maternal health

For older mothers, it can feel like there's little time to waste before trying for another child. But there are real risks linked to getting pregnant again too soon.

How Long Should Older Moms Wait Before Getting Pregnant Again?

7:58pm November 01, 2018

by Carey Goldberg

As a woman ages, choosing when to try for a second or third child means weighing fertility odds against the risks of getting pregnant again too soon. A new study provides more data to help decide.

Surgeons perform a cesarean section. A new report raises concerns about rising rates of this procedure around the world, from Brazil to China.

Rate Of C-Sections Is Rising At An 'Alarming' Rate, Report Says

2:38pm October 12, 2018

by Michaeleen Doucleff

A report in The Lancet says the rate of cesarean sections has tripled globally since 1990. In some hospitals, more than 70 percent of births occur by C-section, putting moms and babies at risk.

Delayed pushing made no difference in whether first-time mothers had a cesarean section, a large study finds.

Health & Safety

When Giving Birth For The First Time, Push Away

5:26pm October 09, 2018

by Patti Neighmond

There's no benefit to delaying pushing after receiving epidural anesthesia and reaching full dilation. A delay increases the risk of complications, particularly for the mother, a large study finds.

Scientists are in the early stages of developing new tests that could predict accurately if a woman is at risk of delivering her baby early.

Scientists Search For Causes Of Preterm Birth And Better Ways To Test For Risk

3:07pm July 22, 2018

by Sara Kiley Watson

Preterm birth, a leading cause of death in infants, remains stubbornly hard to prevent. Researchers are on the hunt for a better understanding of what causes it and better ways to diagnose risk.

A vaccine given during pregnancy protects the baby against whooping cough, but only about 50 percent of pregnant women get it.

Pregnant Women: Avoid Soft Cheeses, But Do Get These Shots

5:53am June 25, 2018

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Doctors want to remind moms to get certain vaccines while pregnant. Whooping cough in particular can be deadly for newborns, but only about 50 percent of pregnant women get the vaccine.

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Extreme lack of attention is not unusual in hospitals in poor countries, says Martin Onyango, legal advisor for the Center for Reproductive Rights based in Nairobi.

Kenyan Woman Abused By Nurses During Childbirth Wins Landmark Case

3:06pm April 10, 2018

by Susan Brink

Josephine Majani passed out searching for help as she delivered her baby on a the floor of a hospital in Kenya. She hopes her case will push for reforms in treatment of women during childbirth.

Mothers helping other mothers through the challenges of postpartum depression and anxiety makes Florida's mentoring program unique.

Mommy Mentors Help Fight The Stigma Of Postpartum Mood Disorder

1:01pm September 29, 2017

by Juli Fraga

Postpartum depression and anxiety are common among new mothers, but few talk about these feelings. A Florida nonprofit is hoping to break the cycle by pairing new moms with moms who've been there.

The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is the highest among affluent nations. Researchers believe that with better education, postpartum nurses could help mothers identify life-threatening complications.

Many Nurses Lack Knowledge Of Health Risks To Mothers After Childbirth

7:57am August 17, 2017

A nationwide survey shows that postpartum nurses often fail to warn mothers about potentially life-threatening complications following childbirth, mainly because they need more education themselves.

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Lauren Bloomstein holds her newborn daughter.

Focus On Infants During Childbirth Leaves U.S. Moms In Danger

1:06pm May 12, 2017

The U.S. has the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world: Sixty percent of the 700 to 900 deaths each year are preventable, including that of neonatal nurse Lauren Bloomstein.

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A pneumococcal vaccine is delivered via motorcycle in Kenya.

Health & Safety

What It'd Take To Save 10 Million Lives: Zinc, Bed Nets, $70 Billion

3:40pm March 07, 2016

by Maanvi Singh

Is the price tag too expensive? Is the goal of saving 10 million lives a year too optimistic?