Aurora magazine

A study at the University of Zurich shows how stressful pregnancy also harms the fetus. Long periods of maternal stress change the metabolism in the placenta, affecting the growth of the fetus. The phenomenon increases the risk that the child develops cognitive and behavioral deficits by growing.

When it is under pressure, the human body releases hormones that serve to handle the situation. One of these is the release hormone of corticotropin, which causes an increase in cortisol stress hormone. In pregnancy, these hormones partially overcome the placental barrier and reach the fetus.

Increasing stress hormones accelerates fetal development. The purpose is to allow the baby to be born first and to give him more chance of survival, even if premature. A useful mechanism in nature, however, does little apply to modern life and has many negative consequences. Rapid growth hinders the proper development of organs. How long does stress need to last, though?

The researchers examined 34 healthy pregnant women, subjected to prenatal screening tests for diagnostic purposes. The situation may be stressful for many pregnant women, thus increasing cortisol secretion. Scientists compared the levels of hormone in maternal saliva and those in amniotic fluid. They found that there was no connection.

To examine the effects of prolonged stress, the team monitored a group of women throughout pregnancy. The puppies completed questionnaires about their psycho-physical condition. The researchers compared the results of the questionnaires, the corticotropin release hormone levels in the mother and those in the fetus. They have thus shown a correlation between the data.

The implications of stress on the fetus are still unclear, even though different negative effects are known. It is therefore important that future mothers receive constant collaboration and support, even by a specialist, if needed.

Source: uzh.ch

Pregnant women should be very careful with taking medication and always consult your doctor. This principle also applies to a discovery made by a group of Canadian researchers. A Laval University team analyzed the effects of aspirin during pregnancy. He has thus found that in small doses prevents preeclampsia and anomalies in fetal weight.

Preeclampsia is a multisistemic disorder that causes anomalies in placenta formation and functions. The mother increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease such as chronic hypertension and stroke. In addition, along with a low birth weight, it is one of the main dangers to the child's health. Children born to mothers with preeclampsia are more likely to have stroke and coronary arthritis when adults.

The researchers started from earlier studies to find new possible treatments for the disorder. They have analyzed 45 studies, for a total of 20,909 pregnant women. They focused on subjects who claimed to have taken aspirin during pregnancy, also taking the dosage. They therefore sought a correlation between reducing risk of preeclampsia and taking aspirin during pregnancy. They also looked for optimal dosage to get the best effects.

Part of the women had received aspirin, part of a placebo, and a third part had received nothing. The researchers divided the cases according to the dosage and the period during which puerpers had begun taking. The first group included women who had started before the 16th week, the second after 16th.

The group who started treatment before the 16th week showed a lower rate of preeclampsia. Even the weight of children at birth was on average higher than those who had not hired anything. In addition, a lower dosage is attained. Discovery is in line with what has been highlighted in previous studies. Nevertheless, before you start taking regular aspirin in pregnancy, it is best to wait for other studies. During pregnancy it is advisable for the mother to monitor her health and that of the baby: a healthy diet and regular medical checkups are recommended. Prenatal screening tests such as fetal DNA test detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Source: medicalnewsbulletin.com

A more rigid climate reduces the risk of gestational diabetes. This is a study by St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Discovery could help both prevent gestational diabetes and diabetes in general. It throws up a new light on the link between increasing type 2 diabetes and global warming.

The researchers examined 555,911 pregnancies, carried by 396,828 women over the age of 12. All women lived in the Toronto area, but carried pregnancies at different times of the year. The authors of the study then measured mean temperatures within 30 days prior to screening for gestational diabetes.
The gestational diabetes rate was 4.6% in pregnancies at very low average temperatures, around -10 ° C. The rate rose to 7.7% among those exposed to temperatures around 24 ° C. The rate change Of risk also affected women who were pregnant the first time at a time and the second at another. According to the study, every 10 degrees Celsius the risk of gestational diabetes would rise by 6% -9%. The phenomenon could be related to the different types of fat developed by the human body.

New studies reveal that exposure to cold increases insulin sensitivity. The phenomenon activates the production of a protective fat, the brown adipose tissue. The difference in the type of fat developed, as well as the different insulin sensitivity, could strongly affect the onset of gestational diabetes.

Data analysis revealed that even the birthplace of the mother would affect the risk of diabetes. Women born in colder climates would be less exposed to the onset of the disease. Among those born cold and exposed to rigid climates during pregnancy, the gestational diabetes rate would be only 3.6%. Among those born in the cold and exposed to a warmer climate would be 6.3%. During pregnancy, it is advisable to undergo prenatal screening tests: exams such as fetal DNA test detect with a 99.9% confidence that chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus are present.

Source: stmichaelshospital.com

A University of California team found a new contraceptive method from traditional medicine. The researchers analyzed some popular methods used to prevent pregnancies. They have found two substances capable of blocking the fertilization, with no side effects on ovules and spermatozoa. With further studies, they could become an alternative to hormonal contraception.

Sperm mobility is one of the key factors in conception. Sperm swims along the entire female reproductive tract and near the ovule make a click forward. Thanks to this shot they gain strength to penetrate the oval barrier and fertilize it. To sneak forward they use calcium chains that open under the stimulus of female hormones. Calcium flows into the tail and gives it strength to increase the rhythm.

The Tripterygium wilfordii or "thunder grass" is a plant used as a contraceptive in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains a substance called pristimerina, which cancels sperm mobility. The pristimerine binds to the ABHD2 protein and prevents the opening of the calcium chains. This prevents sperm from making the final shot and penetrating the oval barrier. Lupeol, an anticancer agent of mango, has similar properties.

According to the study, the two substances could replace hormonal contraceptives. You could turn it into pills or put in vaginal patches and rings, as you do today with some hormones. They would gain more safe and healthy contraceptives than the current ones. For this reason, researchers are looking for methods of economic extraction and are assessing the effects on man in the long run.

Source: berkeley.edu