International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Moderate stress during pregnancy could boost foetal brain development, new research has found.

Researchers from the John Hopkins University in Maryland, US, surveyed 112 pregnant women in the US three times during their third trimester, recording their stress levels and foetal movements throughout gestation.

The more obese a woman is, the greater the risk of her baby being born with a congenital heart defect, new research from the National Institutes of Health and the New York state Department of Health has found.

On average, there is 15 per cent more chance of a baby born to an obese mother having a heart defect than those born to a woman of an average weight.

A workshop on safe motherhood was launched in Sana'a, Yemen, by the Women National Committee (WNC) and National Safe Motherhood Alliance (NSMA).

Lasting two days, the workshop involved 20 women leaders from civil society organisations, SabaNews.net reported.

Taking vitamins C and E during pregnancy won't reduce the risk of adverse outcomes from pregnancy-related hypertension or preeclampsia, according to researchers.

No differences in complications from the conditions were found between patients taking the vitamins and those taking a placebo during a randomised controlled trial carried out by the University of Pittsburgh, US.

Light exercise during pregnancy can improve the future health of a child and control its weight in the womb, according to scientists
This may help reduce the infant's obesity risk in later life, the researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, said.

Drinking during pregnancy could increase the risk of a child developing epilepsy, according to a study.

Research carried out at Queen's University, Canada, found that children born with a condition caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb are more likely to suffer from debilitating seizures.

Excessive consumption of additives in everyday food during pregnancy could be a contributing factor to cancer in children, according to a doctor.

A woman from Fordham, UK, has skydived to help raise awareness about ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Helen Tedman lost her baby to ectopic pregnancy earlier this year. The condition occurs when a fertilised egg is implanted outside of the womb.

A cookbook aimed at pregnant women has been recalled because it includes recipes containing ingredients that are potentially harmful.

Following advice from the New South Wales Food Safety Authority, The Happy Baby Cookbook has been recalled by its publisher, TVNZ.co.nz reported.

Family planning can help reduce maternal deaths by 70 per cent, according to a new report.

The Guttmacher Institute and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released a report that documents the benefits that would come from increasing the global investment in both family planning services and pregnancy-related newborn care, NewVision.co.ug reported.