Causes, management and outcomes of polyhydramnios at a secondary level hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Introduction: Polyhydramnios is associated with both maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. Idiopathic polyhydramnios, regardless of its severity category, was considered not to be associated with an increase in adverse outcomes. In contrast, when conditions such as congenital and chromosomal abnormalities or diabetes mellitus are detected, neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes can be up to five times higher.

Expectant management of retained abnormally adherent placenta complicated by uterine prolapse after vaginal delivery.

The placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) describes invasion and adherence of the placenta onto or beyond the myometrium. Prenatal imaging improves management outcomes. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), however, the unavailability of ultrasonography in some health facilities delays the diagnosis, particularly if the prenatal period is asymptomatic.

Does counselling improve uptake of long-term and permanent contraceptive methods in a high HIV-prevalence setting?

Background: Studies have shown a reduced uptake of contraceptive methods in HIV-positive women of childbearing age, mainly because of unmet needs that may be a result of poor promotion of available methods of contraception, especially long-term and permanent methods (LTPM).

Aim: To compare the uptake of contraceptive methods, and particularly LTPM, by HIV-positive and HIV negative post-partum mothers, and to assess the effects of counselling on contraceptive choices.

Setting: Three government district hospitals in Swaziland.