Latest News

Nanoparticles: Hidden Dangers for Unborn Babies

Recent years have seen an increase in the public’s awareness of nanoparticles and a large amount scientific research into the potential health risks associated with them

Even Moderate Alcohol Consumption by Pregnant Women May Have Negative Impacts on Newborns

Alcohol consumed during pregnancy passes to unborn foetuses via the placenta and can seriously impact foetal development.

Prenatal Paracetamol Consumption and Language Delays

Acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol, has long been perceived as the safest over-the-counter pain relief for consumption during pregnancy.

Nicotine Exposure During Pregnancy – Behavioural Disorder Risk

A new study has found that exposure to nicotine during pregnancy may be linked with behavioural disorders in newborns.

Heat Exposure in Third Trimester May Lead to Increased Preterm Birth Risk

The narrative surrounding increasing global temperatures and the frequency of extreme weather events is something we have become used to in recent years, and scientists have sought to define what kind of impact these extremities may be having on our global population.

Study Sheds Light on Clearer Link Between Increased Maternal Weight and Pregnancy Complications.

Across the world, levels of obesity are increasing. It is estimated that around 2.6 billion people globally – 38% of the world population – are currently overweight or obese

Study Suggests Ultrasounds Could Help Predict Pre-Term Birth Risk.

Pre-term or pre-mature birth can be defined as a baby being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Estimated to affect over 10% of births in the US and even higher rates in other regions, it can result in long- and short-term health complications for new-borns.

New Research Sheds Light on Cause and Potential Treatment of Morning Sickness

A recent breakthrough in research has shed light on a trigger and potential treatment for severe morning sickness during pregnancy.

Mediterranean diet may improve likelihood of IVF success

Recent analysis has highlighted a positive correlation between Mediterranean diets and successful IVF treatment

Research suggests pregnant women are lacking key nutrients needed for healthy pregnancy and foetal development.

Modern diets are leaving expectant mothers deficient in vitamins and nutrients crucial for sustaining healthy pregnancies and foetal development, new research suggests.

New Research Reveals Impact of Smoking on Breast Milk Composition

While research associated with the impact of smoking on unborn babies and children is widespread, new research has sought to shed new light on the impact of tobacco smoke on breast milk composition.

Mother’s Diets Could Have Impact on Grandchildren’s Brains

A balanced and nutrient-rich diet forms an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but is regarded as playing an especially significant role during pregnancy.

Lack of Sleep and Activity During Pregnancy Could Have Links to Preterm Birth

Research sheds light on new-found relationship between lack of sleep and activity during pregnancy and the risk of pre-term birth.

New Technology Could Have 'Game-Changing' Impact on Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes

New research suggests automated insulin delivery could improve outcomes for pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes and their unborn children.

New Research Points to the Impact of Air Quality on Pregnancy Health

Air pollution has been a growing concern in our increasingly industrialized world. Beyond its well-known detrimental effects on the environment and respiratory health, recent research highlights a previously underestimated consequence: traffic-related air pollution's impact on pregnancy and maternal health.

Nutrient-Rich Diet in Fruits and Vegetables Linked to Lower Miscarriage Risk, New Research Suggests

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham has unveiled a promising connection between a diet abundant in fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of miscarriage.

Study Finds that Smoking During Pregnancy More Than Doubles Risk of Premature Birth

A recent study by Cambridge researchers, reviewed within News Medical, has shed new light on the impact of smoking on birth outcomes. In particular, the study reveals that smoking during pregnancy more than doubles the risk of premature birth.

Baby Loss Awareness Week: What it is and steps to take if you want to avoid it.

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 Oct) is now in its 21st year.

Vitamin D during pregnancy could lead to a natural birth

Researchers from the University of Southampton have found that Vitamin D could increase the chances of a natural delivery.

Pre-eclampsia May Raise Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Research Suggests

A Danish study has given some insight into the long-term risks of pre-eclampsia, a condition that many women experience in the second half of pregnancy.

New Technology Could Be Key in Neonatal Care

A new technology developed by Cambridge University Hospitals has helped save a baby’s life, and it has the potential to save many more.

New Research Suggests Potential Risks of COVID-19 in Pregnancy

A new study has highlighted how important it is that pregnant women protect themselves against COVID-19. Read more on My BabyManual.

New Study Suggests that a Mediterranean Diet Could Reduce the Risk of Complications

A new study from the US has found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet around the time of conception may help mothers-to-be reduce their risk of complications later on in their pregnancy.

Baby Loss Awareness Week and the Global Wave of Light

Light a candle to show your commemoration and support for everyone affected by baby and infant loss.

Umbilical Cord Milking – New Research for Non-vigorous Near-term Newborns

Researchers find significant benefits in limp, pale babies given umbilical cord milking procedure rather than immediate cord clamping and cutting to facilitate rapid resuscitation.

NICE Guidance on Routine Blood Testing for Pre-eclampsia

Four blood tests have been recommended by NICE for routine use to help detect suspected cases of preterm pre-eclampsia

Covid-19 in Late Pregnancy Increases Risk of Premature Labour, Research Shows

Research carried out in Isreal during the coronavirus pandemic reveals the risks of contracting COVID 19 after 34 weeks of pregnancy.

New Vaping Research for Pregnant Women

New study finds that vaping in pregnancy is a 'safe' alternative to smoking.

Why Health Visitors are Important in Early Years Care

Health visitors are a key source of support for many new parents and have an important role in identifying at-risk babies and children.

Omega-3 supplements and reducing premature births

Omega-3 screening in pregnancy could be key in preventing some premature births.

Improving Fertility in Overweight Women – Is Weight Loss the Answer?

Weight loss for conception in obese women – A new study

New Research on Childhood Obesity and Pregnancy BMI 

Being overweight before or during pregnancy is not indicative of childhood obesity, research finds

Research Finds that 'Baby Talk' Could be Key in Spotting Autism

Study points the way towards innovative areas for the treatment of ASD

Australian Study Shows Importance of Healthy Lifestyle Education in Pregnancy

Researchers say all women can benefit from routine health and lifestyle programmes

Protecting the Environment – Entonox and Childbirth

A new gas and air system could reduce the harmful impact of pain relief in childbirth.

Understanding the Issues Relating to COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnant Women

Specialists from Imperial College London discuss why the uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women has been low.

“Smart mattress” for preterm babies

Scientists build "smart mattress" to help with thermoregulation of preterm babies.

Cow’s milk intake during pregnancy may reduce childhood allergies

Swedish study finds a link between mothers' food preferences and their child's dietary tolerances.

First births of 2021

UNICEF estimated that more than a third of a million babies were born on New Year's day, with over 2,000 of them born in the UK.

FIFA’s new pregnancy and maternity rights proposals

New rules could be an incentive for players and coaches to stay in the game.

Postnatal depression study reveals condition lasts longer than thought

Study suggests screening should continue for first few years after childbirth

Sterile water injections bring pain relief in labour, says study

Could this simple, affordable and accessible pain relief be a new option for mothers across the globe?

Could lab-grown breast milk create more problems than it solves?

Or is it the boost mothers struggling to breastfeed really need?

Pregnant Women Need to Work from Home During Pandemic

Survey reveals that pregnant workers feel unsafe in the workplace

Infant air pollution exposure causes lifelong harm

Study shows air pollution’s impact in first-year of life impacts on lung function into teenage years.

Food security study reveals counterintuitive infant obesity findings

A US study finds babies with poor food security are more likely to be obese.

Why you should name your child’s toys

US study shows cognitive development benefits of giving unique names to baby’s toys

Should maternal alcohol consumption be on a child’s medical records?

Proposals to record women’s alcohol consumption in pregnancy on baby medical records spark privacy debate.

Bedtime smartphone use could have an impact on sperm health

New study by Sleep and Fatigue Institute in Tel Aviv finds link between bedtime smartphone use and decreased sperm quality.

WHO’s World Breastfeeding Week has message for UK

World Breastfeeding Week was held at the beginning of August 2020; with events mostly held online because of the global health pandemic.

University study uncovers pain relief mystery

University of Cambridge study uncovers genetic variant that may explain why some women do not need pain relief in childbirth.

Study details COVID-19 in utero transmission

Small University of Milan study finds evidence of mother-to-baby coronavirus transmission during pregnancy. What does this mean for expectant mothers?

Coronavirus information for pregnancy as pandemic continues

As the coronavirus lockdown measures ease, the advice for pregnant women is especially important.

Knock-Out Bottles – Experts Say No

Knock-out bottles are something of a social media trend, so My BabyManual takes a look at whether they are safe.

Birthing Partners During Coronavirus

Following outrage at the decision to prevent mothers from giving birth with a birthing partner, New York reversed the decision, but what are mothers’ rights in the UK?

Is the Sex of Newborn Babies Influenced by Stressful Events?

A new study indicates that stressful events may play a role in influencing the sex of a newborn baby.

Coronavirus: Information for parents and pregnant women

How does COVID-19 impact pregnant women and children? We take a look at the scientific evidence so far.

Six NHS Trusts Denying Women Epidural Pain Relief

Revelations that women are being denied epidural pain relief should come as a concern as choice is the overriding consideration for mothers-to-be.

New mothers behind start-up boom

New research reveals that women are motivated to start up a business after maternity leave because of the inadequate flexibility from employers.

PTSD Following Childbirth

A new study by City, University of London and Catholic University of Croatia has examined the issue of PTSD following childbirth.

Experts again call for B9 fortification

Experts renew calls for folic acid fortification of flour following election of new government.

Weight Loss Between Pregnancies Associated with Premature Birth

A University of Southampton study has found a link between significant weight loss between pregnancies and premature birth.

Maternity Fashion – Just Another Pressure for Mothers?

Study reveals that mothers are spending an average of £700 on maternity clothes that they then wear for no longer than 16 weeks.

Burnout a Major Concern Among Maternity Staff

New study by Imperial College London and Royal College of Obstetricians finds more than one-third of maternity staff to be suffering from burnout.

Childbirth Pain Relief Uptake at Record Low

Pain relief during childbirth is at a record low numbers according to statistics from NHS Digital publication.

Toxic Metals in Infant Food, Study Shows Incidence

We take a look at the latest study detailing toxic metals in children’s food and how to reduce the risk.

Interaction Crucial to Development of Infant Hormone System

New study shows that parent-child interaction is crucial to development of ther infant hormone system.

King’s College maternal stress study

King’s College London study finds adverse impact of maternal stress adding weight to recent Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study.

NICE guidelines improve neonatal outcomes

The UK’s maternity wards could reduce neonatal hospital admissions by more than one thousand a year if they stringently followed guidelines, according to NICE.

The Vestibular Sense and its Development

Although it is true that there are five basic senses – taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing – the whole truth is actually more nuanced.

VR pain relief for childbirth?

New piece of research adds to burgeoning but early stages looking into efficacy of virtual reality technologies for pain relief in childbirth.

Placental microbiome study

A Cambridge University study has seemed to disprove an earlier study into existence of microbes on the placenta with potentially important implications for neonatal health.

Early Delivery an Option for Diabetic Mothers

New Scottish research reveals that women with diabetes are around four times more likely to experience stillbirth, leading to early delivery questions.

The Mediterranean Diet during Pregnancy

A new study has shown that a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy helps keep weight off and reduces risk of gestational diabetes.

Putting the ‘App’ in ‘Nappy’

As Pampers announces details of the app-enabled nappy, we wonder if such products are necessary for most parents?

Newborn’s Scent the Perfect Cocktail for Bonding

A new study has shown that a newborn baby’s scent has an interesting effect on mothers' brains.

Extra space in the third trimester

New study published in Scientific Reports confirms what many already knew anecdotally: pregnant women require additional personal space.

More work needed on male postpartum health

A new study suggests that society still has significant work to do in recognising and treating postpartum depression in fathers.

Early years reading study

A new study has detailed how reading to your child in the early years can benefit your child’s development as well as your own parenting style.

New study finds benzodiazepine miscarriage risk

A University of Montreal study has found a significant miscarriage risk associated with benzodiazepine use during pregnancy.

Government to tackle anti-vaxxers

Anti-vaxxer misinformation has helped to reduce vaccine uptake in the UK and contributed to a surge in measles. The government is now considering how best to counter the anti-vaccination message.

Breastfeeding protective against obesity

A World Health Organisation study has found that breastfeeding is protective against child obesity

Study hails benefits of exercise in pregnancy

Exercising in pregnancy can help children keep a healthy body weight in later life, according to the findings of a new study.

New pre-eclampsia test to improve outcomes

King's College reveal revolutionary new test for pre-eclampsia that can cut deaths and improve outcomes.

'50 is the new 40’ says Maternity Study

A new study has found that women in their 50s do not have higher risk of pregnancy complications than women in their 40s.

NHS to offer spina bifida surgery

A partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London Hospitals (UCLH) has succeeded in carrying out a UK-first by operating on the spinal cords of babies still in the womb.

Postnatal care could be better says CQC

A new study shows that the standard of NHS postnatal care received by some new mothers is “falling short” of what it should be.

Scientists closer to explaining endometriosis

A recent joint US-South Korean study has gone some way to explaining why women with endometriosis experience difficulty having children, according to the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Childbirth in space?

Where would you like to give birth to your baby? At your nearest NHS maternity hospital? At a private birthing centre? At home in a darkened ‘cave’ with your doula? On the bed? On the floor? In a birthing pool? Or how about 250 miles above the earth?

Morning sickness study’s £60million shock

A study has revealed that morning sickness costs the NHS £60 million a year and found a reluctance among mothers to take medication to ease symptoms.

Give dad a baby bump this Xmas

Could the pregnancy and childbirth experience be the ultimate gift for dad this Christmas?

Maternity leave is too often a lonely experience

The early years are exciting, exhilarating, tender and all-around wonderful, but they can also be overwhelming, isolating and challenging, particularly for mothers who have taken time off work in order to care for their baby.

Study finds link between caffeine and low birth weight

New study finds that even women who consume within recommended caffeine levels may have a higher risk of pre-term or low birthweight babies.

Omega-3 may reduce risk of premature birth

A study published in the journal Cochrane Review has revealed that women who take higher doses of omega-3 during pregnancy reduce their chances of having a premature birth.

New postpartum depression study

New research has indicated that post-birth pain could be the defining factor in the development of postpartum depression.

Folic acid may soon be added to flour

There is no doubt that folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) is an essential vitamin in pregnancy, and with many medical experts calling again for the UK to fortify flour with this all-important vitamin, it appears as though the government has finally listened.

AI Takes IVF to Edge of Bold New Frontier

Scientists from Imperial College, London and Cornell University in the USA are on the verge of a potentially major fertility treatment breakthrough using artificial intelligence to assess images of embryos and to then determine whether they are suitable for IVF success.

NHS guidelines have power to bring positive change

NHS England has announced research that indicates around 600 stillborn babies a year could be saved if maternity units followed new guidelines. Currently there are around 3,000 stillbirths in the UK each year, at an average of around one out of every 200 babies born.

New mothers need more help from larger employers

During a recent talk at the Hay Literary Festival, BBC One Show presenter Alex Jones spoke convincingly about the need for large employers, such as the BBC, to do more when it comes to accommodating the needs of new mothers.

Hoping to conceive? Eat fresh, not fast

Eating fresh food and avoiding junk boosts women’s chances of conceiving according to study reported in Human Reproduction.

New App helps connect parents with their baby in neonatal care

NHS neonatal units across the UK are introducing a secure video-messaging app for parents of children being cared for by specialist neonatal units.

NHS England to Become World Leader in Perinatal Mental Health

NHS England announces £23 million investment in perinatal mental health services to help reduce postnatal depression and anxiety rates.

Light drinking in pregnancy – is it safe?

The dangers of heavy drinking in pregnancy are well known. A pregnant woman who drinks large amounts of alcohol is greatly increasing her chances of suffering a miscarriage, having a premature birth, and giving birth to a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome.

The empowerment of pregnancy: just look to tennis icon Serena Williams

Despite some pundits questioning whether she will retire after the baby is born, Williams has indicated in American Vogue that she has absolutely no plans to put down her racket in the near future.

Ground-breaking research suggests Vitamin B3 could help prevent birth defects and miscarriages

A new study from Sydney, Australia could provide some answers, bringing hope to couples around the world.

Childhood Asthma – Research Tracks Role of Immune Response

New study into childhood asthma casts light on the role of immune response in the condition’s development.

Parent's knowledge is key to helping Child’s Cognitive Development

New research reveals that parents who take steps to learn about cognition and development bring a tangible benefit to childhood cognitive development.