxytocin in the amygdala inhibits a self-defense reaction, allowing mothers to protect their young. The team manipulated oxytocin levels and observed increased defensive behavior when the hormone was inhibited.
Researchers found that fetuses at 34 weeks gestation turn their heads to look at face-like images, indicating a possible instinctual preference for faces. This discovery suggests that babies' preference for faces begins in the womb and does not require learning or experience after birth.
Research identifies socioeconomic, physical, and mental factors contributing to early breastfeeding cessation in young mothers. Mothers at risk of stopping breastfeeding before 6 months may benefit from targeted interventions addressing known behavioral factors.
A research team at NUS developed an app to deliver postnatal educational programmes and provide supportive care on-the-go. The 'Home-but-not-alone' app improved parenting confidence, perceived social support, and satisfaction among new parents, highlighting a gap in existing postnatal care in Singapore.
Newborns of mothers with sleep apnea have a higher risk of congenital anomalies and resuscitation at birth, with a 26% increased risk. Babies of mothers with sleep apnea are more likely to be admitted to the ICU or special care nursery.