Health & Baby News & Features
- Study Finds COVID-19 Boosters Don’t Increase Miscarriage Risk
May 23, 2023 — COVID-19 boosters are not linked to an increased chance of miscarriage, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.
- Marijuana Can Affect Fetal Development, Even If Used Early in Pregnancy
May 16, 2023 — Researchers say fetal exposure to cannabis in early pregnancy can reduce birth weight, and those effects can become more severe with continued use throughout pregnancy.
- Dangerous Infections in 'Preemie' Babies May Begin in the Gut
May 4, 2023 — Studying newborns in neonatal care, researchers found a nearly identical disease-causing bacterial strain in the gut right before a bloodstream infection was diagnosed.
- Scheduled Childbirth Can Reduce Preeclampsia, Study Says
April 10, 2023 — C-sections and other forms of scheduled childbirth may greatly reduce the number of cases of preeclampsia that occur during the late stages of pregnancy, according to a study published Monday in Hypertension, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
- More Pregnant People Are Overdosing, and Stigma Plays a Role
March 30, 2023 — The introduction of fentanyl into the drug supply has been driving an increase in overdose deaths among the entire population, and pregnant people show these same patterns of addiction.
- Consistent Blood Pressure Monitoring Called For During Pregnancy
February 8, 2023 — Doctors should screen for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which can cause serious and fatal complications for both the mother and baby, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- Baby Formula Manufacturer Faces Criminal Investigation
January 22, 2023 — The company at the center of last year’s baby formula recall, Abbott Laboratories, is under federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- COVID Dramatically Increases Death Risk During Pregnancy: Study
January 17, 2023 — Women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are seven times more likely to die during childbirth or during the pregnancy than uninfected pregnant women, a new study shows.
- Pregnancy After Breast Cancer Is Safe, Landmark Study Says
January 5, 2023 — Initial results from a new study show women who paused protective post-cancer therapies to get pregnant had no increased risk of their cancer coming back. Nearly 3 in 4 women in the study got pregnant, and 64% had a live birth.
- Why Are Black Mothers at Higher Risk for Miscarriage?
Black mothers have a 43% greater risk for miscarriage. Why? WebMD looks at the biological, social, and cultural factors that play a part.
- Pre-term Births Rising in U.S., March of Dimes Says
November 16, 2022 — Premature births are rising across the country, reaching 10.5% of live births last year, according to the nonprofit March of Dimes. The organization’s 2022 Report Card gave the country overall a grade of D+, down from a C- in the previous year.
- How to Find an OB/GYN Supportive of Transgender Pregnancies
Many transgender men and nonbinary people can carry a pregnancy. Here are tips to find an OB/GYN who will offer supportive transgender pregnancy care.
- Giving Birth May Permanently Alter a Mother’s Bones
November 4, 2022 — Motherhood can create changes in the body down to the bone, a new study shows. Female primates who had been pregnant showed lower levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous in their bones.
- How Does Stress Affect Pregnancy?
Normal stress is expected during pregnancy, but find help for serious anxiety, which increases the risk of early birth or later problems.
- Study: Moms Eating Ultra-Processed Food Raises Kids’ Obesity Risk
October 7, 2022 — Moms who consume ultra-processed food during pregnancy may contribute to their children being obese or overweight in childhood and adolescence, a new study suggests.
- Mouse Embryo Experiment Could Teach Us About Miscarriages
October 3, 2022 — The experiment, while conducted with mouse stem cells, could help explain why some human pregnancies fail.
- Carrots vs. Kale? It’s No Contest Among Babies, Study Says
September 22, 2022 — Babies in the womb seemed to smile after their mothers ate carrots and scowl after they ate kale, according to a study of about 100 women in England.
- Hospitals Train to Curb Maternal Deaths
The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is the highest among industrialized nations. And it’s three times as common among Black women as in white women in the U.S. Here’s what one New York hospital is doing to train doctors to respond.
- How to Advocate for Yourself as a Pregnant Woman of Color
The maternal mortality rate for Black women in the U.S. is nearly three times higher than it is for white women. If you’re a pregnant Black woman, what can you do to help protect yourself and your baby?
- Pregnancy Complication Ups Dementia Risk, Research Suggests
August 16, 2022 — These disorders include gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. These pregnancy complications have been strongly linked to heart disease in later life, but, until now, few studies have connected these disorders with thinking and memory.
- Women with Fear of Pregnancy Call for Clinician Compassion
July 28, 2022 — Many women with tokophobia -- a pathological fear of pregnancy -- report feeling alone and dismissed by their doctors and peers.
- Late Summer Heat May Bring Increased Risk of Miscarriage
July 15, 2022 — In late August, for example, the risk of losing a pregnancy is 44% higher than in February, according to findings of a recent study.
- Pediatricians Support Breastfeeding for 2 Years
June 29, 2022 — The American Academy of Pediatrics says parents should continue to breastfeed exclusively in their babies’ first six months before solid foods are introduced and now also supports continued breastfeeding for the first 2 years of life.
- More Black Mothers Deliver by Cesarean, Not Always by Choice
June 16, 2022 — Black women are more likely than white women to undergo surgical deliveries, even when their pregnancies are considered low-risk.
- Pregnant Women With Monkeypox Advised to Have C-Section
June 8, 2022 — Pregnant women with monkeypox will be advised to give birth by C-section to avoid infecting their baby during delivery, according to a new paper in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
- Pregnant and Have IBD? A GI Doc's Help Can Be Crucial
May 16, 2022 — Women with IBD face several concerns related to their reproductive health decisions, from contraception to pregnancy to delivery. Research shows that IBD and certain drugs can impact fertility and pregnancy and pose risks for preterm birth and small gestational age.
- Britney Spears Announces a Miscarriage
May 16, 2022 — Britney Spears and her fiancé, Sam Asghari, announced over the weekend that the singer had a miscarriage.
- Putting the Power of Motherhood in Your Hands
How digital research aims to revolutionize maternal-child health.
- Depression During Pregnancy: Know Your Risks
Depression during pregnancy is often overlooked, even though it happens just as frequently as the postpartum variety. Know your risks.
- What Your Pre-Baby Weight Means for Your Pregnancy
The weight you carry into your pregnancy matters even more than how much you put on during it, according to research.
- Can You Remove Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Can you get rid of pregnancy stretch marks? Do stretch marks go away? What works to get rid of stretch marks after you’re pregnant? Learn about pregnancy stretch marks and what you can and can’t do to make them look better.
- Are Depression and Anxiety Meds OK During Pregnancy?
Is it safe to take medications for mood disorders when you’re pregnant? The answer, experts say, is complicated.
- Your Pregnancy Depression Risk
Depression during pregnancy is still often overlooked, even though it happens just as frequently as the postpartum variety.
- The Risks of Home Remedies for Pregnancy Problems
Just because herbal remedies are natural doesn't mean they’re safe for you and your baby. A review finds concerning side effects from ones like ginger, almond oil, and raspberry leaf.
- Reunited: Babies Visit Hospital Staff Who Cared for Them
More than 90 families of babies who spent time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reunited in early May to celebrate their progress since they left the hospital.
- Doctor-Approved Tips to Fight Pregnancy Back Pain
From 50% to 70% of women have back pain at some point in their pregnancy. You can ease the ache with these simple tips.
- Waiting to Get Pregnant? Know the Risks
Are you over 35 and ready to get pregnant for the first time? An OB/GYN suggests creating a "reproductive life plan," scheduling a checkup, and doing these other things.
- How Stress Can Hurt Your Chances of Having a Baby
It can be stressful if you can’t seem to get pregnant. But stress itself can hurt your chances of conception.
- The Importance of a Healthy Pregnancy Weight
Before you get pregnant, get as close to a healthy weight as possible to help spare complications for you and your child. Read advice from an OB/GYN.
- Mum's epilepsy drugs 'affect children's marks'
March 27, 2018 — A new study based on real life circumstances has found a baby's exposure to epilepsy drugs whilst in the womb is linked to significantly poorer school test results when they are 7-year olds.
- New midwife training programme confirmed
March 26, 2018 — Midwife training places are to be boosted by 25% next year in England, the government has confirmed.
- Are hot baths and saunas safe in pregnancy?
March 2, 2018 — Pregnant women are usually advised to avoid excessive exposure to heat because of concerns it could harm their unborn child.
- High blood pressure 'hidden after pre-eclampsia'
February 5, 2018 — Women with high blood pressure caused by pre-eclampsia during pregnancy may go on to have lingering high blood pressure after birth that doesn't show up in a typical test in a clinic, according to Dutch research.
- Fortify flour with folic acid, experts say
January 31, 2018 — Experts are again urging the government to fortify flour with folic acid to help ensure mums-to-be get enough of the nutrient to protect their unborn babies from neural tube defects.
- Can probiotics reduce pregnancy risks?
January 24, 2018 — Pregnant women who have probiotics might reduce their risk of developing pre-eclampsia and premature birth, new research suggests.
- Watch: Doctor Flips Pregnant Mom’s Baby Bump
When you’re a mom-to-be, you’re almost guaranteed to feel your growing baby kick or move around some. Then there’s Vanessa Fisher. She felt her unborn son do a complete 180 with a big assist from her doctor.
- Traffic pollution linked to low birth weight
December 6, 2017 — The health of unborn babies is being put at risk by traffic pollution. That's according to a large study into more than 540,000 full-term births in the Greater London area.
- 'Sleep on side' advice to cut stillbirth risk
November 20, 2017 — Women should sleep on their sides during the last 3 months of pregnancy to help avoid the risk of stillbirths, say midwives.
- Runny eggs back on the menu for vulnerable groups
October 11, 2017 — Infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly are being advised that they can now safely eat eggs that are raw or lightly cooked