Obstetrics & gynaecology

People in states that have banned abortion were more than twice as likely to receive them later in pregnancy, according to a new study by researchers at UC San Francisco.

Exposure to alcohol during the first weeks of embryonic development changes gene activity and cellular metabolism. In laboratory cultures, it was found that the first cells of the nervous system are the most sensitive to alcohol. This supports the recommendation to abstain from alcohol already when planning a pregnancy.

Period-tracking apps are popular digital tools for a range of menstrual, reproductive and general health purposes. But the way these apps collect and use data involves risk.

In a policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online June 16 in Pediatrics, updated recommendations are presented for providing adolescent patients with contraceptive counseling and methods.

Exposure to mycotoxins—a broad group of harmful substances produced by mold—during pregnancy may impact placental function, which could result in lower birthweight in humans, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

An echocardiography of the baby’s little heart soon after the onset of labor can predict the outcome of the birth and, in particular, whether the baby will adequately tolerate the contractions or will be more likely to go into distress, necessitating a cesarean section or an operative delivery.

Pregnant women are more often uninsured and have worse access to routine medical care in states that ban (or restrict) abortion care, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine from researchers at Harvard Medical School, the City University of New York’s Hunter College, and other institutions. The researchers also link the deficiencies in pregnancy coverage and care to abortion-ban/restriction states’ skimpy Medicaid programs.

High birth weight is the main risk factor for birth injuries to the anal sphincter muscles of the person giving birth, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg. This new method for predicting the risks could improve care and reduce injuries.

A new study published in the June 2025 issue of Pediatrics reveals the successful implementation of a clinical-community program designed to address menstrual poverty among adolescents and young adults.

A low FODMAP diet developed by Monash University researchers for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been shown to improve gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis.