Pregnancy and Birth

Over the years, researchers and clinicians have made great strides in reducing the number of maternal deaths associated with cardiac disease, infection, and hemorrhage.

A complete uterine rupture is a tear through the thickness of the uterine wall at the site of a prior cesarean incision. It is a potentially life threatening condition for both the mother and/or the baby and requires immediate surgical intervention.

In most term pregnancies, the fetus will be in the vertex, or "head-down," position at delivery. When the fetus is not in this position, it is referred to as breech. Early in pregnancy the breech position is common.

A healthy placenta is the single most important factor in producing a healthy baby. The placenta, which is in fact part of the fetus, is critical for all aspects of pregnancy from implantation to delivery. As early as three days after fertilization, the trophoblasts, the major cell type of the placenta, begin to make human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone which insures that the endometrium will be receptive to the implanting embryo.

Diagnostics in the OB/GYN Setting

Whenever I think about women's health delivery I am struck with apparent confusion of roles that currently exists among the various providers. To understand this problem a review of the dramatic events in women's health in the 20th century is necessary.

Grief is an emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual response to loss. The depth and the complexity of grief often feel overwhelming and baffling. Unfortunately, arming ourselves with knowledge about grief does not reduce the depth of grief, nor simplify grief.

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) is issuing the first new guidelines in more than a decade for managing asthma during pregnancy. The report reflects new medications that have emerged and updates treatment recommendations for pregnant women with asthma based on a systematic review of data on the safety of asthma medications during pregnancy.

A substance found in the urine of pregnant women can be measured to predict the later development of preeclampsia, according to research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

Cigarette smoking is one of the most dangerous activities encountered during pregnancy. It is also the largest preventable cause of death and illness among American women in general. It is estimated that over 22 million women in this country smoke, and among women of reproductive age (those between the ages of 15-45), almost one-third are smokers.

Of all the aches, pains, and discomforts of pregnancy, morning sickness is probably one of the most dreaded. Up to 80% of all pregnancies will be affected by some degree of nausea and vomiting. Although this can happen at any time during the day, the mornings tend to be especially troublesome for most pregnant women. Although the exact cause is not known for sure, most likely it is related to the rising levels of hormones associated with the pregnancy.

The inability to easily remove Norplant has surely frustrated many physicians and patients. We have developed a technique for removal of these implants that simplifies this time-consuming procedure.

Almost 25% of the babies born in this country are delivered by cesarean section. Of these cesarean deliveries, one-third are repeat cesarean sections. In the past, it was believed that once a woman had a cesarean section, that all of her subsequent deliveries should also be cesarean. However, the current medical opinion is that most of these women can attempt a natural, vaginal delivery.

It is not always necessary for pregnant women to give up their exercise routines. In fact, studies have demonstrated that mild to moderate amounts of exercise could result in certain benefits such as shorter labors, less preterm deliveries, less cesarean deliveries, and less fetal distress during labor. Proper exercise programs could also increase your daily energy levels, and improve your quality of sleep.

One of the most devastating events in a couple's life is the loss of their baby through a miscarriage or stillbirth. Even though magazines and other media sources have begun discussing this sensitive subject, most people are unaware that a high number of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, usually during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common and frustrating problem for up to 3/4 of all pregnant women. Although this is commonly called "morning sickness," many pregnant women report nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Surprisingly, even though the symptoms may make a pregnant woman miserable, morning sickness only rarely causes serious problems for the mother or her baby.

One of the most controversial topics in modern obstetrics is cesarean section. Cesarean section refers to a major surgical procedure where a baby is removed from the uterus by making a cut into the abdomen, then into the uterus.

About 25% of all babies in the United States are born by cesarean delivery, creating a situation where many women have to choose whether or not to have a repeat c/section, or to undergo an attempt at vaginal delivery for their next pregnancy. In medical terminology this is called a "vaginal birth after cesarean," or VBAC, and is pronounced "V-BACK."

Sometimes, your Ob/gyn will propose you an induction of the labour. Let's see now why this can be proposed, and how. We can distinguish two kinds of labour induction,1st: the medical reasons , and 2nd: the convenience reasons.

Miscarriages are a very frequent complication of pregnancy. 15%% of pregnancies are end with a miscarriage, but with this rate, the very early (and unknown ones) are not included, and the real rate is estimated to be 30%%.

The following story is a composite of many situations I have witnessed in twenty-two years as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.The names and events are fictitious; but similar situations often arise.

Research presented at the ASRM's meeting shows that women at risk of unintended pregnancy are using some form of contraception. However there is a tendency for user dependent, short term contraception which has a higher failure rate than long term reversible contraception.

ICP, otherwise known as Obstetric Cholestasis (OC), refers to a specific liver condition in which the normal flow of bile is impaired in a woman's body resulting severe itching and more rarely, jaundice.

So you're having a baby! Time for prenatal appointments, eating for two and...childbirth classes? Funky breathing patterns to remember and embarrassing “practice” contractions - who needs it? Well, whether it's your first baby or your fifth, everyone can benefit from a good childbirth education series.

OBGYN.net Interview with David Augustus Nagey, MD, OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor, Pregnancy & Birth

European principles of giving birth were first introduced into the Pacific by missionaries in the early nineteenth century as part of their belief in civilising the local population. Formal medical practices were not introduced until some forty years later; then they were based only in the urban centres, almost unreachable for many Fijian women from their villages.

I would like to share with you my most recent experience with a VBAC case and give some of my own reactions and comments. A 26 y/ G3P2 is admitted at term in dyskinetic labor to the hospital with ruptured membranes.

Pregnancy loss can be emotionally devastating to both mother and father. Frequently, the response tends to be why me, and what could we have done differently? It is important for these couples to realize that the miscarriage is usually not a result of something that they have done, it is also important for them to realize that they are not alone.

Ectopic Pregnancy is a potentially fatal condition if not diagnosed and treated on time. The incidence of Abdominal Pregnancy is 1.4% of all ectopic pregnancy, of which Primary Intrahepatic Pregnancy constitutes only 0.03 %.

Evidence-based Ways to Prevent Prematurity Caused by Infection Including Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)