Pregnancy and Birth

These are ultrasound images of an early pregnancy.

Several recent studies have shown that the addition of secondary ultrasound markers to the combined first-trimester screening for aneuploidies, or chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), can slightly improve screening accuracy.

A study presented at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Annual Clinical Meeting indicates that as birth weight increases, progression in labor is slower in both successful trial of labor and patients who ultimately have cesarean deliveries.

A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was used to distinguish specific types of Toxoplasma gondii parasite that children acquired in the womb from their acutely infected mothers.

A jury recently awarded 78.5 million in a birth injury case.

There are multiple anomalies in these ultrasound images of a second trimester pregnancy.

Typically used for long-term contraception, the intrauterine device (IUD) is also an effective emergency contraceptive if implanted after unprotected sex. Two IUDs, which are T-shaped pieces of plastic, are available in the United States.

Two studies focusing on birth defects and fertility treatment techniques recently have been published. The finding of both studies show that certain fertility treatments are associated with increased risks of birth defects, but neither study revealed why this association occurs.

Women with opioid dependence who become pregnant are at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal complications.

A recent article published in the BMJ compared elective induction with expectant management.

What is your diagnosis of this 36 week old fetus with cardiomegaly?

Results of a new study conducted in The Netherlands found that children born post-term are at increased risk for behavioral and emotional problems, particularly attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A study that examined trends in timing of non-medically necessary elective delivery and NICU utilization indicates that the older the gestational age of the infant, the less the NICU is utilized.

Providers underestimate the intensity of patients’ pain during IUD insertion, and often misidentify the moment at which maximum pain occurs, according to a randomized trial of 200 women. Midlevel providers are slightly better at estimating pain intensity.

This is an ultrasound scan of the placenta.

Use of cervical pessary-a small, silicone, ring-shaped device inserted around the cervix-is a safe, inexpensive, and reliable alternative for preventing preterm delivery in women with a short cervix, according to the authors of a new study conducted in Spain.

The debate over Makena vs. 17p in the prevention of preterm birth continues. What do you prescribe?

Despite the widespread use of oxytocin as a prophylactic for obstetric hemorrhage, there is no clear recommendation as to the optimal dose. To provide insight into this issue, researchers conducted a double-masked randomized trial comparing two higher dose regimens with a standard dose regimen. Their results were published in a recent issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Commercial fetal DNA tests, or noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) tests, are here. Are we ready for the legal and ethical implications?

A year after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quickly and controversially green-lighted the pre-term birth prevention drug Makena® to compete directly with long-used 17P, some arguments have cooled, but the battle for marketplace dominance continues.

Methods used during closing after a cesarean section affect intra-abdominal adhesions, according to a new study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Like many of my patients, my life revolves around information. Personally, I use the same technology as most of you to keep track of obligations and loved ones. Professionally, the Houston Fertility Center team uses technology and constant communication to manage our patients' treatment plans. In this era of digital info, we can all feel more empowered, more often, more quickly. It seems like there's always room for more information, doesn't it?

Our patient is a 30 year old female with a history of mild pain during micturition.

Laparoscopy has been shown to be a safe and effective option for many diverse pelvic organ diseases, but how does the procedure fare during pregnancy? Due to the absence of large, comparative studies in pregnancy, there has been no definitive answer to this question. Now, researchers from Korea have found that laparoscopic surgeries can be safely used in women who are pregnant. Their results have been published in The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Human papillomavirus vaccines provide still some benefit to women who have undergone treatment for HPV-related diseases, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.