Premature and low birth weight babies born after 3 or more abortions

Increased risk of prematurity and low birth weight in babies born after 3 or more abortions – Women who have had three or more abortions have a higher risk of some adverse birth outcomes, such as delivering a baby prematurely and with a low birth weight, revealed by researchers in one of the largest studies to look at the effect of induced abortions on a subsequent first birth.

IUD following abortion likely to prevent unintended pregnancy

Immediate use of an IUD following abortion more likely to prevent unintended pregnancies — Study finds women who are asked to make an appointment for a later date may not return, are at higher risk for another unintended pregnancy – Immediate use of any contraceptive method after abortion has been linked to a reduced risk of repeat abortion with the immediate use of an IUD being the most effective method for reducing the risk for another unintended pregnancy. IUDs are found safe and highly effective.

Religious devotion does not impact abortion decisions

Sociologist finds that factors such as grades and parents’ education are more influential than religious involvement for pregnant teens and young adults who face abortion decision. – Unwed pregnant teens and twenty-somethings who attend or have graduated from private religious schools are more likely to obtain abortions than their peers from public schools, according to sociological research published in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Fewer Northern Ireland women seek abortions in Britain

Fewer Northern Ireland women seek abortions in Britain – The number of Northern Ireland women having abortions in England fell last year but pro-life campaigners are warning that it is likely to increase if abortion providers are allowed to advertise on television and radio.

Abortion rate rising in young girls, UK

The number of girls under the age of 14 having an abortion jumped by over 20 percent in 2007, new figures from the Department of Health of UK show. – Abortion rates are rising in young girls in UK and some of them are vey young, a report released by the Department of Health, UK.

U.S. abortion rate continues long-term decline

A new report finds that the number of abortions in the US dropped to 1.2 million in 2005. That’s the lowest level since 1974. – In 2005, the U.S. abortion rate declined to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15?44, continuing the downward trend that started after the abortion rate peaked at 29.3 in 1981, according to a new Guttmacher Institute census of U.S. abortion providers.

Pregnancy related infections caused by four treatable conditions

Most pregnancy-related infections are caused by four treatable conditions – In low-and-middle income countries, pregnancy-related infections are a major cause of maternal death, can also be fatal to unborn and newborn babies, and are mostly caused by four types of conditions that are treatable and preventable, according to a review by US researchers published in this week’s PLOS Medicine.

Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk

Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk fivefold in later life — Pregnancy loss and risk of cardiovascular disease: A prospective population-based cohort study (EPIC-Heidelberg) – Recurrent miscarriage increases a woman’s chance of having a heart attack fivefold in later life, indicates research published online in the journal Heart.

Maternal deaths worldwide drop by third i.e. 34 percent

UN estimates reveal fewer women dying from pregnancy-related causes, but 1000 still die a day and more needs to be done to achieve set targets – The number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34% from an estimated 546 000 in 1990 to 358 000 in 2008, according to a new report, Trends in maternal mortality, released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank.

Antidepressants in pregnancy increase miscarriage risk

Antidepressants in pregnancy increase risk of miscarriage – There is a 68% increase in the overall risk of miscarriage in pregnant women using antidepressants, found a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Health Newstrack