Herbals in Pregnancy May Endanger Mom, Baby

WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 -- During pregnancy, even harmless-sounding "natural" supplements should be avoided, a new research review suggests.

The review of 74 published studies found that a handful linked certain herbal products to increased risks of pregnancy complications -- including preterm birth and cesarean delivery.

Is That Medication Safe When Breastfeeding?

WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 -- Far too little is known about the safety of medication use during breastfeeding -- and it's time to get some answers, experts say.

It's a critical gap, given that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies -- and moms are encouraged to do it. But when a woman has questions about the safety of any medication she's taking, doctors typically have little evidence-based advice to offer.

Is There a Safer Choice Than Opioids After a C-Section?

FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 -- Expectant moms often try to plan as many aspects of their upcoming delivery as they can. But one thing they might not consider is what type of pain relief they will choose if they need to have a C-section.

Now, new research from the University of Texas suggests that while opioids can control pain, a combination of other painkillers could offer similar relief with fewer side effects and no risk of addiction.

Smoking While Pregnant Sends SIDS Risk Soaring

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 -- Smoking during pregnancy is never a good idea, but new research shows it might double the risk of a baby dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

"Any maternal smoking during pregnancy -- even just one cigarette a day -- doubles the risk of sudden unexpected infant death [SUID, another term for unexplained infant deaths]," said lead researcher Tatiana Anderson. She is a fellow at Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research.

How Soon Should You Conceive After a Stillbirth?

FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 -- Women who get pregnant within a year of stillbirth have no higher risk of another stillbirth or other complications than those who wait at least two years, a new study says.

The World Health Organization recommends women wait at least two years after a live birth and at least six months after a miscarriage (loss of fetus before 20 weeks of pregnancy) or induced abortion before getting pregnant again. But there is no recommendation for how long to wait after a stillbirth, due to a lack of evidence.

Pregnant Women Should Delay Gallbladder Surgery, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 -- Expectant mothers are susceptible to developing gallstones, but gallbladder removal surgery during pregnancy can be risky, researchers say.

In a new study, researchers found that women who had their gallbladder removed during pregnancy were more likely to have a longer hospital stay and be readmitted within a month. These women were also more likely to have a preterm delivery compared with women who postponed the surgery until after childbirth.