The results of a new study indicate that the use of over-the-counter decongestants during pregnancy cuts the risk of premature births.
Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) epidemiologist Rohini Hernandez and colleagues conducted the study.
Quiz on Pregnancy
There is a general belief that a pregnant woman should eat for two people. How far is this true? This compilation of information, presented in the quiz, will tell you more.
Advertisement
"The more we can learn about what could potentially cause preterm birth would help our understanding in how to stop it," Hernandez said.
The study found that women who took decongestants in their second or third trimesters had a roughly 58 percent less risk of preterm delivery compared to women who didn't use decongestants during their pregnancy.
![Electronic Fetal Monitoring - Animation]( "Electronic Fetal Monitoring - Animation")
Fetal monitoring records the condition of the fetus and contractions of the uterus during the labour
(The finding was observed only for women without preeclampsia.)
"Medication use is a major concern for pregnant women and generally, when medications are found to have effects on the fetus, they're usually found to have adverse effects," Hernandez said.
"This was surprising in that a potentially beneficial effect was found," she added.
Yet Hernandez said more research is needed to see if there is an actual cause and effect relationship between decongestant use and preterm birth and if so, what element in the decongestant is producing this outcome.
The study is published online ahead of print in the journal Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology.
Source: ANI
Electronic Fetal Monitoring - Animation
Fetal monitoring records the condition of the fetus and contractions of the uterus during the labour
Advertisement
(The finding was observed only for women without preeclampsia.)
"Medication use is a major concern for pregnant women and generally, when medications are found to have effects on the fetus, they're usually found to have adverse effects," Hernandez said.
"This was surprising in that a potentially beneficial effect was found," she added.
Yet Hernandez said more research is needed to see if there is an actual cause and effect relationship between decongestant use and preterm birth and if so, what element in the decongestant is producing this outcome.
The study is published online ahead of print in the journal Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology.
Source: ANI
Tips For Pregnant Women
Pregnancy is a time when a female blossoms into a woman with an experience never felt before. Here are a few self-care tips for pregnant mothers that will help them during their pregnancy.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Women Health News
Experts suggest that getting regular mammograms at the age of 40 can help women prevent breast cancer.
The commonly used Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is not useful for shared clinical decision-making regarding osteoporosis screening in younger postmenopausal women.
Researchers hypothesized that adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) are associated with younger age at first stroke, with a stronger relationship in those with >1 pregnancy with APO.
Women grapple with the risk of mental illnesses as immense challenge of constantly striving for perfection and balancing multiple roles takes a toll.
Irrespective of dietary preferences, lactating mothers maintain similar concentrations of nutrients in their breast milk, when comparing vegan and omnivorous diets.