Pregnancy and Birth

A large, retrospective study confirms that birth at age ≥ 40 confers a heightened risk of preterm birth (PTB) (< 37 weeks) and very preterm birth (< 32 weeks). 

Women who undergo loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 and subsequently deliver are at increased risk for preterm birth (PTB), according to recently published research. 

An ob/gyn shares her experience with implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and its effect on patient care at her institution

Women at increased risk for trisomy 21 who have suffered previous miscarriages and have a lower level of education are those most likely to refuse amniocentesis during pregnancy, according to new research.

A study by investigators from New England suggests that a mother’s diet during pregnancy and lactation may have an impact on the microbiome in her infant’s gut. PLUS: Are prenatal vitamin D levels tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes? ALSO: Results of a survey-based study of attending surgeons shows that they play a major role in whether women with breast cancer receive genetic testing.

Ob/gyns must be ready to move quickly when a patient exhibits the sudden and unexpected signs of anaphylactoid syndrome (ASP).

An analysis by Danish investigators published in JAMA shows that taking oral fluconazole during pregnancy is associated with a significant increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Plus: What persuades parents to vaccinate for HPV? Also: Does prenatal exposure to lithium increase risk of congenital malformations?

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the United States can be eliminated with the help of obstetricians.

A patient filed a lawsuit on behalf of her child alleging negligence by her obstetrician in delaying the delivery when she was in the hospital contracting and had severe abdominal pain. Thus, her uterus was allowed to rupture, which caused the child’s severe brain injury. Plus more malpractice cases.

A recent study compared pretreatment with mifepristone followed by treatment with misoprostol against treating with misoprostol alone for the management of  first-trimester pregnancy loss. Plus: Are patients less satisfied with MDs who reduce opioids? Also: Does infant exposure to hypertensive disorders or pregnancy affect neurodevelopment?

Altered maternal vaginal microbiota composition contributes to the pathophysiology of preterm birth (PTB), according to a study of two racially distinct cohorts of US pregnant women.

In cases of very preterm birth, waiting at least 2 minutes to clamp the umbilical cord, coupled with immediate neonatal care with the cord intact, improved outcomes, according to a multicenter study.

The first birth from a groundbreaking trial of in utero stem cell transplantation suggests that fetal therapy may be a viable new option for alpha thalassemia (ATM). Plus: Why do vasomotor symptoms bother some women long after menopause? Also: Does CPAP improve sexual QOL in women with sleep apnea?

Results of a UK study show that while intrauterine infection may contribute to preterm birth (PTB), a reproducible “preterm placental microbiome” does not exist. Plus: Depression in the male partner of couples being treated for infertility was linked to lower pregnancy chances, according to results of a recent study.

A recent study shows that mothers exposed to moderate to high levels of caffeine during pregnancy may give birth to infants that gain excess weight in early childhood. Plus: How does ART affect risk of stillbirth? Also: A study found that obese African-American women have significantly lower energy expenditure per kilogram of mass compared to obese white women with similar energy intake and physical activity levels.

Maternal chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a 16% increase in risk of preterm birth (PTB), with substantial heterogeneity, according to an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test alone had a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 97.2% in predicting spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in symptomatic twin pregnancies, according to a small pilot study of 40 women.

In 2012, a Virginia woman began receiving prenatal care for her seventh pregnancy, during which she was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and obesity. During the delivery, shoulder dystocia was encountered. The baby's right arm was noted to be limp and she was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury. The woman sued those involved with the delivery, claiming that during the course of her care, the history, physical examinations, and tests showed she had an increased risk for encountering shoulder dystocia during a vaginal delivery.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading contributors to maternal mortality worldwide. This review describes hypertension-related maternal mortality in the United States and key strategies to improve outcomes.

Cutting-edge medical advances and innovative technologies have made headlines and continue to flourish in the new millennium. However, these medical achievements stand in stark contrast to the paradoxical increase in US maternal mortality, which is among the highest of all developed nations.

Women with endometriosis at first singleton pregnancy are about 1.5 times more likely to have a preterm birth (PTB), according to a meta-analysis.