International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Pregnant women whose unborn babies are exposed to pesticides in the womb are more likely to have hyperactive children, a new study has revealed.

Babies exposed to crop sprays during gestation had a greater chance of being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of five, according to researchers in the US.

The risk of pre-eclampsia is higher in women who have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood, a new study has found.

This could suggest that the vitamin plays a role in the pregnancy complication, which can lead to premature birth or even death, according to the study, reported by Reuters.

The government in Orissa is determined to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates in the Indian state.

In order to tackle the problem, 561 newborn care units will be installed in rural hospitals to try and improve pre- and post-pregnancy care, reports the Orissa Diary.

Expectant mothers should avoid consuming liquorice when pregnant as it could increase their newborn's health later in life, experts have warned.

Maternal and newborn healthcare in India is to step up a level as the government introduces a new electronic database to monitor pregnant women and newborns' health.

As World Breastfeeding Week kicks off, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding for maternal and newborn health.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG)  - one of FIGO's member associations - has unveiled new guidelines aiming to improve maternal and newborn health and reduce the number of caesarean births.

The high maternal mortality rates in Africa need to be addressed by more money being spent on improving healthcare for both mothers and infants.

High maternal mortality rates (MMR) in India could be due to the absence of trained midwives in the country, it has been suggested, highlighting the risks facing women's health.

New research has suggested a link between late pre-term births and a range of short-term morbidities, gynaecology experts have been told.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that these are often based around respiratory conditions and frequently require specialised care or long neonatal hospital stays.