Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Michigan Public Health awarded $1.8 million to address gaps in maternal and child health workforce

The University of Michigan School of Public Health has been selected as one of 13 Centers of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science, and Practice by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

12 Aug 2025

Powerful optical technique can analyze the biochemical fingerprints of vaginal fluid

Vaginal health is tightly linked to the balance of bacteria in the microbiome, especially certain species of Lactobacillus.

12 Aug 2025

Parents’ workplace chemical exposure may be linked to behavioral challenges in children with autism

A new study in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health finds parents' workplace chemical exposure may be linked to a range of behavioral challenges and developmental delays in their children with autism.

8 Aug 2025

Gut bacteria may connect pregnancy diet to childhood autism

Unhealthy maternal diets may alter gut microbes, impacting brain development and increasing autism risk in offspring. Study the microbiome's influence.

8 Aug 2025

KAIST researchers link placental inflammation to childhood allergies

It is already well-known that when a mother experiences inflammation during pregnancy, her child is more likely to develop allergic diseases.

7 Aug 2025

Positive emotions and self-belief ease childbirth fears for expectant mothers

Up to 60% of women experience some fear about giving birth, especially for the first time, but a new study shows why some women are more likely to stay calm and confident in the lead-up to childbirth.

6 Aug 2025

Mediterranean diet delivers gut health benefits for expectant mothers

A Mediterranean diet during pregnancy significantly alters the maternal gut microbiome, increasing beneficial bacteria, while a mindfulness-based stress reduction program shows more limited effects. Neither intervention affected the vaginal microbiome, and the clinical significance of these changes requires further study.

6 Aug 2025

AI app Ovum gives Australian women the power to advocate for their own health

Ovum is an Australian-first AI-powered app designed to empower women to track symptoms, gain personalised health insights, and advocate for better healthcare outcomes. Developed with clinical trials and user feedback, Ovum aims to address the longstanding dismissal of women’s health concerns by the medical system.

6 Aug 2025

Pregnancy complications may signal early stroke risk

Experiencing complications during pregnancy is linked with a higher risk of stroke before age 50, according to a study published August 6, 2025, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

6 Aug 2025

Mother’s genetics may play an important role in influencing her child's weight

A mother's genetics may play a bigger role in determining whether a child becomes overweight than a father's, as a result of a concept known as genetic nurture, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

5 Aug 2025

Breast milk fatty acids help babies sleep longer, study finds

Researchers found that higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in human milk are associated with longer sleep duration in exclusively breastfed two-month-old infants. The strongest effects were observed for daytime (diurnal) sleep, especially with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

5 Aug 2025

Living in deprived neighborhoods linked to higher risk of gestational diabetes

New research from the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health showed that living in resource-poor neighborhoods may raise the risk of women developing diabetes during pregnancy, a condition with potential long-term effects on the health of both mother and child.

4 Aug 2025

Understanding the importance of B vitamins for health

Eight different vitamins make up the B complex, and they all play crucial roles in the body, such as producing energy, keeping our nervous system healthy, and supporting cell development.

4 Aug 2025

Can your diet and health change your breast milk? Review uncovers the key maternal and birth factors

This review highlights how maternal, obstetrical, and neonatal factors influence the energy and macronutrient content of breast milk. The findings underscore significant variability in milk composition, with implications for tailored nutritional support in early life.

3 Aug 2025

AI spots hidden diabetes risk even when test results look normal

Researchers used continuous glucose monitoring and multimodal data from over 3,000 people to reveal hidden patterns in glucose spikes across normoglycemia, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Their AI-driven model exposed high individual variability and offers a personalized path for early detection and prevention of diabetes.

3 Aug 2025