Articles tagged with Obstetrics
A study led by the Institute for Systems Biology found that unvaccinated pregnant people with COVID-19 are more likely to have poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth and stillbirth. The risk of these outcomes is particularly high for infections during the first or second trimester.
A new study found high rates of trauma for mothers and babies from forceps and vacuum deliveries, with over 25% of forceps deliveries resulting in severe perineal tears. Researchers call for a reassessment of the safety of these birthing practices.
A NIH-funded study discovered a small, temporary increase in menstrual cycle length among women receiving COVID-19 vaccine. The average increase was less than one day, with no change in bleeding days.
A large observational study found that children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques (ART) have generally good mental health throughout adolescence and young adulthood. However, those born after ART had a slightly elevated risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which was explained by parental background factors.
A UBC-led study found no increase in abortion-related health complications after Canada removed mifepristone restrictions. The study examined 315,000 abortions in Ontario between 2012 and 2020 and showed that abortion continued to be safe and effective with mifepristone prescribed without restrictions.
A study of over 200,500 women found an increased risk of death in younger pre-menopausal women when ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed during surgery. In contrast, the procedure is safer for older post-menopausal women, whose ovaries have already stopped producing estrogen.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) baby in subsequent pregnancies. The research analyzed data from nearly 17,000 mothers who received antenatal care for their first two pregnancies and found that women who smoked at the start of eith...
Researchers found that COVID-19 infection in mothers leads to distinct immune changes in babies, including altered cytokine profiles and T cell responses. The study also identified potential correlations with clinical complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
A recent study reveals that child maltreatment is associated with altered oxytocin gene methylation, leading to atypical brain structures and function. This finding suggests a potential biological mechanism for targeting during adolescence to improve the lives of victims of childhood abuse.
A UC study found that Ohioans consider various factors beyond distance and cost when selecting an abortion clinic, including personal experiences, online reviews, and clinic type. The research highlights the importance of social myths and risk perception in shaping choices about abortion care.
Researchers found that low-to-moderate caffeine intake was associated with a reduced risk of developing gestational diabetes. Drinking up to 100mg of caffeine per day during the second trimester showed a 47% reduction in diabetes risk.
A prospective-longitudinal study found that pregnant women with lower emotional stability and personality traits tend to have worse subjective birth experiences. Unexpected events like Caesareans can exacerbate these negative experiences.
A new smartphone app, MyHealthyPregnancy, evaluates preeclampsia risk and patient adherence to low-dose aspirin recommendations. The study found that 37% of high-risk patients were unaware they needed to take the medication, highlighting a need for improved communication between providers and patients.
A recent study published in the journal Birth found that family physicians deliver babies in 67% of rural hospitals and are the only physicians who deliver babies in 27% of them. If they stopped, patients would have to drive an average of 86 miles round-trip to access maternal care.
A new study found that pregnant and lactating women need to adhere closely to recommended COVID-19 vaccine schedules to attain full antibody protection. Key antibody functions are delayed in these groups following the initial dose, but the second dose induces robust antibody responses similar to those in nonpregnant women.
A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-led study found that most US obstetric hospitals deliver fewer than 500 babies per year, with approximately 2.5 million infants born at low-volume hospitals between 2010 and 2018. Nearly a fifth of these low-volume hospitals are isolated from other obstetric hospitals, with over half located in rur...
A recent study analyzing over 10,000 community births in Washington state between 2015 and 2020 found that planned home births with licensed midwives are as safe as births at a licensed birth center. The research team discovered no increased risk for parents or babies associated with the birth setting.
A study of over 29,000 American women found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of postpartum depression. Women who breastfed for longer periods had lower rates of postpartum depression, with those breastfeeding for 6-12 months showing the greatest reduction.
Researchers analyzed a nine-county birth certificate database in New York state from 2005 to 2018, finding associations between redlined areas and increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. The study's findings highlight the ongoing impact of historical racism on current health disparities.
Scientists identified a rare genetic condition affecting prenatal development, leading to lifelong disabilities in children. They discovered a potential method to prevent the condition by administering a drug during pregnancy, which boosted Wnt signaling and restored normal growth in mouse embryos.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing preeclampsia. Women with SARS-CoV-2 infection had a 62% higher odds of developing preeclampsia than those without the infection.
A new study by UCLA researchers reveals that respiratory emissions produced during labor and vaginal delivery can increase the risk of respiratory disease transmission. The findings support the recommendation of providing full PPE, including N95 masks, to healthcare workers in labor and delivery units to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
A recent study found that breastfeeding mothers who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines experienced temporary symptoms such as pain and swelling at the injection site, chills, muscle/body aches, fever, and vomiting. The study also reported no serious side effects in breastfed infants.
A team of researchers is developing a smartphone-based device that can predict the size of aortic aneurysms and detect fluid overload in postpartum women. The device uses arterial waveforms, which can be easily recorded with a smartphone camera or smart scale, to provide a non-imaging solution for AA screening.
A Wayne State University researcher has been awarded a $1.93 million NIH grant to investigate the impact of maternal immunoglobulin D on infant immune protection against food allergies. The study aims to elucidate the mechanisms of placental IgD transfer and its potential as a prophylactic fetal immune education cue.
Researchers review advancements in biosensing technologies for neonatal sepsis diagnosis, highlighting the need for faster and more accurate methods. Biosensors offer a promising solution, detecting multiple parameters simultaneously with high sensitivity and accuracy.
A new blood test using a nanotech device can detect the risk of placenta accreta spectrum disorder, a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur during pregnancy. The test was found to be 79% accurate in confirming its presence and 93% accurate in ruling it out.
A new ultrasonic method improves fetal weight prediction accuracy by analyzing three-dimensional limb volumes and abdominal circumferences. The algorithm outperforms traditional formulas in predicting macrosomia and birth weights.
Researchers found that the proportion of non-white residents increased among obstetrics and gynecology, surgical, and nonsurgical training programs. The study suggests improvements in diversity and inclusion efforts are needed to address racial and ethnic disparities in medical education.
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome of babies is established during and after birth, not before. The study suggests a person's relationship with their own gut bacteria is most important in early life.
A study from Boston Medical Center found that using indicative language when recommending HPV vaccination boosts vaccine acceptance and conversation efficiency while preserving patient satisfaction. This approach resulted in a nine-fold increase in vaccine acceptance and shorter vaccine discussions compared to elective styles.
The Penn Center for Multi-Scale Molecular Mapping of the Female Reproductive System will create a comprehensive resource for women's health by documenting the molecular characteristics of individual cells in the female reproductive system.
A 12-year study in Alabama found that rural counties with in-county obstetrical care had significantly better infant birth outcomes, including lower infant mortality rates and fewer underweight deliveries. The lack of access to obstetrical care was also associated with higher percentages of underrepresented minority residents.
A recent study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found no association between the number of in-person health care visits and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant patients. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 women who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggests that necessary in-person care can be safely performed.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found a significant decline in emergent medical, surgical, and obstetric hospitalizations during the early phase of COVID-19. The study reported a 35% decrease in weekly hospitalizations overall and a 45% decrease in hospitalizations not related to COVID-19.
The majority of women's healthcare units in the UK have adapted well to the initial COVID-19 outbreak, but there are concerns about long-term planning to prevent health issues from developing. Women's healthcare units provide essential services such as maternity, antenatal and gynaecology care.
A study published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology examined the effect of the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) on stillbirth rates. The findings suggest that other public health measures are responsible for the decline in stillbirth rate in Scotland, not the GAP program.
A study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that women who underwent weight loss surgery between pregnancies had lower risks of hypertension and preterm birth in their second pregnancy. The likelihood of adverse outcomes did not decrease to the level observed in the general population.
A new paper provides an updated national birth weight reference for the United States using the most recent, nationally representative birth data. The study aims to improve clinical indicator of morbidity and long-term health outcomes in children and their mothers by addressing previous limitations.
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 study of 102,236 deliveries in France found that higher staffing levels for obstetricians and midwives were associated with lower cesarean delivery rates. A 10% increase in staff levels was linked to a 2.5% decrease in intrapartum cesarean deliveries and a 3.4% decrease in elective cesarean deliveries.
Researchers found that hospitals with government ownership and lower delivery volumes had the poorest outcomes for both mothers and babies. Jointly considering morbidity outcomes for mom and baby is the best way to measure a hospital's obstetrics program quality.
A large Canadian study published in CMAJ found that trauma to both mother and baby during vaginal deliveries, especially forceps deliveries, has increased. The rate of severe perineal tearing accounted for 87% of the cases of obstetric trauma among operative vaginal deliveries.
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 study by UC San Francisco found that one in six women who underwent elective egg freezing experienced regret, despite being empowered by the procedure. Women with lower egg yields and inadequate information about the process were more likely to express regret.
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.
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.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that conception during intrauterine device (IUD) use is associated with higher risks of preterm delivery, low birth weight babies, bacterial infections, and fetal loss. The study tracked 221,800 deliveries over a 23-year period.
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...
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.
Physician burnout rates are alarmingly high, affecting up to 75% of younger clinicians. Simple approaches like taking breaks, exercising, and practicing relaxation techniques can reduce stress and fatigue. The key is early diagnosis and intervention, with awareness of symptoms and the use of stress reduction techniques.
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.
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.
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 study establishes World Health Organization fetal growth charts using ultrasound measurements during pregnancy in 10 countries. The research found that natural variation in fetal growth differed significantly between countries and was influenced by maternal age, height, weight, and parity, as well as fetal sex.
A study in CMAJ found that closure of planned obstetric services in BC did not affect rates of adverse outcomes or serious adverse outcomes during labor and delivery. Higher-risk deliveries occurred at larger hospitals before closures took place, explaining the lack of impact on event rates.
Despite full standard investigation, the cause remains unknown in most stillbirth cases. The study highlights the need for further research to improve post mortem techniques to better detect a cause of death. New techniques may help support families and reduce the impact of identifying small babies as a risk factor.
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 multicenter cohort study found no differences in Apgar scores, cord pH, or postpartum bleeding between out-of-hours and in-hours deliveries. However, women who delivered out-of-hours had slightly lower rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery.
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.