Prairie voles born via cesarean section were unable to form pair bonds. However, exposing them to oxytocin allowed the c-section-born prairie voles to form pair bonds upon maturity. The findings raise an interesting question: Is our method of birth more important to how we love and form relationships than we realize?
The number of times a woman gives birth has an effect on physical aging. Women who give birth less than, or more than, three or four times age faster after menopause.
Women, especially minority women, from states with more restrictive reproductive rights have a greater risk of delivering a low-weight baby and face more health disparities than women who reside in states with fewer restrictions on reproductive rights.
Women who give birth to their last child later in life may have an edge when it comes to longevity. Those who gave birth later in life had longer telomeres, which are biomarkers for long-term health and longevity.
The risk of ASD may increase slightly for every week a child is born before or after 40 weeks gestation.
Early birth prompted apoptosis to begin a day early, but delaying the birth did not alter when cell death began to occur. The study suggests birth time has an important and previously unrecognized effect on brain development.
The fetal gut has far better developed immune capabilities than previously thought. The findings could help develop new maternal vaccines and provide early insight into potential autoimmune disorders, which may occur later in life.
The delivery method of twins may play a role in their neuropsychological development. A correlation has been discovered between twins born by cesarean section and poor cognitive development compared to twins born via virginal delivery.
3D images show how a baby's brain and skull change shape during labor and delivery.
A new study reports a mother's diet during pregnancy may have an effect on the composition of her child's gut bacteria. The effect, researchers report, may vary by the method of delivery at birth.
Despite popular belief, researchers find consuming the placenta capsules has little to no effect on maternal bonding or postpartum mood.
A new study reports induced labor is not associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders.