Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more prevalent in women of childbearing age than in any other group. As a result, a key concern of many newly diagnosed women is how the disease will affect their chances of having children. This was the case for Anna Field, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 26. Since her diagnosis, Anna has…
Author: Marianne Mullin
New FDA ruling may spark research into pregnancy and medication says ACOG
We are now over a month into a new regime in the U.S. that paves the way for pregnant women to be better provided for. As of June 30, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the rules on the labeling of prescription drugs, meaning that doctors have more information and women can expect better advice. “Prescribing decisions during pregnancy…
Read more > New FDA ruling may spark research into pregnancy and medication says ACOG
General surgery safe for pregnant women, study concludes
Being pregnant doesn’t increase the risks associated with general surgery, suggests a new study. But will these findings make some headway in clearing up the long-standing debate over the safety of undergoing general surgical operations while pregnant? Until now, studies have yielded conflicting results; sometimes suggesting that there is an increased chance of maternal illness or death. “Pregnant patients undergoing emergency…
Read more > General surgery safe for pregnant women, study concludes
PTSD a pregnancy risk, medicated or not
Alongside growing global diagnoses of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is on the rise, affecting around 10% of women over their lifetime and, significantly, most prevalent among women of childbearing age. Together with those who begin pregnancy already suffering from the condition is the 1-7% of women who develop PTSD after giving birth. It’s clear there’s an issue that needs addressing.…
Long-term monitoring studies could be answer to pregnancy & medication data gaps
“The data gap around pregnant women and medication is a huge problem,” says Dr. Christina Chambers, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. “Lack of sufficient data leads to treatment decisions with no evidence base, and in some cases to avoidance of needed medication or to under-treatment. This can lead to complications because there is fear on…
Read more > Long-term monitoring studies could be answer to pregnancy & medication data gaps
Are doctors too afraid to treat pregnant women?
A leading figure in the battle to increase awareness about treating pregnant women, Dr. Gideon Koren believes urgent changes are needed in the field. He is the founder of Motherisk, an organization providing information and counseling on pregnancy and medication, staff pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and professor at the University of Toronto. The Pregnancy &…
An HIV-free generation still out of reach
Across the globe, slowly but surely, improving treatments and information for pregnant women who are HIV positive are having an impact. The success can be measured in two ways: first, the number of pregnant women who have access to HIV testing and treatment is rising worldwide; second, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is increasing in effectiveness. There…
