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Diagnostics in the OB/GYN Setting

Whenever I think about women's health delivery I am struck with apparent confusion of roles that currently exists among the various providers. To understand this problem a review of the dramatic events in women's health in the 20th century is necessary.

A substance found in the urine of pregnant women can be measured to predict the later development of preeclampsia, according to research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

Of all the aches, pains, and discomforts of pregnancy, morning sickness is probably one of the most dreaded. Up to 80% of all pregnancies will be affected by some degree of nausea and vomiting. Although this can happen at any time during the day, the mornings tend to be especially troublesome for most pregnant women. Although the exact cause is not known for sure, most likely it is related to the rising levels of hormones associated with the pregnancy.

It is not always necessary for pregnant women to give up their exercise routines. In fact, studies have demonstrated that mild to moderate amounts of exercise could result in certain benefits such as shorter labors, less preterm deliveries, less cesarean deliveries, and less fetal distress during labor. Proper exercise programs could also increase your daily energy levels, and improve your quality of sleep.

One of the most devastating events in a couple's life is the loss of their baby through a miscarriage or stillbirth. Even though magazines and other media sources have begun discussing this sensitive subject, most people are unaware that a high number of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, usually during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common and frustrating problem for up to 3/4 of all pregnant women. Although this is commonly called "morning sickness," many pregnant women report nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Surprisingly, even though the symptoms may make a pregnant woman miserable, morning sickness only rarely causes serious problems for the mother or her baby.

One of the most controversial topics in modern obstetrics is cesarean section. Cesarean section refers to a major surgical procedure where a baby is removed from the uterus by making a cut into the abdomen, then into the uterus.

About 25% of all babies in the United States are born by cesarean delivery, creating a situation where many women have to choose whether or not to have a repeat c/section, or to undergo an attempt at vaginal delivery for their next pregnancy. In medical terminology this is called a "vaginal birth after cesarean," or VBAC, and is pronounced "V-BACK."

So you're having a baby! Time for prenatal appointments, eating for two and...childbirth classes? Funky breathing patterns to remember and embarrassing “practice” contractions - who needs it? Well, whether it's your first baby or your fifth, everyone can benefit from a good childbirth education series.

Dr. Paul Indman demonstrates a new hysteroscope, meant to make the technology more available to and affordable for office-based gynecologists.

I would like to share with you my most recent experience with a VBAC case and give some of my own reactions and comments. A 26 y/ G3P2 is admitted at term in dyskinetic labor to the hospital with ruptured membranes.

Evidence-based Ways to Prevent Prematurity Caused by Infection Including Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Whereas the surgical approach has long been the standard of care for ectopic pregnancy, a wider range of treatment options is now available--leading to a number of questions for the OB/GYN. Our expert panelists debate the relative merits and drawbacks of methotrexate and various invasive procedures, and also discuss their preferred diagnostic approaches, in managing the patient who presents with signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.

A male nursery school teacher doesn't surprise anybody nowadays, but a lady who's asphalting the road still tangles. Mockery is often a first reaction: Queer, softy, battle-axe: a stream of abuse for men and woman who step outside their gender-scope.

Postpartum "Blues":occurs in 50-80%, onset usually between day 3 and day 14 postpartum, symptoms may persist from several days to a few weeks.

October 4 –10 was National Nurse Midwifery Week in the United States. To honor midwives all across our country and the world I have compiled a list of web sites that will educate and inspire us all. It is my wish that all who stop here take the time to visit each and every site through the month of October and reflect upon the stories and wisdom contained therein. See you next month!!

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Simone Valk, a midwife practicing in Rotterdam, Holland. Simone graciously gave of her time to share a bit about herself, the training of midwives in Holland and the general nature of maternity care in Holland. The differences between our systems of healthcare is quite evident, but I found the differences in philosophy most impressive, and sobering.

As a midwife, I am often privileged to witness displays of human emotion that seem to occur exclusively within the context of birth. There are few other transitions of life that elicit the sort of emotion, be it positive or negative, that childbirth does. At every birth I attend there is always a memorable moment, often subtle and intimate, little insights into human nature that I tuck away in my subconscious.

In the United States, nearly one in four births is a cesarean birth. Many of these cesareans are unexpected, so it is a good idea for the expectant mother to become informed and educated about the procedure before her baby arrives.

As mothers-to-be, most women imagine a picture perfect pregnancy-- mild or no morning sickness in the first weeks, and within the fourth month, the soft kicking of new life within. Along with the growing, telltale tummy of an expectant mother, comes the choosing of a name decorating a nursery, buying baby clothes, and baby showers in honor of the mommy-to-be and the impending "arrival".

All obstetricians and reproductive endocrinologists know the placenta as the uppermost important organ for normal fetal growth till maturity. This endocrinological organ can be affected by many pathological states like other maternal organs.

In contrast to the pattern seen with singleton births, twins born to older mothers do not appear to have a greater risk of birth complications than do twins born to younger mothers, according to a recent study by researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the University of Kansas.

Vaginal deliver rates after previous caesarean section have been on the increase through the 1980s and 1990s but even at the dawn of the 21st century, trial of scar remains a controversy in obstetric care.

Cesarean deliveries are now the most commonly performed abdominal surgery in the United States. In 2005, an estimated 30.3 % of all births involved C-section procedures, and preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the incidence of C-sections will continue to rise in the coming decade.

OBGYN.net spoke with Marti Perhach about her endeavors to increase awareness of Group B Strep and its effects on pregnant women and their babies. Marti is a woman who has faced the effects of GBS first hand and has shared her personal story with other parents.

Although Group B Streptococcus was first described over one hundred years ago, GBS began becoming noticed as a leading cause of infection and death in newborns only in 1961. According to the CDC, roughly 1 to 3 babies out of every 1,000 children born in the United States suffers invasive Group B Strep disease, mostly in the first week of life.

The word "ectopic" means "out of place." An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is not growing in the usual location (the uterine cavity). Ectopic pregnancies can occur in a number of abnormal locations, each with different characteristic growth patterns and treatment options.

Ectopic pregnancy, or preembryo implantation outside the endometrial cavity (i.e., fallopian tube, cervix, abdominal or pelvic cavity), is a potentially fatal condition with an incidence of ~1:150 diagnosed pregnancies.

Expect to have feelings; about the labor, the birth, towards the baby, about nursing or not, about responsibility, about your partner, etc.