Pregnancy

This hub brings together authoritative articles covering the spectrum of pregnancy, maternal health, and fetal development. The collection encompasses topics ranging from the earliest signs of pregnancy to postpartum care, including trimester-specific changes, common symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and the management of complications. Readers will find evidence-based guidance on maternal nutrition, exercise, mental health, and medical conditions affecting pregnancy, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. The articles also address genetic and infectious disease considerations, fetal movement and monitoring, and the latest insights into maternal brain and mood changes. This resource is designed to support healthcare professionals, expectant parents, and researchers with up-to-date, trusted information for every stage of the pregnancy journey.

Is “Mom Brain” Real? The Science Behind Memory, Mood, and Motherhood

Pregnancy and motherhood trigger profound hormonal, structural, and functional changes in the brain, reshaping neural circuits to support caregiving and maternal behaviors. Recent evidence reveals that “mom brain” reflects adaptive neuroplasticity rather than simple cognitive decline.

Overview

Explore expert-reviewed articles on pregnancy symptoms, complications, fetal development, nutrition, and maternal health. This hub delivers evidence-based information for clinicians, parents, and anyone seeking reliable guidance during pregnancy.

The Role of Estrogen in Pregnancy

Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Raspberry Leaf Tea In Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits, and Research Insights

What is hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness)?

Is it Safe to Exercise During Pregnancy?

Obesity in Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 37 - 40 weeks

Safety, Not “Sharing,” Must Guide Visitor Policies for Cesarean Surgery

Benefits of Nut Consumption During Pregnancy

Dental Care During Pregnancy

What is the Third Stage of Labor?

See more featured articles »

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

What is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)?

Eczema During Pregnancy

What is the Triple Screen in Pregnancy?

How Much Should My Baby Move During Pregnancy?

Foot Conditions and Pregnancy

Voice Changes and Pregnancy

Diagnosis of fatty liver of pregnancy

Recurrent Miscarriage Epidemiology

Smoking and Pregnancy

Breast and Nipple Changes During Pregnancy

How Soon Can You Have Sex After Having a Baby?

How is the Sex of a Fetus Determined?

Breast Changes After Birth

Pregnancy Myths

Pregnancy: 9 - 12 weeks

Pregnancy Denial

What Causes an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Pregnancy: over 40 weeks

Osteoporosis and Pregnancy

Back Pain in Pregnancy

What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Pregnancy: 33 - 36 weeks

Pregnancy: 17 - 20 weeks

Pregnancy and Infectious Diseases

Does Morning Sickness Occur at Other Times of Day?

Pregnancy: 25 - 28 weeks

Supplements During Pregnancy

Extended Breech, Flexed Breech and Footling Breech

What is the Quadruple or Combined Test?

Recurrent Miscarriage Causes

Pregnancy and Organic Food

What Causes Miscarriage?

Why is Caffeine Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy: 0-8 weeks

Maternal Immune Activation During Pregnancy

Fetal Movements in Pregnancy

Medical Complications of Twins, Triplets and Multiples

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Can Men Improve the Chances of a Successful Pregnancy?

Pregnancy: 21 - 24 weeks

The Genetics of Pre-Eclampsia

Zika Virus in Pregnant Women

Piles (Haemorrhoids) in Pregnancy

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

Lupus and Pregnancy

Dangers of Vitamin Deficiency During Pregnancy

Constipation in Pregnancy

How does Pregnancy Affect Breast Cancer Risk and Survival?

Early Signs of Pregnancy

Heartburn in Pregnancy

Maternal Birthing Positions

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

The Constituents of Breast Milk

Pregnancy: 29 - 32 weeks

Diabetes and Pregnancy

What is Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy?

Hair Growth in Pregnancy

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy Treatment

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy

Breeched Birth: Caesarean Section or Vaginal Delivery?

Fibromyalgia and Fertility / Pregnancy

Complications during Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 13 - 16 weeks

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

With ICE using Medicaid data, hospitals and states are in a bind over warning immigrant patients

The Trump administration's move to give deportation officials access to Medicaid data is putting hospitals and states in a bind as they weigh whether to alert immigrant patients that their personal information, including home addresses, could be used in efforts to remove them from the country.

6 Feb 2026

Dyslexia linked to broader brain network vulnerabilities

A University of Houston psychology professor is challenging the notion that dyslexia, or specific reading disorder, stems from a single faulty gene in the brain, suggesting instead that it is caused by an overall brain network vulnerability.

5 Feb 2026

Maternal perinatal depression linked to autistic traits in toddlers

A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression - psychological distress occurring during pregnancy or postpartum - elevates the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls.

5 Feb 2026

Does motherhood influence brain aging? New research suggests a positive cognitive association

Longitudinal data from postmenopausal women suggest that cumulative pregnancy duration and breastfeeding history are associated with modestly better cognitive performance later in life. These associations reflect higher cognitive trajectory levels rather than proven slowing of decline, and causality remains uncertain.

5 Feb 2026

Severe pregnancy sickness doubles postpartum depression risk

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may elevate postpartum depression risk, suggesting the need for early detection and tailored maternal support.

5 Feb 2026

COVID vaccination not linked to reduced childbirth

COVID-19 vaccination is not the cause behind a decrease in childbirth, according to a study from Linköping University, Sweden.

4 Feb 2026

Optically invisible culture dishes improve embryo imaging in IVF

Selecting the healthiest embryo is one of the most important steps in in‑vitro fertilization (IVF), yet it remains one of the most uncertain.

4 Feb 2026

Natural ovulation offers a safer path to IVF success

Researchers compare the effects of natural ovulation and external hormone replacement regimens for preparing the uterus before frozen embryo transfer.

4 Feb 2026

Breastfeeding and pregnancy linked to improved postmenopausal cognition

Female brains have historically evolved to adapt to pregnancy, undergoing structural and functional changes.

3 Feb 2026

Early pregnancy reshapes breast aging and lowers cancer risk

A new study by cell biologists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggests that an early first pregnancy may protect against breast cancer decades later by preventing age-related changes in breast cells that are linked to tumor formation.

3 Feb 2026

MRI scans reveal human brain growth from pregnancy through birth

Analyzing brain growth across pregnancy and early life, this study offers new insights into sex-specific development and its implications for neurodevelopment.

3 Feb 2026

Cardiologists highlight overlooked heart risks across women’s lives

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness of cardiovascular risk—particularly among younger women and women of color—has stalled, even as rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol continue to rise.

3 Feb 2026

If you’re pregnant and uninsured, Medicaid might be your answer

When she noticed an unusual craving for hot dogs, Matte'a Brooks suspected her body was telling her something, so she decided to take a pregnancy test. She took two just to be sure. Both were positive.

3 Feb 2026

Unprocessed beef does not worsen metabolic health in prediabetes

Short-term unprocessed beef intake shows no adverse effects on glucose regulation or metabolic health compared to poultry in individuals with prediabetes.

2 Feb 2026

Ischemic stroke increases expectant mother's risk for another stroke during or soon after pregnancy

Having had a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels (ischemic stroke) more than doubled an expectant mother's odds of having another stroke during pregnancy and within six weeks of childbirth, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Umbilical cord blood markers may predict future type 1 diabetes

One day, there could be a new test to screen for type 1 diabetes, now that scientists have found markers in the blood of the umbilical cords of children who were later diagnosed with the disease.

29 Jan 2026

Redefining early detection for type 1 diabetes

Researchers have identified a protein pattern that, already at birth, looks markedly different in those who later go on to develop type 1 diabetes. The findings show that a combination of several factors during pregnancy increases the risk of the child later developing the disease. The study is published in Nature Communications and was led by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, and the University of Florida, USA.

28 Jan 2026

PFOA exposure disrupts hormone signaling and impairs embryo implantation in mice

A new experimental study has found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a widely used industrial chemical, can interfere with key biological processes required for successful embryo implantation, raising concerns about its potential impact on female fertility.

27 Jan 2026

Scientists offer new insight into how common parasite T. gondii causes disease

A University of California, Riverside team of scientists has found that Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite affecting up to one-third of the global population, is far more complex than previously believed.

27 Jan 2026

Labor induction methods show similar effectiveness and differing safety profiles

A new review including over 100 clinical trials has found that no induction method was clearly effective than low-dose vaginal misoprostol, although some methods were less effective and safety profiles varied.

27 Jan 2026