Childbirth News and Research

Latest Childbirth News and Research

Oxytocin’s new role in delaying embryo development revealed

Oxytocin, a hormone already known for its role in childbirth, milk release, and mother-infant bonding, may have a newfound purpose in mammalian reproduction.

5 Mar 2025

HPV more common in men than women and linked to rising cancer rates

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) is most associated with cervical cancer risk and women, a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) shows that the majority of people are unaware that the virus is actually more common among men than women and is associated with rising rates of other cancers that directly impact men.

4 Mar 2025

Rural mothers face unique challenges in breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for many new moms, regardless of where they live. However, a new study from the University of Missouri highlights a unique struggle faced by mothers in rural America: a lack of access to support systems and information.

3 Mar 2025

Tocolytic drugs ineffective for premature birth after 30 weeks

The use of tocolytic drugs in cases of threatened premature birth after 30 weeks of pregnancy does not improve the baby's health.

3 Mar 2025

Maternal stress may disrupt infant gut health, study highlights long-term risks

Perinatal maternal stress may alter gut microbiota in mothers and infants, potentially increasing inflammatory bacteria linked to health risks. A scoping review highlights the need for better stress measurement and microbiome research.

3 Mar 2025

Routine psychological screening can improve maternal cardiovascular health

Integrating routine psychological health screening and treatment during and after pregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve maternal cardiovascular health, according to a new scientific statement published today in a Go Red for Women spotlight issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

25 Feb 2025

Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase cardiovascular risk, even in unaffected sisters

A study reveals that women with adverse pregnancy outcomes and their APO-free sisters share elevated cardiovascular disease risks, indicating genetic links.

11 Feb 2025

Surge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo leads to healthcare crisis

The recent surge in violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has led to significant loss of life, trauma, displacement, and the destruction of critical health infrastructure, exacerbating an already dire situation for millions of people.

8 Feb 2025

Urgent action needed to end female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights that inflicts deep and lifelong physical, emotional and psychological scars on girls and women.

6 Feb 2025

Cervical cancer during pregnancy linked to higher maternal health risks

A new research paper was published in Oncoscience's Volume 12 on January 20, 2025, titled "Maternal, delivery and neonatal outcomes in women with cervical cancer. A study of a population database."

6 Feb 2025

Dartmouth study links missing birth support to higher stress levels

Most animals, including other primates, give birth alone, but humans require assistance during childbirth due to the physiological complexities of the process.

3 Feb 2025

Study finds increased risk of cardiovascular disease for mothers of twins

The risk of being admitted to the hospital with heart disease is twice as high the year after birth for mothers of twins compared to singleton births, according to research published in the European Heart Journal today (Monday).

3 Feb 2025

AI-based model detects unseen risk combinations in pregnancies

A new AI-based analysis of almost 10,000 pregnancies has discovered previously unidentified combinations of risk factors linked to serious negative pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth.

31 Jan 2025

New research aims to improve understanding of episiotomy mechanics

Millions of women undergo episiotomies during childbirth every year, yet the mechanics behind these surgical cuts remain largely unstudied.

30 Jan 2025

Adequate nurse staffing linked to lower C-section rates

Labor and delivery units that are adequately staffed by nurses have lower cesarean birth rates, according to new research published in the journal Nursing Outlook.

29 Jan 2025

Multiple sclerosis linked to increased risk of perinatal mental illness

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a significantly higher risk of perinatal mental illness compared to those with other chronic conditions, according to a new study analyzing over 890,000 births in Ontario.

23 Jan 2025

$12.5 million study aims to improve postpartum blood pressure management

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania are launching a $12.5 million study to improve postpartum blood pressure management and long-term cardiovascular health for patients with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

16 Dec 2024

Genetic insights into reproductive health and longevity

Led by researchers from the University of Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the University of Iceland, the review explores how genetic variations can explain differences in reproductive health and longevity.

14 Dec 2024

New hepatitis B vaccine offers superior protection for people with HIV

A newer vaccine against hepatitis B virus was clearly superior to an older vaccine type in inducing a protective antibody response among people living with HIV who didn't respond to prior vaccination, according to the results of an international study led by a Weill Cornell Medicine investigator.

11 Dec 2024

Herpes infections affect 846 million people worldwide

Around 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections – more than 1 in 5 of this age-group globally – according to new estimates released today.

11 Dec 2024