Pregnancy and Birth

Physicians should recommend that their patients plan for vaginal deliveries rather than cesarean deliveries if there are no maternal or fetal indications for a cesarean. This is the position stated in a new committee opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice.

A physician and a malpractice attorney discuss the merits of ‘Apology and Disclosure’ programs and their role in obstetrical practice. Do they cut costs or create trouble?

An independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to adopt a 1-step approach to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Hysteroscopic removal of polyps in women with unexplained infertility may increase their chances of becoming pregnant, concludes an intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group.

In patients with gestational diabetes mellitus, metformin is an effective alternative to insulin, according to the findings of a recent single-center randomized controlled study.

A study assessing the effectiveness of acetaminophen for neonatal pain relief found that use of acetaminophen shortly after birth may aggravate a subsequent stress response.

There is no evidence that plastic adhesive surgical drapes reduce surgical site infection rates, and some evidence that these drapes may increase infection rates, according to a third update of an intervention review and analysis conducted by the Cochrane Wounds Group.

Vitamin D deficiencies are common in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and serum levels of zinc, copper, and vitamin D appear to correlate with hormonal status, concluded a recent cross-sectional, case-control study.

Intramuscular anti-D and intravenous anti-D administered in the 28th week of pregnancy are equally effective for the prevention of Rhesus alloimmunization during pregnancy, according to a new intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group.

The modern gynecologist needs to be aware of the possibility of cervical ectopic pregnancy, since interventions like dilatation and curettage performed for an incomplete abortion can be catastrophic.

Serial compression ultrasonographic testing in conjunction with Doppler imaging can reliably rule out blood clots in the legs of women who are pregnant, according to new study findings.

When a patient’s pregnancy test is positive but ultrasound is inconclusive, a stepwise approach is essential to make an accurate-and timely-diagnosis.

A study presented on February 16 at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual meeting in San Francisco, California, found that around-the-clock labor and delivery (L & D) coverage decreased the odds of cesarean delivery in certain populations of patients in California.

Immediate start of hormonal contraception may reduce unintended pregnancies and increase method continuation, but the evidence is limited, according to the findings of an intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group.

Between 70 and 90 percent of women carrying a fetus diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome choose to abort. Is terminating a fetus diagnosed with Down syndrome the same as terminating a fetus because of its gender?

Monitoring uterine contractions with internal tocodynamometry (IT) versus external tocodynamometry (ET) results in similar maternal and neonatal outcomes in women whose labor is induced or augmented with oxytocin.

Preconception genetic carrier testing has become more widely available and affordable, but is not always routinely recommended by physicians. Do you encourage it among patients planning to conceive?

This 53 year-old woman has a uterine lesion and irregular bleeding. Which of the following is the correct diagnosis?

Patients with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy who had a cesarean section were more likely to experience persistent pain 6 months after delivery than patients who delivered vaginally, according to a new follow-up study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

New drugs, new research, new guidelines… there’s a lot for ob/gyns to look forward to in the coming year. Here, the leaders of seven ob/gyn societies share the most interesting, important, exciting things on their radar for 2013.

From ASRM’s removal of the ‘experimental’ label from the procedure of oocyte cryopreservation, to discoveries into the complex genetic processes involved in ovarian cancer, 2012 was another important year in ob/gyn research. Here, the leaders of seven major ob/gyn societies reflect on the most exciting research of the last year.

An independent panel convened by the NIH has concluded that the name “polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)” causes confusion and is a barrier to progress in the realms of both research and effective patient care.

This middle aged lady had a history of pelvic pain. She was previously diagnosed with a suspected fibroid. What’s your diagnosis based on these uterine images?

In lower-segment cesarean deliveries, blunt dissection of the uterine incision is associated with less blood loss than sharp dissection, according to the findings of a recent systematic review and meta-analysis.

What is your diagnosis based on these 3rd trimester fetal images?