Herbals in Pregnancy May Endanger Mom, Baby

WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 -- During pregnancy, even harmless-sounding "natural" supplements should be avoided, a new research review suggests.

The review of 74 published studies found that a handful linked certain herbal products to increased risks of pregnancy complications -- including preterm birth and cesarean delivery.

Is That Medication Safe When Breastfeeding?

WEDNESDAY, April 3, 2019 -- Far too little is known about the safety of medication use during breastfeeding -- and it's time to get some answers, experts say.

It's a critical gap, given that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies -- and moms are encouraged to do it. But when a woman has questions about the safety of any medication she's taking, doctors typically have little evidence-based advice to offer.

Smoking While Pregnant Sends SIDS Risk Soaring

MONDAY, March 11, 2019 -- Smoking during pregnancy is never a good idea, but new research shows it might double the risk of a baby dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

"Any maternal smoking during pregnancy -- even just one cigarette a day -- doubles the risk of sudden unexpected infant death [SUID, another term for unexplained infant deaths]," said lead researcher Tatiana Anderson. She is a fellow at Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research.

Pregnant Women Should Delay Gallbladder Surgery, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 -- Expectant mothers are susceptible to developing gallstones, but gallbladder removal surgery during pregnancy can be risky, researchers say.

In a new study, researchers found that women who had their gallbladder removed during pregnancy were more likely to have a longer hospital stay and be readmitted within a month. These women were also more likely to have a preterm delivery compared with women who postponed the surgery until after childbirth.