Fear of Childbirth Increases Likelihood of C-section

A new study published in the international journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (AOGS) reveals that fear of childbirth is a predisposing factor for emergency and elective cesarean sections, even after psychological counseling. This may...

Extreme Morning Sickness Could Lead to Lifelong Emotional, Behavioral Disorders in Kids

An extreme form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) takes a heavy toll on thousands of women each year and can lead to hospitalization and pregnancy termination. But new research suggests pregnant women are not...

President of the Sierra Leone Midwifery Association Calls for Government to Address Acute Shortage of Midwives

The President of the Sierra Leone Midwifery Association Doctor Joan Shepherd on Friday called on the government to be committed into the recruitment of more midwives in the country. How People Arrived Here: midwives in sierra leone, sierra leone recruitment

New Discovery Positions Smithsonian to Bolster Genetic Diversity Among Cheetahs

Researchers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute have discovered why older females are rarely able to reproduce—and hope to use this information to introduce vital new genes into the pool. SCBI scientists and collaborating researchers analyzed...

UN Population Fund Claims Poorly-trained Midwives Pose Danger in Senegal

Poorly-regulated, privately-run training schools in Senegal are churning out midwives who do not have a solid grasp of birthing or ante- and post-natal care, causing women and babies to die needlessly, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Stepped-up Vaccine Series for Hepatitis B is Effective During Pregnancy

UT Southwestern Medical Center maternal-fetal specialists have confirmed a potential new protocol to protect pregnant women who are at risk for hepatitis B, a health problem that affects 2 billion people worldwide. An accelerated hepatitis B vaccination...

Midwife Shortage Impacts South Africa’s Maternal Health

At Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital (PMMH) in Umlazi, the largest township outside the South African port city of Durban, using midwives to provide maternity services has positively impacted maternal care in the area, but a national shortage of these...

Upgraded Midwifery Services Could Save Millions of Lives

Up to 3.6 million maternal and child deaths could be avoided each year if midwifery services were upgraded, according to a new report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners at a conference in Durban, South Africa.

Multiple Births From IVF Continue to Fall

New figures released today show that multiple births from IVF continue to fall. This follows the HFEA’s initiative to reduce multiple births – the single biggest risk of fertility treatment, and is supported by leading professional bodies in the sector.