ScienceDaily: Pregnancy and Childbirth News

Women who smoke during pregnancy increase the risk of both obesity and gestational diabetes in their daughters

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

Women who smoke during pregnancy increase the risk of both obesity and gestational diabetes, in their daughters.

Prenatal exposure to traffic is associated with respiratory infection in young children

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:27:27 EDT

Living near a major roadway during the prenatal period is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infection developing in children by the age of 3, according to a new study.

Breakthrough for IVF? Selecting the most promising embryos

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:54:54 EDT

A recent study on 5-day old human blastocysts shows that those with an abnormal chromosomal composition can be identified by the rate at which they have developed to blastocysts, thereby classifying the risk of genetic abnormality without a biopsy. Now, researchers have undertaken a retrospective study, using their predictive model to assess the likelihood of any embryo transferred resulting in a successful pregnancy, with very encouraging outcomes.

Flu in pregnancy may quadruple child's risk for bipolar disorder

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Flu in pregnant mothers has been linked to a nearly fourfold increased risk that their child might develop bipolar disorder in adulthood. The findings add to mounting evidence of possible shared underlying causes and illness processes with schizophrenia, which some studies have also linked to prenatal exposure to influenza.

Higher child marriage rates associated with higher maternal and infant mortality

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:40 EDT

Countries in which girls are commonly married before the age of 18 have significantly higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, report researchers.

Early formula use helps some mothers breastfeed longer

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:28:28 EDT

Recent public health efforts have focused extensively on reducing the amount of formula babies are given in the hospital after birth. But in the first randomized trial of its kind, researchers have found that giving small amounts of formula in the first few days of life to infants experiencing high levels of early weight loss actually can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding.

Dad's genome more ready at fertilization than mom's is -- but hers catches up

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:34:34 EDT

Researchers have discovered that while the genes provided by the father arrive at fertilization pre-programmed to the state needed by the embryo, the genes provided by the mother are in a different state and must be reprogrammed to match.

Birthing centers provide equal or better deliveries, study shows

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:31:31 EDT

Low-income women who chose to deliver their baby at a birthing center under the care of a certified nurse-midwife had the same or better birthing experience as women under traditional care with a hospital-based obstetrician, according to a new study.

Women with unintended pregnancy are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:58:58 EDT

Women with unintended pregnancy are four times more likely to suffer from postpartum depression at twelve months postpartum, suggests a new study.

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases risk of lacerations during childbirth

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:42:42 EDT

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of lacerations during vaginal childbirth, according to a new study. Among more than 1,000 women who participated in the study, 126 experienced a significant increase in their body mass index (BMI), both +1 and +2 category changes, according to the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Of those women, 85.5 percent experienced lacerations compared to 69 percent with no change in BMI category.

Flame retardants, used in everyday products, may be toxic to children: Lower intelligence, hyperactivity seen

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:54:54 EDT

Chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers have been used for decades to reduce fires in everyday products such as baby strollers, carpeting and electronics. A new study shows that prenatal exposure to the flame retardants is associated with lower intelligence and hyperactivity in early childhood.

Vitamin C may head off lung problems in babies born to pregnant smokers

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:33:33 EDT

Pregnant women are advised not to smoke during pregnancy because it can harm the baby's lungs and lead to wheezing and asthma, among other problems. If a woman absolutely can't kick the habit, taking vitamin C during pregnancy may improve her newborn's lung function and prevent wheezing in the first year of life, according to a new study.

Bigger birth weight babies at greater risk of autism

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:17:17 EDT

The biggest study of fetal growth and autism to date has reported that babies whose growth is at either extreme in the womb, either very big or very small, are at greater risk of developing autism.

Baby knows best: Fetuses emit hormone crucial to preventing preeclampsia

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:16:16 EDT

Listening to the hormonal ‘conversation’ between mother and fetus could reveal new opportunities for preeclampsia detection and prevention.

Psychological trauma after miscarriage is more likely in women using assisted reproduction

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:43:43 EDT

Subfertile women who conceive through assisted reproduction are more likely to experience a greater traumatic impact following early pregnancy loss compared with women who conceive naturally, suggests a new study.

Mild iodine deficiency in womb associated with lower scores on children's literacy tests

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:14:14 EDT

Children who did not receive enough iodine in the womb performed worse on literacy tests as 9-year-olds than their peers, according to a recent study.

Women who drink before pregnancy less likely to take multivitamins

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:11:11 EDT

Researchers have found a link between multivitamin use and alcohol consumption before pregnancy, uncovering a need for education about the importance of vitamin supplementation, particularly among women who drink alcohol during their childbearing years.

Study examines effects of genetic variants for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:57:57 EDT

Among infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS; caused by in utero opioid exposure), variants in certain genes were associated with a shorter length of hospital stay and less need for treatment, preliminary findings that may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying NAS.

Identification of gene variants affecting fertility offers new treatment possibility

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:08:08 EDT

Identification of genetic variations in the genes coding for the hormone FSH may provide new treatments for male and female infertility, according to new work. Scientists have characterized gene variations which may improve treatment for almost half of infertile men, as well as allowing tailored treatment for women undergoing assisted reproduction.

Pregnant women with high celiac disease antibodies are at risk for low birth weight babies

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:49:49 EDT

Pregnant women with mid to high levels of antibodies common in patients with celiac disease are at risk for having babies with reduced fetal weight and birth weight, according to a new study. The antibody tissue transglutaminase is most commonly found in patients with celiac disease.

How does pregnancy reduce breast cancer risk?

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:04:04 EDT

Being pregnant while young is known to protect a women against breast cancer. But why? New research finds that Wnt/Notch signalling ratio is decreased in the breast tissue of mice which have given birth, compared to virgin mice of the same age.

Potential diabetes breakthrough: Hormone spurs beta cell production

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

Researchers have discovered a new hormone that holds promise for a dramatically more effective treatment of type 2 diabetes, a metabolic illness afflicting an estimated 26 million Americans. The researchers believe the hormone might also have a role in treating type 1, or juvenile, diabetes.

Important fertility mechanism discovered

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:29:29 EDT

Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that controls egg cell fertility and that might have future therapeutic potential. They found that the blood protein fetuin-B plays an important and previously unknown role in the fertilization of oocytes. Fetuin-B, first identified in the year 2000, is formed in the liver and secreted into the blood stream.

Use of anti-epileptic drug during pregnancy associated with increased risk of autism

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:18:18 EDT

Maternal use of valproate (a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy and other neuropsychological disorders) during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of autism in offspring, according to a new study. The authors caution that these findings must be balanced against the treatment benefits for women who require valproate for epilepsy control.

New understanding of asthma development: Transmission of respiratory viruses in utero

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:40:40 EDT

The most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, respiratory syncytial virus, can be transferred during pregnancy to an unborn baby, according to new research.

Anesthesia increases success rates of turning breech babies, reduces delivery costs

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:57:57 EDT

A new study shows anesthesia is cost-effective in turning breech babies because it increases the likelihood the procedure will work.

Reproductive tract secretions elicit ovulation

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:41:41 EDT

Eggs take a long time to produce in the ovary, and thus are one of a body's precious resources. It has been theorized that the body has mechanisms to help the ovary ensure that ovulated eggs enter the reproductive tract at the right time in order to maximize the chance of successful fertilization. New research has shed light on how successful ovulation and fertilization are brought about by studying these processes in fruit flies.

Light drinking in pregnancy not linked to development problems in childhood, study suggests

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:47:47 EDT

Light drinking during pregnancy is not linked to adverse behavioural or cognitive outcomes in childhood, suggests a new study. This study collated data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a national study of infants born in the UK between 2000-2002, to assess whether light drinking (up to two units of alcohol per week) in pregnancy was linked to unfavourable developmental outcomes in 7-year-old children.

Common pregnancy conditions risk future diabetes

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EDT

Two common conditions in pregnancy may be risk factors for future diabetes according to a Canadian study of over one million women.

Molecular signaling in early placenta formation gives clues to causes of pregnancy complications

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EDT

Understanding the molecular control of placenta formation, the organ which enables fetal growth, is critical in diagnosing and treating related pregnancy complications. Scientists have now revealed a molecular feedback loop that governs the earliest steps of placenta formation in mice, which is known to mimic placenta formation in humans.

Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may affect abortion rate in women

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:54:54 EDT

A new study reveals that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were on methotrexate, a drug commonly used to reduce inflammation caused by RA, had lower rates of induced abortions compared to women with RA who were not exposed to the medication.

Are four prenatal visits enough?

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:45:45 EDT

Reanalysis of the World Health Organization’s Antenatal Care Trial (WHOACT) shows that there is an increased risk of fetal death at between 32 and 36 weeks for women who have a reduced prenatal care package. Original analysis of the WHOACT concluded that reducing prenatal visits of low risk women from eight to four was not detrimental to their or their babies’ health and could cut costs. Based on this advice some countries have lowered the number of routine prenatal visits . However, in light of the 2010 Cochrane review, which suggested that reduced prenatal visits was in fact detrimental to health, the WHOACT data was reanalyzed by an international group of researchers. Once the data was adjusted for maternal risk (such as smoking, age, education) the group found that there was an increased risk of fetal death for the women who had reduced numbers of prenatal visits.

Effect of medication is affected by copies of genetic information

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:41:41 EDT

The number of copies of the complete genetic information found in human cells can have a decisive effect on the properties of these cells. The results may help to explain why certain medications have strong side effects on sperm and eggs, and why certain organisms remain unaffected by environmental changes.

Excess estrogen in pregnancy can silence BRCA1 in daughters, increasing breast cancer risk

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:48:48 EDT

Excess estrogen levels during pregnancy can disable, in their daughters, a powerful breast cancer tumor suppressor gene, say researchers. They found the DNA repair gene BRCA1 to be silenced in one year-old girls exposed to a high hormonal fetal environment.

Stress during gestation causes a predisposition to the development of pathologies in adulthood

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:59:59 EDT

The intrauterine environment plays an important role in the health of the offspring. Now, experts from the affirm that the mother's stress, due to socio-economic or psycho-social causes, is associated with the development of pathologies related with obesity.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy linked to increased incidence of specific pediatric cancers

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:09:09 EDT

Increased exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy was associated with a higher incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and two rare childhood cancers, according to a new study.

Fewer unnecessary early deliveries seen in multistate, hospital-based study

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:46:46 EDT

A hospital-based quality improvement program showed an 83 percent decline in the rate of elective early term deliveries (inductions of labor and cesarean sections without a medical reason) among of 25 hospitals that implemented of a toolkit called "Elimination of Non-medically Indicated (Elective) Deliveries before 39 Weeks Gestational Age." The rate fell significantly from 27.8 percent to 4.8 percent during the one-year project period.

Month of birth impacts immune system development

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:46:46 EDT

Newborn babies' immune system development and levels of vitamin D have been found to vary according to their month of birth, according to new research.

Plant proteins control chronic disease in Toxoplasma infections

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:29:29 EDT

A new discovery about the malaria-related parasite Toxoplasma gondii -- which can threaten babies, AIDS patients, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems -- may help solve the mystery of how this single-celled parasite establishes life-long infections in people. The study places the blame squarely on a family of plant proteins, known as AP2 factors.

Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:39:39 EDT

Researchers have discovered that pregnant women living under continuous political and military stress have a 59 percent increased risk of miscarriage. The findings, based upon studies conducted on women in the Israeli town of Sderot, which is constantly under threat of rocket bombings from Gaza, demonstrate the importance of early intervention provided by health care professionals.

ACMG releases statement on noninvasive prenatal screening

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:37:37 EDT

The new ACMG statement on "Noninvasive Prenatal Screening" addresses: The current limitations of NIPS; the advantages of NIPS compared with current screening approaches; pretest and posttest genetic counseling; the reporting of results by laboratories performing NIPS; and the oversight of analytical and bioinformatic components by testing of the laboratories performing NIPS.

Retinoic acid gradient visualized for the first time in an embryo

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:31:31 EDT

In a ground-breaking study, researchers report a new technique that allows them to visualize the distribution of retinoic acid in a live zebrafish embryo, in real-time. This technique enabled them to observe two concentration gradients going in opposing directions along the head-to-tail axis of the embryo, thus providing long-awaited evidence that retinoic acid is a morphogen.

Fetal exposure to excessive stress hormones in the womb linked to adult mood disorders

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:08:08 EDT

Exposure of the developing fetus to excessive levels of stress hormones in the womb can cause mood disorders in later life and now, for the first time, researchers have found a mechanism that may underpin this process.

Course of cardiovascular events more predictable: A protein enables risk assessment

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:30:30 EDT

Medical researchers have managed to predict the probability of a cardiovascular patient suffering a heart attack, stroke or arterial occlusion within three months. In the long-term, this knowledge may enable targeted preventive measures.

New relief for gynecological disorders: Injectable protein to reverse symptoms of dangerous conditions

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:20:20 EDT

Researchers have discovered an injectable protein that reverses symptoms of two dangerous gynecological conditions, endometriosis and overian hyperstimulation syndrome. Because there are currently no treatment options for women suffering from these diseases, this breakthrough promises long-awaited relief from severe abdominal pain and infertility issues.

High blood pressure in pregnancy may spell hot flashes later

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:26:26 EDT

Women who have hypertensive diseases during pregnancy seem to be at higher risk of having troublesome hot flashes and night sweats at menopause, report researchers from the Netherlands.

Stillbirth or pre-term birth outcomes linked to elevated risk of blood clots after pregnancy

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:48:48 EDT

Newly identified pregnancy-related events, such as stillbirth or pre-term birth, may dramatically increase a woman's risk of developing a potentially deadly blood clot immediately after pregnancy, according to the results of a large, population-based study.

Study reveals risk factors for blood clots in pregnant and postnatal women

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:45:45 EDT

Women who have suffered a still birth or have medical conditions including varicose veins, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or heart disease are at greater risk of developing dangerous blood clots after giving birth, a study has revealed.

Sampling of embryonic DNA after IVF without biopsy

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:11:11 EDT

A new shows that fluid-filled cavity in 5-day old human blastocysts may contain DNA from the embryo, allowing diagnosis of genetic disease without a biopsy. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) technologies allow identification of genetic disorders in human preimplantation embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and before the embryo is transferred back to the patient. This technique allows couples with a high-risk of passing on inherited diseases, to increase their chances of having a healthy baby.

Prematurity, low birth weight significantly impact mortality rates

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:49:49 EDT

A new study shows that increasing numbers of premature and other low birth weight infants are the leading cause for the leveling off of infant mortality and neonatal mortality rates in the United States.

Breaking ground in robotic cervical surgery

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:51:51 EDT

A medical researcher has used ultrasound-guided laparoscopic surgery to tighten a pregnant patient's incompetent cervix.

Stressful life events may increase stillbirth risk, study finds

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:37:37 EDT

Pregnant women who experienced financial, emotional, or other personal stress in the year before their delivery had an increased chance of having a stillbirth, say researchers.

Vitamin D insufficiency linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:41:41 EDT

There is a link between vitamin D insufficiency and adverse health outcomes such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in mothers-to-be and low birth weight in newborns, suggests a new article.

Increased time to pregnancy linked to child's neurological development

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:25:25 EDT

Taking a long time to get pregnant may be linked to minor neurodevelopmental problems in the child, suggests a small study published online in the Fetal & Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Ghanaian pregnant women who sleep on back at increased risk of stillbirth

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:06:06 EDT

Pregnant women in Ghana who slept on their back (supine sleep) were at an increased risk of stillbirth compared to women who did not sleep on their back, according to new research.

Older grandfathers pass on autism risk through generations

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:28:28 EDT

Men who have children at older ages are more likely to have grandchildren with autism compared to younger grandfathers, according to new research. This is the first time that research has shown that risk factors for autism may accumulate over generations.

Women abused as children more likely to have children with autism

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:28:28 EDT

Women who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as children are more likely to have a child with autism than women who were not abused.

Maternal diabetes impairs methylation of imprinted gene in oocytes

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:52 EDT

For the first time, researchers have shown that poorly controlled maternal diabetes has an adverse effect on methylation of the maternal imprinting gene Peg3, contributing to impaired development in offspring.

Antidepressants for pregnant moms don't affect infants' growth, study suggests

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:52:52 EDT

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants taken by a woman during pregnancy do not impact her infant's growth over the first year, reports a new study. There had been concern that antidepressants during pregnancy reduced growth the first year. But the new study showed infants born to mothers who took SSRIs had a similar weight, length and head circumference over the first year as infants born to non-depressed women who did not take antidepressants.

Pregnant women's likelihood of Cesarean delivery in Massachusetts linked to choice of hospitals

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:04:04 EDT

A new study provides the strongest evidence to date that it's not just medical need that determines who has a Cesarean section, but also something at the hospital level -- in other words, the same woman would have a different chance of undergoing a C-section based on the hospital she chooses.