Researchers at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak have discovered a blood test for pregnant people that can detect fetal congenital heart defects before the child is born.

An ectopic pregnancy is an example of a dangerous health situation, and has been presented as one of many reasons why medical abortions are necessary for pregnant people

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision and growing concern over a woman’s reproductive rights, there is now an increased demand for morning-after pills. The morning-after pill, whose most well-known trade name is “Plan B,” does not cause an abortion. It is intended as emergency contraception for use immediately after unprotected intercourse, but there is some confusion and even controversy over these pills.

The right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike in recent years -- a debate that has nearly reached a boiling point today, given that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide this summer whether to overturn a landmark 1973 abortion ruling.

The right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike in recent years -- a debate that has nearly reached a boiling point today, given a new Texas law that could potentially impact national abortion regulations.

Why are stretch marks treated differently from so many other skin issues?

Two leading organizations that represent OB-GYN groups are now calling for anyone pregnant to get vaccinated against COVID.

In 2016, Valerie Collignon gave birth at 35 weeks, which resulted in a week-long NICU stay that she described as “traumatizing.”

WASHINGTON – Pregnant women should avoid a group of common pain relievers including Advil and Aleve for the last four months of pregnancy, federal health officials said Thursday, expanding the warning from three months. They can lead to kidney problems in the fetus that can result in low levels of amniotic fluid that fills the womb. In one exception, the FDA said the new warning does not apply to low-dose aspirin when recommended by a doctor. Federal regulators said they decided to extend the warning after finding 35 cases of the amniotic fluid problem reported to the FDA and reviewing similar examples in published research. Use of the pain relievers reduced amniotic fluid in as little as two days, in some cases, the FDA said.

When Delicia Garza’s newborn daughter underwent surgery, an operation that required an overnight hospital stay, the San Antonio woman said it felt like the walls were closing in on her.

When Melissa Vick gave birth to her first child, a son, in May 2017, she and her husband Greg felt like they were able to share him with their friends and family, almost immediately.

Are you or your partner pregnant -- or have you delivered in the past few months? We want to hear from you.

Can a pregnant woman spread the coronavirus to her fetus? Its possible, but it seems to be relatively rare and scientists think they know why that is. Many viruses can cross the placenta and infect a fetus in the womb, and evidence has been growing that the coronavirus sometimes can too. In another, a newborn had certain coronavirus antibodies that are unable to cross the placenta, so they could not have come from the mother. A report from France gave even stronger evidence of in-the-womb infection, and that newborn was very ill at birth.

DETROIT When it comes to tracking the way a virus circulates, researchers use many traditional methods, like contact tracing. The genetic code of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is made of roughly 30,000 base pairs. Researchers have been sequencing, or reconstructing, the genetic signatures of different SARS-CoV-2 viruses around the globe. Suggesting the virus didnt come to Michigan directly from China, but rather was imported from Europe. The Michigan signatures also have a relationship to viruses found in several other states.

DETROIT Since the beginning of the outbreak, scientists have known the genetic sequence of COVID-19, but over time, researchers have seen it change, giving rise to the theory coronavirus is mutating. While the newly hijacked cell is making parts to build new viruses, its also copying the virus genetic code and thats where mutations can occur. READ: List of Michigan pandemic executive orders that are still activeThe RNA genetic code for SARS-CoV-2 is 30,000 base pairs long. Fortunately, SARS-CoV-2 appears to change very slowly and sustained mutations do not occur frequently. In fact, its estimated that notable new changes occur at a rate of about 2 per month, which is actually pretty minimal.

A new CDC study suggests pregnant women may be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Researchers looked at data from over 326,000 women of reproductive age who had tested positive for the virus. The study found that pregnant women were more than five times more likely to be hospitalized than nonpregnant women. Pregnant women were also more likely to be admitted to the ICU and be placed on a ventilator. However, there was no difference in the risk of death between the two groups, but experts said pregnant women should take steps to minimize their risk for exposure including social distancing.

DETROIT In the early days of the coronavirus Michigan was already behind in funding per patient, according to a new report from democrats on the senate government oversight committee. As doctors and hospitals anxiously watch an uptick in cases that new report says Michigans response plan may have been hobbled by a lack of federal funding. June 25, 2020 update: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 62,306, Death toll now at 5,886According to the report, which was done by the Committees minority staff, by April 10th, Michigan had more than 30,000 cases but had only received $31,000 per patient. At the same time, North Dakota only had 278 cases but received nearly $330,000 per COVID-19 case. The lack of funding also means Michigan needed more supplies but may not have had the money to compete against other states when bidding for critical equipment.

Whether you’re pregnant now or you were hoping to be in the next few months, this might feel like an overwhelming time, living through the current coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic. Time magazine recently reported that fact in an article this week about COVID-19 and how it relates to pregnant women. Yes, pregnant women are generally more susceptible to viruses, for example, the flu. It’s true that there’s limited information and published literature about exactly how susceptible pregnant women are to COVID-19, and the severity of infection. If you’re pregnant or had been trying for a baby, stay in even better contact with your doctor or health care provider.