Pregnancy is usually a time of happiness and hope, but it also brings in the unexpected. While there is much talk placed on the health of the expectant mother, the quality sperm coming from the father could dramatically change the outcome of pregnancy. The latest study suggests the risks of sperm DNA damage, even increasing the risks of complications preeclampsia and birth prematurity.

In a groundbreaking research study conducted by scientists from Lund University in Sweden, scientists discovered that DNA damage in sperm increases the risk almost up to double that of preeclampsia, this is a dangerous condition that may arise during pregnancies characterized by high blood pressure. In addition, DNA anomalies also increase the risk of premature births, and this further entails increased related adverse health outcomes for infants born through such conditions.

The next step would be to find out which group of men respond best to methods to prevent and treat sperm DNA damage, and to test these methods to prevent pregnancy complications," said Dr. Amelie Stenqvist, a lecturer at Lund University. According to this study, a significant message is put forward that paternal health assumes an important role in a successful pregnancy.

It focused its research on men, specifically whose sperm contained high levels of DNA fragmentation. For instance, some 20% to 30% of babies born via in vitro fertilization have fathers whose sperm contains damaged DNA. The DNA fragmentation index, an indicator to assess the percentage of DNA damage in sperm, indicated that when the percentage of sperm with a DFI above 30% was observed, they had almost no chance of resulting in natural conception. Even a DFI greater than 20% showed that the chances of getting pregnant are highly risky as the risk factor for pregnancy complications like preeclampsia is much high.

Uncommon Complications during Pregnancy

The most alarming complication during pregnancy is preeclampsia. It affects approximately 5% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, which can cause fatal conditions for both the mother and the baby. The new findings now point out that sperm DNA damage may contribute to this condition, especially if it is due to assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF pregnancies. The research found that a DFI above 20% doubled the risk of preeclampsia from a mere 5% to almost 11% per.

Apart from causing preeclampsia, DNA fragmentation in sperm is also known to increase the risk for prematurity. Most premature babies experience respiratory, neurological, and developmental complications. Therefore, some degree of early intervention might be important for prospective parents.

Some of the rarer, though serious complications include placental abruption, which is the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall and intrauterine growth restriction, a condition by which the baby does not grow normally in the womb. These conditions though rare are potentially catastrophic both to the mother and the child. Results from this study may help in establishing the contribution of the father in such pregnancies.

Further study into sperm DNA damage is of urgent interest with regard to its consequences for pregnancy outcomes. According to Professor Aleksander Giwercman of Lund University in the field of Reproductive Medicine, "the analysis of DFI should be introduced as routine test in all fertility clinics.". "It could give answers to couples who are having difficulties with infertility, but our latest result also shows that DFI analysis can be a method to identify high-risk pregnancies, explained Giwercman.

For many, DNA fragmentation in sperm is often treatable. Common causes are oxidative stress, age, smoking, being obese, and infections. Addressing these elements will likely reduce DNA damage in sperm for men, raising the chances for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Overall, the study importance should take into consideration paternal as well as maternal health towards reaching for a healthy pregnancy. Though DNA fragmentation in the sperm is supposed to increase the risk factors for complications in pregnancies, the advances into novel treatment approaches and tests are likely to alleviate complications in many families. Thus the findings of this study offer optimism and pave a pathway to more holistic fertility treatments in the future.

More Americans are waiting longer than ever to start families. In fact, birth rates among women in their early 30s have surpassed those of women in their late 20s for the seventh straight year in 2022. The number of births among women aged 40 and older is also on the rise, government data shows.

This trend challenges the long-held belief that getting pregnant becomes nearly impossible or too risky with age. However, fertility specialists say the truth is more layered. To understand it better, we spoke with Dr. Akta Bajaj, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, who helped clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.

Can Age Really Affect Your Fertility?

For many years, experts have blamed declining egg quality as the main reason for reduced fertility with age. But new findings from UC San Francisco and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco suggest that there’s more to it. The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reveals that the cells and tissues surrounding the egg also play a major role in how eggs mature and how fast fertility declines.

According to Dr. Randi Goldman, Program Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwell, while fertility naturally drops with age, it’s a gradual change rather than a sudden one. Many women in their 30s are still capable of conceiving without assistance. Data shows that the odds of pregnancy in a single menstrual cycle are around 25% for women in their 20s, about 20% by age 30, and roughly 15% by age 35 — which Dr. Goldman notes is still quite reasonable.

Myths Around Age and Fertility

Dr Bajaj told us that fertility comes with its own set of facts and myths, and she told us some myths around fertility that everyone should note:

Myth 1: Fertility Declines Only After 35

Fact: Fertility doesn’t suddenly drop at 35, it starts to dip slowly in the late 20s and early 30s. By the mid-30s, this decline becomes more noticeable, and after 37, it tends to speed up. While chances of conception decrease gradually, many women in their 30s still conceive naturally and have healthy pregnancies. It may take a little longer, but it’s often still achievable.

Myth 2: Modern Medicine Can Reverse Age-Related Fertility Decline

Fact: Treatments like IVF can improve the chances of pregnancy but can’t completely undo the effects of aging. As a woman ages, egg quality drops, which affects embryo growth and lowers IVF success rates. IVF relies on a woman’s own eggs, and if those eggs are older, embryos may not develop as well. Donor eggs can increase success rates, but no medical procedure can reverse the natural aging of the ovaries.

Myth 3: Men’s Age Doesn’t Matter

Fact: Men also experience age-related fertility changes, though more slowly. Sperm count, movement, and DNA quality begin to decline after 40, which can make conception harder and slightly raise the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental disorders. The risk remains small but becomes more visible as men get older.

Myth 4: You Can Always Freeze Eggs and Conceive Later

Fact: Egg freezing gives women flexibility but is not a guaranteed path to pregnancy. Success largely depends on the age at which eggs are frozen. The ideal time is before 35 when eggs are typically healthier. Freezing eggs at an older age can result in fewer viable embryos and lower chances of success. It’s a helpful option, but not a sure solution.

Myth 5: If You’re Healthy, Age Doesn’t Matter

Fact: Good health supports fertility but can’t completely overcome the effects of aging. Regular exercise, nutritious eating, and avoiding smoking or heavy drinking can help reproductive health, but they don’t stop the biological changes that occur in eggs and sperm as we age.

In short, while age does play a role in fertility, it doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible after your 30s. Experts agree that understanding your body and seeking timely guidance can make all the difference when planning parenthood later in life.

New research suggests that mothers who give birth by C-section (cesarean delivery) are more likely to have two major problems afterward: severe pain that disrupts sleep and daily activities, and a higher chance of developing sleep problems.

This study, presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2025 annual meeting, highlights a crucial issue. People often forget how important sleep is when a mother is recovering. Sleep is key to a new mother's mental and physical health. The severe pain and lack of sleep linked to C-sections can cause big issues like postpartum depression, trouble thinking and remembering things, and extreme tiredness. All of this can make it harder for the mother to bond with her baby and have good relationships with family.

What Is A C-Section Birth?

According to Mayo Clinic, a C-section aka (cesarean delivery), is a surgery used to deliver a baby. It involves making surgical cuts (incisions) in the mother's belly and uterus to take the baby out.

A C-section may be planned ahead of time if the mother has certain complications during pregnancy, or if she has already had a C-section before. However, for a mother's first baby, the decision to do a C-section is usually made after labor has already started.

If you are pregnant, understanding the reasons for a C-section and what to expect during recovery can help you feel more prepared. Health professionals might recommend a C-section for several important reasons.

A C-section may be needed if labor stalls, the baby is under stress, or is in an unusual position (breech/transverse). Other reasons include carrying multiples, problems like placenta previa or cord prolapse, a physical blockage, the mother's serious health issues, or a past C-section.

How Is Health Affected After Childbirth?

The research included two main parts: talking to mothers (qualitative analysis) and analyzing a large database (quantitative analysis). For the first part, researchers interviewed 41 new mothers about their pain and sleep. They found a striking difference based on the delivery method:

Over two-thirds of mothers who had a C-section (both planned and unplanned) reported severe pain that made it hard to sleep and do daily tasks.

In comparison, only 8% of mothers who had a vaginal birth reported this level of severe, disruptive pain.

Can You Develop A Sleeping Disorder After C-Section?

For the second part of the study, researchers looked at a national insurance database containing information from more than 1.5 million mothers who gave birth between 2008 and 2021.

This analysis showed that mothers who had a C-section were 16% more likely to be diagnosed with a new sleep disorder (such as insomnia, sleep deprivation, or sleep apnea) between one month and one year after delivery, compared to those who delivered vaginally.

The lead author, Moe Takenoshita, M.B.B.Ch., from Stanford University, stressed the importance of managing pain well, especially for C-section recovery, since untreated pain worsens sleep. To help improve sleep, mothers can try several measures:

• Manage pain adequately with medication.
• Exercise regularly (as soon as it’s safe to do so).
• Sleep when the baby sleeps (napping during the day).
• Avoid caffeine or alcohol late in the day.
• Relax before bed with activities like taking a bath or practicing deep breathing.

Dr. Takenoshita noted that about one-third of all U.S. births are C-sections. She advised that anyone planning a C-section should understand the link to more severe pain and a higher risk of sleep problems. She urged all new mothers with sleep issues to discuss their concerns with their doctor for advice or a referral to a specialist.

A major new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered bad news: one out of every six serious infections confirmed in labs worldwide last year could not be killed by the antibiotics meant to treat them.

Between 2018 and 2023, the problem of antibiotics failing (called resistance) got much worse. For many common types of germs, resistance went up by 5% to 15% every year. The growing inability of these essential medicines to work is a huge threat to people everywhere.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria learn to withstand the medicines(antibiotics) that are supposed to kill them. It's like the bacteria have developed a suit of armor against the drug.

When this happens, doctors have to switch to different antibiotics. These backup medicines might not work as well or might cause more side effects. Sometimes, a bacteria can become resistant to all available drugs, which leaves the patient with a dangerous infection that doctors have no way to treat. The alarmingly is that these tough, drug-resistant bacteria can spread from one person to another, both in hospitals and at home.

What Antibiotics Are People Becoming Resistant To?

The WHO's latest report is the most detailed look yet at this issue. It reports on how much resistance exists across 22 different antibiotics—the common drugs used to treat everyday illnesses. The report focused on eight common types of bacteria that cause things like:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Stomach and intestinal infections
• Dangerous blood infections
• The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea

These germs include well-known ones like E. coli and the bacteria that cause staph infections.

Where Is Antibiotic Resistance A Big Problem?

The risk of antibiotics failing is not the same worldwide. It's highest in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, where one in three reported infections were resistant. In the African region, it was one in five. Resistance is also more common and getting worse in places that don't have good hospitals or labs to quickly find out what type of bacteria is causing an illness and what drug might work.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, said that the rise of this resistance is "outpacing advances in modern medicine," putting families' health at risk. He urged everyone to use antibiotics carefully, and stressed the need for better tests, newer medicines, and stronger systems to prevent infections in the first place.

How Does Antibiotic Resistance Cause Us Problems?

The report warns that a type of bacteria known as Gram-negative bacteria is becoming the most dangerous threat globally. The countries least able to fight these infections are being hit the hardest.

• Two types, E. coli and K. pneumoniae, are the most common drug-resistant germs found in life-threatening blood infections. These infections can quickly lead to the body shutting down and death.
• Globally, the standard, first-choice antibiotic is failing against over 40% of E. coli and over 55% of K. pneumoniae.
• In Africa, resistance to this key antibiotic is now higher than 70%.

Even the last-resort, powerful antibiotics that doctors save for only the worst cases are starting to fail. These "last-resort" drugs are often very expensive and hard to find, especially in poorer countries, leaving doctors with no good options.

Can We Resolve This Issue?

On a positive note, more countries are starting to report data to the WHO's tracking system (called GLASS). The number has grown from 25 countries to 104 countries in the last seven years.

However, almost half of the world’s countries still didn't report data last year, and many that did still don't have good enough systems to track the problem accurately. Often, the countries that need help the most are the ones that can’t measure their own problem.

The WHO is urging all countries to work together to fight this by strengthening health systems and tracking resistance in people, animals, and the environment. The goal is for every country to report good-quality data on antibiotic resistance by 2030 so the world can clearly see the problem and decide how to fix it.