Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women higher than expected

A study of more than 28,000 pregnancies from 2022 has found that the majority of pregnant people received the COVID-19 vaccine during its initial release.

1 Oct 2024

Study finds microplastics in semen and urine, linking PTFE exposure to lower sperm count

Researchers in China found multiple types of microplastics in human semen and urine, with exposure to PTFE significantly linked to reduced sperm quality, highlighting potential reproductive health risks.

1 Oct 2024

Vitamin B12 boosts testosterone levels in men with infertility

Research finds that higher serum vitamin B12 levels are associated with improved testosterone concentrations in men with infertility, but no impact on other reproductive hormones.

30 Sep 2024

Organoids offer new hope for safer epilepsy treatment in pregnant women

University of Queensland researchers have made a significant step towards enabling women with epilepsy safer access to a common and highly effective anti-seizure medication.

30 Sep 2024

Over 80% of women are iron deficient by their third trimester

Iron deficiency is prevalent among pregnant women, impacting health outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring and nutrition during pregnancy.

30 Sep 2024

Study uncovers biological drivers of plasma proteins, offering new insights for disease biomarkers and drug discovery

Researchers mapped the biological influences on 4,775 plasma proteins, revealing the interplay of modifiable and non-modifiable factors, with key implications for disease biomarkers and drug targets.

30 Sep 2024

A randomized trial of mexiletine and lamotrigine in adults with non-dystrophic myotonia

The study, published in Lancet Neurology, detailed the "head-to-head" trial implemented by the researchers to test two drugs, mexiletine and lamotrigine, on people with the condition.

27 Sep 2024

New study reveals growing disparities in preterm birth rates

Preterm births have increased by more than 10 percent over the past decade, with racial and socioeconomic disparities persisting over time, according to a new study analyzing more than five million births.

27 Sep 2024

A few rural towns are bucking the trend and building new hospitals

There's a new morning ritual in Pinedale, Wyoming, a town of about 2,000 nestled against the Wind River Mountains.

27 Sep 2024

Iron deficiency common among pregnant women despite supplements

When a woman becomes pregnant, her iron requirements increase almost tenfold to support fetal development as well as her own increased iron needs.

26 Sep 2024

Research reveals 36% higher heart defect risk in IVF babies

The risk of being born with a major heart defect is 36% higher in babies who were conceived after assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to results of a very large study published in the European Heart Journal today (Friday).

26 Sep 2024

Molecular pathways in human cells reveal potential for developmental pause

In some mammals, the timing of the normally continuous embryonic development can be altered to improve the chances of survival for both the embryo and the mother.

26 Sep 2024

Insufficient sleep during pregnancy associated with neurodevelopmental risks in offspring

Pregnant women who do not get enough sleep may be at higher risk of having children with neurodevelopmental delays, according to new research published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

26 Sep 2024

Maternal obesity doubles the risk of developing autism in children

Researchers investigate the potential relationship between maternal fat mass and long-term mental health issues in children born to these mothers.

26 Sep 2024

High rate of iron deficiency among pregnant women in Ireland revealed

Four out of five pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by their third trimester, a University College Cork (UCC) study reveals.

26 Sep 2024

Childhood obesity: How the first 2,000 days hold the key to lifelong health

Researchers reveal that early life factors, especially within the first 2,000 days, play a critical role in shaping future obesity risk. Addressing these factors with integrated interventions could combat the global childhood obesity crisis.

26 Sep 2024

Targeted therapy improves pregnancy outcomes

Amongst women who experience recurrent pregnancy loss, around 20% test positive for a specific antibody that targets the mother's own body. A Kobe University-led research team now found a treatment that drastically increases these women's chances of carrying to full-term without complications.

26 Sep 2024

Premature ovarian insufficiency in women linked to greater risk of severe autoimmune conditions

Severe autoimmune conditions such Type I diabetes, Addison's disease, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease, are between two to three times more common in women who have been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) compared to the general population.

25 Sep 2024

Deadly high blood pressure during pregnancy is on the rise

Sara McGinnis was pregnant with her second child and something felt off. Her body was swollen. She was tired and dizzy.

25 Sep 2024

Women remain underserved in cardiovascular disease treatment despite advances

Women in the UK, and elsewhere, are still missing out on vital treatment for their No 1 killer - cardiovascular disease - despite significant progress in the medical management of heart disease and stroke, concludes a consensus statement published online in the journal Heart.

24 Sep 2024