A new policy brief from Stanford researchers identifies the connection between paid family leave and infant and maternal health benefits.
Category: Pregnancy
Treating parasite infections during pregnancy thought to boost babies’ immune responses
For babies in developing countries, pneumonia vaccines seem to work better if their mothers receive treatment for parasitic infections during pregnancy.
Nicotine’s effect on the developing embryo studied in new model
Using human embryonic stem cells to study nicotine's effect in development shows defects in cellular communication and longevity, say Stanford scientists.
How much exercise is safe during pregnancy?
Physician Justin Thompson offers guidance on the safety of exercising during pregnancy. Many non-contact activities are healthy.
Why are so many women nearly dying in childbirth? Cross off a few leading theories
More than 50,000 pregnant women per year experience life-threatening complications of pregnancy and childbirth, but no one understands why.
Explore a cornucopia of accomplishments in prematurity research
A compilation of stories highlights the work of Stanford prematurity experts, who are advancing how we understand and predict premature birth.
On the importance of including pregnant women in clinical trials: A Q&A
A Stanford physician argues pregnant women should be appropriately included in clinical research to improve their health and the health of their fetuses.
Identification of first-in-class enzyme involved in childbirth and muscle diseases
New Stanford research has identified an enzyme that plays a critical role in uterine contractions as well as in other muscle tissues.
Higher birth risks associated with older dads
From the data of more than 40 million births, scientists link paternal age to birth risks and even risks to the mother’s health.
Improvements to newborn screening could lower number of false positives
A team of researchers has used an algorithm to improve newborn screening for genetic diseases, with the hopes of reducing the number of false positives.
Stanford group has new targets for lowering maternal mortality
A Stanford team has taken a multi-pronged approach to reducing preventable maternal deaths among California women, a new scientific paper explains.
Stanford expert weighs in on risks of marijuana in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Doctors are worried that marijuana legalization is harming vulnerable populations, such as infants exposed to the drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Prenatal exposure to acute stress can affect cognitive function in children of low-income households
A Stanford study finds that after being exposed to a prenatal event of acute stress, children from poor households suffer negative cognitive effects.
A look at how California lowered maternal mortality rates
A new NPR story explains how California experts have been examining the causes of maternal mortality and successfully figuring out how to counteract them.
Epidurals increase in popularity, Stanford study finds
The percentage of pregnant women getting epidurals or other spinal analgesia has climbed to a high of 71 percent, according to a Stanford study.
Genetic differences in protein key to pregnancy may help explain preterm birth rates
Genetic diversity in the receptor for a key reproductive hormone may help explain why some populations have higher rates of preterm birth than others.