Monthly Archives: December 2014
A clue to the cause of male infertility
A new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility finds that male infertility as a result of poor semen quality may be associated with specific medical conditions, including hypertension, peripheral artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, non-ischemic heart disease and skin and … Continue reading
A key to successful IUI
During in vitro fertilization, uterine contractions can reduce a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant. A new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, however, finds the opposite is true during artificial insemination. Researchers in Spain have found that the more … Continue reading
Are epidurals safe?
Yes, according to a study of more than 80,000 women. Women seeking pain relief during childbirth should be comforted to know that epidural and spinal anesthesia are extremely safe, judging by data on anesthesia collected through the Anesthesia Quality Institute’s … Continue reading
Are you ‘health literate’?
To make good health decisions, you need to know how to get and understand basic health information and services. This ability is called “health literacy.” But only about 12% of U.S. adults have it, according to the National Assessment of … Continue reading
3 ways to avoid morning sickness
Morning sickness often begins four to six weeks after conception and continues until the fourth month of pregnancy. Some women have morning sickness during their entire pregnancy. The exact cause of morning sickness is not known. But some strategies are … Continue reading
Skin contact aids breastfeeding
New moms know that breastfeeding isn’t easy, especially with babies delivered by cesarean section. But research during the past 30 years has found one way to help. Skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns immediately after birth aids breastfeeding in several … Continue reading
Should you sleep with your baby?
Two organizations weigh in with different verdicts: No: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission strongly recommend against bed-sharing with an infant, defined as sleeping on the same surface as an infant, such as … Continue reading
Unexpected fertility helper
New Australian research has found a link between the antioxidant selenium, found in high-protein foods, and healthy ovarian follicles responsible for egg production in women. Selenium has been known to have many health benefits, including aiding men’s fertility, but it … Continue reading
Tdap vaccines safe in pregnancy
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is on the rise in the U.S. During 2012, almost 50,000 cases of whooping cough were reported to the CDC, including 20 whooping cough-related deaths that mostly occurred among infants younger than 3 months. … Continue reading
Travel alert for new moms
Millions of us will be traveling over the holidays, and for new moms who are breastfeeding, that can pose a challenge. A study of 100 U.S. airports found that few provided a suitably equipped, private lactation room, even though most … Continue reading
