pregnancy Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Scared of Giving Birth? You’re Not Alone, but Stay Positive to Ease the Fear

The AHA! Team — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:32:00 +0000

American Physiological Society (APS) via Newswise – Up to 60% of women experience some fear about giving birth, especially for the first time, but a new study shows why some women are more likely to stay calm and confident in the lead-up to childbirth. In a global first, researchers from Robert Gordon University in Scotland and the University of South Australia (UniSA) investigated the factors that help ease childbirth fears, rather than stoke them. They surveyed 88 pregnant women in their third trimester before attending antenatal classes in north-east Scotland. Researchers used the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale to measure the link between mental wellbeing, a woman’s belief in her ability to manage the challenges of labour, and fear of childbirth.While 12% exhibited ‘severe’ fear of childbirth (FOC), those who were more positive, confident and in meaningful relationships reported fewer concerns. The findings are published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Lead author Dr Katrina Forbes-McKay says the results provide valuable insights into how antenatal care could be improved to foster confidence, enhance positive emotions and ultimately support healthier births for mothers and babies. “While many studies have explored the negative effects of childbirth fear, including prolonged labour, emergency caesareans and postpartum mental health issues, there has been little research into what protects women from experiencing those fears,” Dr Forbes-McKay says. “Our findings highlight the need for antenatal care that doesn’t just teach women what to do during labour but also empowers them to believe they can do it.” Co-author UniSA Professor Tracy Humphrey says the study found that a woman’s sense of mental wellbeing was the strongest predictor of how fearful she felt about giving birth. “This includes having a sense of purpose, emotional positivity, and meaningful social relationships – all things that are often overlooked in maternity care,” Prof Humphrey says. “The second key predictor was childbirth self-efficacy – particularly whether women believed they could apply coping strategies when the time came.” The study calls for antenatal programs to shift from a solely medical model to one that builds self-belief. Specifically, it recommends that childbirth education: Fosters confidence in the use of labour techniques such as breathing, visualisation and relaxation Enhances psychological wellbeing by supporting social connection, purpose and satisfaction Embraces an approach that focuses on wellness rather than the risks Although this study was restricted to women in the third trimester, further research has been undertaken on the role of antenatal relaxation practices in improving maternal well-being and childbirth experiences. Robert Gordon University midwifery lecturer Dr Mo Tabib led the study as part of her PhD, under the supervision of Dr Forbes-McKay and Professor Humphrey. Significant improvements “Women who incorporated these relaxation techniques reported “significant improvements” in their mental wellbeing and confidence in approaching childbirth; improvements which remained stable until 4-8 weeks after birth,” Dr Tabib says. “The findings align with global priorities from the World Health Organization to promote the mental and physical health of women during pregnancy. “By addressing fear of childbirth through psychological and educational interventions, we not only support women to have more positive birth experiences but potentially reduce medical interventions and improve outcomes for mothers and infants,” she says. The researchers are now calling for larger, multi-site studies to validate these findings across diverse populations. ‘Predicting fear of childbirth during pregnancy, the positive role of self-efficacy and mental wellbeing: a cross-sectional study’ is co-authored by Katrina Forbes McKay, Mo Tabib and Tracy Humphrey. DOI 10.1080/0167482X.2025.2527658 To read the original article click here.

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Postpartum Female Preference for Cooler Temperatures Linked to Brain Changes

The AHA! Team — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 05:35:50 +0000

Baylor College of Medicine via EurekAlert! – Mothers experience major metabolic adaptations during pregnancy and lactation to support the development and growth of the new life. Although many metabolic changes have been studied, body temperature regulation and environmental temperature preference during and after pregnancy remain poorly understood. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions show in the journal Molecular Metabolism that postpartum female mice develop new environmental temperature preferences and reveal brain changes mediating these changes. Humans and mice body temperature “In both humans and mice, body temperature increases during early pregnancy, drops to normal temperature during late pregnancy and then goes up again during lactation,” said co-corresponding author Dr. Chunmei Wang, assistant professor of pediatrics at USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor. In this study, Wang and her colleagues investigated what changes occurred in the brain that mediated the new temperature preference. “We worked with mice and found that female mice prefer a cooler environment starting from late pregnancy and persisting in long-term postpartum,” Wang said. “For more than four weeks post-weaning female mice had a lower body temperature and preferred cooler environments; they lost their typical preference for warm environments (30 °C/86 °F) but still avoided cold environments (15 °C/59 °F).” To identify the biological underpinnings of these changes, the researchers studied the preoptic area (POA), a brain region important for sensing and regulating body temperature. “We discovered that the change in temperature preference in postpartum female mice was associated with a significant decrease in a particular group of neurons, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-expressing neurons in the preoptic area of the brain (ERαPOA neurons),” Wang said. Supporting this finding, the researchers found that virgin females in which the estrogen receptor alpha had been deleted in ERαPOA neurons also preferred lower temperatures and avoided warmer locations, mimicking postpartum females. Looking closely into the ERαPOA neurons, the researchers found that these neurons vary in their ability to sense warm or cold temperatures – one group of ERαPOA neurons can directly respond to warmth, while another group responds to cooler temperatures. “Interestingly, compared to female mice that had not been pregnant, ERαPOA neurons of postpartum females had reduced response to warmth and an enhanced response to cold,” Wang said. Together, the results support that the ability of ERαPOA neurons to sense warmth and cold is regulated by reproductive experience and leads to changes in temperature preferences that alter the animal’s warmth-seeking behavior. Currently, the researchers are exploring the function of each group of ERαPOA neurons on the regulation body temperature and thermal preference. Other contributors to this work include Nan Zhang, Meng Yu, Qianru Zhao, Bing Feng, Yue Deng, Jonathan C. Bean, Qingzhuo Liu, Benjamin P. Eappen, Yang He, Kristine M. Conde, Hailan Liu, Yongjie Yang, Longlong Tu, Mengjie Wang, Yongxiang Li, Na Yin, Hesong Liu, Junying Han, Darah Ave Threat, Nathan Xu, Taylor Smiley, Pingwen Xu, Lulu Chen and co-corresponding authors Tianshu Zeng and Yanlin He. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Branch of National Center for Clinical Medical Research of Metabolic Diseases, Louisiana State University, South-central Minzu University and the University of Illinois. This work was supported by grants from the USDA/CRIS (3092-51000-062-04(B)S), Pennington Biomedical Research Center institutional funding and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. ### Journal Molecular Metabolism DOI 10.1016/j.molmet.2025.102108 To read the original article click here.

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Infant-Directed Singing Shown to Boost Emotional Health

The AHA! Team — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:23:15 +0000

Society for Research in Child Development via News-Medical – Many parents know that infants love to be sung to; however, there is limited prior research to show the long-term effects on parental singing. In a new study, researchers explored whether using a music enrichment intervention program to encourage parents to sing more frequently to their babies could improve the health of both infants and caregivers (as with skin-to-contact). This research was featured in a new Child Development article with authors from Yale University (United States), the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands), the University of Auckland (New Zealand), McGill University (Canada), Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (United States) and Princeton University (United States). Researchers advertised for study participants through in-person visits to baby fairs, distribution of flyers at local daycare centers, preschools, and delivery hospitals, and an announcement on public radio in New Haven, Connecticut. Online recruitment efforts targeted social media groups for expecting and new parents, along with online communities related to early childhood education. The study requirements mandated that all participants have a smartphone to be able to communicate and complete surveys online in English and be a primary caregiver of the infant. The study was conducted with 110 caregivers and their infants, who were on average nearly 4 months old. Most caregivers were from the United States and New Zealand, predominantly white, educated, and socioeconomically advantaged. Study participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The main portion of the study lasted six weeks, starting with a pre-test in week one, followed by a four-week intervention, and then a post-test in week six. Caregivers in the intervention group completed a brief, smartphone-based music enrichment program to help them sing more often to their babies (through access to instructional videos with children’s songs). Throughout the study, participants completed smartphone surveys one to three times daily, reporting on infant and parent mood, stress, sleep quality, and music use. The findings suggest that simple, low-cost interventions, such as increasing infant-directed singing, have the potential to improve health outcomes for both infants and caregivers. The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Samuel A. Mehr from Auckland University along with Dr. Eun Cho from Yale University and doctoral student, Lidya Yurdum from the University of Amsterdam to learn more about the research. SRCD: Can you please provide a brief overview of the study? Author team: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether a simple, low-cost music intervention-encouraging caregivers to actively integrate singing into daily routines with their infants-could improve wellbeing for both infants and caregivers. The study included 110 caregiver-infant pairs, primarily from the United States and New Zealand (with infants on average about 4 months old). Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. During the 4-week intervention, participants in the intervention group were encouraged to sing more to their infants than usual. We measured how this change in behavior would influence infant mood, stress, sleep, and music behavior, using brief, smartphone based surveys that caregivers completed at random times throughout the day. Our main finding was that the intervention successfully increased the frequency of infant-directed singing, especially in soothing contexts, and led to measurable improvements in infants’ general mood as reported by caregivers. SRCD: Did you learn anything that surprised you? Author team: One interesting finding was how intuitively caregivers incorporated singing into soothing routines for their infants, even though the intervention did not explicitly instruct them to use singing for this purpose. Among a dozen soothing strategies, singing was the only one that showed a significant increase in use following the intervention. From a methodological perspective, a particularly encouraging outcome was the high level of compliance with the study protocol-caregivers completed over 70% of the surveys across the 10-week period, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for future developmental research. This strong compliance supported our decision to move forward with a longer-term, longitudinal study, which is currently underway. SRCD: Can you please explain how this research might be helpful for parents, caregivers and pediatricians? Author team: Our findings suggest that encouraging parents and caregivers to sing more frequently to their infants can have a positive, causal impact on infant mood. Singing is a universal practice-parents from almost every culture and throughout history have intuitively used singing to soothe and connect with their infants. It’s easy to do, requires no special equipment or training, and is accessible to everyone. Because infant mood is closely linked to parenting stress, caregiver-infant bonding, and later social-emotional development, such a simple intervention could have meaningful downstream benefits. For pediatricians and professionals working with families, recommending increased infant-directed singing is a practical, accessible strategy to support infant well-being. SRCD: Can you please address some of the research limitations? Author team: There are several limitations to note. First, our sample was predominantly white, highly educated, and socioeconomically advantaged and composed mainly of mothers, which limits the generalizability of the findings to more diverse populations. Second, all infant mood data were based on caregiver reports-although these reports were collected in real time to reduce recall bias, they remain subject to potential reporting biases. Third, the intervention was relatively brief and low-intensity; longer and more structured interventions might yield broader effects, including on caregiver mood or other health outcomes. Finally, music was already a regular part of many families’ routines at baseline, which may have limited the observable effect size of the intervention. SRCD: What’s next in this field of research? Author team: Despite the intervention lasting only four weeks, we observed clear benefits for infant mood. This suggests that the positive effects of singing to infants may be even more pronounced with longer-term, higher-intensity interventions-and may also extend to caregiver wellbeing and additional aspects of infant health beyond mood. Building on these findings, we are currently conducting two follow-up studies. The first is a direct replication of our original study, but with professionally developed, higher-quality intervention materials designed to help parents sing more to their infants. This will allow us to determine if improved resources can enhance the intervention’s effectiveness. The second is a longitudinal, randomized trial that follows families over eight months. In this study, we are comparing three active interventions -singing (music plus active parent-infant interaction), music listening (music without active interaction), and reading (no music but active interaction) – as well as a general control group. This design will help us disentangle the unique contributions of music, singing, and interactive activities to infant and caregiver outcomes. More information about this ongoing research can be found at https://www.togetherwegrow.study. This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (United States), the Royal Society of New Zealand, the University of Auckland (New Zealand) and Princeton University (United States). Source: Society for Research in Child Development Journal reference: Cho, E., et al. (2025) Ecological Momentary Assessment Reveals Causal Effects of Music Enrichment on Infant Mood. Child Development. doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14246. To read the original article click here.

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Early Pregnancy Anemia Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Defects in Newborns

The AHA! Team — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:37:54 +0000

Wiley via News-Medical – We already know that the risk of congenital heart disease can be raised by a variety of factors, but these results develop our understanding of anemia specifically and take it from lab studies to the clinic. New research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology found that mothers who are anemic in early pregnancy face a higher likelihood of giving birth to a child with a heart defect. The study assessed the health records of 2,776 women with a child diagnosed with congenital heart disease who were matched to 13,880 women whose children did not have this condition. Investigators found that 4.4% of children with congenital heart disease and 2.8% of children with normal heart function had anemia. After adjusting for potential influencing factors, the odds of giving birth to a child with congenital heart disease was 47% higher among anemic mothers. A variety of factors We already know that the risk of congenital heart disease can be raised by a variety of factors, but these results develop our understanding of anemia specifically and take it from lab studies to the clinic. Knowing that early maternal anemia is so damaging could be a gamechanger worldwide. Because iron deficiency is the root cause of many cases of anemia, widespread iron supplementation for women-both when trying for a baby and when pregnant-could help prevent congenital heart disease in many newborns before it has developed.” – Duncan B. Sparrow, PhD, corresponding author, University of Oxford Source: Wiley Journal reference: Nair, M., et al. (2025) Maternal Anaemia and Congenital Heart Disease in Offspring: A Case–Control Study Using Linked Electronic Health Records in the United Kingdom. BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.18150. To read the original article click here.

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Breakthrough Prenatal Test Detects 250 Diseases at 9 Weeks

The AHA! Team — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:36:28 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Israeli startup Identifai develops first maternal blood test to identify risk of 250 genetic diseases as early as 9th week of pregnancy, matching the results of riskier and later amniocentesis. Of the 140 million babies born worldwide each year, 6-8% are at risk for hereditary genetic diseases. Amniocentesis is considered the gold standard for detecting fetal genetic risks with high accuracy, but it is invasive, has some risks for mother and baby, and cannot be done until at least 15 weeks into the pregnancy. The only alternative until now has been non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), but it can assess risk for only about 10 percent of known genetic disorders, including Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. A breakthrough blood test developed in Israel is poised to make prenatal genetic testing available earlier, noninvasively and comprehensively: It can detect the risk of 250 diseases with high accuracy. Identifai was founded in 2021 based on the research of Tel Aviv University Prof. Noam Shomron, a world expert in genetics and bioinformatics. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, Identifai’s technology requires nothing more than a maternal blood sample. After isolating fetal DNA from maternal DNA, it does a full, rapid fetal genetic sequencing starting from just nine weeks’ gestation. The technology can detect mutations even in a single DNA base among billions, making it capable of identifying a wide range of hereditary genetic conditions. “This is a tremendous step forward,” Identifai CEO Eyal Miller tells ISRAEL21c. “If the mother is a carrier [of a genetic disease], we can do the whole genome sequencing for the fetus and provide a clinical report with a negative predictive value of more than 99%,” he explains. “This means that if results are negative, the likelihood of the fetus having [a genetic disease] is close to zero. And that gives immediate relief to the parents. On the other hand, if the results are positive, the parents know exactly what they’re dealing with,” Miller adds. “That dramatically changes the whole ecosystem from the point of view of parents, clinicians and genetic counselors. This is why we shine.” Gamechanger The Israeli technology, expected to be commercialized in the second half of 2025 following additional clinical trials in Israel and the United States, has already gained international recognition through the publication of a study conducted at Israel’s Beilinson and Meir hospitals. Chosen as the cover story of the global journal Prenatal Diagnosis last August, the study involved 18 cases where both parents were carriers of genetic diseases. Identifai’s system analyzed the mothers’ blood samples and predicted fetal risks with 100% accuracy, matching the results from amniocentesis. Identifai will soon release results from a larger study at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. “At Columbia, we came across parents who carry a rare genetic disease and they were amazed that we can provide a very simple solution very early in the process in order to give them certainty about the status of the fetus as soon as possible,” Miller says. The couple wrote to Identifai: “Our reproductive journey has been hugely impacted by the knowledge of being carriers and we hope that this kind of non-invasive testing becomes available one day in the future for families like us.” The benefits of knowing Identifai generates a report for parents and their healthcare provider, detailing the probability of the fetus carrying or developing specific genetic conditions and how they might manifest if the pregnancy continues. “Couples are aware very early if the fetus has some type of disease, which means they can make a decision about what lies ahead,” says Miller. “If you’ve decided to maintain the pregnancy, there are specific hospitals in the United States that can treat the newborn immediately once a clear diagnosis is in place.” Furthermore, Identifai needs only maternal blood for analysis, which is helpful in the many cases where the father is unavailable or unknown. “If the mother is a carrier and you can’t find the father, the only thing to do until now has been to keep your fingers crossed and pray and then do invasive amnio,” says Miller. In addition to the medical advantages of the test, Miller adds, there’s an emotional and psychological advantage because amniocentesis “causes enormous anxiety and stress” and many expectant couples don’t want it. A $6 billion market Miller says the prenatal testing market is currently valued at $6 billion annually, with NIPT tests making up half of that amount. This market is expected to grow to $19 billion by 2030. “Our ability to detect fetal risk for hundreds of genetic conditions will expand this market to hundreds of billions, including early in-utero surgeries and detection of late-stage conditions where amniocentesis is no longer an option,” he says. “Furthermore, this solution, which does not require FDA approval, will be accessible, convenient, and effective for populations worldwide who avoid amniocentesis for cultural reasons, for millions of pregnancies where the father’s identity is unknown, and in response to new US legislation limiting abortions and amniocentesis tests that might justify terminations.” Identifai has received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and raised $6.5 million from investors including Shizim as well as eHealth Ventures, which supports early-stage digital health companies from the initial stages of R&D through capital raising, business development, commercialization, and market entry. Identifai employs 15 people in its Tel Aviv offices. Miller says a US office will be established to support clinical, marketing and operational activities in that target market. For more information, click here. To read the original article click here.

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IVF Pregnancies at Greater Risk of Exposure to Medicines That Can Harm the Baby

The AHA! Team — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:09:30 +0000

University of South Australia via Newswise – Pregnancies achieved through IVF and ICSI have the highest exposure to medicines that can harm the fetus, raising the chances of birth defects. A new Australian study has revealed a potential reason why some pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive technology (ART) may result in birth defects in comparison to naturally conceived pregnancies. Researchers found that in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies had the highest exposure to teratogenic medicines that potentially can harm the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. These are listed as Category D and X medicines by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The risk associated with the use of Category D medicines in pregnancy may be outweighed by the clinical benefit in individual cases such as management of mental health disorders or epilepsy. Category X medicines on the other hand are strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to the high risk of fetal harm. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), The University of Western Australia (UWA) and The Kids Research Institute Australia analysed more than 57,000 pregnancies in four conception groups over a two-year period. The groups comprised women using ART (2041); those taking medication to induce ovulation (590); untreated sub-fertile women (2063); and naturally fertile pregnancies (52,987). ART pregnancies had the highest exposure to Category D medications taken in the first trimester. The study found that 4.9% of the ART pregnancies were exposed, compared to only 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. In later trimesters, the trend persisted, with 3.4% of ART pregnancies exposed to Category D medications versus 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. Exposure to Category X medications (causing the most harm during pregnancy) was low across all groups and trimesters, at less than 0.5% of pregnancies. “These differences in exposure are primarily linked to medications used as additional treatment following ART to prevent repeat miscarriages or failed implantation, rather than medications to treat underlying chronic conditions,” says UniSA researcher Dr Anna Kemp-Casey, who led the study. “For example, ART pregnancies, during the study period were more often exposed to progestogens like medroxyprogesterone acetate, which may have been used to treat threatened or recurrent miscarriages,” Dr Kemp says. The five most frequently used Category D/X medications across all pregnancies regardless of conception status were paroxetine, lamotrigine, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and nicotine dependence treatments. UWA co-researcher Professor Roger Hart, also a practising IVF clinician and the national medical director of City Fertility, says the higher exposure to Category D and X medicines in ART pregnancies during the first trimester may contribute to the higher rate of birth defects observed in ART babies. “Although ART pregnancies are carefully planned, medications taken during fertility treatments may inadvertently increase exposure to birth defect risks, particularly during critical periods of fetal development,” Prof Hart says. Researchers say the findings demonstrate that the vast majority of IVF babies are healthy, and do not suggest that ART pregnancies are unsafe, but they underscore the importance of personalised medical care for women undergoing ART treatment and close monitoring for women in early pregnancy. Prof Hart says more research is needed to examine Category D and X medicines exposure in pregnancy as well as underlying maternal medical conditions and their contribution to birth defect risk in ART babies. The study has been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Notes for editors “Are assisted reproductive technology pregnancies more likely to be exposed to teratogenic medication? A whole-population study” is authored by researchers from the University of South Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University. DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13911 According to the latest ANZARD report, in 2022 more than 20,000 children in Australia (17,963) and New Zealand (2095) were born using ART. Since IVF was introduced in 1978, 10 million children have been born using ART. A 2021 study by US researchers analyzing 1.2 million births found an 18% higher risk of birth defects among IVF babies and a 36% overall greater risk for ICSI births (42% increased risk where ICSI was used to treat male factor subfertility and 30% increased risk with ICSI use for non-male factor subfertility). In IVF pregnancies, sperm is added to a dish containing eggs, and fertilisation occurs naturally, compared to ICSI where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The latter procedure is normally used to treat male subfertility but is also an option for unexplained infertility. To read the original article click here.

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Cannabis Exposure Linked to 1.3x Higher Risk of Unhealthy Pregnancy

The AHA! Team — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:35:02 +0000

University of Utah Health Newswise – In the past ten years, the percentage of Americans who use medical marijuana has more than doubled as state-level legalization becomes increasingly common. But despite its prevalence as a medication, the full health effects of cannabis remain unknown, especially for specific populations—such as pregnant people—that might be especially at risk of health complications. Now, in a large study of more than 9,000 pregnant people from across the U.S., researchers at University of Utah Health have found that cannabis exposure during pregnancy is associated with a composite measure of unhealthy pregnancy outcomes, especially low birth weight, and that higher exposure is associated with higher risks. Compared to most prior studies, this study was larger and measured cannabis exposure more accurately, which allowed researchers to distinguish the effects of cannabis itself from those caused by other correlated health conditions. The research published online on December 12 in JAMA. “Cannabis use is not safe,” says Robert Silver, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at U of U Health and last author on the study. “It increases the risk of pregnancy complications. If possible, you shouldn’t use cannabis during pregnancy.” The researchers were driven to answer this question in part by the contradictory answers that many people encounter when trying to learn about the health impacts of cannabis use. “There’s so much information out there—discussion and social media channels and on the Internet—about cannabis use and pregnancy,” explains Torri Metz, M.D., vice chair of research of obstetrics and gynecology at U of U Health and lead author on the study. “I think it’s hard for patients to understand what they should be worried about, if anything.” Uncovering new risks Indeed, some previous studies on the topic found no association between cannabis use and pregnancy complications. One hurdle facing such research, Metz says, is that there are “so many differences between baseline characteristics of people who use and don’t use cannabis during pregnancy. There’s different rates of anxiety and depression.” These differences can also impact pregnancy risks, which makes it challenging to figure out the consequences related specifically to cannabis use. The large study population, including participants from eight medical centers across the U.S., allowed the researchers to address this issue. Being able to compare pregnancy outcomes for so many participants, 610 of which had detectable levels of cannabis exposure, meant that the researchers could statistically untangle the impacts of cannabis use from many other factors, including pre-existing health conditions, nicotine exposure, and socioeconomic status. The scientists found that cannabis exposure was associated with a 1.3-fold increase in risk after the impacts of other factors were removed. Higher levels of cannabis exposure over the course of pregnancy were associated with higher risks. A distinguishing feature of the study was how the researchers measured cannabis exposure. While other studies had asked participants to report their own cannabis use (which has been shown to underestimate the actual rate of use by two or three times), the scientists measured the levels of a metabolic byproduct of cannabis in participants’ urine samples, which gave more accurate measurements of cannabis exposure. Open questions To gauge impacts on pregnancy, the researchers looked at an aggregate measure of negative health outcomes, including low birth weight, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, stillbirth, and medically indicated preterm birth. Of these, the association between cannabis use and low birth weight was the strongest. All of these conditions have been linked to reduced function of the placenta, which supplies the growing baby with oxygen and nutrients. While this type of study can’t determine why cannabis is associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, previous studies in non-human primates have found that long-term cannabis exposure can interfere with blood supply to the placenta. The correlation Metz and her colleagues observed suggests that cannabis may disrupt the human placenta in a similar way. Silver adds that the greater risk seen at higher levels of exposure is especially concerning given the high amount of THC found in newer cannabis products—products that were barely starting to become available from 2010 to 2014, when the study data was collected. The health impacts of these more concentrated products remain largely unknown. The researchers urge people who are considering using cannabis while pregnant to have an open conversation with their doctor. While pregnant people may turn to cannabis to alleviate nausea or anxiety, other remedies have been proven to be safe. “There are many, many reasons people use cannabis,” Silver says. “But there may be alternative therapies that can help mitigate the symptoms.” Silver emphasizes that continued research on the health impacts of cannabis is urgently needed so that patients can make informed decisions about their health. “As long as humans are interested in using this product,” he says, “we ought to assess health effects both good and bad, as accurately as we can, and provide that information for folks.” To read the original article click here.

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Urgent: 25% of Pregnant Women Risk Omega-3 Deficiency

The AHA! Team — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:02:57 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to a healthy diet and provide many benefits, including brain and heart health. However, a recent study says pregnant women may not get enough omega-3 from their diet or supplements. Getting enough omega-3 during pregnancy can help prevent preterm birth and promote neurodevelopment and overall health of the baby. This gives babies a good, healthy start in life, but almost a quarter of the study participants reported that they did not eat any fish or take any omega-3 supplements during their pregnancy. Research reveals omega-3 deficiency common among expectant mothers A recent study, led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and published on February 27, 2024, sheds light on omega-3 deficiency in pregnant women. Drawing data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, the study examined the dietary habits of 10,800 pregnant women regarding fish consumption and supplement intake from 12,646 expectant mothers. After carefully examining the data, the study reveals a concerning reality: many pregnant women are at significant risk of omega-3 deficiency. 25% of pregnant women lack omega-3-rich fish consumption The study’s findings showed that almost a quarter (25%) of the participants reported not consuming any fish or consuming fish less than once a month during their pregnancy. It also showed that just 16% of the women reported taking omega-3 supplements. The findings also showed that women who consumed less fish were also less likely to use omega-3 supplements. This put that group at an even greater risk of not getting sufficient omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. Potential risks of omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy There are several risks that an omega-3 deficiency can cause in infants and fetuses. Omega-3 is vital not only for a child’s neurodevelopment after birth but also for fetal brain development. Omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy has been linked to lower behavior and developmental scores. There are also benefits for the pregnant mother. Omega-3 intake during pregnancy has also been linked to regulating inflammation, preventing heart disease, and preventing mood disorders. It can also be beneficial for many medical conditions, such as IBS, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. In short, omega-3 intake during pregnancy can benefit both mother and baby. How to make sure you get enough omega-3 While there isn’t a set daily recommended intake for omega-3, guidelines for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, offer insight into suggested amounts: Pregnant women: 1.4 g Breastfeeding women: 1.3 g Children: Birth to 12 months: 0.5 g 1-3 years: 0.7 g 4-8 years: 0.9 g Boys 9-13 years: 1.2 g Girls 9-13 years: 1.0 g Teens: Boys 14-18 years: 1.6 g Girls 14-18 years: 1.1 g Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet can be achieved through supplements or by consuming foods rich in omega-3s daily, such as: Cold water, fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, herring, and sardines Nuts and seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseed, and walnuts Plant oils like, flaxseed oil Whole foods like organic milk, pasture raised eggs and raw yogurt Bottom line: prioritizing good prenatal care alongside a wholesome diet can benefit both the baby’s and the mother’s health. Fortunately, incorporating enough omega-3 into your diet is relatively straightforward. Take action now – your baby is counting on you. Sources for this article include: Cambridge.org Sciencedaily.com NIH.gov Americanpregnancy.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Can Acupuncture Alleviate Lower Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnant Women?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 08:00:24 +0000

Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D. via News-Medical – Globally, a significant fraction of pregnant women experiences low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP). LBPP limits the endurance capacity of women while standing, walking, or sitting for a prolonged period. This affects their quality of life and puts restrictions on activities related to weight-bearing. Scientists have recently reviewed available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating LBPP during pregnancy. This review is available in BMJ Open. This meta-analysis utilized electronic databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, to obtain relevant data. What Is LBPP? Clinically, LBPP has been defined as pain in the distal and posterior pelvic regions lateral to the lumbar-sacral junction and between the 12th rib and the gluteal fold. These two types of pains are hard to distinguish. Additionally, women with LBPP often experience depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Mechanistically, the level of relaxin increases significantly during pregnancy, which is produced by the corpus luteum and the uterine decidua. The increased relaxin level enhances motion in the pelvic joints causing LBPP. Although massage therapy, special pillows, and physical therapy are commonly used to alleviate LBPP, these are not clinically recommended as the results of clinical trials on their effectiveness is unclear. Hence, there is a need for effective therapies for LBPP treatment during pregnancy. Effectiveness Acupuncture originated in China, and is associated with inserting solid and thin metallic needles into acupoints along the meridians (ancient physiological system). The meridian theory entails that the body’s vital energy flows through the meridians, i.e., internal organs. It was believed that an unrest condition of the internal organs is reflected at specific points, known as acupoints. At present, acupuncture therapy is practiced in many countries to remediate headaches, dental pains, myofascial pain, and many other pains. Although the underlying analgesic mechanism of acupuncture is not clear, several studies have indicated its association with the neurohumoral mechanism, where an increase in the cerebrospinal fluid endorphins and spinal dynorphins was observed after acupuncture. In contrast to the adverse effects of pain-relieving drugs on pregnant women, acupuncture is considered to be safe and has been used increasingly to relieve the discomforts of pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is scarce clinical data on the effectiveness of acupuncture among pregnant women with LBPP. An increased rate of withdrawal of participants was observed in a clinical study related to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture in women prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is because the participants were concerned about harming their unborn children. After all, the clinical trial was designed to use “forbidden points” for acupuncture. Based on the findings of 10 studies that included a total of 1040 women with LBPP during pregnancy, the current study revealed that acupuncture significantly alleviated LBPP and improved their quality of life during the pregnancy period. Importantly, no adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm labor were found in patients under acupuncture treatment. Out of the total of seven studies that used “forbidden points’’ for acupuncture treatment, two studies reported preterm birth. However, all newborns were healthy at birth despite preterm contractions. This meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture was a relatively safe and effective intervention in treating women with LBPP during pregnancy. The observation of this review is in line with a previous systemic review that revealed acupuncture for LBPP during pregnancy was a safe and effective procedure. According to a recent meta-analysis, acupuncture treatment relieved the pain for both pregnant and postpartum women. Nevertheless, this meta-analysis only considered a small number of studies and failed to assess the safety profile of maternal acupuncture and its effect on the newborn. Study Limitations The current study included patients whose average age was less than 35 years of age, thus reducing the generalization of the findings. Another limitation of this meta-analysis is the assessment of a small number of studies. The authors did not evaluate the quality of the studies considered in the meta-analysis. Since none of the studies reported the cost of acupuncture treatment, the cost-effectiveness of this therapy was not determined. Conclusions During pregnancy, women are subjected to minimal pharmaceutical interventions, unless absolutely necessary. Non-pharmacological therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture, physical therapy, and exercise are the most attractive options to reduce pain and control comorbidities. Interestingly, several studies have indicated that acupuncture can effectively reduce pain as well as alleviate severe depression in pregnant women with LBPP. In the future, large, multicentre RCTs must be conducted by surveying physiotherapists, midwives, and pregnant women. More clinical trials must be conducted with a robust methodology to minimize biased results. Considering the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy, it is imperative to optimize the intervention protocol, i.e., acupoints, frequency, and duration. Journal reference: Yang, J. et al. (2022) Acupuncture for low back and/or pelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056878 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e056878 To read the original article click here.

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