Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A study by Ohio State University found that 44% of new mothers increased their Facebook use after giving birth, while 31% of fathers did. This was attributed to the need for social support and feedback during a stressful time. Mothers who reported greater satisfaction with their parenting role had closer ties on Facebook.
A study of 1216 babies found that those born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy weighed and measured less, with lower body mass index. The results highlight a significant difference in body composition between babies born to smoking and non-smoking mothers.
A study led by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists found that even low levels of arsenic in drinking water can disrupt lipid metabolism, leading to nutrient deficiencies in breast milk and growth deficits in offspring. The researchers also discovered that exposure to arsenic increases the risk of fatty liver disease.
Research at UCSF links smoking during pregnancy to increased risk of acute asthma symptoms in teens. The study found a significant association between maternal smoking and asthma severity in African-American and Latino children.
A Michigan State University study suggests that lower-income mothers should adopt healthy eating habits themselves and encourage their children to eat good foods. By doing so, mothers can help create a healthier diet for their kids without using force or restrictions.
A new study suggests that MTV shows '16 and Pregnant' and 'Teen Mom' send mixed messages about teenage pregnancy. The study found that frequent viewers whose fathers communicated openly with them about sex were less likely to have recently had sex, while those whose fathers rarely did so were more likely.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center isolated antibodies from breast milk that can generate neutralizing antibodies to help inhibit the HIV virus in infants. The study's findings may help develop immune system prophylaxis during breastfeeding for mothers infected with HIV-1.
A new initiative by the University of Southampton highlights the crucial role mothers play in teaching children about their minority heritage. The study found that mothers from mixed families are responsible for introducing their children to traditional foods, clothes, music, and dancing, ensuring their cultural identity is maintained.
Researchers are studying the genetic link to pre-eclampsia, aiming to predict and prevent the disease. By understanding which genes cause pre-eclampsia, it may be possible to improve treatment and provide additional ante-natal care for high-risk women.
A Rutgers University study found that young children of unmarried parents who receive court-mandated financial support from their fathers exhibit more aggressive behavior. In contrast, children whose fathers provide informal support without court orders have increased cognitive skills and verbal abilities. Researchers suggest that pate...
Research at Hebrew University and US researchers found a direct correlation between maternal overweight and increased tendencies towards adult child overweight, high blood pressure, and excess sugar and fat levels. This suggests that avoiding weight gain during adulthood may reduce these risk factors.
A large observational study found that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with a three-point drop in reading scores and a two-point reduction in math scores among children aged 5-7 years. Maternal prepregnancy weight also had a negative impact on fetal brain development.
A study of mothers and toddlers found that mothers of overweight children were more than 88% less likely to accurately assess their child's body size. This misperception can lead to inappropriate feeding behaviors, such as encouraging a healthy-weight child to eat more.
A University of Calgary study found that earlier spring births result in a higher female-to-male sex ratio among big brown bats. This skewed sex ratio may be due to natural selection favoring females' reproductive success.
A study of 2,000 U.S. infants born to HIV-positive mothers found that using the anti-HIV drug tenofovir during pregnancy did not result in smaller babies at birth, but those treated with the drug were slightly shorter and had smaller head circumference by age 1
A study of low-income mothers with infants found a connection between food insecurity and restrictive feeding practices, which can disrupt hunger regulation and lead to obesity. Mothers experiencing food insecurity were more concerned about their child becoming overweight than those who weren't struggling with food access.
A study found that 24% of low-income mothers add cereal to bottles, increasing their children's risk of obesity. Mothers with depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in unhealthy feeding practices.
A recent study found that breastfeeding for six months or longer comes with a hidden cost: significant income loss for mothers. Long-duration breastfeeders experienced more pronounced and prolonged earnings drops compared to short-duration breastfeeders and formula-feeders.
A study on vervet monkeys found that social learning is strongly influenced by matrilineal family members, with mothers being particularly strong role models. The research suggests that the mother-offspring relationship plays a crucial role in shaping the behavior of young monkeys.
A new paper recommends cost-effective policies and programs to prevent behavior problems and conditions contributing to poor health. The initiatives have been tested in high-income countries and shown to reduce smoking, drinking, and other substance use among adolescents.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found little vertical transmission of MRSA from mother to child, but babies closely matched their mother's carrier status within six weeks after birth. The study suggests that close contact may lead to horizontal transmission of the bacteria.
A new study of over 3,000 pregnant women finds that obesity and extreme slimness are associated with increased risks of complications during pregnancy, labour, and birth. Underweight women also face specific health challenges, including oligohydramnios and low birth weight.
A study found that stressed lizard mothers gave birth to smaller, but healthier, offspring with larger fat reserves, which may enhance their survival in a post-natal stressful world. Stressed mothers themselves were also more physically fit after giving birth, prioritizing self-preservation.
Research found that depressed mothers are more likely to excessively worry about their infants' nighttime behavior and spend more time with them, leading to increased night waking in the infants. Mothers with high depressive symptoms were also more likely to seek out their babies at night, despite the infant not appearing distressed.
A new study found that mothers with higher symptoms of depression may disturb their infants' sleep by picking them up or moving them to alleviate their own anxieties. Researchers studied 45 mostly White moms and their infants, aged 1-24 months, over seven days.
A new study found significantly more boys born to Indian mothers in Canada compared to those born to Canadian-born mothers. Indian-born women with prior children had even higher male livebirth rates, suggesting a possible link to prenatal sex selection or other factors.
A University of Illinois study found that obese mothers' placentas have an unhealthy nutrient supply, placing babies at risk for future health problems. Experts advise pregnant women to lose weight before conception to minimize the obesogenic environment.
A new study finds that mothers of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are more critical than parents of other children, which can lead to poorer treatment outcomes. The research suggests that parental criticism is not a characteristic of the parent in general, but rather a specific response to their child's anxiety.
A major study found strong links between maternal diabetes, obesity, and the likelihood of having a child with autism or another developmental disorder. Mothers with diabetes were nearly twice as likely to have a child with developmental delays, while obese mothers were 1-2/3 times more likely to have an autistic child.
A long-term study found that early life emotional trauma can stunt intellectual development, with the most significant impact during the first two years of life. The study tracked 206 children and found that those exposed to maltreatment or violence against their mother had lower cognitive scores at all age points.
A study published by the JAMA Network found that about half of preschoolers lack daily parent-supervised outdoor playtime, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. Regular outdoor play was associated with improved physical health and development outcomes, as well as reduced TV viewing time.
Epigenetic changes in gene structure lead to higher incidents of obesity and diabetes for mothers with poor nutrition at the time of conception. The study found that dieting around the time of conception and early pregnancy can alter genes controlling food intake and glucose levels, increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A recent NIH study found that women take longer to give birth today compared to 50 years ago, with an average increase of 2.6 hours for first-time mothers. The study suggests that changes in delivery practices, including the increased use of epidural anesthesia and oxytocin, may be contributing to the longer labor duration.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that polar bear cubs in Svalbard have lower blood levels of PCBs and related contaminants, indicating a decline in exposure to these toxic chemicals. The levels of contaminants in mother bears' blood also decreased, suggesting reduced transmission from mothers to their cubs.
A study by neuroscientists at the University at Buffalo proposes that ingesting placenta components may provide benefits to human mothers and potentially to non-human mammals. The research highlights the importance of further studying placentophagia, a practice observed in many non-human mammalian species.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that fatigue and unmet expectations of parenthood can contribute to post-adoption depression in women. The study, based on survey results from 300 mothers who adopted within the past two years, identified unrealistic expectations as a common theme related to depression.
A study at Nationwide Children's Hospital has identified proteins in the blood that may indicate whether a mother's urinary tract infection affects fetal growth. The researchers found that infected mothers had higher levels of inflammatory protein IL-6, which correlated with lower birth weights and increased risk for prematurity.
A new study found that the brain processes Arabic differently than Hebrew or English, with the right hemisphere relying on the left hemisphere for decoding. This makes learning Arabic more challenging, even for native speakers.
Theoretical physicists at UMass Amherst have developed a new technique called Diagrammatic Monte Carlo to simulate strongly interacting quantum systems. This breakthrough enables accurate predictions of their properties, opening doors to practical superconductor applications and solving complex 'many-body' problems in high-energy physi...
A recent study found that less than 2% of low-income mothers met breastfeeding recommendations, highlighting the need for increased support and resources. The research suggests that physicians can play a crucial role in removing barriers to breastfeeding by providing accessible information and assistance.
Food-insecure mothers face increased weight gain due to skipping meals and eating cheaper, less nutritious foods to ensure their children are fed. This behavior is linked to metabolic responses that retain fat, exacerbating obesity risks.
A qualitative study of new mothers found that the ideal of exclusive breastfeeding for six months can be unhelpful and difficult to achieve. The study suggests that more realistic and incremental goals should be set, with a focus on emotional support and family-centered care. Healthcare professionals are advised to adopt a proactive ap...
Researchers have designed a new partograph to assess labor progress and potentially reduce unnecessary cesarean sections. The tool takes into account the complexity of labor and aims to improve birth outcomes for low-risk first-time mothers.
A major study led by the University of Adelaide found that women who had one prior cesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby. Infants born to these women had a significantly lower risk of serious complications compared to those born after a vaginal birth following a prior cesarean.
A 15-year study comparing experimental wetlands found that natural development led to higher carbon sequestration rates, but also increased methane emissions. The unplanted wetland retained more carbon, while the planted wetland was more diverse in plant communities.
A new NYU study found that mothers who perceive ethnic or language-based discrimination are more likely to take their sick children to the doctor, regardless of their own ethnic identity. The research highlights the impact of language-based discrimination on the health of Latino immigrant children in the US.
Researchers now solidly implicated certain genes as being involved in autism, affecting signal transmission and brain circuits. This breakthrough paves the way for future medications and treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
A study of 7,696 pregnant women found that taking SSRIs was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, but also delayed fetal head growth. Children born to mothers taking SSRIs had smaller head circumferences and were more likely to be born preterm.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust found that clean delivery kits significantly reduced neonatal deaths in South Asia, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The study revealed a 48% relative reduction in mortality when kit usage was associated with improved hand washing and sterilized blade use.
A study found that fathers with depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of emotional or behavioral problems in children. The research identified factors such as poverty, unemployment, living with a child with special health care needs, and maternal depression as predictors of paternal depressive symptoms.
A study of Latina mothers found that their primary concern is a strong relationship with their pediatrician, rather than language ability. Mothers valued warm and caring providers who take the time to examine and care for their children.
Researchers verified that WIC administrative records accurately reflect breastfeeding practices among over 2000 low-income mothers. The study's findings provide a critical resource for nationwide breastfeeding surveillance and monitoring systems.
A recent study has found that mothers with high levels of the environmental pollutant PFOA during pregnancy have daughters who are three times more likely to be overweight at 20 years old. Elevated insulin and leptin levels were also observed in girls, while a weaker association was seen in sons.
A new study by neurologists at UCSF reveals that mothers who suffer from migraine headaches are more than twice as likely to have babies with colic. The research suggests a possible link between colic and childhood periodic syndromes, which may be precursors to migraine headaches later in life.
A recent study published in Cognitive Science shows that a few languages, like the Piraha, lack number words, making it difficult for speakers to perform common quantitative tasks. The study highlights the importance of language in acquiring knowledge, perception, and reasoning.
A recent study suggests that mothers who experience migraines may be more likely to have infants with colic. The research, presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting, found that babies whose mothers had a history of migraine were two-and-a-half times more likely to have colic than those without.
Research finds that elective delivery at 39 weeks is associated with lower rates of composite adverse neonatal outcomes compared to deliveries at earlier or later gestational ages. Continued pregnancy beyond 39 weeks also tends to have better maternal outcomes, although differences are only significant at 37 weeks.
Researchers found that women who delivered their first baby early are more likely to have a subsequent baby that is small for its gestational age, even when the second pregnancy is carried to term. The study suggests that mothers who deliver prematurely should be closely monitored for fetal weight and growth in future pregnancies.
Breast cancer in pregnant women is common and treatable with surgery or chemotherapy. A normal-length pregnancy should be the aim to avoid premature birth. Chemotherapy can be given as per standard guidelines, but radiation therapy is not advised due to fetal shielding concerns.
A study from the University of New South Wales found that exercise alone can almost completely reverse the adverse metabolic effects passed on to offspring by their overweight mothers. The reversal was most pronounced in juveniles who exercised and consumed a low-fat diet.