Many women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. For a significant number of women, the sleep disruption may be so severe as to require some type of intervention. In a previous post, we discussed the use of different types of medications to treat insomnia during pregnancy. While these drugs are highly effective, many [...]

While many studies have looked at the impact of postpartum depression in mothers on their children, there is very limited data on postnatal depression in the fathers and the potential impact it may have on their children. Researchers at the University of Oxford recently examined predictors of postnatal depression in the fathers and studied the [...]

It has been postulated that psychological stress in the mother, if present at a critical time of brain development, can permanently alter a child’s response to stress and may have long-term negative consequences.  In response to stress, blood flow to the uterus is restricted and the fetus receives fewer nutrients, which may result in lower [...]

Psychological symptoms play a significant role in infertility. Some studies have examined the impact of psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) on fertility status. Most of this research has focused on women with unsuccessful IVF treatment. Some have investigated the extent to which a woman’s psychological state during assisted reproductive therapy (ART, which includes in vitro [...]

While genetic factors are clearly important in determining a child’s risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), recent studies have investigated the link between exposure to certain maternal behaviors during pregnancy, such as smoking and alcohol use, and the risk of developing behavioral problems related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood. While multiple studies [...]

The British Medical Journal recently published a brief, but comprehensive review of eating disorders in pregnancy by Veronica Bridget Ward. Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorder not otherwise specified) most commonly occur in women of reproductive age and may be influenced by pregnancy and its associated weight gain and change in body [...]

Please sign this online petition to support passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. A companion bill passed in the House of Representatives last fall to a nearly unanimous bipartisan vote. Democratic Senators Obama and Clinton both support this legislation along with Republican Senators including Olympia Snowe of Maine. Please help us gain our [...]

Many women have concerns about the side effects of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Potential side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and weight gain. In addition, some women may experience depression or mood swings, side effects that may influence a woman’s decision to start taking a birth control pill, particularly if she has a history [...]