Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that oxycodone is not safer for breastfed infants than codeine, contradicting previous assumptions. The research surveyed 533 women who took codeine, oxycodone, or acetaminophen during breastfeeding and reported symptoms of central nervous system depression in their children.
A study found that breast-feeding mothers are more likely to display aggression when threatened, with lower blood pressure levels. This increased courage is believed to be linked to the reduction of stress response in these women.
A longitudinal study of low-income families found that mother-son relationships change over time, affecting boys' behavior in adolescence. Mothers with good relationships and fewer conflicts had sons with lower delinquent behavior and stronger friendships.
A Wayne State University-led study found that mother-son relationships with high conflict and low warmth during childhood can lead to delinquent behavior in adolescence. Conversely, close relationships between mothers and sons are linked to better peer relationships.
Research followed 84 infants from birth to age 2 and found that highly irritable children who have secure attachments to their mothers are more likely to get along well with others. The study suggests that interventions to help children become securely attached may be especially important for children who are highly irritable.
Research finds children of mothers with extreme morning sickness may suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression as adults. A UCLA-USC study suggests prolonged malnutrition and stress during fetal brain development could contribute to these lifelong neurobehavioral disorders.
A large study found substantial delays in early neurological development among babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Poor families were particularly vulnerable to the effects of prenatal smoking, which may be stronger than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce pre...
Children of disadvantaged, unhealthy mothers experience a higher number of health issues and are more likely to suffer from asthma and learning disabilities. Their mothers' health problems can also place emotional and material burdens on children, heightening stress and anxiety.
Research suggests working moms who expect they can't do it all are more likely to experience depression, while those with a balanced view show fewer symptoms. Working mothers who express supermom attitudes that work and home lives can be blended without tradeoffs have higher levels of depression.
A new study finds that working mothers who expect they can't do it all are at a higher risk for depression. The study reveals that women who have a supermom attitude, believing their work and family life can be combined with ease, actually experience more depression symptoms than those with a more realistic view.
Researchers have discovered how malaria parasites camouflage themselves from the immune system of pregnant women, allowing them to go undetected. This finding has significant implications for developing a vaccine to protect expectant mothers from maternal malaria.
A prevention program for postpartum obsessive compulsive symptoms was developed and tested in a study, reducing anxiety and symptom incidence in mothers. The program incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy principles and was found to be effective in preventing symptoms from developing.
A new study found that stress experienced by young female rats can affect their future offspring, causing behavior impairments. However, providing an enriched environment can ameliorate some of the negative effects. The study also showed that offspring raised in enriched environments can offset inherited effects.
A study by researchers from the University of Montreal found that children of depressed mothers have an enlarged amygdala, which is linked to emotional responses. This change may be associated with increased reactivity to stress in these children.
Researchers found that mothers of young children experience 'nagging' from their kids due to commercial TV characters and advertisements. Mothers cited strategies like limiting exposure, explaining choices, and setting rules to deal with nagging, which can impact childhood obesity rates.
Researchers report that certain forms of narcissism can be beneficial for young people, helping them navigate adolescence and early adulthood. In contrast, older adults with similar traits may experience lower life satisfaction and a poorer reputation.
Researchers found that diarrhoea is closely linked to changes in faecal bacteria, with the majority of foals developing the condition due to colonisation by E. coli and other bacteria. This suggests that horse breeders should not limit suckling time or use supplements to prevent diarrhoea.
A novel therapy reducing soluble Flt-1 levels in women with very preterm preeclampsia showed promising results, with two patients experiencing prolonged pregnancies. The treatment's safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed in larger trials.
Research from Northwestern University finds that many Americans assume behavior is a product of personal choice, fostering the belief that opportunities are equal and gender barriers no longer exist. This framework, known as 'opting out,' can lead to a vicious cycle where women underestimate discrimination and overestimate their own ag...
The Harvard School of Public Health is testing a WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist program in 120 hospitals in India to reduce deaths and improve outcomes for mothers and infants. The four-year study aims to evaluate the impact of the checklist program on maternal and infant mortality rates.
A systematic review found that nurse-led relaxation classes, birth preparation classes, and clinician feedback can decrease caesarean sections in low-risk pregnancies. However, prenatal education, computer patient decision-aids, and insurance reform have not shown significant effects on reducing cesarean section rates.
A Temple University study found that teenage girls significantly influence their mothers' purchasing decisions, particularly for personal items like makeup and clothing. The 'doppelganger effect' suggests mothers tend to mimic their daughters' consumption behavior rather than vice versa.
A new study by Dr Anne McMunn and researchers from the International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health found that working mothers have no significant negative impact on their children's social and emotional development. In fact, children with both parents in paid employment showed better socio-emotional outcomes than ...
A new study found that red fox mothers determine which cubs disperse from the family group, with genetic relationships influencing dispersal strategy. This discovery has important implications for our understanding of social mammals' evolution and dispersal processes.
A new study by University of Bristol biologists found that mother foxes determine which cubs stay and which leave their family groups, with dominant females playing a crucial role in dispersal strategy. This unique discovery sheds light on the evolution of social behavior in mammals.
A randomized trial found that manual breast milk expression was more effective in improving breastfeeding rates than using a breast pump, especially in the first two months. Manual expression also led to higher comfort levels and more frequent breastfeeding among mothers.
A study by USC Marshall professors Scott Wiltermuth and Vanessa K. Bohns found that adopting dominant postures decreases sensitivity to pain and increases feelings of power and control.
Researchers found a rare case of non-parental infanticide in the black-billed magpie, where an adult bird attacked and killed nestlings. The suspected perpetrator was a female parent from a neighboring nest, due to aggressive interactions and territorial expansion.
A University of Missouri researcher found that certain protective factors foster resilience in women who witnessed domestic violence as children. Mothers who work full-time model a strong work ethic, independence, and competence, increasing their daughters' recovery from abuse. The study also identified risk factors for PTSD, including...
A recent study has found that quitting smoking during pregnancy can have a positive effect on birth outcomes. Women who gave up smoking in the periconceptional period had babies with significantly higher birthweight, similar to those born to non-smoking mothers. Stopping smoking before conception may also improve fertility outcomes.
A new University of Melbourne study reveals that mother Eastern Grey Kangaroos double their food intake and significantly reduce resting time to meet the nutritional needs of their baby. This altered behavior increases their risk of parasite infection, which may be a significant additional cost for reproducing females.
A study found a modest increase in autism spectrum disorders among children whose mothers took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy. The risk was higher for those exposed to SSRIs during the first trimester.
Researchers analyzed data from BC MS Clinics' database and BC Perinatal Database Registry to compare pregnancy outcomes in women with MS to those without the disease. Babies born to mothers with MS did not have significantly different gestational age or birth weight, but mothers with greater disability had slightly elevated risk of adv...
A new study found that infants born to mothers who received the influenza vaccine during pregnancy are 45-48% less likely to be hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. The researchers analyzed data from seven flu seasons between 2002 and 2009, involving 1,510 babies hospitalized within the first six months of life.
A study of 37 families found that mothers who recorded their interactions with their young children revealed chaotic and often ineffective corporal punishment practices. The audio recordings, captured over six days, showed a wide range of reactions from children, including crying, tantrums, and whimpering.
A Baylor University study found that flexible schedules play a crucial role in retaining working mothers, with job security and adaptability also contributing to reduced turnover and work-related stress. The research surveyed 179 full-time working mothers, highlighting the importance of supporting their mental and physical health.
Researchers found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children. The study suggests that this could predispose them to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had lower HDL cholesterol levels, wh...
A recent study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that urinary incontinence after giving birth doubles a woman's risk of developing postpartum depression. The study, which evaluated nearly 1,900 new mothers, identified five key predictors of postpartum depression, including urinary incontinence.
A recent study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that informal daycare can significantly reduce a child's test scores by up to 2.6 percent per year compared to staying with their mother. In contrast, formal preschool programs or licensed daycare centers have little to no negative effect on cognitive development.
Research in baboon primates shows that even moderate nutrient deficiencies during critical periods of development can damage the pancreas and predispose to type 2 diabetes. The study found that young baboons whose mothers were undernourished were more likely to develop prediabetes before adolescence.
A new Texas AgriLife Research study reveals that fathers' role in childhood obesity is more significant than previously thought. Lenient dads are more likely to allow their kids frequent fast-food restaurant visits, which have been linked to obesity. Fathers need education on nutritional content and taking a responsible parenting role.
Scientists at Tufts University found that mice born to mothers fed a B vitamin-rich diet had fewer intestinal tumors, while those from deficient diets showed more aggressive tumors. The study suggests epigenetic effects of maternal B vitamin intake may protect against colorectal cancer in offspring.
In a study of moustached tamarins, researchers found that 75% of infants survive with male help, but only 41.7% without. Female infanticide occurs when mothers kill their own offspring due to social competition and high levels of prenatal stress.
A new study by researchers at Northern Illinois University found that family members' negative attitudes can hinder the recovery of mentally ill relatives. The study, which examined 129 mothers of adult children with schizophrenia, revealed that stigmatizing views can lead to increased symptoms and lower self-confidence.
A new animal study suggests that fetal programming of disease risk to the next generation depends on parental gender. The study found that exposure to stress hormones in the womb can program potential health effects, but the effects differ between mothers and fathers.
A nationwide study found that unwed mothers face poorer health at midlife than women who have children after marriage. The study suggests that single motherhood has long-term negative health consequences, and government efforts to promote marriage may not address these issues.
A new US study found that single mothers who had their first child outside of marriage reported poorer health at age 40 compared to other moms. The study suggests that later marriage does not generally help reverse the negative health consequences of having a first birth out of wedlock.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found an association between maternal influenza vaccination and reduced likelihood of prematurity. Babies born to vaccinated mothers were less likely to be premature compared to unvaccinated mothers, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.60.
Researchers found a 95% chance of an unaffected child when mutant mtDNA levels are below 18%, enabling PGD as a viable option. This discovery gives genetic counselling and the chance to have a healthy baby to women at risk, affecting 146,000 European families.
In flowering plants, maternal gene activity dominates early embryogenesis, silencing paternal genes. This finding may be crucial for maintaining species boundaries and could aid in developing novel crop varieties.
Women who took daily prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy were less likely to have children with autism, especially those with high-risk genetic makeups. Folate and B vitamins in prenatal supplements may protect against early fetal brain development deficits.
New research reveals that Indian families are selectively aborting girls if their first child is also a girl, leading to a widening imbalance in the child sex ratio. The study estimates that millions of selective abortions have occurred over the past few decades, contributing to the problem.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new technique to detect both genetic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities in IVF embryos. This method allows for the simultaneous detection of single-gene mutations and aneuploidy, enabling couples to choose healthy embryos for implantation.
The study found a significant rise in US home births between 2004 and 2008, driven primarily by an increase in non-Hispanic white women's choices. Home birth rates for other groups remained low or showed little change.
Research suggests maternal smoking during pregnancy may alter DNA methylation levels in the AXL gene, associated with increased asthma risk in children. The study found a stronger association between maternal smoking and DNA methylation in girls than boys.
Research published in BMC Public Health reveals a shift in cesarean section trends with advantaged mothers more likely to have their babies via Caesarean section. The study found equalized rates for emergency sections but higher rates of elective surgery in more affluent areas.
New research from Queen Mary University of London has found that mother and kid goats can recognize each other's calls shortly after birth, a finding that suggests robust mechanisms of memorization and recognition in goats. This study's results have implications for understanding animal communication and behavior.
Children whose mothers are successfully treated for depression show progressive improvement in their own behaviors even a year after treatment discontinuation. The faster mothers get better, the faster and greater their children's improvements are.
A new study from the University of Utah found that mothers of twins tend to be healthier and live longer than singleton mothers, with stronger women being more likely to naturally conceive twins. The research analyzed data from over 58,000 Utah women born between 1807 and 1899, revealing a link between twin birth and longevity.
Despite significant improvements in child survival interventions and education, Brazil still faces challenges in reducing maternal mortality rates and increasing access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas.