Pre-eclampsia, hypertension induced by pregnancy, was less common in women who had long-term sexual relations exclusively with the biological father. The comparison was made with women who had been with their partner only for less than six months. Women who had babies that were small for gestational age were also more likely to have been in shorter relationships.

Faculty of 1000 reviewer Dr. Larry Chamley commented that prolonged exposure of a woman’s immune system to semen after intercourse might create tolerance of the maternal immune system to the paternal antigens. Pre-eclampsia may be due to a failure of the maternal immune system to tolerate those same paternal antigens.

“Although the issue of whether prolonged semen exposure does protect against developing pre-eclampsia is not yet resolved, this paper seems to tip the weight of evidence back in favor of suggesting that prolonged semen exposure is protective,” said Chamley.

In other pregnancy news

Fertility preservation procedures performed on young (under 40) breast cancer patients don’t cause a significant delay in breast cancer treatment if care is coordinated in a timely manner. Young breast cancer patients who undergo surgical or chemotherapeutic treatments may face premature menopause. Some patients may choose cryopreservation of eggs or fertilized oocytes to maintain the option of having biological children later.

In their study, the research team at Stanford University School of Medicine found that the median time from initial diagnosis of breast cancer to chemotherapy treatment in women who underwent fertility preservation was 71 days versus 67 days among those who did not. The researchers believe that fertility preservation may promote emotional well-being in breast cancer patients and, if coordinated properly, doesn’t delay cancer treatment. The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

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Post from: Blisstree

Pregnancy News: Faithfulness & Fertility

The largest study ever of endometriosis in pregnant women, published online at Human Reproduction, found that the condition is a major risk factor for premature birth. Dr. Henrik Falconer, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, indicated his team found that women with endo also had a higher risk of other pregnancy complications and are more likely to give birth through Caesarean section.

“Our findings indicate that women with endometriosis may be considered a high risk group and have special care during pregnancy,” said Dr. Falconer. He presented the study findings today at the 25th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Researchers say that pregnant women with endo are also more prone to pre-eclampsia, which involves the development of high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine during pregnancy.

While this study may seem to be gloomy news, Dr. Falconer urges that’s it’s good info to have:

“Our research provides clinicians with important information in the search for the factors associated with premature birth. Given that endometriosis is relatively common in women of childbearing age, we hope that our results will lead to pregnant women with this condition receiving extra attention, thus enabling them to have normal pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies.”

If you’re an endo sufferer, have you had complications during pregnancy?

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Endometriosis During Pregnancy

Moms-to-be who have low vitamin D levels during pregnancy appear to be at increased risk for suffering from pre-eclampsia, according to a study.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition of pregnancy that usually begins with high blood pressure. The disorder may also lead to seizures, kidney failure or stroke. It slows the growth of the fetus, can cause early delivery, and can be fatal for the mother and the infant. The cause is unknown and there is no treatment, except to manage the symptoms.

It’s worth a read for expectant mothers and the fathers who eat with them.

Post from: Blisstree

Low vitamin D tied to serious pregnancy complication