Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Neonatal

A gift for life?

In 2012 the world’s first systematic attempts of uterus transplantation were conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. This unique project explored the sociocultural dimensions of the attempts by studying involved actors’ perspectives.

Patients in clinical care

This project aims to support individuals with chronic diseases to learn more about selfcare and lifestyle behaviour change.

Young adults

Interventions to promote healthy behaviours among young adults is a good investment. Therefore, these projects target high school and university students.

Patients with elective surgery

A good health status before surgery decrease the risk for complications after surgery. Therefore, this project aims to support healthy lifestyle behaviours before surgery.

Individuals seeking help at primary healthcare centers

A great deal of the Swedish population has unhealthy lifestyle behaviours and this project focuses on patients in primary healthcare.

Preschool Children

Childhood obesity remains a significant global health challenge. This project aims to promote healthy food and physical activity habits among preschool children.

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.

Research on reproductive endocrinology

Age related decreases in sex steroid production often lead to a number of symptoms and metabolic changes. The research is focusing on these issues with special attention being given to changes in hypothalamic temperature regulation.

Shaping Ethics, Shrouding Ethics

How are ethical aspects of uterus transplantation discussed in the media? What issues are highlighted as central? Which issues are not discussed? This project examined Swedish media coverage of the world’s first live uterine transplant attempts.

Psychosocial Obstetrics and Reproduction

We study IVF, oocytes and sperm donation and surrogate motherhood – from the very first conversation at the clinic to follow up several years later.

Reproduction and Neuro Immunology

The general purpose of our research is to reveal mechanisms of immune tolerance in pregnancy and how failure of tolerance mechanisms can lead to pregnancy complications.

New method for consultations with young people on sexual ill-health

A procedure that uses written questions to identify visitors to youth clinics who have experienced or risk experiencing sexual ill-health is receiving high praise from personnel and visitors. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis from LiU.

App helps pregnant women to a healthy lifestyle

Researchers have developed and evaluated an app that helps women achieve a healthy weight gain during a pregnancy. Using the app contributed to a better diet. Pregnant women with overweight or obesity who received the app also gained less weight.

SEK 10 million for research in children's medicine

The Joanna Cocozza Foundation has announced the recipients of research grants for 2020. Funding has been awarded in the form of establishment and consolidation grants, support for visiting researchers, and a further seven project grants.

Mathematical modelling to prevent fistulas

It is better to invest in measures that make it easier for women to visit a doctor during pregnancy than measures to repair birth injuries. This is the conclusion from two mathematicians at LiU, using Uganda as an example.

Experiences of undesired effects of hormonal contraception

A study of women who experienced mental ill-health from a hormonal contraception indicates they value their mental well-being higher than a satisfactory sex life. This is one of four themes that researchers identified in interviews with 24 women.

Skin-to-skin contact does not improve interaction between mother and preterm infant

Researchers have studied the relationship between mothers and infants who have continuous skin-to-skin contact during the entire period from birth to discharge from the hospital.

A major role for a small organ during pregnancy

The immune system of a pregnant woman is altered during pregnancy, but not in the way previously believed. A study from LiU shows that the thymus plays an important role in the immune response during a normal pregnancy.

Uterus transplantation – ethically just as problematic as altruistic surrogacy

Researchers at universities including Linköping University have studied ethical aspects of uterus transplantation. The results show that uterus transplantation with living donors is ethically just as problematic as altruistic surrogacy.

Stress in the embryo phase makes children more ill

Children from families that are under psychosocial stress during pregnancy have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and are more prone to common childhood illnesses, according to a doctoral thesis at Linköping University.

Low risk of donor children meeting their half siblings

More and more children are conceived via assisted conception. LiU researchers have now shown that the chances of donor children who are genetically related having a child together are low – if no more than ten children are conceived from the donor.

Intercourse pain can lead to childlessness

Women suffering from pain during sexual intercourse more often remain childless than women on average. And those who do have children more often deliver by caesarean section and run a higher risk of tearing during childbirth, according to a study.

Krankningar varden

Ten children ok, according to donors

Between one and ten children – that is what the majority of Swedish egg and sperm donors think is an acceptable level for their assistance to childless couples. Female donors are more restrictive than male donors.

Low weight at birth linked to infertility

Girls who were born unexpectedly small or underweight appear themselves to have twice the risk of having infertility problems in adulthood, compared with those born at normal weight, research at Linköping University shows.

Ultrasound misses many heart defects in foetuses

Over six in every ten serious heart defects in foetuses go undetected in the ultrasound scans given to all pregnant women. According to research at Linköping University, one reason why malformations are not found is obesity in the expectant mother.

Heart disease can be traced to foetal stage

Children who are exposed to physiological stress in the embryonic phase - for example shortage of oxygen - are at risk of future cardiovascular disease. Researchers at LiU show that the reason for this is changed adrenalin signalling in the heart.