Stress during pregnancy related to infant gut microbiota
Stress during pregnancy is often linked to physical and psychological problems in the child. But why is this? Could the infant’s gut microbiota be an underlying mechanism? An initial study of the correlation in...
Best way to position women during childbirth
New research is challenging what many obstetricians and physician anaesthesiologists believe is the best way to position women during labour. According to a study published in the February issue of Anesthesiology, the official medical journal...
Baby, we’ve come a long way in measuring lung function
An international team of researchers has developed a simple, non-invasive way to measure the impact of smoking during pregnancy on babies’ lung development.
Previously, measuring these effects required sedating the baby, inflating its lungs with...
Maternal Supplementation with Multiple Micronutrients, Compared With Iron-Folic Acid, Does Not Reduce Infant Mortality
In Bangladesh, daily maternal supplementation of multiple micronutrients compared to iron-folic acid before and after childbirth did not reduce all-cause infant mortality to age 6 months, but did result in significant reductions in preterm...
Domestic abuse may affect children in womb
Domestic violence can affect children even before they’re born, indicates new research by Michigan State University scientists.
The study is the first to link abuse of pregnant women with emotional and behavioural trauma symptoms in...
More babies born in Australia
For the first time in five years, there has been an increase in the rate of births in Australia, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Australia's...
Miscarriage brings grief, but doesn’t increase chance of depression
Women who miscarry may feel grief, guilt and anger years after their loss, a University of Queensland researcher has found.
UQ’s School of Population Health’s Dr Ingrid Rowlands said that emotional distress could continue for some time, but...
Baby steps to easing labour pain
One in three women experience severe back pain during labour and birth, but that might change thanks to a safe, simple and effective treatment developed by University of Queensland researchers.
Professor Sue Kildea and Dr Nigel...
Managing gestational diabetes
Midwifery researchers are tailoring gestational diabetes education to meet the needs of diverse communities.
Project leader Professor Mary Carolan-Olah said many culturally and linguistically diverse clientele lacked appropriate information on gestational diabetes.
“Sunshine Hospital in Melbourne’s west sees...
Pregnant and breastfeeding women needed for iodine nutrition study
Are you currently pregnant or breastfeeding your child or do you know someone who is?
The University’s Menzies Research Institute Tasmania is conducting a study investigating the level of knowledge among Tasmanian women about iodine...
