Experts Remain Divided on Safety of Home Births
Some people childbirth think an act so natural as giving birth can be accomplished safely at home, without medical intervention.
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Repeat C-Sections and Uterine Rupture Risk
After a vaginal birth, the uterus shrinks back down to normal size, ready for the next pregnancy. However, when a C-section is performed, there may be an increased risk of uterine rupture.
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Risk of Prostate Cancer Lower after Circumcision
Researchers in King County, Washington have completed a study that
reveals a possible link between circumcision and prostate cancer risk.
According to the study, men who are circumcised before their first
sexual experience are less likely to develop prostate cancer.
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Nursing Moms Extremely Defensive of Babies
According to a report published in Psychological Science, nursingmothers are just as protective of their infants as 'mama bears.'
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Breastmilk Impacts Physical Development and Condition
Breastfeeding is the healthiest form of nutrition for babies, but
according to researchers, breastmilk provides more than just nutrients
for your growing baby. A recent study reveals a connection between adolescent physical health and breastfeeding.
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Beyond Bone Health: Vitamin D Status May Affect Weight Gain
Known for its role in maintaining bone health by facilitating calcium absorption in the intestine, vitamin D also acts as a hormone in the body and affects the growth and differentiation of many different types of cells.
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Does Eating Fish While Pregnant Impact Child's Intelligence?
Fish is a food that many pregnant women avoid due to potential mercury content. Consumption of fish during pregnancy may positively impact cognitive development and social prowess.
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Harmful Toxins Passed From Mothers to Infants
When a child is born into the world, we expect them to be healthy, pure, and untainted by the age-inducing, toxic elements that we are sometimes unavoidably exposed to in today's developed world. A surprising new study may have put a damper on the pristine image.
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Sun Exposure Diminishes Value of Folic Acid Supplements
A team of researchers in Australia have discovered that too much exposure to the UV rays of sunshine depletes folate levels in spite of healthy diet and supplements.
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'Widespread Misperceptions' of Miscarriage Revealed in Study
One in every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage but most people consider the event uncommon and most don’t know what causes it to happen, according to a recent study.
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Bacterial Infection During Pregnancy Increases Autism Risk
Pregnant women who experience a bacterial infection while in a hospital may be at
higher risk for having a child with autism, according to a new study.
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Flu Vaccine Does Not Increase Miscarriage Risk
Each year as flu season arrives, pregnant women are urged to get a flu
vaccination. With tons of media coverage and stories about vaccination
risk, pregnant women often question the risks versus rewards.
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Global Insecticide May be Altering the Brain
Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide that used to be used in households in the US to kill insects in yards and gardens. When pregnant women are exposed to even the smallest amount of the chemical it can affect the fetus.
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Study Explains How Egg Captures Sperm
Scientists have discovered precisely how the human egg cells capture sperm to start the process of fertilization.
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Mothers and Fathers Just Not In Sync With “Home” Time
If men and women now work the same number of hours, isn't it safe to expect they spend the same number of hours at home?
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Exercising Spouse Positively Impacts Other Spouse
Researchers in Baltimore may have discovered that when one spouse gets plenty of exercise, his or her spouse is more likely to exercise regularly, too.
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Study Finds Baby’s Stress Level Elevates When Mom’s Does
To test the emotional contagion theory, a team of researchers enlisted a group of mothers and their infants. Sure enough, the babies picked right up on their mothers' stress.
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Preeclampsia: Short-Term and Long-Term Effects
Not only do women have to worry about preeclampsia during pregnancy, the effects of increased blood pressure during pregnancy may last for years.
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New Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Discovered to Be “Game Changer”
Approximately 3 million people in the US have T1D. It develops during infancy or childhood and, since there is no cure at this time, the disease remains with the patient for the rest of his life.
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The Best Type of Fiber for Reducing Diabetes Risk
When it comes to diabetes prevention, fiber is a key ingredient in
keeping blood sugars within a healthy range.
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Too Many Infertile Black Women Overlooked
Infertility affects women of all races, every socioeconomic situation, every culture and religion. Most of the research being done on infertility in the US, however, involves affluent white couples.
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Housework Partners Don’t Have as Much Sex
According to a recent study published in American Sociological Review, men who do 'women's' chores are less likely to have sex than men who partake in more 'manly' chores around the house.
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Effects of Carbon Monoxide on Cytokine Production
Researchers from various hospitals in New York recently published a
report in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology claiming
carbon monoxide may reduce inflammation and thus reduce the impact of
the infection.
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New Studies Confirm Importance of Placenta for Pregnancy Health
The placenta is one of the most mystifying organs in the human body. It is the only organ that can be grown in an adult body and every child’s life depends on it. Study of the placenta is difficult.
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One Baby Aspirin a Day Ups Conception Rate After Miscarriage
The findings of a 2013 study on aspirin’s effect on conception indicates taking one baby aspirin a day ups the chance of conception by as much as 17% for women who have a history of miscarriage.
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Experts Recommend 3-Step Diagnostic Process for Autism
A new study of two different kinds of genetic tests identified ASD in a small number of patients, leading the test’s authors to recommend a 3-step diagnostic process when autism is suspected.
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Kids Bombarded with Tempting Booze Ads on TV Sport Events
A study published in January indicates children who grow up watching booze ads on TV are more likely to imbibe themselves. They have a tendency start early and are prone to overindulgence.
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Parent Training Improves Behaviors of Autistic Children
A new study identifies a 24-week program that trains parents of autistic children how to handle their disruptive behavior and outbursts with superior results.
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Future Cognitive Development Reflected in Newborn’s Eyes
A new study suggests there’s more than joy to be found in a newborn’s eyes. A baby’s gaze is a signal of how well his or her visual cognitive abilities will develop throughout early childhood.
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New Test Pinpoints Perfect Time to Increase IVF Success
A fertility specialist in Spain is developing a new technique that may increase the success rate for women everywhere.
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ART Increasingly Safe for Mother and Child
As assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures have been perfected in recent years, the success rate of these procedures has risen admirably while safety concerns have diminished.
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Stillbirth 10% Higher for Boy Babies
A recently published study from the United Kingdom finds that the global rate of stillbirth is 10% higher for boy babies than for girls.
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New Catheterization Procedure for Babies with Hole in Heart
Approximately 9 of every 1,000 people are born with some form of heart defect, the most common of which are septal defects.
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Doctors Not Always in the “Pink” with Newborn Apgar Scores
One measure on the Apgar test is raising concerns. Some doctors are so concerned they're calling for a reassessment of the criteria used for newborn evaluation.
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Keep Grandma Mentally Sharp; Let Her Babysit One Day a Week
Good news for grandma! Researchers recently discovered that
postmenopausal grandmothers who babysit their grandchildren one day a
week score highest on tests of mental acuity.
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Baby May Never Outgrow Atopic Dermatitis
Approximately 10% to 15% of kids in the United States will be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD), usually before they turn two.
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Delivery-Room Heart Attacks Underreported
An exhaustive study of heart attacks that occur in the delivery room was conducted. According to the team's findings, these "high-stakes events" go under-reported in the United States.
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Key to Sperm-Related Male Infertility
Many factors determine male fertility. The exact mechanisms resulting in poor sperm quality have been elusive but a team of California physiologists may have discovered the key.
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Three Studies Say Multivitamins Do Not Provide Benefits
A large number of Americans take multivitamins in hopes of improving their health but three new studies, all released in the Annals of Internal Medicine on the same day, suggest these dietary supplements may not be helpful.
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Avoid Food Allergies: 17 Weeks of Breast Milk
Seventeen seems to be the magic number to best protect a baby against
the development of food allergies. A recent British study found that babies who are fed only breast milk until at least 17 weeks old are less likely to develop food allergies by age 2.
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Too Much Sports May be Bad for Adolescent Well-Being
Health professionals are promoting exercise to help curb rising childhood obesity rates but results from a new study show that getting too much exercise might actually be bad for a child's health.
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PTSD Symptoms Increase Risk for Obesity in Women
Women who suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorde (PTSD) are at higher risk for becoming obese, according to a new study
published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. This research was the first to show that the symptoms of PTSD can contribute to obesity.
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The Ideal Age to Have Children
What's the ideal age to start having children? IS there an ideal age? The inquiring minds at Gallup posed the question by telephone survey this past August to 5,100 people representing the full spectrum of American society.
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Eat Mediterranean for Lifetime of Robust Health
If the Mediterranean diet brings such robust vitality to middle-aged women past their childbearing years, imagine what it can do for young women and the children they bear.
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Preterm Birth Rate at Record Low
The March of Dimes issues an annual 'report card' to each state and to the US as a nation. The report cards reveal which well-baby strategies areworking and where improvement is needed.
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Do Snoring Moms Have Smaller Babies?
Snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing problem
that occurs during sleep and causes lowered levels of oxygen in the
blood. This lowering of blood oxygen levels can affect the health of a
developing baby.
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Revised Sterilization Policy Could Reduce Unintended Pregnancy and Save Millions Annually
A revision in Medicaid policy could soon decreased the number of
unintended pregnancies and save $215 million each year in public health
costs, according to a new study by researchers at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
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Weight Gain in Early Pregnancy May Affect Offspring Risk of Obesity
According to research completed by Margie Davenport and associates at the University of Alberta warns there may be a connection between excessive weight gain in early pregnancy and offspring obesity.
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United States Updates HIV Screening Recommendations
A recent publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports a change has been made to screening recommendations that include recommendations for screening during pregnancy.
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Hospitals Effectively Reducing Elective C-Sections
In recent years C-section rates have increased significantly. Many
of the C-sections performed are elective and some are performed during
the 37th and 38th week of gestation.
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