Health & Baby News & Features

March 13, 2024 — Despite the revised figures, Black women continue to experience pregnancy-related deaths far more than other groups, researchers said.

February 7, 2024 — Chemicals used to make everyday plastic items like food containers and cosmetic packages may be linked to the rise in preterm births, according to a new study.

American Indian/Alaska Native women have heart health risks during pregnancy. Jason Deen, MD, explains what helps.

December 14, 2023 — Most pregnant people have nausea and vomiting, sometimes to a life-threatening degree. Researchers have now discovered why, and their new study in the renowned journal Nature suggests prevention and treatment options.

December 8, 2023 — More than 1 in 3 women worldwide (at least 40 million women) annually experience lasting health problems in the months or years following childbirth, according to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health.

September 8, 2023 — Results from recent laboratory experiments show that microwaving water- and milk-based beverages in common baby food containers releases levels of microplastics and nanoplastics that could potentially be toxic over time.

August 24, 2023 — One in five women report mistreatment from medical professionals during pregnancy and childbirth – an issue people of color face at even higher rates, according to a survey released Tuesday by the CDC.

August 16, 2023 — Women with mental health issues are 50% more likely to give birth to a premature baby, according to a new study of 2 million pregnancies in England.

August 1, 2023 — Millions of women in America don’t have adequate access to maternity health care and that number is growing, according to an annual report by the March of Dimes.

July 27, 2023 — A woman who was born without a uterus has given birth to a boy in Alabama.

July 7, 2023 — Researchers have found that consuming THC, the active ingredient in marijuana and cannabis products, during pregnancy can lead to genetic changes during a baby’s growth in the womb that are consistent with those seen in people with autism spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

June 22, 2023 — An annual scorecard that ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 58 measures of health outcomes, equity, and affordability shows a sharp increase in preventable deaths. For the first time, the report also included information on reproductive care and women’s health.

June 14, 2023 — American track star Tori Bowie, who was found dead in Orange County, FL, earlier this year, died while in labor, according to a recently release autopsy report. She was 32 and 8 months pregnant at the time.

June 1, 2023 — Rob Schwartz, the son of the man made famous in the book Tuesday's with Morrie, has published a new volume of his late father's writings on life, love and joy.

May 23, 2023 — COVID-19 boosters are not linked to an increased chance of miscarriage, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.

April 10, 2023 — C-sections and other forms of scheduled childbirth may greatly reduce the number of cases of preeclampsia that occur during the late stages of pregnancy, according to a study published Monday in Hypertension, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

March 30, 2023 — The introduction of fentanyl into the drug supply has been driving an increase in overdose deaths among the entire population, and pregnant people show these same patterns of addiction.

February 8, 2023 — Doctors should screen for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which can cause serious and fatal complications for both the mother and baby, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

January 22, 2023 — The company at the center of last year’s baby formula recall, Abbott Laboratories, is under federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

January 17, 2023 — Women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are seven times more likely to die during childbirth or during the pregnancy than uninfected pregnant women, a new study shows.

January 5, 2023 — Initial results from a new study show women who paused protective post-cancer therapies to get pregnant had no increased risk of their cancer coming back. Nearly 3 in 4 women in the study got pregnant, and 64% had a live birth.

Black mothers have a 43% greater risk for miscarriage. Why? WebMD looks at the biological, social, and cultural factors that play a part.

Many transgender men and nonbinary people can carry a pregnancy. Here are tips to find an OB/GYN who will offer supportive transgender pregnancy care.

Normal stress is expected during pregnancy, but find help for serious anxiety, which increases the risk of early birth or later problems.

The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is the highest among industrialized nations. And it’s three times as common among Black women as in white women in the U.S. Here’s what one New York hospital is doing to train doctors to respond.

The maternal mortality rate for Black women in the U.S. is nearly three times higher than it is for white women. If you’re a pregnant Black woman, what can you do to help protect yourself and your baby?

How digital research aims to revolutionize maternal-child health.

Can you get rid of pregnancy stretch marks? Do stretch marks go away? What works to get rid of stretch marks after you’re pregnant? Learn about pregnancy stretch marks and what you can and can’t do to make them look better.

Is it safe to take medications for mood disorders when you’re pregnant? The answer, experts say, is complicated.

Depression during pregnancy is still often overlooked, even though it happens just as frequently as the postpartum variety.

More than 90 families of babies who spent time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reunited in early May to celebrate their progress since they left the hospital.

From 50% to 70% of women have back pain at some point in their pregnancy. You can ease the ache with these simple tips.

It can be stressful if you can’t seem to get pregnant. But stress itself can hurt your chances of conception.

Before you get pregnant, get as close to a healthy weight as possible to help spare complications for you and your child. Read advice from an OB/GYN.

When you’re a mom-to-be, you’re almost guaranteed to feel your growing baby kick or move around some. Then there’s Vanessa Fisher. She felt her unborn son do a complete 180 with a big assist from her doctor.

About to welcome a new baby? Experts share the products you’ll need -- and the ones you won’t.

A lot of women have pregnancy cravings, but there’s also a flip side: food aversions.

Pregnancy comes with its own set of physical trials and tribulations. Here's how to stay cool during the summer months.

Will you really need an episiotomy, and how long will it take to recover? What to know before you give birth.

From getting pregnant to timing contractions during labor, there’s an app for nearly every part of your pregnancy.

A look at common myths about miscarriages and what you really need to know about them.

There’s no need to panic with an unplanned pregnancy. Here are the first 5 things you need to do.

Until recently, moms-to-be were advised to stay away from potentially allergy-inducing foods. But times have changed, and so has the thinking about allergy prevention.

Moderate exercise is good, but you can't forget you have a baby on board.

Yes, men too can get depression after baby arrives. Learn to recognize the symptoms.

Overweight and obese mothers are more at risk for pregnancy complications, as well as birth defects.

Focus on getting healthy before you decide to get pregnant.

Doctors say you can start trying to get pregnant again as soon as you're ready.

Along with a new baby, there are the many physical changes you’ll see. Chief among them is stretch marks. For many women, stretch marks are as much a part of having a baby as diapers and feedings.