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Women with diabetes can bring a host of medical complications to their pregnancy. Recently, research has shown that cesarean section rates are higher in women with diabetes, and some estimates note that more than half of those C-sections are emergency operations and not elective procedures.

These are ultrasound images from a normal 3rd trimester fetus. What fetal anatomy do you see?

It used to be that the only way to get new clinical material was to purchase textbooks. Today you can use your iPad, Kindle, or on-line subscriptions to medical journals.

Endometriosis affects as many as 6% of the general population. While some women with endometriosis remain asymptomatic, many women experience dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-cyclical pelvic pain, and subfertility. Now, new research indicates that patients with endometriosis are also more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease.

Since the debate about the safety of hormone replacement therapy began, researchers, patients, and clinicians have searched for a safe alternative to help alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause. Now, a small study in Italy suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may be a solution.

Synopsis: In this protocol, Dr. Catalano reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of obesity in pregnancy. Included are guidelines for avoiding obesity-related complications in pregnancy, notes on postpartum follow-up, and a list of seminal reports in this subject area. As the author notes, pregnancy offers a woman the unique opportunity to affect her long-term health and that of her offspring. The ultimate treatment of obesity during pregnancy lies in preventing further weight gain. This can be achieved by avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy and implementing lifestyle measures to attain a more normal body mass index (BMI) prior to the next pregnancy. Based on preliminary evidence, achieving these measures also may have both short- and long-term benefits for the offspring.

The offspring of women who receive inhaled glucocorticoid medications to treat asthma during pregnancy may have a significantly increased risk of endocrine and metabolic disorders, according to a population-based cohort study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Decreases in bone mineral density and an increased risk of arthritis may be linked to bilateral oophorectomy, according to new research presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Acute-onset hypertension lasting 15 minutes or longer in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia is a hypertensive emergency that requires antihypertensive treatment, according to a new Committee Opinion of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College).

In further response to the Safety Communication issued by the FDA in July 2011 regarding the use of vaginal mesh, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) jointly state that the use of vaginal placement of synthetic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) should be reserved for high-risk women for whom the benefits may outweigh the risks.

The first line of therapy for treating psoriasis in pregnant and breastfeeding women should be topical treatment with moisturizers and emollients, such as petroleum jelly, because these products cause no known adverse effects.

Pregnancy may be complicated by diabetes in two distinct forms: Gestational diabetes mellitus and Pre-gestational diabetes. This educational tutorial goes over classification, screening tests, risk factors, the effects of diabetes and more.

Lymphedema, swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, can occur as a result of surgical or radiation therapy associated with breast cancer treatment. Since some research has shown that exercise after breast cancer treatment has been associated with developing lymphedema, clinicians often advise patients to avoid exercising. But is this truly necessary?

These ultrasound images show right hydroureter with hydronephrosis. What else do you see and what is the cause?

A 68 year old woman had been referred for treatment of a fibroid tumor. Due to the size she was unable to stand or walk, had dyspnea and dysuria.

The fibroid is a tumor that is very frequently encountered in the uterus on both clinical examinations as well as on routine pelvic sonography.

This is the case of a routine ultrasound examination at 31 weeks gestation.

William Parker, MD discusses the use of MRI in diagnosing and managing uterine fibroids. Dr. Parker's upcoming Clinical Opinion article, “The utility of MRI for the surgical treatment of women with uterine fibroid tumors”, will be published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2012.

Microlaparoscopy is a useful tool in diagnosing various causes of pelvic pain. In this tutorial, get the basics on conscious pain mapping in gynecological surgery.

Is single incision surgery worth the increased cost, learning curve and operative time? Is it more advantageous than a standard laparoscopy?

A history of high blood pressure may be indicative of future physical as well as psychiatric problems, according to a new study published in General Health Psychiatry. The study found an association between preexisting hypertension, but not pregnancy-induced hypertension, and risk for depression.

According to some sources, there are as many as 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually in the US, making it the most common nonobstetrical surgical procedure among women in the US. While the procedure itself is relatively safe, we need to ask what are the long-term effects of a hysterectomy?

Lead researcher Dr Janet McLaren discusses the results of a new study exploring new concerns that rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease may lead to premature ovarian failure and early menopause.

What is your diagnosis of this ultrasound image?

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In an effort to clarify any misinterpretations of previous statements, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), along with other medical and clinician groups, issued an update regarding the use of Makena (Ther-Rx Corporation; Bridgeton, Missouri) and compounded 17a-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P).

Most gynecologic problems require multidisciplinary treatment. An often-overlooked modality is formalized physical therapy provided by individuals trained in the treatment of gynecologic problems.

In their role as primary care physician for some women, ob/gyns must be aware of the pathophysiology, management, and prevention of urolithiasis to ensure prompt and appropriate treatment.

In short, available evidence suggests that home births are a calculated gamble that nothing will go wrong, but they occasionally sacrifice safety for aesthetics.

One letter writer said the following: ""I have long believed that the use of Barton's forceps to facilitate the delivery of the head during a cesarean delivery is a superior technique, and very much appreciated the discussion by Drs. Obican, Brunner, and Larsen in the September 2011 issue of Contemporary OB/GYN.""