Maternal Health News and Research

RSS

Vaginal birth after cesarean more common at Black-serving hospitals

Low-risk patients at predominantly Black-serving hospitals (BSH) who previously gave birth through Cesareans are likelier to attempt and successfully deliver vaginally in a subsequent pregnancy than they are at hospitals treating few Black patients, new UCLA-led research finds.

17 May 2026

Global effort redefines the most common hormonal disorder in women

A global effort led by Monash University has changed the name of a significant women's health condition that was misunderstood to be 'all about ovarian cysts'.

13 May 2026

App launched to track heart health after high-risk pregnancies

The MumCare app addresses postpartum cardiovascular risk, supporting women in managing health after pregnancy complications through personalized digital tools.

6 May 2026

Poor mental health linked to worse care quality and lower confidence in healthcare system

People with self-reported poorer mental health also report worse quality of care and lower confidence in healthcare systems, according to a study published May 5th in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Margaret E. Kruk from Washington University in St. Louis, U.S., and colleagues.

5 May 2026

As US birth rate falls, feds’ response may make pregnancy more dangerous

The number of babies born in the United States fell again last year.

17 Apr 2026

Postpartum Medicaid expansion improved coverage but showed limited care changes

The federal policy requiring states to keep Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic extended postpartum Medicaid coverage nationwide and sharply increased the number of individuals remaining insured after childbirth, according to a Rutgers Health researcher.

13 Apr 2026

This Northern Cheyenne doula was about to start getting paid — then Medicaid cuts hit

Misty Pipe had about an hour before her shift began at the post office. She used that time to check in on a new mom who lives a few miles outside this town at the heart of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

7 Apr 2026

Remote monitoring technology helps Brooklyn resident manage high blood pressure

When 57-year-old Brooklyn resident Timothy Rhonda visited Park Ridge Family Health Center at NYU Langone with dangerously high blood pressure, he worried he might once again end up in the hospital.

6 Apr 2026

Extreme heat linked to higher risk of low birth weight babies

Exposure to extreme heat conditions is resulting in more babies being born with low birth weight, according to a new study involving Adelaide University researchers.

1 Apr 2026

Global maternal deaths decline but progress slows worldwide

Global maternal deaths have declined over the past three decades, yet progress has slowed in recent years and remains uneven across countries, according to new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 research published today in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health.

26 Mar 2026

Placental abruption linked to higher heart risk in children

The risk of developing early cardiovascular disease or dying from cardiovascular disease by the age of 28 was about 4.6 times higher among people born to mothers who had a placental abruption during their pregnancy.

25 Mar 2026

Nepal and Afghanistan show how abrupt aid cuts can unravel essential care

Abrupt cuts to external health aid can destabilize multiple essential services simultaneously in fragile, donor-dependent settings, as illustrated by Nepal and Afghanistan. The paper argues that donor withdrawal is not just a resilience test, but also an ethical and governance issue that should be managed through “transition discipline.”

24 Mar 2026

Continuous Medicaid coverage lowered postpartum uninsurance, but disparities remain

Postpartum uninsurance declined among Black women in non-expansion states during the COVID-19 continuous Medicaid coverage policy, but racial gaps persisted, according to a new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

17 Mar 2026

Pregnancy complications increase heart health risks for women with high stress

Women who experience pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia, pre-term birth, stillbirth or having a baby that is small for gestational age, may face an increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life.

9 Mar 2026

Denmark achieves historic elimination of mother-to-child HIV and syphilis transmission

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country's sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections.

27 Feb 2026

Immune cells shape maternal and infant health during lactation

It's widely known that breastfeeding impacts the health of both mother and child, but the underlying biology that leads to these effects has been understudied.

26 Feb 2026

Child stunting: Historical evidence confirms global eradication is possible

New research led by LSE reveals that high‑income countries once suffered severe child stunting comparable to rates seen in many low‑ and middle‑income countries today, offering powerful evidence that child stunting can be eliminated globally.

24 Feb 2026

Study finds most YouTube advice on morning sickness lacks scientific evidence and some may pose risks

Researchers analysed highly viewed YouTube videos on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and found most recommendations lacked strong scientific evidence. Some advice appeared potentially unsafe, highlighting the need for clearer evidence-based guidance for pregnant women online.

23 Feb 2026

Combining gene and biomarker screening for newborn health

For more than six decades, biomarker-based newborn screening has played a pivotal role in reducing infant mortality and long-term disability by enabling early detection of metabolic and endocrine disorders.

23 Feb 2026

Grant funds research on prenatal massage for maternal mental health

The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announces the award of a research grant to University of Denver, Denver, Colo. The grant will support a three-year study entitled, "Prenatal Massage: A Complementary Approach for Maternal Health and Mental Health," led by Primary Investigator Galena Rhoades, PhD.

22 Feb 2026