A new study reveals that practicing yoga during pregnancy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced stress levels. The research also found a decrease in alpha-amylase levels, indicating a reduction in stress response.
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...
Early career family physicians with broader scopes of practice report lower burnout rates, particularly in obstetrics and inpatient medicine. This association may inform policy levers and incentives for improving healthcare systems and physician wellness.
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.
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 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 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 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...
Researchers develop 3D images of the cervix using MRI to better understand its micro-structure and how it supports pregnancy. The findings suggest a fibrous structure running along the upper part of the cervix, which provides strength and support during pregnancy.
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 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 new study documents preeclampsia's alarming rise, with the condition costing $2.18 billion in healthcare expenditure in the first 12 months after birth. Mothers and infants affected by preeclampsia face increased risks of adverse health events, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory distress syndrome.
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.
Scientists from King's College London report a significant reduction in maternal deaths due to pre-eclampsia, with less than 1 in 10,000 women dying in pregnancy. The study attributes this success to improved monitoring, diagnosis, and timely delivery, as well as the use of low-dose aspirin and antihypertensive medication.
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.
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 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.
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.
A study found that women with higher incomes and social support are more likely to choose surgery over medication for miscarriage. Patients who have been pregnant before tend to know how they want the miscarriage managed, while those without prior pregnancy rely on doctors' advice. The research emphasizes the need for evidence-based, p...
A new study found that women with a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota in their uterine cavity had significantly lower rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth compared to those with non-Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. This research suggests that the endometrial microbiome may play a crucial role in reproductive success.
A combination of the prostaglandin-like drug misoprostol and a balloon catheter could reduce delivery room time by several hours, potentially saving thousands of days of labor per year. The study found no significant differences in cesarean deliveries or medical complications between the methods.
The WSU study reveals a non-invasive testing method, Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC), that offers accuracy similar to invasive tests like amniocentesis. TRIC can be performed five to 10 weeks earlier than current testing modalities and has the potential to identify pregnancies at risk for complications.
A University of South Florida study found that placental syndromes increase women's short-term risk for cardiovascular diseases. Women with placental syndromes and poor fetal outcomes have a 45% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease within five years of their first pregnancy.
The Penn researchers have developed a placenta-on-a-chip that accurately models the transport of nutrients across the placental barrier. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize research on preterm birth by providing a unique capability to mimic and study the function of the human placenta.
UAB will receive $200,000 per year in base funds for the next five years through the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. The network focuses on addressing preterm birth through translational research, genetics, and new technologies.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that nicotine patches and Zyban are effective in helping pregnant women quit smoking, with success rates of 80% and 60%, respectively. The use of these products also reduces the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a patch made from cryopreserved human umbilical cord that may treat spina bifida in utero. The patch utilizes natural material with regenerative properties to promote local tissue growth, reducing the need for future surgeries.
A study from Northwestern University found that some FDA-approved high-risk medical devices used in obstetrics and gynecology were not effective in clinical trials. The authors recommend increasing the burden of proof required for device approval and relying on higher quality studies.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that consuming high fructose during pregnancy increases the child's risk for heart disease. The research, conducted by UTMB researchers, showed that female offspring had higher peak glucose levels, blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics identifies key factors associated with intimate partner violence, including infertility/subfertility as a risk factor in low- and middle-income countries. The research contributes to efforts to establish ways to identify individuals at risk and develop successful interventions.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that allowing women to extend labor by four hours instead of three resulted in a significant reduction of cesarean deliveries. The incidence of cesarean delivery was about 19.5 percent in the extended labor group, compared to 43 percent in the usual labor group.
A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada found that less invasive hysterectomies resulted in quicker recoveries, fewer complications, and cost savings for The Ottawa Hospital. The research showed a significant increase in minimally invasive surgeries from 40% to 74% between 2005 and 2012.
The US twin birth rate has surged over the last 30 years, partly due to reproductive technologies like IVF. Implementing single embryo transfer IVF could reduce unintended twin births by minimizing serious medical complications. This approach is recommended for insurance coverage and curtails the national twin birth rate.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found significant disparities in scholarly productivity between male and female gynecologic oncologists. Female doctors were less productive in lower academic ranks, but more productive later in their careers.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a targeted liposomal indomethacin, called LIPINDORA, which reduces preterm uterine contractions and premature delivery in near-term pregnant mice. The treatment is being tested in human uterine tissue donated from C-sections to assess its effectiveness.
A large study found that women with prehypertension late in pregnancy are more likely to give birth to underweight babies and experience stillbirths. The likelihood of having a small baby increased by 2% for each single point rise in diastolic blood pressure.