Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Scientists proves Yersinia pestis as causative agent for Black Death epidemics in European continent

The latest tests conducted by anthropologists at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have proven that the bacteria Yersinia pestis was indeed the causative agent behind the "Black Death" that raged across Europe in the Middle Ages. The cause of the epidemic has always remained highly controversial and other pathogens were often named as possible causes, in particular for the northern European regions.

11 Oct 2010

Researchers investigate ways to minimize risk of multiple pregnancies

The complication rate during pregnancy with twins is about 40%. Women with multiple pregnancies often develop pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and hemorrhages during the term of their pregnancy. Joachim W Dudenhausen from the Charité Berlin University Medicine and Rolf F Maier from Magdeburg University Medical Center, investigate which risks can be minimized by close monitoring in multiple pregnancies.

11 Oct 2010

Bathing better than pethidine as pain relief during labor: Survey

According to a large survey of new mothers, a bath or a shower relieves pain in childbirth more effectively than anaesthetic gas or pethidine. The survey also found that breathing techniques, massage, hot packs and hypnotherapy were more effective than pethidine, a strong analgesic given by injection, and nitrous oxide, that is an anaesthetic gas. The survey has renewed the debate of drug overuse during child birth that could potentially harm babies.

10 Oct 2010

New Bioactive technology can be applied in rapid diagnostics tests

VTT printed the paper with antibodies that react to the sample. The test result can be read in the form of a line, for example, which either does or does not appear depending on the sample - just like in the pregnancy tests already familiar to consumers. It is also possible to print instructional images or text, for example, either on or alongside the test.

8 Oct 2010

Sucampo submits marketing application for Amitiza drug

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Abbott today announced that Sucampo Pharma Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has submitted a marketing application to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for approval to market Amitiza (lubiprostone) 24 mcg for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

7 Oct 2010

Study reveals fine-tuning mechanism of angiotensinogen in pre-eclampsia

An exciting collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge and Nottingham has resulted in new insights into the hypertension that frequently blights pregnancy.

7 Oct 2010

Research findings likely to have significant implications for treatment of pre-eclampsia, hypertension

Scientists have discovered a mechanism which raises blood pressure in pre-eclampsia, a potentially deadly condition which occurs during pregnancy.

7 Oct 2010

NIH grants $3.7 million to develop more accurate algorithms for tracking fetal development

Fetal growth is used as a marker of health and well-being in unborn babies as well as children. But, the tools that are currently available to differentiate between a small, healthy fetus and a fetus that is small due to pathologic causes have significant limitations. What if they were improved. Would it save the health care system resources spent monitoring women who might need medical intervention because their fetuses might just be small and healthy. Would it help some women avoid the anxiety such intervention brings.

7 Oct 2010

What to eat and drink when pregnant: New studies

There is fresh debate over drinking during pregnancy. Researchers agree that the area is “highly politically and morally charged”. According to Government advice women who are trying to conceive or who are pregnant should avoid alcohol because it has proved impossible to establish a safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Excess alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome that can lead to mental retardation, behavioral problems and birth defects.

6 Oct 2010

Teen sex on the rise and so are STIs: Survey

A survey of 8,800 Australian year 10 and year 12 students in 300 schools around Australia was taken in three snapshots between 1997 and 2008. It was found that with the rise of risky alcohol consumption among Australia's teenagers there is also a surge of sex “under the influence” and number of sexual partners and unsafe and unprotected intercourse. However, the awareness of HIV/AIDS remained high.

6 Oct 2010

European infertility patients are limited in choice for medically assisted reproduction treatment

In a number of European countries, infertility patients are limited in their choice for medically assisted reproduction treatment, experts criticized today at the European Health Forum Gastein. Many patients seek treatment outside their home countries.

6 Oct 2010

ESHRE workshop highlights problems related to MAR treatment in Europe

European patients are in many countries, in fact, limited in their individual choice of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) treatment, experts from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) stressed today at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG).

6 Oct 2010

IVF pioneer wins Nobel prize three decades after groundbreaking work

Yesterday's announcement that a pioneer of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for humans has won the Nobel prize for medicine three decades after his groundbreaking work adds new historical perspective to advancements in reproductive medicine, a sharp reminder of how a once-feared technology has transformed into a highly popular and routine treatment for infertility, said one of Southern California's earliest fertility doctors.

6 Oct 2010

Xeomin botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia now available in the U.S.

Merz Pharmaceuticals today announced that Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), a new botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (CD)or blepharospasm, is now commercially available in the U.S. XEOMIN was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30, 2010.

6 Oct 2010

NSSHB study provides update on contemporary Americans' sexual behaviors

Findings from the largest nationally representative study of sexual and sexual-health behaviors ever fielded, conducted by Indiana University sexual health researchers, provides an updated and much needed snapshot of contemporary Americans' sexual behaviors, including a description of more than 40 combinations of sexual acts that people perform during sexual events, patterns of condom use by adolescents and adults, and the percentage of Americans participating in same-sex encounters.

5 Oct 2010

Tips on pregnancy care from NHS Choices

Having a baby is one of the most exciting things that can happen, but parents-to-be might be feeling nervous as well. If it's a first baby, it's hard to know what to expect and you'll want to know what's normal for pregnancy and what's not.

5 Oct 2010

International experts to discuss effect of diet on children's mental and behavioral development

Can diet affect our children's long-term mental and behavioural development. This question will be addressed by a number of international leading experts on child nutrition next 6th of October in York, at a public event organized within the 7th Framework Programme Nutrimenthe, entitled "Effect of diet on the mental performance of children".

5 Oct 2010

Home birth with midwife as safe as hospital birth for women with low-risk pregnancies

The latest research in birth and maternal care will be presented next week at the Canadian Association of Midwives' 10th Annual General Meeting, which focuses primarily on place of birth. The conference takes place October 6, 7 and 8 in Edmonton, Alberta.

5 Oct 2010

Intervention program prevents smoking relapse, increases breastfeeding duration

New mothers who smoke are less likely to breastfeed. But those who quit smoking during or just prior to becoming pregnant were significantly more likely to remain smoke free and continue breastfeeding if they received support and encouragement during the first eight weeks following child birth, according to a study presented Monday, Oct. 4, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco.

5 Oct 2010

TV shows help teens better understand challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood

Teen pregnancy has garnered significant attention in the entertainment media over the past two years -- from MTV's popular shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom to recent cover stories in major magazines. Some have criticized these efforts for glamorizing teen pregnancy. New research with teens suggests that teens do not share that view.

5 Oct 2010