#Maternalhealth

No one warns you about the anger. New reporting and recent research suggest that irritation, seething resentment and occasional “mom rage” are common, understandable responses to the sustained mental and emotional labour of parenting — not signs of moral failure. An in-depth feature by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation found mothers routinely suppress anger because cultural narratives of the “perfect mother” label such feelings as unacceptable, leaving many women feeling “socially gaslit” into silence (ABC News). Academic studies reinforce that the mental load — the invisible planning, organising and emotional labour of family life — falls heavily on mothers and is closely linked to frustration, burnout and mood disturbance (University of Bath / University of Melbourne research release; ScienceDaily summary).

A new wave of reporting and research is challenging the idea that good mothers must never feel anger amid the constant demands of childcare. Investigations and peer-reviewed studies show that irritation, resentment, and occasional “mom rage” are common reactions to the hidden mental and emotional labor many mothers shoulder. The narrative of the “perfect mother” often pressures women to hide frustration, leaving them isolated and undersupported. For Thai readers, these findings highlight how long-standing expectations of maternal sacrifice—rooted in cultural notions of patience and family harmony—can trap mothers in silent suffering that harms both mental health and family life.

Groundbreaking investigative reporting and cutting-edge research are dismantling one of parenting’s most persistent myths: that good mothers should never feel angry about the relentless demands of childcare and family management. Recent comprehensive analysis by Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalists, combined with peer-reviewed studies from leading universities, reveals that irritation, seething resentment, and occasional episodes of “mom rage” represent common, understandable responses to the invisible mental and emotional labor that society places almost exclusively on mothers’ shoulders. The investigation documents how cultural narratives of the “perfect mother” systematically gaslight women into suppressing legitimate frustrations, leaving countless mothers feeling isolated, ashamed, and unable to seek the support they desperately need. Most significantly for Thai readers, these findings expose how traditional expectations of maternal sacrifice and emotional composure—deeply embedded in Buddhist concepts of patience and familial harmony—may be inadvertently trapping mothers in cycles of silent suffering that ultimately harm both maternal mental health and family wellbeing.

A growing body of international research suggests that planned C-section births may be linked to a small increase in the risk of some childhood cancers, notably acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). While the absolute risk remains low, experts urge caution about non-medically indicated surgical births. The topic comes as elective C-sections rise in Thailand, prompting a closer look at medical necessity and long-term child health.

In Thailand, caesarean deliveries account for a notable portion of births, especially in cities. Health authorities continue to emphasize that C-sections should be reserved for medically necessary cases. Vaginal birth remains the safer, preferred option for most low-risk pregnancies, with elective surgeries minimized when no clear medical indication exists.

A surge of recent research has raised global health alarms by linking planned caesarean section (C-section) births—a procedure now more common than ever—to an increased risk of certain childhood cancers, most notably acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common cancer among children. These findings, which have garnered substantial attention in international medical circles, could have profound implications for maternal and child health decisions in Thailand, where rates of elective C-sections are steadily rising (MSN HealthDay, International Journal of Cancer).

A recent research study has revealed that nearly all unmarried pregnant women report that the fetus in their womb resembles the father—an observation that is drawing attention for its social and psychological implications (PsyPost). This intriguing pattern, documented in the published study, sheds light on complex interpersonal dynamics during pregnancy, particularly among women who are not married, and could have far-reaching effects across cultures, including Thai society.

Unmarried pregnancies remain a sensitive topic around the world and sometimes in Thailand due to prevailing social and cultural values. The researchers behind this new study set out to investigate whether there is a commonality in maternal reports regarding fetal resemblance, specifically among unmarried pregnant women. Their results confirm that a striking majority say the developing fetus is similar to the child’s father, a claim that may serve several evolutionary, psychological, or social functions.

A recent study finds that nearly all unmarried pregnant women report that their fetus resembles the father, a pattern with important social and psychological implications for families navigating changing norms. Research by behavioral scientists highlights how maternal perceptions of paternal similarity may reflect deeper dynamics around support, legitimacy, and social belonging. The finding resonates beyond the study group, inviting reflection on relationships, community attitudes, and health outcomes for Thai families.

A new international study indicates that prenatal exposure to common urban air pollutants could subtly influence fetal brain development during key stages of pregnancy. Published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the research urges stronger public health measures to reduce pollution exposure for pregnant people, with relevance for densely populated cities like Bangkok. Data from the Barcelona Life Study Cohort (BiSC) informed the findings, which examined pollutants such as NO₂, PM2.5, and black carbon using advanced ultrasound imaging in more than 750 mother–fetus pairs.

A groundbreaking international study has revealed that prenatal exposure to everyday urban air pollution may subtly alter fetal brain structures during critical phases of gestation. Published this week in The Lancet Planetary Health, the study adds urgency to public health calls for intensified efforts to reduce pollution exposure among pregnant individuals, highlighting both invisible threats to future generations and significant implications for densely populated cities like Bangkok (neurosciencenews.com).

The research, conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in partnership with several major university hospitals, offers the most detailed portrait yet of how common pollutants — such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and black carbon — are associated with measurable, if subtle, changes in fetal brain morphology. By using advanced ultrasound imaging on over 750 mother-fetus pairs, scientists tracked variations in brain structure during the second and third trimesters, a window long recognized by neuroscientists as vital to brain development.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlights a troubling decline in women’s health in the United States. The finding raises urgent questions about research funding and health equity that resonate beyond borders, including in Thailand. Despite wealth and medical capacity, American women are living shorter lives and facing higher disability in later years. The report also notes alarmingly high maternal mortality and violence, alongside chronically underfunded research on women’s health.

A powerful new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has shone a harsh spotlight on the declining state of women’s health in the United States, raising urgent questions about medical research funding and health inequities that hold major implications for women and girls globally, including in Thailand. Despite the nation’s wealth and medical advancements, American women are living shorter lives than their peers in other high-income countries, facing disproportionate disability in their later years, and enduring alarming rates of maternal deaths and violence—all while research on their health remains chronically underfunded (PRB.org).

A seasoned prenatal and postpartum fitness expert is sharing practical, safe techniques to help new mothers repair their core and regain strength. With many Thai families facing similar postpartum challenges, this guidance holds wide relevance for women and households across the country.

In the weeks after childbirth, new mothers juggle caring for a newborn with physical and emotional shifts. Core muscles often stretch and weaken during pregnancy, and some experience partial separation of the abdominal muscles. A veteran personal trainer in postpartum fitness explains that exercise is about healing and empowerment, not appearance. Movement supports recovery, confidence, and overall well-being. Research highlights the holistic benefits of physical activity for postpartum women, reinforcing the article’s core message.

A seasoned prenatal and postpartum fitness expert is bringing fresh guidance to new mothers, sharing practical techniques to help those recovering from childbirth safely repair their core muscles and regain strength. With so many mothers in Thailand experiencing similar challenges during the postpartum period, the expert advice uncovered in this recent report holds wide-ranging significance for women and families nationwide.

In the weeks and months following childbirth, many women face not just the immense responsibility of caring for a newborn but also a daunting array of physical and emotional changes. Among the pressing health concerns is the recovery of core muscles, which are stretched, weakened, or even partially separated during pregnancy and delivery. In the article, a personal trainer with over a decade of experience in postpartum fitness emphasizes that exercise is not merely about appearance but about healing, empowerment, and well-being. “Movement is not just to look a certain way, it’s to feel, it is healing, it is medicine,” she explains, echoing a philosophy that resonates with growing research on the holistic benefits of physical activity for postpartum women (local10.com).

A new World Health Organization assessment reveals a startling 33-year gap between the world’s highest and lowest life expectancies. The finding underscores persistent health disparities that persist across nations and within societies. The report, released in May 2025, stresses that where people are born, the opportunities they inherit, and social and economic structures largely shape health outcomes, not biology alone.

For Thai audiences, the implications are clear. Thailand must scrutinize its own health inequities—between urban and rural areas, and among ethnic and migrant communities—while pursuing inclusive growth and sustainable development. The global pattern reinforces the urgency of policy reforms that reach the most vulnerable and ensure fair access to health services.

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a staggering 33-year difference between the highest and lowest life expectancies globally, underscoring persistent and widening health inequities across nations and within societies. The findings, released on 6 May 2025, highlight that one’s health and longevity are shaped less by biology than by where one is born and raised, the opportunities available, and the degree to which social and economic structures expose individuals to disadvantage and discrimination (UN News).

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to address critical sexual and reproductive health needs for more than 45 million people living in crisis-hit regions worldwide. With a record 122.6 million people displaced by conflict and disaster over the past year, the appeal underscores the urgent health and protection challenges facing women and girls in humanitarian contexts, where the risks of pregnancy complications and gender-based violence are drastically heightened UN News.

A leading international health agency has called for $1.4 billion in emergency funding to address vital sexual and reproductive health needs for more than 45 million people in conflict and disaster zones worldwide. With a record 122.6 million people displaced over the past year, the appeal highlights the heightened risks women and girls face in humanitarian settings, including pregnancy complications and gender-based violence.

Displacement driven by war, climate shocks, and economic instability worsens access to essential health services and safe spaces. In 2025 alone, roughly 11 million pregnant women are expected to need urgent support, as many face life-threatening risks due to inadequate prenatal and childbirth care. Across emergencies, violence against women and girls spikes, yet funding for prevention and response remains chronically insufficient.

A sweeping purge of staff at the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Division of Reproductive Health has ignited alarm among public health experts, advocates, and former officials, amid fears that the essential infrastructure supporting maternal, infant, and fertility care is now in jeopardy. More than 100 employees were abruptly dismissed this week, gutting teams mandated by federal law to collect and analyze data critical to healthy pregnancies, maternal outcomes, and assisted reproduction—including in vitro fertilization (IVF) support—according to multiple former staffers interviewed by Mother Jones (source).

A newly released international report assessing the landscape of contraceptive supplies provides crucial insights for family planning stakeholders worldwide, with implications for policy and practice in Thailand. The 2024 Family Planning Market Report, jointly published by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, delivers an extensive analysis of the evolving global market for reproductive health commodities, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring access to contraceptives for millions of women and couples.

A new international analysis of contraceptive supplies offers timely guidance for Thailand’s reproductive health efforts. The 2024 Family Planning Market Report, produced by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, maps market trends, price dynamics, and supply chain challenges that shape access to contraception worldwide.

This tenth edition serves as a benchmark for donors, governments, NGOs, and medical suppliers involved in low- and middle-income countries. It examines market size, procurement patterns, and the impact of lingering COVID-19 disruptions, while highlighting how new technologies are changing choices for women and couples. For Thailand, known for pioneering family planning programs, the findings illuminate gaps and opportunities amid demographic shifts and regional health concerns.

A sweeping staff purge within the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Reproductive Health has unsettled public health experts and advocates. More than 100 employees were dismissed this week, including specialists who maintain national data on pregnancies, maternal outcomes, and fertility treatment. The changes threaten the data infrastructure that underpins prenatal care, contraception access, and IVF-related research and guidance.

This development comes after President Trump’s public calls to expand family planning and improve IVF access. Observers note the contrast between campaign messaging about supporting mothers and families and the abrupt dismantling of a federal unit tasked with implementing those goals.

A new study in JAMA Network Open reveals troubling trends in maternal health: nearly one-third of maternal deaths occur more than six weeks after birth. The finding signals an urgent need for extended and continuous care for new mothers.

Researchers analyzed data from the CDC’s division of reproductive health, which has long tracked maternal mortality and health disparities. The study shows a 28% rise in pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, with the peak during the COVID-19 period.

In a revealing study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers have shed light on concerning trends in maternal health, particularly the rise in maternal deaths occurring well after the delivery period. The analysis reports that nearly one-third of maternal deaths in the United States take place more than six weeks postpartum, highlighting an urgent need for extended healthcare for new mothers.

The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division of reproductive health, which, until recently, played a pivotal role in tracking maternal mortality rates and identifying health disparities. This research found a 28% increase in pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new NIH-backed study reveals a 27% rise in maternal mortality in the United States over the past five years, increasing from 25.3 to 32.6 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022. The finding highlights urgent priorities for public health, even as funding for maternal and child health research faces cuts. Thailand can translate these lessons into stronger safeguards for mothers at home.

Maternal mortality, defined as deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth, serves as a barometer for a health system’s access and quality. The U.S. trend—driven in part by cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders—was detected through expanded postpartum monitoring that tracks outcomes up to a year after birth. The results prompt policymakers worldwide to reassess public health infrastructure and clinical care for mothers.