Aurora magazine

A healthy pregnancy lasts 37 weeks. As everyone knows, too early a term can be dangerous for the child. Even a delayed birth can cause serious problems, though. According to a study by the Queen Mary University of London, every week of extra gestation increases the risk of the child being born dead.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 15 million gestations. Among these, there were some that had ended only at the 41st week of gestation, with almost a month late. The authors compared the outcomes of these parts with those completed and those concluded at 40 weeks.

The comparisons revealed a slight but significant increase in the risk of serious complications. The risk is present but not such as to cause too much alarm to future mothers. Out of 1,449 gestations reached the 41st week, there is one more that ends tragically. This figure is based on comparing pregnancies up to 40 weeks. Moreover, black women are about 2 times more at risk than Caucasian women. In the United Kingdom, there are about 3,000 cases of babies born dead each year. About a third of these were children considered healthy, born from the 37th week of gestation onwards.

A prolonged pregnancy is one of the risk factors, which is why after the 41st week piloted birth is recommended. The researchers also analyzed data from 13 studies conducted in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Norway. From what has emerged, the most significant difference is triggered after the 41st week of gestation. From the 42nd onwards, the chances of the child being born dead increase by 82%.

Source: qmul.ac.uk

Those who suffer from migraine headaches often experience a decrease in symptoms during pregnancy. Nevertheless, frequent headaches during pregnancy could be linked to complications. Suffering women have higher risks of miscarriage, high blood pressure, preterm labor.

Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark say this. According to the study, women with migraine headaches are more likely to experience complications. Even their children are more at risk and are prone to respiratory problems and seizures.

To prove it, the scientists used Danish records to identify over 22,000 pregnant women with migraine headaches. They compared the data with about 200,000 women who do not suffer from the problem. The caesarean sections are 25% more common among women with migraine. The researchers used the data to verify the effectiveness of any treatments against these complications. The treatment of migraine seems to reduce many of the problems mentioned above and is not linked to further complications. An important discovery for the many women who suffer from this problem, who can take appropriate drugs without worries.

The study involves millions of women: the rate of migraines mainly affects women. The cause is still unknown, although it is probably linked to stress and hormonal changes. Paradoxically, for pregnant women migraine is less annoying and even more dangerous. In spite of the many future mothers who see an improvement in their symptoms, there are just as many who run into problems seen.

Source: chop.edu

According to the European IVF Monitoring Consortium, assisted reproduction techniques have reached the maximum possible success rate. Unfortunately the data is not comforting. Only 1 attempt out of 4 is successful and in the last few years there have been no improvements. Indeed, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) has been declining for the past 10 years.

How did these observations come about and what can be done? The researchers analyzed the national registers of 36 European nations, focusing on couples who used assisted reproduction techniques. Of those who used IVF, only 27% managed to have a baby. In the case of ICSI, the percentage drops to 24%.

In 2008, intracytoplasmic injections had a 30% success rate, so there was a sharp decline. ICSI was designed for cases of poor male fertility, when there are few spermatozoa or are too slow to reach the oocyte. In these cases, the doctor selects the best sperm and injects them directly to the oocyte. Why has the technique become less effective? According to Dr. Christian de Geyter, there has been an ICSI boom in recent years. Probably, many doctors are also using it for other causes of infertility, not always successfully.

Even giving reason to Dr. de Geyter, the fact remains that only 1 treatment out of 4 is successful. Fertility treatments may therefore have reached their natural limit. Or perhaps the fact that more and more women over 40 are using assisted reproduction has reduced their success rates.

Source: newscientist.com

Everyone knows the danger of gestational diabetes. According to a study led by Dr. Samantha Ehrlich, however, it is not necessary to arrive at real diabetes to have negative effects.

Too high glucose levels in pregnancy are indeed linked to a higher rate of obesity for the child. This while remaining below the threshold of the disease. In the United States, pregnant women monitor blood glucose levels between the 24th and 28th week.

The researchers analyzed these data and others, proceeds of over 40,000 pregnant women between 1995 and 2004. They crossed them with those of their children, followed up to 5-7 years of age. The analyzes showed a correlation between high levels of maternal blood glucose and filial obesity. Children of women with high glucose were 13% likely to become obese. In the case of gestational diabetes, the percentage even reached 52%.

The percentages include both women being same obese, and women completely normal-weight but with altered levels. It seems clear that there is a link between glucose and childhood obesity, which does not necessarily pass through the body mass index. According to the authors of the study, the prevention of childhood obesity could therefore also pass to the control of glucose levels.

Source: tennessee.edu