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Double the number of children born to women over the age of 45

Scandinavian women are waiting longer to have children. Last year in Norway, 138 women over age 45 had children – twice as many as ten years earlier, according to figures from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Can you trust “safe periods” as a form of birth control?

It’s a well-known phenomenon that a woman’s body temperature can help predict when she is least — or most —likely to become pregnant. Swedish researchers have studied this phenomenon and are selling a mobile phone app as a form of natural birth control. Their efforts are not without controversy.

Rising number of Swedish women suffer recurrent miscarriages

A new Swedish study indicates that a rising number of women have experienced three or more miscarriages in a row. The medical researchers are uncertain as to the cause.

Licorice can be harmful to the developing foetus

A new study raises concerns about the long-term effects of licorice on the development of the foetus.

Pre-eclampsia increases risk of asthma in childhood

New research shows that children whose mothers suffer from pre-eclampsia during pregnancy are more likely to develop asthma later in life.

Three in four couples starting fertility treatment will become pregnant

A new study shows that three quarters of couples that started fertility treatment in Denmark conceived within five years.

Incontinence risks decrease with Caesarean births

A new study shows that women who give birth the normal way can run nearly twice the risk of urinary incontinence problems, compared to those who have Caesarean sections.

Pills to fight fungal infections increase risk of miscarriage

Pregnant women who take fluconazole pills to treat vaginal fungal infections are more likely to miscarry than women who take a suppository, shows new research.

Painkillers lower fertility in mice

Female mice lost half of their eggs when their mother was exposed to painkillers during pregnancy.

Obesity can be passed on through the father’s sperm

Overweight men may pass obesity on to the children via their sperm, according to new research.

Heavier babies become more trusting adults

The more you weigh at birth the more trusting you are as an adult, shows new research.

Malaria protein targets and kills cancer cells

New cancer treatment shows promising results in mice and scientists hope to repeat this success in human trials.

Granny’s cigs can cause grandchild’s asthma

A Swedish study indicates that the risk of childhood asthma increases if a child’s maternal grandmother smoked while pregnant.

Why do some women develop postnatal depression?

Extreme hormonal changes during pregnancy makes it harder for some women to feel pleasure and motivation.

Europe needs to put folic acid in food products: scientists

Folic acid deficiency in European women costs billions and leads to thousands of birth defects.

Is it tougher to have a child than a failed fertility treatment?

There is no association between clinical depression and failed fertility treatments. Surprisingly, the risk of depression is greater when the treatment is successful, shows new research.

Antidepressants do not cause heart defects in babies

A large study dispels any notions about SSRIs causing serious heart defects in babies.

Painkiller use during pregnancy damages baby boys' testicle development

Over the counter painkillers have a negative effect on boy embryos' production of testosterone, shows new study.

Treatment during the embryo stage can help haemophiliacs

Some haemophiliacs develop immunity to their treatment. New study aims to change that.

Air pollution and noise could be causing diabetes in pregnant women

New research project investigates if women living in noisy and polluted areas face a greater risk of developing pregnancy-related diabetes.

Stress during pregnancy increases risk of child eczema

New study links increased risk of child eczema to mother's stress during pregnancy.

Tests for pelvic joint pain not reliable at all

Some pregnant women are more sensitive to pain than others and end up being wrongly treated for pelvic joint pain, study shows.

Antibiotic use during pregnancy doesn’t increase asthma risk

Using antibiotics during pregnancy will not increase child's risk of developing asthma, reveals new study. Instead, a weak immune system seems to be the culprit.

Farm life is beneficial for pregnant women

Children living on farms have a reduced risk of developing allergies. Now researchers know more about why.

Increased hormone levels in the womb linked to autism

Autistic boys were exposed to an increased level of male sex hormones before they were born, researchers discover.

Paracetamol may increase risk of ADHD

A new study indicates that the risk of giving birth to a child with ADHD increases if women take paracetamol during pregnancy.

Antidepressants in pregnancy do not cause autism

Contrary to recent research, a comprehensive new study shows that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism in the child.

Time-lapse incubator identifies healthiest eggs

New video monitoring technology allows doctors to monitor artificially fertilised eggs before they are inserted into the uterus. The technology has been used successfully abroad and can help doctors identify the best eggs for incubation.

C-section infants don’t get enough good microbes

Children born by Caesarean section start life with insufficient intestinal bacteria flora. These bacteria are known to play a part in protecting children from developing allergies and children who lack them may be at higher risk of other health problems.