Amniocentesis performed during the fourth through sixth month of pregnancy, known as the "midtrimester," does not increase the rate of miscarriage, according to a report in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Preschoolers who were breast-fed show stronger verbal abilities than their bottle-fed peers, but the advantage may have more to do with their parents than with breast milk, a new study suggests.

Hypnosis and acupuncture are promising approaches to relieve pain during labor and delivery, but more research is needed to determine the impact of these two strategies and other complementary therapies.

Half of U.S. mothers are not getting enough sleep, and they believe getting more rest would make them better parents, according to a U.S. study that found full-time working mothers were the most sleep-deprived.

A woman who gains weight after her first pregnancy has a greater risk of developing complications during her second, new research shows. The study suggests that even a modest increase in weight may result in problems.

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Exclusively breastfed babies had roughly a 34% reduced risk of being overweight during childhood, compared to children exclusively formula-fed, according to a new analysis of a study involving more than 15,000 children.

When it comes to the numerous discomforts that often accompany pregnancy, acupuncture is a supreme multitasker. From conception to every day life with baby, the ancient Chinese system of healing can treat many of the most common aches and pains.

Overweight and obese women are 76 percent more likely to stop breastfeeding before their infants reach six months old. Researchers believe that extra weight may change a woman’s ability to lactate, or make it more difficult for a baby to latch onto breast tissue.

A study of prenatal nutrition preliminarily suggests that pregnant mothers who eat more vitamin E improve their fetuses’ lung and immune system development, lowering children’s risk of asthma.