Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Acute air pollution exposure may increase risk for NICU admissions

Infants born to women exposed to high levels of air pollution in the week before delivery are more likely to be admitted to a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), suggests an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

21 Jul 2019

Study shows how type of delivery can affect twins' psychological development

A research team of the University of Malaga in the area of Medicine and Psychology has analyzed for the first time the effect of the type of delivery on twins' psychological development and intelligence, demonstrating that cesarean section carries an independent risk in these multiple births.

21 Jul 2019

Cesarean section carries independent risk in multiple births, shows study

The authors assert that cesarean section carries an independent risk in multiple births. They defend the benefits of vaginal delivery and promote the use of cesarean section as an option

19 Jul 2019

Maternal proximity to oil and gas areas associated with congenital heart defects in babies

Mothers living near more intense oil and gas development activity have a 40-70% higher chance of having children with congenital heart defects compared to those living in areas of less intense activity, according to a new study from researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health.

18 Jul 2019

'Dual burden' of prematurity and serious maternal complications occurs in one of 270 births

A quarter of women who have serious maternal complications during childbirth also have premature births, posing a "dual burden" on families, finds research from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, the University of California, San Francisco California Preterm Birth Initiative, and Stanford University.

17 Jul 2019

Mothers with gestational diabetes transferring harmful 'forever chemicals' to their fetus

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts have found that pregnant women with gestational diabetes have a higher rate of passing on harmful synthetic chemicals called PFAS (17 - per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to their unborn babies and thus risking their health.

17 Jul 2019

Study explores pregnancy-related adverse events associated with acne medication

Isotretinoin (also known by its former brand name as Accutane or Roaccutane) is an extremely effective acne medication that can help patients whose severe acne has not responded to other drugs.

17 Jul 2019

Financial incentives may help people quit smoking and remain smoke-free

Financial incentives work to help people stop smoking and remain smoke free - according to research led by the University of East Anglia.

17 Jul 2019

Perinatal depression screenings may overlook women having suicidal ideation

A new study of 736 low-income pregnant women in Illinois found that more than one-third of those who reported thoughts of self-harm did not have elevated levels of depression, according to a commonly used health questionnaire.

16 Jul 2019

Researchers evaluate usefulness of fertility apps

For many women of reproductive age, the most common way of assessing their menstrual health and fertility means regular visits to a gynecologist or another clinician.

16 Jul 2019

Europe reports the highest ever levels of syphilis

A new study on syphilis has revealed the horrifying truth that more men than ever are contracting the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis in Europe. The most heavily infected group comprises men having sex with men (MSM). At present, syphilis affects more people than HIV in the European Union.

15 Jul 2019

Maternal prepregnancy surgery linked to increased risk of opioid withdrawal in newborns

Babies whose mothers underwent surgery before pregnancy have an increased risk of opioid withdrawal symptoms at birth, according to a new study done at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

15 Jul 2019

Nanotechnology-based compound used to deliver hepatitis B vaccine

Nanotechnology-based compounds are now being tested as a possible delivery vehicle for vaccines. A team of researchers demonstrated how the oral delivery vehicle SBA-15, one such nanotechnology-based compound can deliver an oral vaccine against hepatitis B to the immune system.

11 Jul 2019

Diet and physical exercise do not reduce risk of gestational diabetes

The assumption that minimizing weight gain in obese pregnant women is advantageous for avoiding gestational diabetes has not been borne out.

11 Jul 2019

Bacteria in the birth canal linked to lower risk of ovarian cancer

A new study shows that something as simple as a cervical swab might have the potential to help hundreds of women who are at extremely high risk of ovarian cancer because they have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene.

11 Jul 2019

Car safety improved over last decade but greater risk for women

Research has shown that over the last decade, cars have been rendered safer compared to older models. They are more resilient to frontal collisions say experts than before. Frontal collisions remain one of the commonest types of car crashes.

10 Jul 2019

Researchers find link between maternal obesity and childhood cancer in offspring

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center found that children born to obese mothers were more likely to develop cancer in early childhood.

10 Jul 2019

Healthy high-fiber diet could reduce preeclampsia risk

A healthy diet rich in fiber is generally recommended, but new research shows it could be even more important during pregnancy to promote the wellbeing of the mother and child.

10 Jul 2019

It is okay for women with lupus to get pregnant with proper care, says new study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which was historically perceived to confer an unacceptably high risk to both mother and child during pregnancy. As a result, most women with the condition were counseled to avoid pregnancy or to terminate their pregnancy.

10 Jul 2019

Exercise during pregnancy can promote bone health of both mother and child

Vitamin D is important to enable calcium to be absorbed into the intestine. During pregnancy, vitamin D is especially significant because extra calcium is needed to build the baby's skeleton.

9 Jul 2019