Reducing the postpartum length of stay: Implications for emergency department presentations at a tertiary women's hospital.

Aims: Postpartum length of stay (LOS) in Australian hospitals has reduced over the past three decades. Although a reduction in LOS likely reduces hospital costs in the immediate postpartum period, there is concern that this is increasing the burden on emergency services, domiciliary staff and primary care providers. The aims were to determine whether the recent reduction in LOS at an Australian tertiary obstetric hospital resulted in a change in emergency department (ED) presentations by women in the first six weeks postpartum, and newborns within the first 28 days of life.

Pregnancy reference intervals and exertion and breathlessness ratings for the six minute walk test in healthy nulliparous people.

Background: The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple, non-invasive, well-validated test that assesses cardiorespiratory fitness however is rarely used in pregnant people. It may have clinical utilization to assess fitness, breathing and exertion in pregnancy however no reference intervals exist for people 14 to 35 weeks gestation. We determined the reference intervals for distance walked for the 6MWT, including exertional and breathlessness ratings for this group.

Quantifying tidal expiratory flow limitation using a vector-based analysis technique.

. Tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is commonly identified by tidal breaths exceeding the forced vital capacity (FVC) loop. This technique, known as the Hyatt method, is limited by the difficulties in defining the FVC and tidal flow-volume (TV) loops.

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) injection into muscles of pelvic floor as a treatment for persistent pelvic pain secondary to pelvic floor muscular spasm: A pilot study.

Background: Persistent pelvic pain (PPP) remains an important cause of morbidity. Pelvic floor muscle spasm is an important contributor to PPP.

Aims: The study's primary aim was to assess if botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection to pelvic floor muscles altered pain scores or quality of life (QoL) at six, 12 and 26 weeks.