Pregnancy and Birth

A study finds that esketamine during cesarean delivery may reduce postpartum depression risk, though further research is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

A new study presented at the SMFM 2025 Pregnancy Meeting found that homicide and suicide are the leading causes of maternal death in the United States.

"Our findings support the recommendation of a healthy diet based on the current guidelines (as measured by the HEI) during pregnancy, since it may reduce patterns of infant growth outside reference ranges."

The findings of the study suggest HS is associated with pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes for both mothers and offspring.

A population-based time-series analysis California before, during and after legalization show a rising trend in women using cannabis while pregnancy especially when the state has legalized the drug.

Reunion Neuroscience is enrolling patients in its phase 2 RECONNECT trial to assess a single-dose synthetic psychedelic to treat the depressive symptoms of PPD.

An analysis from Harvard shows there is no significantly increased newborn risk when continuing metformin to treat type 2 diabetes in pregnant women.

A recent study found that obese patients undergoing induction of labor experienced similar delivery times regardless of whether they received 50 μg or 25 μg of vaginal misoprostol, though multiparous patients showed faster delivery with the higher dosage.

National survey data presented at ACOG 2024 shows many medical students applying for OB/GYN residencies prioritized states with abortion access.

According to a poster presented at ACOG 2024, use of the synthetic opioid buprenorphine depressed fetal breathing in biophysical profile assessments, but had no significant impact on other factors like amniotic fluid index or fetal tone.

New ACOG 2024 data suggest SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to a higher likelihood of preeclampsia, as well as more severe disease.

Preventing congenital syphilis comes down to quick diagnosis and treatment of the infection in pregnancy, and the number of missed opportunities to do so in the United States continues to grow.

In a poster presented at ACOG 2024, investigators found that mean placental weight was higher in patients with asthma, and that pregnancy hormone levels do differ based on asthma status.

A pair of studies from AUA 2024 show neither drinking nor vaping by either parent is associated with significantly increased risk of a spontaneous abortion.

New data show women of specific race and ethnicity may more be adversely affected by the changing state-level laws on abortion access.

Learn how a mandatory elective single-embryo transfer policy in publicly funded in vitro fertilization programs significantly decreases multifetal pregnancy rates, offering insights into mitigating risks in assisted reproduction.

A recently published study in JAMA sought to determine if there is a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children’s risk of developing autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities.

Recent research highlights an association between cesarean delivery at full dilation and increased risk of subsequent preterm birth, prompting further investigation into childbirth practices and outcomes.

A recent study dissected the relationships between maternal nativity, ethnicity, and race in influencing preterm birth rates, shedding light on disparities and suggesting avenues for future research.

Investigating the potential association between second-stage cesarean delivery and heightened preterm birth risk revealed significant findings amidst concerns of bias, urging further exploration.

A recent systematic review highlighted a half-dozen methods to improve antenatal STI screening in low- and middle-income countries in need of better options.

Recent research highlighted an association between the total dose of prescribed opioids during pregnancy and the heightened risk of spontaneous preterm birth, emphasizing the need for judicious opioid use in pain management for expectant mothers.

A cohort analysis suggests autism may be poorly diagnosed among expectant mothers—and linked to poor birth outcomes.

Review some of the top stories from the Contemporary OB/GYN website over the last week, and catch up on anything you may have missed.

A comprehensive study reveals variations in monitoring low-risk cesarean delivery rates across 5 metrics, emphasizing the significance of timely and accurate assessment from birth certificate data.

A recent study revealed vaginal progesterone offers no significant reduction in preterm birth risk for twin gestations, prompting reconsideration of its proposed efficacy.

A comprehensive cohort study explored the impact of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines administered within 3 months before conception, revealing reassuring findings that neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth and NICU admission, remain unaffected.

A recent study unveils a pragmatic model, incorporating factors such as insulin requirements, preeclampsia, and maternal age, to effectively predict primary cesarean delivery risk in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus.

A 755% increase in reported cases since 2012 highlights the need for timely testing and treatment to prevent maternal and infant health risks.

A recent study in JAMA Network Open investigates the impact of extrauterine placental perfusion versus delayed cord clamping on hematocrit levels in newborns, shedding light on potential alternatives for optimizing infant outcomes during birth.