Pregnancy

This hub brings together authoritative articles covering the spectrum of pregnancy, maternal health, and fetal development. The collection encompasses topics ranging from the earliest signs of pregnancy to postpartum care, including trimester-specific changes, common symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and the management of complications. Readers will find evidence-based guidance on maternal nutrition, exercise, mental health, and medical conditions affecting pregnancy, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. The articles also address genetic and infectious disease considerations, fetal movement and monitoring, and the latest insights into maternal brain and mood changes. This resource is designed to support healthcare professionals, expectant parents, and researchers with up-to-date, trusted information for every stage of the pregnancy journey.

Is “Mom Brain” Real? The Science Behind Memory, Mood, and Motherhood

Pregnancy and motherhood trigger profound hormonal, structural, and functional changes in the brain, reshaping neural circuits to support caregiving and maternal behaviors. Recent evidence reveals that “mom brain” reflects adaptive neuroplasticity rather than simple cognitive decline.

Overview

Explore expert-reviewed articles on pregnancy symptoms, complications, fetal development, nutrition, and maternal health. This hub delivers evidence-based information for clinicians, parents, and anyone seeking reliable guidance during pregnancy.

What is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)?

Smoking and Pregnancy

How does Pregnancy Affect Breast Cancer Risk and Survival?

Voice Changes and Pregnancy

What Causes Miscarriage?

Dangers of Vitamin Deficiency During Pregnancy

Complications during Pregnancy

Heartburn in Pregnancy

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Benefits of Nut Consumption During Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 29 - 32 weeks

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Breast and Nipple Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 37 - 40 weeks

Medical Complications of Twins, Triplets and Multiples

Lupus and Pregnancy

Can Men Improve the Chances of a Successful Pregnancy?

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy

Osteoporosis and Pregnancy

Extended Breech, Flexed Breech and Footling Breech

The Role of Estrogen in Pregnancy

What is the Triple Screen in Pregnancy?

Safety, Not “Sharing,” Must Guide Visitor Policies for Cesarean Surgery

Recurrent Miscarriage Causes

Back Pain in Pregnancy

Supplements During Pregnancy

Recurrent Miscarriage Epidemiology

What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Fibromyalgia and Fertility / Pregnancy

Diabetes and Pregnancy

Piles (Haemorrhoids) in Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 33 - 36 weeks

Pregnancy: over 40 weeks

Pregnancy Denial

The Constituents of Breast Milk

Pregnancy and Infectious Diseases

Does Morning Sickness Occur at Other Times of Day?

Obesity in Pregnancy

Early Signs of Pregnancy

Diagnosis of fatty liver of pregnancy

How Soon Can You Have Sex After Having a Baby?

Foot Conditions and Pregnancy

What is Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy?

Hair Growth in Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 21 - 24 weeks

Pregnancy Myths

Pregnancy: 17 - 20 weeks

Breast Changes After Birth

Thyroid Disease in Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 13 - 16 weeks

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy: 9 - 12 weeks

Constipation in Pregnancy

Maternal Immune Activation During Pregnancy

What is hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness)?

Why is Caffeine Dangerous During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy: 0-8 weeks

Fetal Movements in Pregnancy

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

What is the Quadruple or Combined Test?

Raspberry Leaf Tea In Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits, and Research Insights

Eczema During Pregnancy

Maternal Birthing Positions

Is it Safe to Exercise During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy: 25 - 28 weeks

How Much Should My Baby Move During Pregnancy?

What is the Third Stage of Labor?

The Genetics of Pre-Eclampsia

Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy Treatment

Pregnancy and Organic Food

How is the Sex of a Fetus Determined?

What Causes an Ectopic Pregnancy?

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Zika Virus in Pregnant Women

Breeched Birth: Caesarean Section or Vaginal Delivery?

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Standard doses of antidepressants during pregnancy appear to be safe, study suggests

Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital.

24 Feb 2026

Rytvela lowers inflammation and improves newborn survival in preclinical study

New research shows that Rytvela, an anti-inflammatory drug candidate, decreased premature birth and infant mortality when administered after the onset of preterm labor in a preclinical mouse model.

23 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

Higher ultra-processed food intake aligns with greater binge eating risk in obesity study

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods in adults with obesity was associated with disordered eating symptoms, poorer diet quality, and lower protein intake. The cross-sectional findings suggest dietary processing level may influence eating behaviour patterns relevant to obesity management, though causality cannot be inferred.

23 Feb 2026

Study reveals how meal skipping during teen pregnancy connects to mental health

A cross-sectional study of pregnant adolescents found that skipping meals, screen distraction during eating, and low dairy intake were associated with higher depressive symptom prevalence. Overall dietary diversity showed no significant relationship, and causality could not be established.

23 Feb 2026

New Orleans brings back the house call, sending nurses to visit newborns and moms

When Lisa Bonfield gave birth to daughter Adele in late November, she was thrust into the new world of parenting, and faced an onslaught of challenges and skills to learn: breastfeeding, diapering, sleep routines, colic, crying, and all the little warning signs that something could be wrong with the baby.

23 Feb 2026

As more Americans embrace anxiety treatment, MAHA derides medications

After a grueling year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat breast cancer, Sadia Zapp was anxious — not the manageable hum that had long been part of her life, but something deeper, more distracting.

23 Feb 2026

Single prenatal exposure to fungicide linked to disease across 20 generations

A single exposure to a toxic fungicide during pregnancy can increase the risk of disease for 20 subsequent generations - with inherited health problems worsening many generations after exposure.

20 Feb 2026

Early hydrocortisone treatment improves survival for extremely premature babies

Early hydrocortisone treatment of extremely premature babies increases their chances of survival without lung disease, according to a study led by Linköping University. The study also shows that the treatment is safe to give.

19 Feb 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

COVID and flu vaccination rates during pregnancy remain low in Norway

A study of over 50,000 pregnant women in Norway during the 2023/24 influenza season found that only 29.9% were vaccinated against influenza and 12.1% against COVID-19 during pregnancy, remaining far below recommended targets.

19 Feb 2026

Second pregnancy leaves distinct and lasting changes in the maternal brain

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have discovered that a second pregnancy alters the female brain. Previous research from the same group had already demonstrated the impact of a first pregnancy on the female brain.

19 Feb 2026

Study reveals coffee triggers distinct cytokine responses compared with pure caffeine

A randomized crossover pilot study in healthy adults found that coffee and isolated caffeine produce distinct short-term immune responses despite equivalent caffeine doses. The results suggest non-caffeine coffee compounds may influence cytokine activity and caffeine metabolism, although findings remain preliminary due to the small sample size.

19 Feb 2026

Prenatal lead exposure linked to lower cognition six decades later

Exposure to lead before birth is associated with lower performance 60 years later on tests of thinking and memory skills in female participants, according to a study published on February 18, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Feb 2026

COVID vaccination during pregnancy linked to lower preeclampsia risk

A new multinational study from the INTERCOVID Consortium, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, has found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, particularly when combined with a booster dose, significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia, a serious and potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.

18 Feb 2026

Study reveals widespread prenatal exposure of babies to forever chemicals

Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed to many more "forever chemicals" before birth than scientists previously understood, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology.

18 Feb 2026

Study examines the effectiveness of urine testing as a screening tool for alcohol use in pregnancy

Previous reports have indicated that between 20 and 60 per cent of pregnant women in Ireland consume alcohol during pregnancy.

18 Feb 2026

Short-duration psychedelic therapy shows promise for major depression treatment

A phase IIa randomized trial found that intravenous dimethyltryptamine (DMT) with structured psychological support produced rapid reductions in depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Improvements were statistically significant versus placebo at two weeks, with mostly mild-to-moderate adverse events and the need for larger confirmatory studies emphasized.

17 Feb 2026

Reducing maternal smoking during pregnancy could lower hypertension rates in children

Maternal smoking during pregnancy may be associated with higher blood pressure and increased risk of hypertension in children, according to a new ECHO Cohort study led by Lyndsey Shorey-Kendrick, PhD, of Oregon Health & Science University and Christine Ladd-Acosta, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University.

17 Feb 2026

Redefining cardiovascular care for women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women across the globe, yet significant progress has been made in prevention, diagnosis and management thanks to more sex-specific research, as noted in a special Go Red for Women issue of Circulation, the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed scientific journal, published today.

17 Feb 2026