Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Is alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy associated with reduced longitudinal fetal growth?

The association between exposure to alcohol in pregnancy and longitudinal growth.

29 Aug 2023

Research links hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with dementia

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) — conditions of high blood pressure including chronic/gestational hypertension and preeclampsia — have been strongly linked to heart disease in later life, but, before today, little research has connected these disorders with cognition.

28 Aug 2023

The Mediterranean diet and mindfulness practice during pregnancy can improve child neurodevelopmental outcomes

Mediterranean diet abidance and mindfulness-based stress reduction during pregnancy effectively improves pediatric neurodevelopment.

28 Aug 2023

How does GERD increase the risk of heavy menstrual bleeding?

Study explores the potential causal link between GERD, a common gastrointestinal issue, and the risk of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in women. The analysis suggests a potential causal relationship, although the results were inconclusive, pointing to the complexity of hormonal interactions in both conditions.

27 Aug 2023

Maternal obesity linked to childhood weight issues through DNA changes

Boston Birth Cohort study finds that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity alters newborn DNA methylation, potentially increasing the risk of obesity in the child. The research targets high-risk U.S. demographics and could guide future interventions for childhood obesity.

27 Aug 2023

Pregnant and postpartum women with mental health disorders more likely to use cannabis

Pregnant and recently postpartum women who suffer with mental health disorders may be vulnerable to using cannabis to self-medicate, according to a Rutgers-led study.

25 Aug 2023

Rates of forced intercourse among U.S. women remained high during the pandemic

The rate of forced intercourse in early adulthood rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a potential increase in unintended pregnancies and many other sexual, reproductive and mental health problems, according to a University of Michigan study.

25 Aug 2023

Two new projects aim to improve health care access for underserved populations

Nansi Boghossian and Melissa Nolan, both associate professors in the Arnold School's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, have been awarded more than $600K each from The Duke Endowment to lead projects that improve access to health care for underserved populations.

25 Aug 2023

Maternal emulsifier consumption associated with mild health risks for offspring

A new study in mice shows that consuming emulsifiers, a common ingredient in ultra-processed human foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding is associated with mild health risks for offspring.

24 Aug 2023

Women with pre-eclampsia undergo accelerated aging during pregnancy

Pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening surge in blood pressure, is an enigmatic condition. Each year, it causes the deaths of more than 70,000 women worldwide. Because scientists do not know what causes it, they lack targeted strategies to treat it.

24 Aug 2023

Fatty acid combination supplement improves visual function in preterm babies

Preterm babies given a supplement with a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have better visual function by the age of two and a half. This has been shown by a study at the University of Gothenburg.

24 Aug 2023

Timing and cost of new vaccines vary by virus and health insurance status

As summer edges toward fall, thoughts turn to, well, vaccines.

24 Aug 2023

Dangers and deaths around Black pregnancies seen as a ‘completely preventable’ health crisis

Tonjanic Hill was overjoyed in 2017 when she learned she was 14 weeks pregnant. Despite a history of uterine fibroids, she never lost faith that she would someday have a child.

24 Aug 2023

Review explores relationship between sleep disorders and pregnancy

A recent review summarizes what is known about these conditions and suggests future research directions and opportunities.

23 Aug 2023

The relationship between breast milk feeding and infants’ neurodevelopment via epigenetics

Researchers collated studies on the epigenetic advantages of breast milk feeding and neurodevelopment in infants.

22 Aug 2023

Social media and the internet: Top concerns for parents of school-age children

As children head back to school, two issues have climbed higher on their parents' list of concerns: the role of social media and the internet in kids' lives.

21 Aug 2023

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact childbearing rates in the United States?

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on childbearing rates in the United States.

21 Aug 2023

Machine learning-based preeclampsia risk prediction

Study developed a machine-learning-based model using the Medical Record Longitudinal Information AI System (MERLIN).

21 Aug 2023

Tulane, Ochsner Health and RH Impact awarded $16.5 million grant to address Louisiana's high maternal mortality rate

Tulane University, Ochsner Health and the community nonprofit RH Impact have been awarded a seven-year, $16.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a research center of excellence focused on finding solutions to address Louisiana's disproportionately high maternal mortality rate.

18 Aug 2023