Women who fear childbirth just got something else to worry about: a recent Norwegian study found that women who were scared of giving birth ended up spending more time in labor, about 8 hours versus 6.5 for women who weren’t afraid.
Pregnancy
Midwife Mania? More U.S. Babies than Ever Are Delivered by Midwives
In 2009, midwives delivered 8% of babies born in the U.S. — an all-time high. The most midwife-friendly state? New Mexico, where midwives bring 24% of all babies into the world
Light to Moderate Drinking in Pregnancy May Be Safe, Study Says
Increasingly, the data suggest that light drinking in pregnancy doesn’t have ill effects on the developing fetus. Does this give expectant mothers the license to drink?
Scientists Decode an Unborn Baby’s DNA. Is It Cause for Celebration — or Alarm?
Researchers at the University of Washington have sequenced the entire genome of a fetus. The scientific advance could help detect certain diseases in the womb, but some experts worry that the trove of genetic information may …
Are Cesarean Sections Contributing to Childhood Obesity?
A new study finds that babies born by c-section are twice as likely to be obese by age 3 as those delivered vaginally.
Which Birth Control Works Best? (Hint: It’s Not the Pill)
Long-acting contraceptives like IUDs and implants, which eliminate the potential for human error, are far more effective than more commonly used methods like the Pill, patch and vaginal ring.
Is Mom’s Lack of Vitamin D in Pregnancy Linked with Child’s Weight?
(Updated) Maintaining good health during pregnancy is one of the surest ways mothers can protect their developing babies’ well-being. A new study suggests that adequate levels of vitamin D could be one such protective factor.
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Should Pregnant Women Be Accommodated in the Workplace?
Not all companies are eager to oblige the needs of expectant workers. The newly proposed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act aims to force employers’ hand.
No Mother’s Day? Why Model Christy Turlington Burns Wants a Boycott
Turlington Burns is calling on mothers to honor “No Mother’s Day” instead, to raise awareness of the 358,000 mothers who die worldwide from pregnancy or childbirth complications each year.
The Cost of Premature Birth: For One Family, More than $2 Million
A new report released Wednesday finds that 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely each year. For any hope of prevention, preterm birth needs to raise its PR profile.
Jessica Simpson: Just Another Celeb Capitalizing on Her Pregnancy
Motherhood pays, at least for celebrities. But it can be particularly lucrative for those who may have fallen off the conventional Hollywood gravy train.
Number of Babies Born Suffering from Drug Withdrawal Triples
The rate of babies born to mothers who use prescription painkillers during pregnancy has risen sharply over the last decade. Though the long-term effects of such drug exposure are uncertain, true harm can come of labeling these …
