Pregnancy and Birth

Even after stratification by hospital size, teaching status, and geographic location, rates of cesarean delivery among hospitals across the United States vary almost 10-fold-from a low of 7.1% to a high of 69.96%.

For the long protocol of down regulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, are depot and daily gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) equally effective?

Physicians should recommend that their patients plan for vaginal deliveries rather than cesarean deliveries if there are no maternal or fetal indications for a cesarean. This is the position stated in a new committee opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Obstetric Practice.

A physician and a malpractice attorney discuss the merits of ‘Apology and Disclosure’ programs and their role in obstetrical practice. Do they cut costs or create trouble?

An independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to adopt a 1-step approach to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Hysteroscopic removal of polyps in women with unexplained infertility may increase their chances of becoming pregnant, concludes an intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group.

In patients with gestational diabetes mellitus, metformin is an effective alternative to insulin, according to the findings of a recent single-center randomized controlled study.

A study assessing the effectiveness of acetaminophen for neonatal pain relief found that use of acetaminophen shortly after birth may aggravate a subsequent stress response.

There is no evidence that plastic adhesive surgical drapes reduce surgical site infection rates, and some evidence that these drapes may increase infection rates, according to a third update of an intervention review and analysis conducted by the Cochrane Wounds Group.

Vitamin D deficiencies are common in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and serum levels of zinc, copper, and vitamin D appear to correlate with hormonal status, concluded a recent cross-sectional, case-control study.

Intramuscular anti-D and intravenous anti-D administered in the 28th week of pregnancy are equally effective for the prevention of Rhesus alloimmunization during pregnancy, according to a new intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group.

The modern gynecologist needs to be aware of the possibility of cervical ectopic pregnancy, since interventions like dilatation and curettage performed for an incomplete abortion can be catastrophic.

Serial compression ultrasonographic testing in conjunction with Doppler imaging can reliably rule out blood clots in the legs of women who are pregnant, according to new study findings.

When a patient’s pregnancy test is positive but ultrasound is inconclusive, a stepwise approach is essential to make an accurate-and timely-diagnosis.

A study presented on February 16 at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual meeting in San Francisco, California, found that around-the-clock labor and delivery (L & D) coverage decreased the odds of cesarean delivery in certain populations of patients in California.

Immediate start of hormonal contraception may reduce unintended pregnancies and increase method continuation, but the evidence is limited, according to the findings of an intervention review conducted by the Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group.

Between 70 and 90 percent of women carrying a fetus diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome choose to abort. Is terminating a fetus diagnosed with Down syndrome the same as terminating a fetus because of its gender?

Monitoring uterine contractions with internal tocodynamometry (IT) versus external tocodynamometry (ET) results in similar maternal and neonatal outcomes in women whose labor is induced or augmented with oxytocin.

Preconception genetic carrier testing has become more widely available and affordable, but is not always routinely recommended by physicians. Do you encourage it among patients planning to conceive?

This 53 year-old woman has a uterine lesion and irregular bleeding. Which of the following is the correct diagnosis?