High-Fiber Diets Might Shield Against a Common Pregnancy Complication

FRIDAY, July 12, 2019 -- More vegetables, more whole grains: New research finds that diets rich in fiber might help pregnant women avoid a dangerous spike in blood pressure.

The common obstetric complication is called preeclampsia, and it occurs in up to 10% of pregnancies. It's characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine and severe swelling in the mother.

Stillbirth Risk Rises With Prolonged Pregnancies

TUESDAY, July 2, 2019 -- The longer a pregnancy continues past term, the higher the risk of stillbirth, according to a new study that analyzed 15 million pregnancies.

The highest risk of stillbirth occurred when pregnancies went beyond 41 weeks -- then the odds rose by 87%, the British researchers said.

Few Pregnant Women Get Right Amount of Nutrients

FRIDAY, June 21, 2019 -- For pregnant women, good nutrition is essential for their health and the baby's health. But many aren't getting adequate amounts of the vitamins and minerals they need, a new study finds.

On the other hand, some are actually taking higher levels of nutrients than is healthy, the same research reports.

AHA News: How to Have a Heart-Healthy Pregnancy Before You Even Conceive

TUESDAY, June 11, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Taking good care of your health, especially your heart, is important during pregnancy. But preconception care – the care you get before becoming pregnant – can be just as critical for both mom and baby.

"There are demands that get placed on the heart during pregnancy," said Dr. Maria Sophocles, an OB-GYN and medical director of Women's Healthcare of Princeton in New Jersey. "Women contemplating pregnancy should optimize their cardiac health before conception to prepare for this."

Weight Before Pregnancy Most Important to Risk for Complications

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 -- Expectant mothers and doctors have focused a lot on how much a woman gains during pregnancy, but new research suggests how much a woman weighs before getting pregnant may be far more important.

The study found that the more a woman weighed at the start of her pregnancy, the more likely she was to experience complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery and preterm birth.

Routine Use of Antibiotics May Help After Complicated Vaginal Birth: Study

TUESDAY, May 14, 2019 -- Nearly half of infections among women who undergo an assisted vaginal birth could be prevented by giving them a dose of antibiotics soon after delivery, a new study contends.

The preventive use of antibiotics in these cases could prevent about 5,000 infections in new mothers every year in the United States alone, and many more worldwide, the researchers estimated.