Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Couples with high PCB levels and other pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy

Couples with high levels of PCBs and similar environmental pollutants take longer to achieve pregnancy in comparison to other couples with lower levels of the pollutants, according to a preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.

14 Nov 2012

Pictorial health warning labels effective in reaching adult smokers

Health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette packages that use pictures to show the health consequences of smoking are effective in reaching adult smokers, according to the results of a new study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

13 Nov 2012

Pathway between maternal obesity and childhood asthma nonallergic

Maternal pre-pregnancy bodyweight is associated with the risk for children developing asthma and wheezing by the age of 7 years, Danish research shows.

13 Nov 2012

Multimodal approach relieves obstetric back and pelvic pain

Pregnant women with low-back pain and pelvic pain could benefit from a multimodal approach of musculoskeletal and obstetric management, say researchers.

13 Nov 2012

Like mother’s menopause, like daughter’s fertility decline

A mother’s age at menopause may dictate when her daughter’s fertility will decline, suggests research.

13 Nov 2012

Could lactate levels in amniotic fluid help diagnose dysfunctional labour?

With as many as a 30 percent of pregnant women in Australia experiencing a caesarean birth, a study led by researchers from the University of Sydney aims to determine if there is a link between high levels of lactate in amniotic fluid and difficult labours which may end with a caesarean section.

13 Nov 2012

Auto-injector developed for women undergoing fertility treatment

A new auto-injector concept has been designed by innovative product development firm Cambridge Consultants in a bid to ease the trauma for women undergoing fertility treatment.

12 Nov 2012

Whole genome sequencing could become prenatal standard of care

Whole genome sequencing of the DNA code of prenatal samples accurately and quickly identifies the location of chromosomal abnormalities, and could become a prenatal standard of care, researchers propose.

9 Nov 2012

Modified MDQ effective for bipolar screening in pregnancy

A modified version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire is an effective screening tool for bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period, researchers report.

9 Nov 2012

Autism Speaks releases biological and clinical data from 383 new AGRE families

Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, is proud to announce the release of biological and clinical data from 383 new families participating in Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) to researchers. AGRE is a resource for scientists that is comprised of clinical and biological data from families who have two or more children on the autism spectrum.

9 Nov 2012

Opportunities to enhance research into pregnancy complications to prevent preterm and stillbirth

New surveys of researchers and funders reveal a lack of consensus regarding researching and developing interventions to prevent prematurity and stillbirth, according to an article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ahead of World Prematurity Day on November 17.

8 Nov 2012

Dems retain control of the Senate; Rape, abortion comments dash GOP chances in Indiana, Missouri

Victories in high-profile races -- including those in Virginia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and New Mexico -- helped Democrats keep control of the upper chamber. At the same time, the GOP maintained its majority in the House.

8 Nov 2012

Studies provide first clues of balanced de novo chromosomal rearrangements

Whole genome sequencing of the DNA code of three prenatal samples provided a detailed map of the locations of their chromosomal abnormalities in 14 days, scientists reported today at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2012 meeting in San Francisco.

8 Nov 2012

Texas Biomed develops rapid, less expensive route to screen suitable tests for bioterror threats

Texas Biomedical Research Institute scientists in San Antonio have developed a faster, less expensive route to screen suitable tests for bioterror threats and accelerate the application of countermeasures.

7 Nov 2012

Excessive turnover of placental cells may trigger unnatural increase in blood pressure

Excessive turnover of cells in the placenta may trigger an unnatural increase in blood pressure that puts mother and baby at risk, researchers say.

7 Nov 2012

Federal appeals court begins hearing arguments on Ariz. abortion restrictions

A federal appeals court began hearing arguments Monday challenging Arizona's ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy -- sharply questioning lawyers arguing the case.

7 Nov 2012

Three quarters of pregnant women take sick leave from work: Study

Three quarters of pregnant women take sick leave from work but employers can help reduce this through flexible work adjustments, suggests a new study published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

7 Nov 2012

FDA approves Pfizer’s XELJANZ to treat rheumatoid arthritis

Pfizer Inc. has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for XELJANZ (tofacitinib citrate) 5 mg twice daily for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate.

6 Nov 2012

Lupus may carry pregnancy complication risk

US researchers report that women with systemic lupus erythematosus have a twofold higher risk for developing preeclampsia than women without an autoimmune disease.

6 Nov 2012

Keep momentum going to pursue innovation in contraceptive options

"It has been a banner year for media attention, political will and global resources on family planning and women's and girls' rights and empowerment," Ward Cates, president emeritus of FHI 360; Laneta Dorflinger, a scientist with FHI 360; and Kirsten Vogelsong, a senior program officer with the family planning division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, write in the Huffington Post "Global Motherhood" blog, noting the London Summit on Family Planning, World Contraception Day, and the inaugural International Day of the Girl Child.

6 Nov 2012