Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Neonatal

According to WHO, the concept includes a satisfying and safe sex life with access to good contraception, the ability to reproduce, and good care during pregnancy and childbirth. More broadly, however, the concept includes women’s health before, during, and after the reproductive period in their lives.

Gravid 
In an international comparison, reproductive health is considered to be good in Sweden, as poverty, social injustice and discrimination against women – which are relatively uncommon in Sweden – exert great influence on women’s health and their ability to become pregnant, give birth to, and care for their children.
 
Current problems for research around reproductive health at Linköping University are:
 
  •  Basic knowledge on the biology of reproduction, including physiology , genetics, and immunology.
  •  Infertility and assisted fertilization
  •  The effect of sex hormones on physiological and immunological processes
  •  Normal weightgain during pregnancy as well as the consequences of obesity during pregnancy and child birth
  •  Mental problems/illnesses during pregnancy and in connection with childbirth
  •  How can the premature birth be avoided respectively treated?
  •  Violence against women
  •  Sexually transmitted diseases among youth, sexual afflictions
  •  The older woman’s gynaecological illnesses
  •  Information about, and alternative treatments for, menopausal symptoms

Research

An adult's hand holds the hand of a premature baby.

N-forte trial

The aim of the N-forte trial is to explore how breast milk composition influences the development of NEC, sepsis and neurological impairment in extremely preterm infants in order to improve future treatments in this patient group.

Doesn't one sperm suffice?

Doesn´t one sperm suffice

Reproduction is, for its comparative strength and dynamic character, a major sentinel of the health of animals and humans. Basic discoveries in relation to sperm selection and preservation of cell integrity have been central in our research.

Rainbow toy.

Physical, mental and reproductive health among sexual and gender minorities during pregnancy, childbirth and first year of parenting

The interdisciplinary research project s will follow the health and experiences of LGBTQ people during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood to contribute to important knowledge in an unexplored area.

News

adult hand holding the hand of an extremely premature infant.

Study on extremely preterm infants provides important knowledge

Infants born extremely prematurely need to get enrichment as an addition to breast milk. But does it make any difference whether the enrichment is made from breast milk or cow’s milk when it comes to the risk of severe complications in children?

pregnant woman exercising in gym.

Why women with multiple sclerosis get better when pregnant

Women suffering from multiple sclerosis temporarily get much better when pregnant. Researchers have now identified the beneficial changes naturally occurring in the immune system during pregnancy. The findings can show the way to new treatments.

Close-up of woman after forties touching her pregnant belly.

Greater risk in being an older or single mother

Older women, single women and women who have children through assisted reproduction run a greater risk of complications in pregnancy and higher risk of illness generally. Malin Lindell Pettersson has taken a closer look at the health of these groups.