#MaternalHealth

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

The U.S. has witnessed a dramatic 27% rise in maternal mortality over the past five years, a development described as “an urgent public health priority” in a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This troubling statistic emerges even as funding for maternal and child health research has faced severe cuts. The implications of these findings extend beyond the U.S., serving as a critical warning for countries like Thailand, where maternal health remains a top priority as part of national and global health initiatives.

In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet, Chinese researchers have unveiled a significant association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and an elevated risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD in children. This extensive meta-analysis evaluated 202 studies encompassing over 56 million pregnancies. It reveals that diligent monitoring of blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy could be crucial in mitigating these risks, underscoring a vital public health message for expecting mothers.