New Products

Cleared for sale by the FDA, a product offering the first at-home fertility screening tests for both men and women is coming soon to major retailers for over-the-counter sale-perhaps as early as mid-May.

The male test measures the concentration of motile sperm, while the female test is a lateral flow dipstick that measures day 3 FSH in urine as an indicator of ovarian reserve. Results can be read in less than 90 minutes. Each test can quickly identify individuals who have fertility issues, helping them receive professional care earlier. For more information, your patients can visit http:// http://www.Fertell.com/. The Web site also has a section for clinicians that provides clinically relevant information.

The Baby Be Mine Maternity Belly Band permits pregnant patients to wear their prepregnancy clothes longer. Inspired by a similar band that's been on the market in Europe for some 15 years, the product also makes maternity clothing more comfortable, and is helpful for new moms and nursing mothers who wish to cover their "bellies" while lifting their tops to breastfeed newborns.

Available in three prepregnancy sizes online and at various specialty shops, Belly Band also comes in a variety of fabrics. For more information or to purchase, patients can visit the company Web site at http:// http://www.babybeminematernity.com/ or http:// http://www.amazon.com/.

MiraLAX goes over-the-counter

Prescription-strength MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350) is now available over-the-counter for occasional constipation. The product works with the body to increase the frequency of bowel movements without causing the side effects of cramps and gas. MiraLAX allows a comfortable, easy, and complete bowel movement by bringing the body back to its natural rhythm using the body's own water to gently increase bowel movement frequency and to soften stool, according to Schering-Plough Health Care Products (Kenilworth, N.J.). Once a day, the user completely dissolves the powder in any common beverage (water, coffee, tea, juice). The company adds that more than twice as many women as men suffer from constipation. For more information, visit http:// http://www.miralax.com/.

Tool for ob/gyns aims to reduce delivery room errors

The Intelligent Patient Record for Obstetrics (IPR_OB) is designed to prevent medical errors and improve patient safety in the delivery room, according to E&C Medical Intelligence, Inc., a provider of risk reduction and clinical quality improvement systems and services.