In the late 1980s and early ’90s, it was almost impossible to avoid hearing about the plight of “crack babies” — infants born to mothers who had used crack cocaine during pregnancy. These offspring were predicted to become a …
Pregnancy
Obese Women Are More Likely to Miscarry or Endure a Baby’s Death
Women are counseled not to be too thin or too heavy before getting pregnant, and new research gives even more reason for women to watch their weight: obese pregnant women stand a much greater chance of miscarrying or burying …
The New Cost of Preventing Prematurity: Will KV Back Off the High Price of Makena?
KV Pharmaceutical’s Makena, a new brand of an old drug to prevent premature birth, went on sale last week at an exponentially increased price — going from about $10-$20 per dose to $1,500, and inviting widespread criticism and scrutiny.
In Japan, Pregnant Women Have Double the Reason to Dodge Radiation
When Kathryn Higley, head of the department of nuclear engineering and radiation health physics at Oregon State University, learned she was pregnant years ago, she immediately informed her supervisor, who outfitted her with a …
Guys Are Right: Size Matters, When It Comes to Fertility
Men’s obsession with size in their nether region may be justified after all. New research indicates size — of a sort — does matter when it comes to male fertility.
Study: Secondhand Smoke Increases Risk of Stillbirth, Birth Defects
Note to expectant fathers: Stop smoking.
The hCG Diet Myth: Why Would a Pregnancy Hormone Make You Skinny?
Quick quiz: does pregnancy cause weight loss or gain? It seems like a dumb question but it’s a test that the promoters of the “hCG diet” seem to have failed.
Stress Doesn’t Hurt Chances of Success with IVF
Of all the factors that infertile couples worry about, they can now stop worrying about one: worry. It turns out that stress and tension, while detrimental to overall health, may have little impact on couples’ chances of …
FDA Approves a Smartphone-Based Ultrasound System
Pregnant Women Who Control their Epidural Dosage Use Less Medication
Ah, the wonders of an epidural. Within minutes, that chilly infusion of bupivicaine and fentanyl can transform the raving, pain-wracked process of birthing a baby into a pleasant hospital stay with some energetic pushing …
Prolonging Pregnancy: New Drug Helps Prevent Premature Birth
Lauren Fleming was born 3½ months early and weighed just a smidge over 2 lbs. When her mother, Nikki Fleming, got pregnant again, her doctor administered weekly progesterone injections. Fleming’s next two children, Erin and …