Here’s how to have a happy, hassle-free pregnancy: Read the latest in research

Should you take antidepressants during pregnancy? Can you exercise? Will use of mobile phones hurt your unborn child? Here are some pointers for to-be mothers based on the latest studies.

There is a wealth of information on pregnancy. But not much is known about modern-day issues that many mothers face. For instance, will your usage of mobile phones affect your baby? Here’s what researchers have to say:

Researchers say that babies born to women who use a mobile phone during pregnancy are unlikely to have adverse effects on their language, communication and motor skills.(Shutterstock)

* Use of antidepressants during pregnancy can affect your child’s mental health.

Researchers from the National Centre for Register-based Research at Aarhus BSS showed an increased risk involved in using antidepressants. Previous research showed that use of antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism in the child and leads to birth defects.

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Working out can have clear advantages for both mother and baby. (Shutterstock)

* Moderate exercise will help you sail through your pregnancy.

A new Spanish study is encouraging women to exercise during pregnancy, after finding that working out can have clear advantages for both mother and baby. Although there previously have been some doubts over whether women can safely work out while pregnant, the new study hopes to ease any concerns after reviewing previous studies and meta-analyses which together looked at thousands of women.

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* Mobile phone use in pregnancy may not affect kids’ brains.

Babies born to women who use a mobile phone during pregnancy are unlikely to have any adverse effects on their neurodevelopment skills such as language, communication and motor skills, according to new research which has challenged previous theories.

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The mother’s age at first birth predicts the risk of drinking early in pregnancy. (Shutterstock)

* Younger mothers more likely to engage in risky drinking early in pregnancy.

This study of maternal alcohol use is the first to focus on age at transition to motherhood as a predictor of trajectories of risky drinking during a 17-year span. Maternal age at first birth predicted one high-risk group: younger mothers were more likely to engage in risky drinking early in pregnancy, which continued for six to 14 years postpartum.

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* Your pre-pregnancy weight can impact your child’s metabolism.

In a new research, the link between a mother’s body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy and the metabolic traits of her children is likely mediated by shared genetics and familial lifestyle rather than effects on the foetus during gestation. It is believed that 20 to 50% of women these days start their pregnancy overweight or obese. The researchers believe that this might lead to metabolic disruptions in offspring. Previous research showed a link between obesity in pregnancy and cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other major birth defects.

Read the full story here.

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