https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/gynecology/ Gynecology. Read the latest research on vaginal health including vaginal yeast infections, hormone therapy, menopause, and more. Find out about symptoms and new treatments. en-us Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:20:30 EST Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:20:30 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/gynecology/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215085001.htm Researchers tracked more than 400 toddlers to see whether mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during or just before pregnancy was linked to autism or developmental delays. After detailed assessments of speech, motor skills, behavior, and social development, they found no meaningful differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Experts say the results provide strong reassurance about vaccine safety in pregnancy. Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:51:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215085001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260213223918.htm Scientists at Michigan State University have uncovered the molecular “switch” that powers sperm for their final, high-speed dash toward an egg. By tracking how sperm use glucose as fuel, the team discovered how dormant cells suddenly flip into overdrive, burning energy in a carefully controlled, multi-step process. A key enzyme, aldolase, helps convert sugar into the burst of power needed for fertilization, while other enzymes act like traffic controllers directing the flow of fuel. Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:47:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260213223918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207092904.htm A major study suggests menopause is linked to changes in brain structure, mental health, and sleep. Brain scans revealed grey matter loss in areas tied to memory and emotional regulation, while many women reported increased anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Hormone therapy did not reverse these effects, though it may slow age-related declines in reaction speed. Researchers say menopause could represent an important turning point for brain health. Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:52:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207092904.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:47:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233553.htm A major new scientific review brings reassuring news for expectant parents: using acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, during pregnancy does not increase a child’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Researchers analyzed 43 high-quality studies, including powerful sibling comparisons that help separate medication effects from genetics and family environment. Earlier warnings appear to have been driven by underlying maternal health factors such as fever or pain rather than the medication itself. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:48:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233553.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214313.htm Childbirth depends not just on hormones, but on the uterus’s ability to sense physical force. Scientists found that pressure and stretch sensors in uterine muscles and surrounding nerves work together to trigger coordinated contractions. When these sensors are disrupted, contractions weaken and delivery slows. The discovery helps explain stalled labor—and could one day lead to better ways to manage childbirth. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:34:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223043934.htm A deadly hospital fungus that resists nearly every antifungal drug may have an unexpected weakness. Researchers discovered that Candida auris activates specific genes during infection to hunt for nutrients it needs to survive. This insight came from a new living-host model that allowed scientists to watch the fungus in action. The findings could eventually lead to new treatments or allow current drugs to be repurposed. Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:00:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223043934.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251108083910.htm Sertraline (Zoloft) may relieve emotional symptoms of depression and anxiety within two weeks, while physical side effects stabilize later. The research highlights how antidepressants can act on specific symptom networks rather than uniformly across all aspects of depression. Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:51:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251108083910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003913.htm Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide 25 mg achieved up to 16.6% weight loss in a landmark study, rivaling injectable Wegovy. The pill also improved cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity levels. With a safety profile consistent with existing treatments, experts see it as a breakthrough for patients preferring oral options. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:39:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251106003913.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040331.htm Women who undergo C-sections are more likely to experience debilitating pain and sleep disorders in the months after giving birth. Researchers found both qualitative and large-scale data supporting this link, including a 16% increase in sleep disorder diagnoses. Proper pain management and healthy sleep habits can reduce these risks, helping new mothers recover more smoothly and avoid complications like depression and fatigue. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:36:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040331.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054923.htm Morning sickness isn’t just random misery—it’s a biological defense system shaped by evolution to protect the fetus. By linking immune responses to nausea and food aversions, UCLA researchers show these symptoms are signs of a healthy pregnancy. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 22:50:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054923.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm Human fertility hinges on a delicate molecular ballet that begins even before birth. UC Davis researchers have uncovered how special protein networks safeguard chromosomes as eggs and sperm form, ensuring genetic stability across generations. Using yeast as a model, they revealed how crossovers between chromosomes are protected for decades in female eggs, preventing errors that could lead to infertility, miscarriage, or conditions like Down syndrome. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:37:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031509.htm Thousands of women are using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for weight loss without contraception, leading to unintended pregnancies and potential risks for unborn babies. Experts warn clearer medical guidance is urgently needed. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:38:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031509.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175446.htm UC Berkeley researchers mapped the brain circuits that control growth hormone during sleep, uncovering a feedback system where sleep fuels hormone release, and the hormone regulates wakefulness. The discovery helps explain links between poor sleep, obesity, diabetes, and cognitive decline, while opening new paths for treating sleep and metabolic disorders. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 22:23:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175446.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:05:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013903.htm Premature menopause isn t just a hormonal issue it s a deeply emotional one for many women. A new study reveals that almost 30% experience depression, and it s not just about hormone loss but also grief, identity, and support systems. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 01:39:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013903.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250713031441.htm Postmenopausal women struggling with weight loss may find a powerful solution by combining the diabetes drug tirzepatide with menopause hormone therapy. A Mayo Clinic study revealed that this dual treatment led to significantly greater weight loss than tirzepatide alone. Women using both treatments lost 17% of their body weight on average, compared to 14% in those not using hormone therapy—and nearly half achieved dramatic 20%+ weight loss. Sun, 13 Jul 2025 09:42:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250713031441.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084324.htm A group of scientists studying pregnancy across six different mammals—from humans to marsupials—uncovered how certain cells at the mother-baby boundary have been working together for over 100 million years. By mapping gene activity in these cells, they found that pregnancy isn’t just a battle between mother and fetus, but often a carefully coordinated partnership. These ancient cell interactions, including hormone production and nutrient sharing, evolved to support longer, more complex pregnancies and may help explain why human pregnancy works the way it does today. Sun, 06 Jul 2025 07:22:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084324.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073443.htm Scientists have discovered a stealthy mechanism that cytomegalovirus (CMV)—the leading infectious cause of birth defects in the U.S.—uses to infiltrate blood vessel cells while evading immune detection. The virus forms a hidden protein complex that acts like a molecular “backdoor,” allowing it to bypass the immune system’s defenses. This newly identified pathway may explain why vaccine efforts have failed for decades and opens the door to targeted therapies that could finally prevent CMV-linked birth defects in newborns and protect vulnerable patients. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:40:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073443.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625011635.htm Keeping sex on the schedule may be its own menopause medicine: among 900 women aged 40-79, those active in the last three months reported far less dryness, pain, and irritation, while orgasm and overall satisfaction stayed rock-solid despite dips in desire and lubrication. The results hint that intimacy itself can curb genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a cluster of estrogen-related symptoms that erode quality of life. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:33:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625011635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141202.htm A new study found exposure to specific tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of various negative birth outcomes. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:12:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124803.htm Researchers have shown that gonadotrophs, cells in the pituitary gland with a key role in puberty and reproduction, come from two different populations, with the majority produced after birth rather than in the embryo, as previously thought. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:48:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124803.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124744.htm High birth weight is the main risk factor for birth injuries to the anal sphincter muscles of the person giving birth, according to a new study. This new method for predicting the risks could improve care and reduce injuries. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:47:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180727.htm Scientists are aiming to determine the composition and topology of physiological Ashwell-Morell receptor ligands. Their findings will help uncover the receptor's still-hidden secrets. Wed, 14 May 2025 18:07:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514180727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm Postpartum maternal mental health and mother-to-infant bonding are well-established as critical factors in a child's psychosocial development. However, few studies have explored the combined impact of postpartum maternal depression and early bonding experiences on emotional and behavioral difficulties during middle childhood. A new study reveals significant associations between postpartum depression, mother-to-infant bonding, and child difficulties. Notably, secure early bonding was found to partially buffer the long-term effects of postpartum depression on child outcomes. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:12:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm Hormone levels fluctuate like the tides, ebbing and flowing according to carefully orchestrated cycles. These hormones not only influence the body, but can cross into the brain and shape the behavior of our neurons and cognitive processes. Recently, researchers used modern laser microscopy techniques to observe how fluctuations in ovarian hormones shape both the structure and function of neurons in the mouse hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory formation and spatial learning in mammals. They found that hormone fluctuations during the mouse estrous cycle, a 4-day cycle analogous to the 28-day human menstrual cycle, powerfully influence the shape and behavior of hippocampal neurons. Tue, 13 May 2025 15:02:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513150241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112451.htm Researchers have conducted a clinical study to show how a woman's genetic profile provides information on which hormone treatment is most effective for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The researchers have now developed a simple oral swab test that shows which hormone therapy is the best option for IVF treatment. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:24:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112451.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512165549.htm Researchers confirm and explore the role of estrogen-related receptors in regulating energy production in muscle cells during exercise. The findings indicate that developing a drug to boost estrogen-related receptors could be a powerful way to restore energy supplies in people with metabolic disorders, such as muscular dystrophy. Mon, 12 May 2025 16:55:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512165549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122119.htm Pregnant women with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have an increased risk of giving birth prematurely and the risk increase cannot be explained by obesity, according to a new study. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:21:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200800.htm Women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry particular BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic variants are offered surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes as this dramatically reduces their risk of ovarian cancer. Now, researchers have shown that this procedure -- known as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) -- is associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of early death among these women, without any serious side-effects. Wed, 07 May 2025 20:08:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507200800.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220929.htm A new study offers fresh insight into trends in maternal mortality in the United States. For the first time, the study disentangles genuine changes in health outcomes from shifts caused by how deaths are recorded. Nevertheless, the study confirms the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal death rates for women of all racial and ethnic groups. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:09:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131542.htm Oral hormone therapy may benefit heart health in menopausal women. A new analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative found that estrogen-based oral hormone therapy had a long-term beneficial effect on biomarkers of cardiovascular health, including cholesterol. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:15:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131542.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143710.htm Female hormones can suppress pain by making immune cells near the spinal cord produce opioids, a new study has found. This stops pain signals before they get to the brain. The discovery could help with developing new treatments for chronic pain. It may also explain why some painkillers work better for women than men and why postmenopausal women experience more pain. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:37:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403143710.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122609.htm Elite athletes have shared their worries about their sports career after pregnancy. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:26:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122609.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131309.htm A team has developed a new way to quickly find personalized treatments for young cancer patients, by growing their tumors in chicken eggs and analyzing their proteins. The team has combined these two techniques to identify and test a drug for a young patient's tumor in time to be used for their treatment. Their success in finding a new drug for the patient shows how the study of proteins, known as proteomics, can be a valuable complement to the established study of genes (genomics) in real-time cancer therapies. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:13:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250401131309.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328172955.htm Roughly one out of three women ages 14-49 in the United States develop a vaginal bacterial imbalance known as bacterial vaginosis (BV) during their lifetime. BV is characterized by unpleasant odors, and potentially painful side effects, as well as the risk of associated health issues later in life. More than half of the patients who seek medical care do not respond to the first-line treatment, the antibiotic metronidazole, leading to recurrence. Now researchers have developed a simple DNA PCR-based lab test -- built on a more detailed genetic analysis of the main group of bacterial organisms that cause the infection -- to help clinicians prescribe the right medicine for each patient. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:29:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328172955.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123315.htm Almost half of women of reproductive age experience complaints in the days leading up to menstruation. A lot of treatments come with side effects, only provide limited relief, or don't work for everyone. Researchers have shown that open-label placebos can help, particularly when combined with an explanation of the treatment. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:33:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326123315.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320145259.htm Researchers have shed new light on how a type of heart valve disease -- aortic valve stenosis -- progresses differently in males and females. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:52:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320145259.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143152.htm Researchers have found that the small intestine grows in response to pregnancy in mice. This partially irreversible change may help mice support a pregnancy and prepare for a second. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:31:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143152.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318175024.htm Women with blood pressure levels in a range considered clinically normal during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension in the five years after giving birth. These women -- about 12% of the population studied -- would not be flagged as high-risk by current medical guidelines, but the new findings could help identify them as candidates for early intervention. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:50:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318175024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163636.htm The Zika virus builds tiny tunnels, called tunneling nanotubes, to stealthily transport material needed to infect nearby cells, including in placental cells, according to a team of researchers from Penn State and Baylor College of Medicine. It's one way the virus crosses the placental barrier, transmitting from mother to fetus during pregnancy without raising alarm in the immune system. The team also demonstrated, for the first time, that one specific Zika protein -- non-structural protein 1 (NS1) -- is responsible for the formation of the nanotubes. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:36:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250309203116.htm Higher levels of the minerals copper and manganese in pregnant women were associated with lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure decades later, according to a long-term study. Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:31:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250309203116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305172227.htm A landmark study reveals that bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition affecting nearly a third of women worldwide and causing infertility, premature births and newborn deaths, is in fact an STI, paving the way for a revolution in how it is treated. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:22:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305172227.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164450.htm Oxytocin, a hormone already known for its role in childbirth, milk release, and mother-infant bonding, may have a newfound purpose in mammalian reproduction. In times of maternal stress, the hormone can delay an embryo's development for days to weeks after conception, a new study in rodents shows. According to the authors, the findings about so-called 'diapause' may offer new insights into pregnancy and fertility issues faced by humans. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:44:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304203823.htm Psychosocial stress during pregnancy could lead to higher blood pressure during the first year postpartum according to new research. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:38:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304203823.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303141648.htm New research reveals that a mother's diet during pregnancy -- characterized by a Western dietary pattern high in fat and sugar and low in fresh ingredients -- may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and autism in children. Researchers see potential for targeted dietary interventions during pregnancy to reduce this risk. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:16:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303141648.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228113958.htm Scientists have a new target to prevent cold sores -- and genital herpes flare-ups caused by the same virus -- after researchers discovered an unexpected way the herpes virus re-activates in the body. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:39:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228113958.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250225122049.htm Identifying and treating risk factors for depression, anxiety and other psychological health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum may improve short- and long-term health outcomes for both mother and child, according to a new scientific statement. Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:20:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250225122049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220164229.htm Fetal acetaminophen exposure increases the likelihood that a child will develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:42:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220164229.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250214003214.htm Researchers have demonstrated that self-sampling is just as effective as speculum-based testing for HPV detection. Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:32:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250214003214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143920.htm New postpartum depression findings could lead to a blood test to identify women at risk and possibly even to a preventive treatment. Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:39:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250210231815.htm New research has found exposure to outdoor air pollution and extreme temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of prolonged pregnancy, offering new insights into the impact of climate change on maternal health. Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:18:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250210231815.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250210133016.htm Breast cancers at all stages are defined by the structure of their genomes, researchers find. Targeting these processes early is likely to offer unexpected therapeutic avenues. Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:30:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250210133016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205190533.htm A new study has uncovered potential risks, including impaired fetal growth, associated with the use of both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, as well as CBD, during pregnancy. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 19:05:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205190533.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250204132227.htm Maternal stress could leave epigenetic imprints on genes in the placenta associated with cortisol -- a necessary hormone for fetal development -- and this would affect the baby's development from very early stages. The study suggests that a mother's emotional wellbeing during pregnancy is not only important for her, but could also influence the future health of her baby. Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:22:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250204132227.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203163832.htm A new study finds that pregnant individuals who were unable to have their desired emotional support persons present during childbirth were more likely to have higher levels of perceived childbirth stress than those who were not missing their support people. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:38:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203163832.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142730.htm The risk of being admitted to the hospital with heart disease is twice as high the year after birth for mothers of twins compared to singleton births, according to new research. The risk is even higher in mothers of twins who had a high blood pressure condition during pregnancy. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:27:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142730.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142252.htm The stillbirth rate in Europe has been steadily improving over the last few decades, but there are some exceptions. In Germany and Belgium, rates have significantly increased since 2010, while other European countries have seen declines or stability. Researchers have investigated how factors like increasing maternal age and multiple births may have influenced these trends and differences across Europe. The analyses indicate that these factors explain only a small portion of the variations. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:22:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203142252.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203141805.htm Maternal vitamin D levels in the first trimester were related to both prenatal growth and pregnancy outcomes, according to a new study. Low vitamin D levels during the first trimester of pregnancy were associated with higher rates of preterm birth and decreased fetal length. Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:18:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250203141805.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110707.htm Researchers have made new discoveries about amniotic fluid, a substance historically not well understood in medical research due to the difficulty in obtaining it during pregnancy, especially across gestation. The multidisciplinary research team is eager to harness the potential of this vital substance to improve prenatal and maternal health. Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:07:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110707.htm