Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Vitamin D is essential for preventing preeclampsia

A new study suggests vitamin D may reverse impaired cell interactions in the blood vessels that occur in preeclampsia- a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.

9 Jul 2019

Sobering up: In an alcohol-soaked nation, more seek booze-free social spaces

Not far from the Anheuser-Busch brewery, Joshua Grigaitis fills a cooler with bottles and cans in one of the city's oldest bars.

8 Jul 2019

Cannabis use during pregnancy may cause premature birth

Pregnant women should refrain from smoking cannabis to prevent their infants from being born early, a new study warns.

8 Jul 2019

Adequate consumption of milk and dairy products can help prevent chronic diseases

An adequate consumption of milk and dairy products at different life stages can help prevent various chronic diseases.

3 Jul 2019

New ACC/AHA guidelines could improve detection of gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension -- high blood pressure during pregnancy -- can have persisting adverse effects on the health of mothers and their infants.

3 Jul 2019

Longer pregnancies increase risk of stillbirths, study reveals

Of the 3000 babies stillborn every year in the UK, a third appeared healthy at 37 weeks. In the new work, researchers searched major electronic databases for studies on term pregnancies that included weekly numbers of stillbirths or neonatal deaths.

From PLOS ONE 3 Jul 2019

Risk of stillbirth increases by continuing pregnancy to 41 weeks' gestation

With every week that a pregnancy continues past term, the risk of stillbirth increases, according to an analysis of more than 15 million pregnancies led by Queen Mary University of London.

3 Jul 2019

Maternal obesity may negatively affect children's lung development

Obesity during pregnancy may negatively affect children's lung development, according to new research. The study, published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology-;Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, was chosen as an APSselect article for July.

2 Jul 2019

New research examines whether effects of alcohol/pregnancy policies vary by race

In the U.S. state policies pertaining to alcohol use during pregnancy have been in effect for more than 40 years.

1 Jul 2019

New 3D model shines light on key aspects of early development

From a biological standpoint, the earliest stages of life are the most mysterious. A developing human embryo undergoes a flurry of rapid changes, and these changes are exceedingly difficult to study because they transpire within the confines of a womb.

1 Jul 2019

Concurrent use of benzodiazepine and opioids complicates neonatal abstinence syndrome

Babies born after being exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines before birth are more likely to have severe drug withdrawal, requiring medications like morphine for treatment, compared to infants exposed to opioids alone, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published in Hospital Pediatrics.

1 Jul 2019

PBS restrictions on anti‐epileptic drug prescribing promote unsafe and outdated care

Prescribing restrictions for anti-epileptic drugs expose flaws in the review process of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, a University of Queensland researcher proposes.

1 Jul 2019

Vitamin D deficiency at birth increases risk of high blood pressure in children

Vitamin D deficiency from birth to early childhood was associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure in later childhood and adolescence, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.

1 Jul 2019

Birth, child outcomes linked with maternal opioid use during pregnancy

In utero exposure to opioids was associated with higher risks for short- and long-term adverse outcomes including preterm birth and neurodevelopmental and physical health disorders in children.

29 Jun 2019

Opioids are major cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Utah

Stephanie lay in the Salt Lake County jail bunk bed and thought, "Everything would be better if I just died."

28 Jun 2019

Study finds significant disparities among women accessing infertility care

Despite similar rates of infertility among all socioeconomic groups, white women, women with higher education levels, and women with higher incomes are at least twice as likely to seek treatment as other groups of women, new research suggests.

28 Jun 2019

Low maternal education linked to high risk of infant mortality

Infants of women with a short-term education are more likely to die within the first year of life. In more than half of cases, the cause of death is premature childbirth and low fetal weight. This is shown by research from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.

27 Jun 2019

Pregnant women with migraine more often have complications during pregnancy and childbirth

Despite the fact that many women who suffer migraines find that the number and severity of these severe headaches decrease during pregnancy, migraines are now being linked to elevated blood pressure, abortions, caesareans, preterm births and babies with low birth weight.

26 Jun 2019

Role of choline and docosahexaenoic acid in maternal and infant nutrition

Pharmavite LLC, the makers of Nature Made vitamins, minerals and supplements, announced the publication of a review paper in the May issue of the journal Nutrients, highlighting current research into the roles of choline and docosahexaenoic acid in maternal and infant nutrition.

26 Jun 2019

Study highlights potential health impact of zero-calorie sweeteners

As a sugar substitute, zero-calorie sweeteners may reduce tooth decay and blood sugar spikes. Seven are approved worldwide and safe for humans - but does this mean they're healthy?

26 Jun 2019