Health News

Heart at Risk After Birth Complications
Women with pregnancy complications like diabetes or high blood pressure may not be in the clear after giving birth. They need to consider cardiovascular risks down the road.
When Will Moms-To-Be Quit Smoking?
Moms-to-be who are both overweight and smokers are more than twice as likely to have a baby with a congenital heart defect than women who are either overweight or a smoker but not both.
Prenatal Smoking is Deadly
We've known for decades that smoking during pregnancy is potentially damaging for the baby, and has been linked to various birth defects, premature birth, underdeveloped lungs, low birthweight and many other problems.
High Blood Pressure Linked to Depression in Pregnancy
For pregnant women, a history of high blood pressure before pregnancy means a higher risk of depression, which is also associated with postpartum depression and difficulty bonding with the baby.
Managing Blood Pressure While Pregnant
Pregnant women who take high blood pressure medications in the first trimester are not putting their baby at risk of birth defects.  But not managing high blood pressure itself can increase many risks.
Pregnancy Workouts are Good for Your Heart
Working out before and during early pregnancy is good for heart health. Researchers believe that exercise can help pregnant moms increase their cardiovascular health - and it could even help prevent preeclampsia.
Battle in Mother's Belly Causes Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition that results in high blood pressure and protein in the mother’s urine. Now, research shows that the father’s cells are helping wage a battle in the uterus that leads to preeclampsia.
Extra Calcium and Moms-to-be
Pregnant women are often told to take more calcium to benefit themselves and their babies, but the benefits of doing so have been unclear.
A Plume of Hope for Oil Spill Victims
Picking up the pieces for Gulf Coast residents has been no small feat. In early 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill leaked nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, possibly causing a public health crisis.
Stroke of Misfortune
Pregnant women are at an increased risk for a number of possible diseases and conditions. A new study suggests that they may also be at a heightened risk for heart disease due to high blood pressure syndromes.