Is Childbirth More Dangerous in Rural Areas?

MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 -- If you are pregnant and live in a rural area of the United States, new research shows that you're at higher risk of life-threatening complications or death during or after childbirth.

"Our study suggests that geographic disparities may put rural women at an increased risk of requiring lifesaving interventions during or immediately after delivering a baby," said study senior author Dr. Lindsay Admon. She's an obstetrician-gynecologist at Michigan Medicine's Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, in Ann Arbor.

Mom-to-Be's Diabetes May Up Odds of Heart Disease in Her Kids

THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2019 -- Children whose mothers had diabetes before or during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing heart disease by age 40, according to a new study.

The findings "highlight the importance of effective strategies for screening and preventing diabetes in women of childbearing age," said study author Dr. Yongfu Yu and colleagues. Yu is in the clinical epidemiology department at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark.

Many Moms-to-Be Turn to Their Moms First for Medical Advice

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 -- Moms trump doctors when it comes to pregnancy advice, a new study suggests.

More often than not, pregnant women rely on guidance from their mothers instead of medical experts, the researchers found.

The Benefits of Strength Training During Pregnancy

FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 -- For most healthy women, exercise during pregnancy is as important as it is at all times of life. It brings benefits such as better overall health, preventing back pain and keeping you regular, which can be a challenge for some women.

While low-impact aerobic activities like walking are often emphasized, research has found a surprising benefit to working out in the weight room. It turns out that, beyond keeping muscles toned, strength training can ease the fatigue and low energy that affects so many women when they're expecting.

Why You Should Ask to Be Screened for Postpartum Depression

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2019 -- It's not uncommon for new moms to feel an emotional letdown shortly after baby is born. Though symptoms of these so-called "baby blues" can be wide-ranging, they last no more than two weeks and go away on their own.

Some Signs of the Baby Blues:

Acetaminophen in Pregnancy Might Raise Children's Odds of ADHD, Autism

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 -- Two-thirds of American women take acetaminophen for the aches and pains of pregnancy, but the medication might not be as benign as thought.

New research shows that women who took acetaminophen, best known as Tylenol, at the end of their pregnancies were much more likely to have child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism.