Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Maternal microbiota is a source of newborn immunity, shows study

Mother's milk has been long touted for its salutary effects on the newborn and its ability to shield infants from certain infections.

9 Jan 2020

Diabetes drug could be repurposed as new treatment to prevent miscarriage

A drug designed to tackle diabetes could also be repurposed as the first treatment to prevent miscarriage by targeting the lining of the womb itself, according to a clinical trial led by the University of Warwick.

9 Jan 2020

Researchers study the effects of antidepressants to identify the least harmful drugs

About one in ten women in Québec will suffer from depression during pregnancy. Without treatment, the illness carries risks for both mother and child.

8 Jan 2020

New test could help medics to quickly diagnose urinary tract infections

Biological Engineers at the University of Bath have developed a test that could help medics quickly diagnose urinary tract infections, using a normal smartphone camera.

8 Jan 2020

Pregnant women who fail to have regular check-ups more likely to be suffering physical violence

Women who fail to have adequate check-ups during pregnancy are more likely to be suffering physical violence at the hands of their partners.

8 Jan 2020

New study characterizes how Twitter users discuss miscarriage, preterm birth

A new Boston University School of Public Health study characterizes how Twitter users discuss miscarriage and preterm birth. Published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, the study finds that miscarriage disclosures by Michelle Obama and other public figures prompted spikes in discussion, and in other people sharing their own experiences of miscarriage.

8 Jan 2020

New study finds zinc and folic acid supplements are ineffective at improving male fertility

A study has revealed that taking zinc and folic acid supplements do not improve male fertility as has previously been suspected.

8 Jan 2020

Heart transplants from hepatitis C–positive donors could help overcome organ shortage

One-year survival was similar for adults with severe heart failure who received a heart transplant from a donor with hepatitis C compared to those who received hearts from donors who did not have hepatitis C, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the open access journal of the American Heart Association.

8 Jan 2020

Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and early childhood weight associated with obesity in adolescence

Excess weight at age 3 years was associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese at age 15 years in a study of adolescents in Japan.

8 Jan 2020

Study: Inflammatory bowel disease can increase certain risks in pregnant women

Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to undergo delivery by Caesarean section and face certain risks during pregnancy, according to an analysis of published studies.

8 Jan 2020

Study: Certain steps can improve pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis

For women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), taking certain steps to ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy leads to a reduced risk of complicated birth or miscarriage, according to a study in Arthritis Care & Research.

8 Jan 2020

Zinc and folic acid supplements fail to improve fertility in men

Zinc and folic acid, a pair of dietary supplements long touted as an effective treatment for male infertility, failed to improve pregnancy rates, sperm counts, and sperm potency in a new study conducted at University of Utah Health and other medical centers in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health.

7 Jan 2020

Medicaid expansion improves postpartum coverage and use of outpatient care

Study comparing Utah and Colorado finds Medicaid expansion helped prevent new mothers from losing coverage to the "postpartum coverage cliff," with implications for reducing maternal mortality.

7 Jan 2020

In Massachusetts, minors need permission for abortion, but that could change

She was 15 and recovering from rape, when she realized she was pregnant. She knew right away that she wanted to terminate the pregnancy. But as in many states, Massachusetts required — and still requires — minors to get a parent’s consent before an abortion.

7 Jan 2020