A new study has found that exposure to nicotine during pregnancy may be linked with behavioural disorders in newborns. Nicotine Exposure in Pregnancy: The short- and long-term impacts of pre-natal smoking on new-born babies has long been the focus of scientific research, with studies investigating the link between nicotine exposure and the risk of various birth outcomes far reaching. While research outcomes have linked smoking during pregnancy with neurodevelopmental disorders in new-borns, the data collection and results have often been labelled unsuccessful or inconsistent. Now, a new AI-bas ..read more

The narrative surrounding increasing global temperatures and the frequency of extreme weather events is something we have become used to in recent years, and scientists have sought to define what kind of impact these extremities may be having on our global population. One such study into the impact of extreme temperatures has revealed a correlation between extreme heat exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy and an increased risk of preterm birth. Pre-term birth, defined as a baby being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is estimated to affect over 10% of births in the US and higher r ..read more

Maternal Weight Across the world, levels of obesity are increasing. It is estimated that around 2.6 billion people globally – 38% of the world population – are currently overweight or obese, with this percentage looking to increase to over 50% by 2035. These obesity percentages include women of childbearing age and have sparked debate and research surrounding whether increased maternal weight directly causes pregnancy complications. Despite research already having been undertaken to establish a correlation between maternal weight and pregnancy complications, it has often been unclear whether t ..read more

Pre-term or pre-mature birth can be defined as a baby being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Estimated to affect over 10% of births in the US and even higher rates in other regions, it can result in long- and short-term health complications for new-borns. Traditional methods of assessing pre-term birth risk rely on pregnancy history – more specifically whether a woman has had a pre-term birth before – and exclude first-time mothers. For first-time pregnancies, medical professionals are largely reliant on spotting pre-term birth symptoms rather than conducting risk assessments. However, a new ..read more

Morning Sickness in Pregnancy: A recent breakthrough in research has shed light on a trigger and potential treatment for severe morning sickness during pregnancy. Expectant mothers often find themselves experiencing unpleasant, and in rare cases extreme, sickness. It is estimated that nausea and vomiting affect 70-80% of pregnant women, with around 2% suffering hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), characterised by extreme sickness which can lead to dehydration, weight loss and hospitalisation. HG’s extremities are also linked with higher levels of foetal loss, with some estimates suggesting the risk c ..read more

Recent analysis conducted by The University of Western Australia has highlighted a positive correlation between adopting a Mediterranean diet and successful IVF treatment. Published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online and conducted by Professor Roger Hart, the study explores the impacts of dietary choices on the outcome of IVF – specifically its benefits on embryo development – and on pregnancy outcomes. What is a Mediterranean diet? The Mediterranean diet is often championed by nutritionists and doctors as one of the most beneficial diets for health and wellbeing, taking the top spot for the s ..read more

Modern diets are leaving expectant mothers deficient in vitamins and nutrients crucial for sustaining healthy pregnancies and foetal development, new research suggests. The comprehensive study, conducted by scientists at the University of Southampton and across the world, found that 90% of pregnant women from high-income countries including the UK, New Zealand and Singapore lack vitamins essential in supporting pregnancy and the healthy development of a foetus. It revealed that many of these essential nutrients are found in abundance in meat and dairy products, and that the deficiencies correl ..read more

A balanced and nutrient-rich diet forms an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but is regarded as playing an especially significant role during pregnancy. Current advice to pregnant women underscores the importance of a balanced, diverse and nutrient-rich diet that includes fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains. Health professionals emphasize the importance of essential nutrients in supporting the natural development of an unborn babies’ brain, organs and overall well-being. New research by Monash University – published in Nature Cell Biology – has gone even further, suggesting that ..read more

New research suggests automated insulin delivery could improve outcomes for pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes and their unborn children. Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy According to WHO (World Health Organisation), diabetes is ‘a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces’. Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires the careful management of blood sugar levels. For expectant mothers with the condition, blood ..read more

Air pollution has been a growing concern in our increasingly industrialized world. Beyond its well-known detrimental effects on the environment and respiratory health, recent research highlights a previously underestimated consequence: traffic-related air pollution’s impact on pregnancy and maternal health. What was the study? According to a study conducted by UT Southwestern Medical Center and published in October 2023, exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy can be associated with several serious neonatal complications. In order to conduct their study, researchers aligned ..read more