Pregnancy News

3 arrested for illegal abortions

A 21-year-old woman, her mother and a bogus doctor have been arrested for illegal abortion and concealment of birth in Zola, Soweto, Gauteng police said.

Abortion not tied to mental illness

In women with a history of mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, getting an abortion does not increase their chances of readmission to a psychiatric facility.

Think you can't get pregnant?

Almost half of women who said they'd been struggling to get pregnant for at least a year ended up having a baby despite not getting fertility treatment.

Tackling infant mortality

The disturbing high infant mortality rate in South Africa is highlighted through awareness campaigns such as Pregnancy Week, held from 12 – 18 February this year.

Hypothyroidism common in women

Severe preeclampsia was more common in women with subclinical hypothyroidism in a recent study, although the investigators say the clinical relevance of the finding is unclear.

Newborns suffering drug withdrawal

A dramatic rise in newborns experiencing drug withdrawal after being exposed in the womb poses challenges for clinicians on how to detox these tiny victims, a new report indicates.

Don't blame C-sections for fat kids

Children born by Caesarean section are no more likely to become obese than if they are born vaginally, according to a Brazilian study.

Testosterone delays boys' language

Infant boys exposed to high levels of the male hormone testosterone before birth have double the risk for language delay as females, according to a new study.

Longer birth more dangerous

In labouring nulliparous women, delivery beyond 39 weeks may be linked with higher odds of adverse maternal outcomes, researchers reported last month.

Study: abortion safer than birth

Getting a legal abortion is much safer than giving birth, suggests a new US study published.