Pregnancy and Birth

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.

This is an ultrasound scan of the pelvis in 35 year old female patient.

Research has shown that glucocorticoid administration has a significant beneficial effect for preterm births, as it decreases the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in infants delivered between 24 weeks and 34 weeks gestation, reduces the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, improves circulatory stability in premature infants, reduces the need for oxygen and ventilatory support, and reduces overall neonatal mortality.

IVF has made great strides in assisting women with infertility problems. However, many women believe that achieving pregnancy in their 40s is as simple as going to a fertility clinic.

Using only this image, describe what phase of the menstrual cycle this patient is in.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are relatively safe during pregnancy, according to new research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

I know what you're thinking: How can an issue like infertility teach us about customizing healthcare? And how can the assisted reproduction field help raise standards in women's healthcare? But it can, and it does… or it should.

These are ultrasound images from a 2nd trimester pregnancy.

Which pharmacological and nonpharmacological options are safe and effective in reducing pain during labor?

According to new research, ST analysis for intrapartum monitoring can be a helpful tool that reduces operative deliveries and the need for additional fetal blood sampling. The results were published in a recent issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) appears in 3% to 8% of in vitro fertilization cycles. Now, new research shows that cabergoline, a dopamine agonist, can be effective in preventing OHSS in this patient population.

Although uterine leiomyomas are benign tumors, its symptoms, including anemia, excessive vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure-related bowel and bladder dysfunction, recurrent miscarriage and preterm labor, can severely negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Since uterine leiomyomas are three to four times more common in African-American patients, and since African-American women have 10 times higher incidence of hypovitaminosis D than white women, researchers sought to explore the impact of vitamin D3 on uterine leiomyomas.

Poll shows ob/gyn opinions are split on the federal mandate that private insurance plans cover the cost of birth control.

New research suggests episiotomy guidelines that may help reduce the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries.

Our patient presented at 30 weeks gestation for a routine prenatal ultrasound.

Oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol show similar efficacy in their ability to control hypertensive emergencies of pregnancy, according to new research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Here are two ultrasound images taken during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

What is your diagnosis of this 3rd trimester ultrasound?

Modern society has witnessed great improvements in everyday products, often thanks to advances in chemical compounds that make products better, stronger, and the like. Unfortunately, these advances may come at a cost, as prenatal exposure to some chemical compounds may have deleterious effects on offspring.

More than one third of women in the United States will experience some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The consequences of IPV can be lifelong and include emotional trauma, long-term physical impairment, chronic health problems, and even death.

Our patient presents with 6 weeks of amenorrhea. What's your diagnosis?