Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

New poll shows which childhood vaccines US parents trust

While support for childhood vaccines is high, concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety during pregnancy reveal significant public health messaging challenges.

26 Oct 2026

New guidance expands reproductive care for people with cystic fibrosis

For much of the history of cystic fibrosis (CF) care, reproductive health was not a major part of the conversation. Fertility challenges were the norm for men and women with this genetic disorder, and many grew up assuming biological parenthood was not possible.

23 Oct 2026

Researchers call for microbiome moonshot to tackle chronic diseases

Rutgers researchers are part of an international call for a microbiome moonshot, a massive, coordinated effort to pinpoint how certain microorganisms inside us drive chronic disease and how others can be harnessed for repair.

23 Oct 2026

Fish consumption may help reduce hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

A new prospective study from Japan explored whether fish consumption before and during pregnancy is linked to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

23 Oct 2026

Maternal stress alters placental pathways affecting fetal brain development

About one in five U.S. women experience maternal mental health conditions, and chronic stress during pregnancy can contribute to risk for both maternal and child health challenges.

23 Oct 2026

Babies born small may face lasting differences in school performance

The study highlights that fetal size, not just gestational age, plays a crucial role in long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for term-born children.

23 Oct 2026

Postpartum recovery may influence long-term maternal aging and health

Jesse Poganik, PhD, of the Division of Genetics within the Department of Medicine at Mass General Brigham, is the senior author of a paper published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, "The Postpartum Recovery Window as a Determinant of Maternal Aging." Stephen Albright, formerly of Mass General Brigham, is the lead author.

23 Oct 2026

$8.2 million grant advances on-demand male contraceptive development

Weill Cornell Medicine has received a four-year, $8.2 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to develop and test an experimental on-demand male contraceptive pill that temporarily stops sperm in their tracks

22 Oct 2026

Short gaps between pregnancies may accelerate biological aging in mothers

The study of biological aging, how our cells, tissues, and organs change over time, independent of how many years have passed, is a growing area of research that aims to help scientists understand the root causes of chronic illnesses and find ways to enhance longevity.

22 Oct 2026

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy raises complication risks

A new study of more than one million births led by McMaster University researchers has found that gaining too much weight during pregnancy, regardless of a person's starting weight, is linked to a higher risk of life-threatening maternal complications.

22 Oct 2026

Australian study highlights delayed diagnosis in postpartum psychosis care

Women with postpartum psychosis are making repeated pleas for help before receiving a diagnosis, with the first Australian study of their help-seeking experiences finding many contacted health services an average of seven times before getting the care they needed.

22 Oct 2026

Digital mindfulness program cuts depression relapse risk in mothers by 26%

A free, online program developed by University of Colorado Boulder researchers has been shown to reduce risk of depression relapse by double digits among new moms and moms-to-be with a history of depression.

22 Oct 2026

Prenatal iron deficiency linked to lasting changes in the offspring brain

During the first weeks of pregnancy, developing cells are already laying the foundation for the brain. Iron plays a major role in the organization and shaping of cells during this stage of gestation.

21 Oct 2026

Like father, like son? Study reveals a surprising pattern in male reproductive health

Researchers examining 117 father-son pairs from Denmark and Finland identified weak but statistically significant familial associations in several male reproductive traits, including testicular size, sperm concentration, selected hormone levels, and genital measurements. The findings suggest that reproductive characteristics show limited resemblance across generations, although the study could not determine the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors.

21 Oct 2026

Why the same healthy diet may not work the same way for everyone

A review published in Nutrients proposes a seven-pillar precision nutrition framework that combines biological, behavioral, and environmental information to tailor dietary interventions throughout life. The authors identify potential benefits for cardiovascular, respiratory, blood, and sleep health, while emphasizing the need for further clinical trials to establish effective, accessible, and personalized nutritional strategies.

20 Oct 2026

Restless legs syndrome triples the risk of perinatal depression in pregnant women

New research found a higher risk of perinatal depression in pregnant women with restless legs syndrome.

20 Oct 2026

Anxiety and depression linked to higher levels of pregnancy "brain fog"

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are associated with higher levels of "pregnancy brain," which is also known as "baby brain," "brain fog" or "momnesia," according to a new study by Penn State researchers.

20 Oct 2026

Your age may not tell the whole story about how healthy you are

Researchers developed a five-factor Lifestyle Index assessing physical activity, BMI, smoking, sleep quality, and sexual satisfaction in 312 Swiss adults aged 35 to 65 years. Higher scores were modestly associated with younger bio-functional age, suggesting a relationship between combined lifestyle patterns and functional health, although the findings cannot establish causation.

19 Oct 2026

Most parents say having a baby costs too much

Welcoming a new baby brings moments of joy, major milestones and significant expenses.

19 Oct 2026

Could this flowering plant help people lose body fat?

Lythrum salicaria extract supplementation led to body fat reduction in a clinical trial, suggesting a promising plant-based approach to weight management.

19 Oct 2026