Maternal Health News and Research

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LSTM professor edits supplement about quality of care for maternal and newborn health

Head of LSTM’s Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Professor Nynke van den Broek, has acted as Editor for a special supplement for BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which has been published online.

19 Sep 2014

Socially disadvantaged women experience poor maternal care in the UK

Women from lower socioeconomic groups in the UK report a poorer experience of care during pregnancy and there needs to be a greater focus on their care, suggests a new study published today (17 September) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

19 Sep 2014

Improving nutrition is essential for promoting Aboriginal health

Nutrition has not been given enough priority in national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy in recent years.

6 Aug 2014

Researchers propose ‘microbiome cloud model’ to understand variation in individual's microbiome composition

The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is a global initiative to identify and characterize the microorganisms present at multiple sites in the human body.

22 Jul 2014

New report highlights impact of malaria interventions on maternal, newborn health

A new report highlighting the impact of malaria interventions on maternal, newborn and child health was launched today alongside the annual High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York.

11 Jul 2014

Global forum calls for accelerated action to improve maternal, newborn and child health

More than 800 leaders and public health experts from around the world opened a landmark two-day meeting in Johannesburg to review new data and call for accelerated action to improve maternal, newborn and child health.

2 Jul 2014

Maternal health key to healthier nation

Investing in the health of expectant mothers is crucial in helping to create a healthier nation, according to a health expert at Sheffield Hallam University.

17 Jun 2014

Using placental cells to repair damaged tissues: an interview with Zami Aberman, CEO, Pluristem Therapeutics

We start with birth and we collect the cells after C-section. The reason for that is we have to have the mother sign a consent letter that she is donating the placenta and, on top of that, we have to have a blood sample from the mother to test for any viral contamination.

16 Jun 2014

Report recommends new strategies to address major deficits in midwifery workforce

A report released today by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund together with the International Confederation of Midwives, WHO and partners reveals that major deficits in the midwifery workforce occur in 73 countries where these services are most desperately needed. The report recommends new strategies to address these deficits and save millions of lives of women and newborns.

5 Jun 2014

Family planning linked to better child and maternal health, says study

Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended, and unplanned pregnancies are associated with poorer health and lower rates of educational and economic achievement for women and their children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

29 May 2014

New project aims at saving lives of mothers, newborns in developing countries

Grand Challenges Canada, funded by the Government of Canada, today announces investments of $12 million in projects worldwide, aimed squarely at improving the health and saving the lives of mothers, newborns and children in developing countries.

22 May 2014

New study suggests greater focus on maternal mental health

Maternal depression is more common at four years following childbirth than at any other time in the first 12 months after childbirth, and there needs to be a greater focus on maternal mental health, suggests a new study published today (21 May) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

21 May 2014

Two new studies aim to change HIV infections in children, maternal deaths due to HIV

HIV has been transformed into a chronic, manageable disease for most people living with HIV in the United States, where mother-to-child transmission of HIV is now a rare occurrence.

20 May 2014

New United Nations data show sharp decline in maternal deaths

New United Nations data show a 45% reduction in maternal deaths since 1990. An estimated 289 000 women died in 2013 due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth, down from 523 000 in 1990.

6 May 2014

Managing pregnancy-related complications: an interview with Dr. Mark Zakowski

Pregnancy-related mortality has increased over the last 25 years. Ten years ago the top three pregnancy-related mortality diagnoses were hemorrhage, preeclampsia, and embolism (includes thrombotic and amniotic).

2 Apr 2014

Bloomberg Philanthropies introduces multi-faceted $50M reproductive health program for women

Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced the launch of a multi-faceted $50 million reproductive health program to prevent maternal deaths and help more women freely and safely make decisions about when to have children.

27 Mar 2014

Risk, pregnancy and childbirth

New research published in a special issue of Health, Risk & Society looks at perceptions of risk around pregnancy and how this influences decisions about where to give birth. Despite childbirth in the UK being increasingly considered safe, the article by Kirstie Coxon and colleagues show that childbirth is still seen as 'risky'.

13 Mar 2014

New American Journal of Public Health issue explores methods, practices to enhance birth outcomes

In a new issue of the American Journal of Public Health, researchers and experts investigate the latest methods and practices in improving birth outcomes. The special issue compiles a collection of commentaries, research studies and editorials to discuss maternal and child health topics ranging from disparities to breastfeeding.

20 Dec 2013

Study shows that gaining too little weight during pregnancy is risk factor for infant mortality

Women who do not gain enough weight during pregnancy are at increased risk of losing their baby in its first year of life, according to a new study by researchers in the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

19 Dec 2013

Women who take shorter maternity leave may have increased risk of postpartum depression

The more leave time from work that a woman takes after giving birth -- up to six months -- the better protected she will be from experiencing post-partum depression, according to a study led by Dr. Rada K. Dagher, assistant professor of health services administration at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

13 Dec 2013