Investigation of the female genital tract microbiome and its association with hydrosalpinx in women undergoing salpingectomy.

Objective: To describe the microbiome of the vagina and fallopian tubes (FT) and its relation with hydrosalpinx.

Methods: Case-control study was conducted in women who underwent salpingectomy for hydrosalpinx (case) or other indications (controls). Samples were obtained during surgery and subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and analyses of alpha diversity and beta diversity measures were compared between sites and groups.

Does the gestational age at which the glucose challenge test (GCT) is conducted influence the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?

Purpose: This study's objective is to investigate disparities in the rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis, influenced by the timing of the glucose challenge test GCT.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included women with singleton or twin pregnancies exhibiting abnormal GCT result between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, followed by an oral glucose tolerance test OGTT during the same period. Data regarding pregnancy follow-up from patients' deliveries at a singular tertiary medical from 2014 to 2022 were retrieved.

The association between striae gravidarum and perineal lacerations during labor.

Objective: Striae gravidarum (SG) and perineal lacerations are common occurrences during late pregnancy and labor. It has been hypothesized that both conditions may share a common pathophysiological pathway through changes in the connective tissue. We aimed to investigate a possible association between these two conditions and whether the presence of SG may predict perineal lacerations.

Is there a correlation between pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms during pregnancy and the duration of the second stage of labor?

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) most commonly results from weakened or injured muscles and ligaments whose purpose is to support the pelvic floor. Many studies have placed vaginal delivery and prolonged second stage of labor (SSL) as major risk factors for PFD, supposedly through generating enhanced pressure in the pelvic area. Although many studies describe the effects of vaginal delivery and labor on structure and function of the pelvic floor, not much is known regarding PFD deriving from pregnancy and its prevalence and severity in the postpartum.

The impact of breastfeeding on pelvic floor recovery from pregnancy and labor.

Objective: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms are prevalent during pregnancy and are mostly reversible thereafter. The pelvic floor muscles and their surrounding connective tissue support are estrogen-responsive. Breastfeeding is a condition of estrogen deficiency.

Recovery from pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms in the postpartum is associated with the duration of the second stage of labor.

Purpose: Pregnancy and labor are known risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Yet not much is known regarding recovery from PFD. We hypothesized that the recovery from PFD during the postpartum period would be associated with the duration of the second stage of labor (SSL).