Researchers at Yale University have discovered that a woman's bone marrow plays a crucial role in determining her ability to start and sustain a pregnancy. Bone marrow-derived stem cells travel to the uterus, where they help transform the uterine lining for implantation, essential for embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance.
A telemedicine program using remote blood pressure monitoring has shown promising results in engaging newly postpartum women in cardiovascular monitoring, with 88% of participants returning to the clinic for follow-up appointments. The program aims to bridge care from obstetricians to ongoing cardiovascular monitoring, empowering patie...
A 2009 trial showed inducing labor at the end of pregnancy reduced high-risk situations, benefiting both mothers and babies. In a follow-up analysis in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, this finding was corroborated, supporting the optimal management strategy for hypertensive disease.
A large international study published in EClinicalMedicine journal reveals that home births have no increased risk of baby's perinatal or neonatal death compared to hospital births. The study analyzed data from over 500,000 intended home births and similar numbers of hospital births in eight countries.
Researchers identified factors contributing to placental transfer of antibodies, including a preference for NK-activating antibodies that activate natural killer cells. This knowledge can be used to develop more effective maternal vaccines and deliver them during pregnancy to protect newborns from serious diseases like polio.
A new analysis of 997 twin pregnancies reveals that cell-free DNA testing for Down syndrome is just as accurate as in singleton pregnancies, with a detection rate of 98% and only 0.05% misdiagnosis rate. The study provides compelling evidence to recommend cfDNA testing for mothers carrying twins.
A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that Massachusetts' parental consent law for abortion leads to significant delays in care, increasing medical risks and constraining clinical options. The law requires a judicial bypass hearing for minors seeking abortions without parental consent.
A study published in Fertility and Sterility found that female reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialists make $67,000 less than their male counterparts annually. Researchers attribute the pay gap to factors such as salary compression and women's reluctance to negotiate over salary.
A major breakthrough in artificial womb technology has demonstrated its ability to support extremely preterm babies equivalent to a human fetus at 24 weeks of gestation. The study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that the technology can maintain stable, growth-normal state for five days.
A CU Anschutz study discovered a genetic component that breaks down contraceptive hormones in some women, potentially leading to pregnancy. The research may lead to the development of more precise medical tools to tailor treatment to individual patients.
Researchers developed a blood test to predict spontaneous preterm birth, focusing on proteins found in first-trimester blood samples. The test shows promise for identifying women at increased risk of preterm delivery, particularly among first-time mothers.
A Rutgers study found that Gabapentin reduces pain and improves sexual desire and satisfaction in women with vulvodynia, a condition characterized by stinging, burning, or itching at the vaginal entry point.
A decade-long study found that vaginal childbirth substantially increases the probability of developing pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse, later in life. The study also identified delivery modes associated with higher risk, including spontaneous vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery.
Researchers found that Catholic health care facilities often limit common women's health services like contraception and sterilization, and may only offer pills as a contraceptive method. The study highlights the need for further exploration of how institutional restrictions impact patient outcomes.
A new oral drug significantly reduced menstrual bleeding in over 90% of premenopausal women with fibroid tumors. Elagolix also prevented estrogen-deficiency induced side effects like hot flashes and bone loss when prescribed with hormone therapy.
An interactive online LGBT cultural competency training program improved oncologists' knowledge and clinical practices on LGBT patients. The program increased correct answers on LGBT-related knowledge items by 52% and favorable perspectives toward LGBT people by 70%.
Researchers found that neonatal birthweights increase in direct proportion with the number of births in at least 30 percent of cases. Large for gestational age (LGA) weight infants are at risk for complications and recurrence, according to a new study published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Research found that hospitals with teaching status, system affiliation, and higher volume had better TOLAC use and success rates. In contrast, low-volume and rural hospitals struggled with TOLAC use, suggesting opportunities for improvement in these regions.
Elective induction of labor in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies from 39 weeks' gestation is associated with lower complication rates. Women should be aware that induction can lead to a more prolonged and painful process.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that delayed childbearing is a significant contributor to the increase in multiple births in the US. Older women are more likely to have twins, triplets, and quadruplets, with risks increasing by three to six times depending on age and ethnicity.
A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to an earlier diagnosis of gynecologic cancers in young women, resulting in improved health outcomes and increased survival rates. The study analyzed data from the National Cancer Database and found a significant dec...
A recent study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology found that high volume gynecologic surgeons have significantly lower complication rates compared to low volume surgeons. This is especially concerning for women undergoing complex surgeries such as hysterectomies and gynecologic cancer treatments.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that the duration, not peak exposure, is key to maturing preterm lungs. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective antenatal steroid treatment, benefiting millions of families worldwide.
A study found that moderate coffee consumption during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of overweight or obesity in school-age children. Researchers suggest increasing caution and reducing caffeine intake to minimize this risk.
Women experiencing vaginal bleeding for more than one day during the first trimester may have smaller babies. Infants born to these women are at twice the risk of being small for gestational age.
Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that an app-based self-care program using acupressure reduced menstrual pain in young women by up to 58% after six months. The app, Luna, was used by participants who received either standard care or a self-acupressure intervention.
A new study found that children born to mothers with a larger waist size (80 cm or more) before pregnancy are at a 65% higher risk of developing autism. The research suggests inflammation may play a key role in this link.
Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are often not receiving the recommended preconception counseling before pregnancy. Despite this, primary care providers believe they are providing more frequent counseling than actual data suggests. The Endocrine Society's study highlights the need for improved preconception counseling rates among w...
Researchers have developed a more accurate way to screen for preeclampsia, a condition affecting 2-3% of pregnancies, which can lead to serious health effects for both mother and child. The new screening method uses biomarkers to identify high-risk women, resulting in increased detection rates for preterm-PE by up to 82%.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine provides a long-awaited baseline measure of the rate of progression of pelvic organ prolapse. The research found that pelvic organ prolapse progresses slowly, with women who gave birth vaginally being about five years ahead in progression compared to those who delivered by Caesarean section.
A new study at the University of Utah Health found that removing cost obstacles allows women to access more effective contraceptive methods. The HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative made all forms of contraception available, and participants could change methods at any time in the study, free of charge.
A new study published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that pregnant women with hypertension can safely monitor their blood pressure at home using a validated machine. The study of 108 women showed no differences in adverse maternal, fetal, or neonatal outcomes compared to those monitored in a clinic.
A study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology reveals that 64% of pregnant women experience insomnia in the third trimester, with symptoms worsening throughout pregnancy. The research highlights the importance of addressing this issue to prevent related health problems.
Research reveals exposure to air pollution during high school is correlated with menstrual cycle irregularity, potentially affecting reproductive health. The findings suggest reducing emissions could mitigate human disease implications.
Research connects preterm birth to adult heart disease by showing that fetal infection and inflammation disrupt genes crucial for normal heart development. This study uses a preterm animal model to demonstrate how inflammation can lead to incomplete heart development, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has developed a roadmap for improving the quality of ultrasound imaging in obstetrics and gynecology. A consensus curriculum and competency assessment tools have been established to standardize ultrasound training in residency programs, aiming to enhance patient safety and quality...
The Constance A. Howes Women's Health Innovation Research Fund has awarded $75,000 in grants to three Researchers from Women & Infants Hospital are advancing knowledge and care models related to women's health and gender-based research.
The article examines the persistence of continuous electronic fetal monitoring as a standard of care, despite evidence that it increases risks. It also discusses the lack of mechanisms for ensuring medical professionals stay current with best practices and the role of malpractice law in setting boundaries on acceptable interventions.
A new analysis of published studies found a 45% increased risk of congenital heart defects in IVF-conceived children compared to spontaneously conceived children. The study included 25,856 children from IVF and 287,995 from spontaneous conception, finding 1.30% and 0.68% cases of congenital heart defects respectively.
A new analysis found an approximate 80% increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth when women conceive through in vitro fertilization. This risk is significant enough to warrant ultrasound cervical screening to apply preventive strategies.
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that many women after weight-loss surgery do not follow recommended contraceptive practices. The findings highlight the need for more frequent referral to counseling for contraception guidance throughout the bariatric surgery process.
A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that epidural analgesia does not affect the duration of the second stage of labor, contrary to long-held beliefs. The research compared catheter-infused epidural anesthetic with a saline placebo and found no significant difference in duration or other outcomes.
A new meta-analysis reveals that pregnant women with endometriosis are at higher risk for complications such as preterm birth, miscarriage, and small-for-gestational-age infants. The study also shows no association between endometriosis and gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
A new study by University of Utah Health and University of New Mexico School of Medicine found that hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) do not negatively impact lactation or breastfeeding. Women who received IUDs immediately after birth were able to breastfeed just as well as those who waited several weeks.
A study of predominantly African-American women found that decreases in vaginal microbiome diversity between the first and second trimesters are associated with preterm birth. Researchers hope to design targeted therapies focused on the microbiome to prevent early delivery.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that most women who undergo a cesarean childbirth are prescribed more opioid pain medications than needed when released from the hospital. Most patients use opioids for an average of eight days after discharge, with many storing unused tablets in unlocked locations.
A new study found that home-based HPV self-sampling is an acceptable way to participate in cervical cancer screening programs. Most women chose self-sampling due to its convenience, privacy, and reduced embarrassment.
Research suggests that access to IUDs and implants immediately after childbirth increased sevenfold between 2008 and 2013, but still remains less than 2% of sterilization rates. The service is largely unavailable at non-teaching hospitals, affecting poorer women delivering in urban areas.
Researchers discovered that changing the circadian clock in mouse liver alters how the body responds to diet and changes the microbes living in the digestive tract. The study found that mice lacking a specific gene in their liver had different gut microbiomes and responded differently to weight loss diets.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a commonly prescribed drug for pregnant women with a history of early delivery provides no benefits, while potentially increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. The researchers also noted a higher rate of preterm births among those treated with the dru...
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that most women who become pregnant either stop or decrease drinking after a positive pregnancy test. The researchers suggest promoting early pregnancy awareness as an alternative to promoting alcohol abstinence among all women of childbearing age.
Treatment with vaginal progesterone significantly reduces the risk of preterm birth and related serious adverse outcomes in women pregnant with twins and have a short cervix. Women who received vaginal progesterone had a lower rate of preterm delivery and respiratory distress syndrome compared to those who did not.
A California study found that using maternal safety toolkits and collaborating across multiple healthcare organizations can effectively reduce obstetric hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. The study showed a 21% reduction in severe hemorrhage after one year and a 28% reduction in smaller hospitals.
A large national study suggests that treating pregnant women for mildly low thyroid function does not improve the IQs of their babies or reduce preterm births. The results, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found no benefit in treating the women during their pregnancies.
Researchers found that glucose supplementation shortens total labor duration by 76 minutes without increasing complication rates. This low-cost and safe intervention is recommended for women experiencing induced labor.
A new review highlights effective interventions for managing health complications from female genital mutilation, sparking further research on addressing the needs of millions affected worldwide. The World Health Organization's guidelines provide a crucial starting point, but more work remains to determine the most effective treatments.
A new healthcare model integrating obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, and behavioral health has significantly reduced the utilization of emergency services and hospital days for pregnant women and their newborns. The study found annual savings of over $800,000 for pregnant women and $1.6 million for newborns.
Researchers discovered a reduction in brain tissue and increased fluid accumulation in the upper brain of Zika-infected fetuses. The study, which included 7 cases, found a significant difference in total brain volume and intracranial volume between Zika-exposed fetuses and healthy controls.
A study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluated treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse, comparing surgery and pessary. The research found that women undergoing surgery experienced greater improvements in physical, social, emotional, and sexual functioning compared to those using a pessary.