A new study in the journal Nature Mental Health explores how a mother’s positive state of mind during pregnancy affects the structure and function of the developing fetal brain by measuring these ...

Fluoride has long been added to most of the tap water in the United States to help prevent tooth decay. But a new study shows that fluoridated water may hamper the brain development of unborn babies.

Taking antidepressants such as Prozac during pregnancy can affect the child's brain development and potentially lead to them having mental health disorders later in life, a new study warns. AFP via ...

Recent research provides new evidence regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy. The study, presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting, ...

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that occur when people drink alcohol during pregnancy. The alcohol affects the development of the fetus, potentially causing lifelong ...

Researchers at Texas A&M University have already shown that paternal drinking habits prior to conception can have a negative effect on fetal development - with semen from men who regularly consume ...

Studies over the last decade of acetaminophen use in pregnancy — including a recent scientific review — have yielded mixed results but have not found a causal connection. By Azeen Ghorayshi For more ...

The third trimester is the final stretch of pregnancy, and it is often the most demanding. As your baby grows rapidly, your ...

This story about fetal development was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger ...