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The current treatment of mild gestational diabetes mellitus results in fewer cases of preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and macrosomia but seems to have no effect on neonatal hypoglycemia or future poor metabolic outcomes, concluded a systematic review and meta-analysis.

After rising steadily for nearly a decade, the rate of cesarean deliveries appears to have stabilized, according to a new report (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db124.pdf) from the National Center for Health Statistics. New guidelines and policies encouraging longer gestations have led to a trend of cesarean deliveries occurring more frequently at 39 weeks than at 38 weeks.

Use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing at 10 weeks’ gestation to routinely screen for trisomies 21, 18, and 13 is achievable and it yields lower false-positive rates compared with combined testing. The downside, however, is that abnormal results must be validated by chorionic villus sampling (CVS), according to new research in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

FDA has approved low-dose paroxetine capsules (Brisdelle, Noven Pharmaceuticals), 7.5 mg/day, for treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause, also referred to as hot flashes and night sweats.

The duty to nonmaleficence suggests that it might be most ethical to deny patients when what they want presents too much risk, and too little benefit--even at the expense of respecting their autonomy.

While long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) and low to moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma in pregnancy were not associated with an increased prevalence of adverse perinatal outcomes in a recent cohort study, there was a slight trend toward increased prevalence of low birthweight, premature birth, and small for gestational age infants when mothers were exposed to inhaled corticosteroids at high doses.

MRI-guided 3-dimensional brachytherapy (BT) for cervical cancer effectively delivers high-dose, tumor-specific radiotherapy with few serious adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

There is good evidence that iron supplementation during pregnancy can increase maternal hemoglobin levels, decrease the risk of maternal anemia during late pregnancy, and increase birth weight, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There are 3 major patient populations affected by recurrent pregnancy loss. An editorial by Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM.

While one expert feels that the benefits for family balance outweigh potential risks, the other is concerned that sex selection will lead to a slippery slope.

An overview of rapid screening and augmented screening techniques that impact sensitivity and a look at potential opportunities for appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis against neonatal infection.

The fact is that pregnancy is an ideal time for obese patients to make lifestyle changes.

An EHR should streamline the workflow of all who interact with it. The difficulties surrounding interoperability are the most significant obstacles to achieving a streamlined workflow.

Diagnosis and treatment involve ruling out bleeding disorders and determining the appropriate management modalities.

Making patients aware of how fertility decreases with age can be difficult, because for many patients, it is a touchy subject. Today’s ob/gyns are saying they are working to make the conversation as routine as the talk about contraception.

Compared with vaginal deliveries, cesarean sections may be associated with an increased risk of endometriosis, according to the findings of a large prospective cohort study conducted in Sweden.

On June 13, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be subject to patent.

Medicare claims data would be transparent to the public via a free, searchable database if a bill introduced June 18 becomes law. The Medicare Data Access for Transparency and Accountability Act (Medicare DATA Act) is a bipartisan effort, led by US Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore).

An international study published in PLOS Medicine shows no benefit in birthweight or infant growth for daily versus twice-weekly prenatal iron supplementation. Conducted by Australian researchers in Viet Nam, the results support intermittent rather than daily iron administration for pregnant populations with low rates of iron deficiency.

Many choose to discontinue antidepressant treatment during attempts to conceive or during pregnancy, in spite of the risks of untreated perinatal depression. Safety profiles of antidepressant use during pregnancy are increasingly being studied, and many women seek alternatives during pregnancy. This article will review several complementary and alternative (CAM) treatments for prenatal unipolar depression: omega-3 fatty acids, folate, St John’s Wort, bright light therapy, massage therapy, and exercise.

New research shows that symptoms exist in even early-stage ovarian cancer, disproving the myth that it's a "silent killer." Barbara Goff, MD, presents the latest in symptom research, tips on what physicians should be looking for, and what's on the horizon for ovarian cancer screening.

Symptoms of overactive bladder were reduced in patients who received percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), according to the results of a 3-year study.

Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for preterm delivery, according to a population-based cohort study of women in Sweden.

Research from the University of Adelaide in Australia shows that younger women are more likely to suffer depression related to urinary incontinence than are older women.