Obstetrics

Preconception care is primary prevention. The goal is to affirm pregnancy intention, reduce any potential harm, and recognize modifiable risk factors related to pregnancy while stratifying pregnancies on a continuum of low- to high-risk.

A large study reaffirms that mothers with endometriosis and their babies face more complications than those without the condition.

It's never appropriate in pregnancy, says our editor in chief.

Susan C Olmstead and Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, discuss birth plans and whether there is a place for them.

With incidence of this birth defect on the rise, ob/gyns need to understand how best to spot and deal with it.

Researchers in Japan have found that endometriosis ups risks of certain complications.

Editorial Director Susan C. Olmstead talks with blogger Yalda Afshar, MD, of UCLA, about how she helps patients who want to develop birth plans.

67% of residency directors reported that a lack of faculty expertise in medical ethics was a significant barrier to their attempts to provide a more comprehensive educational process. I have a proposal for a solution to these problems: Teaching about the “house of ethics” in ob/gyn, as we do at Vanderbilt University.

Fibroids are extremely common in women of reproductive age. One large study reported that 70% of Caucasian and 80% of African-American women had at least one ultrasound- or pathology-confirmed fibroid by the end of their reproductive years. While many of these women experience no negative effects of fibroids on their reproductive function, a significant number are at increased risk of infertility, miscarriage, or poor obstetric outcomes.

Find out how to do the Z technique in ultrasound while looking for an IUD.

A study looks at whether receiving the Tdap vaccine in pregnancy increases the risk of microcephaly. Plus: Are younger or older women more at risk of stroke during pregnancy?

The 25th annual Ultrasound Update for Clinical Practice program took place December 1–4 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meeting was dedicated to Drs John Hobbins, Ilan Timor, and Stuart Campbell, well-known figures in ultrasound who are all celebrating their 80th birthdays.

Women with endometriosis who have become pregnant through use of assisted reproductive technology may face increased rates of pregnancy complications.

Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) may one day lead to early identification of fetal genetic disorders.

A 34-year-old Ohio woman was under the care of her longtime family physician, who had minor privileges to deliver uncomplicated pregnancies at a specific hospital, for her pregnancy. The woman is diagnosed with eclampsia in her third trimester and is immediately given a cesarean. After delivery, she is unresponsive having died from a massive intracranial hemorrhage. The physician is sued for fraudulently representing her abilities in obstetric care. What's the verdict?

Patients remember how you respond to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth and fetal loss.

For Contemporary OB/GYN, Dr Bobby Lazzara looks at the recent spindle nuclear transfer performed in Mexico which resulted in a child, the first one created with genetic material from 3 adults, and examines the possible implications.

Researchers looked at time to catheter expulsion and time to delivery.

A study in Israel compared mothers older and younger than 35.

A look at the frameworks for decision-making regarding reproductive choice and prenatal testing.

Changes to practice guidelines and insurance coverage are needed, the authors say.

A study examines the safety of MRI scans during pregnancy. Plus: Researchers at Florida State University identify several compound that could combat Zika.

Relative risk of stillbirth and preterm birth associated with less well-known antibodies was of similar magnitude to that found for anti-D.

On L&D units throughout the country, more and more women are being admitted with birth plans. Birth plans have become an increasingly common part of women’s prenatal preparation.

An expert commentary on Practice Bulletin No. 156: Obesity in Pregnancy.

“Women have very polarized views about induction... some are keen to be induced near their due date ... Others, however, feel that nature knows best and induction is meddlesome."

Dutch researchers reviewed data from 62,000 Rh-negative women to determine how to best detect and treat severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

An interview with the doctor behind the near-elimination of US deaths due to Rh disease.