[Mifepristone: from pre- to post-protection].

All current hormonal contraceptives have side effects and contraindications related to estrogens and progestins. Users are often dissatisfied with this. There is a great need for a new contraceptive drug without these hormones with the associated side effects and contraindications; with also a favorable bleeding profile; that can be used orally and not daily; that can serve as a contraceptive and after-care and can also be used on demand.

Dutch GPs' views on prescribing mifepristone and misoprostol: a mixed-methods study.

Background: The World Health Organization has indicated that GPs can safely and effectively provide mifepristone and misoprostol for medical termination of pregnancy (TOP). Dutch GPs are allowed to treat miscarriages with mifepristone and misoprostol, but few do so. Current Dutch abortion law prohibits GPs from prescribing these medications for medical TOP.

Evaluation of low-dose aspirin in the prevention of recurrent spontaneous preterm labour (the APRIL study): A multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The recurrence rate of spontaneous preterm birth is high, and additional preventive measures are required. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin compared to placebo in the prevention of preterm birth in women with a previous spontaneous preterm birth.

Permeability of abortion care in the Netherlands: a qualitative analysis of women's experiences, health professional perspectives, and the internet resource of Women on Web.

Despite a relatively permissive abortion law, women in the Netherlands encounter difficulties in accessing abortion care. Little is known about their experiences. This study explores women's experiences with (online) abortion services and relevant health professionals' experiences delivering care, with the goal of identifying key barriers encountered by abortion-seekers in the Netherlands.

[Mifepristone in primary care: no impediments against its use in management of missed miscarriage].

In the Netherlands, medical treatment to women with a non-vital pregnancy is provided in secondary care. In a Dutch pilot study, it has been shown that treatment of a missed miscarriage with misoprostol in primary care is an acceptable alternative. However, there are clear indications that medical treatment in women with a non-vital pregnancy is greatly improved when mifepristone is prescribed in addition to misoprostol.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine fail to predict the severity and clinical course of hyperemesis gravidarum: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Little is known about the pathophysiology of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Proposed underlying causes are multifactorial and thyroid function is hypothesized to be causally involved. In this study, we aimed to assess the utility of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) as a marker and predictor for the severity and clinical course of HG.

Determinants of disease course and severity in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Objective: We aimed to identify determinants that predict hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) disease course and severity.

Study Design: For this study, we combined data of the Maternal and Offspring outcomes after Treatment of HyperEmesis by Refeeding (MOTHER) randomized controlled trial (RCT) and its associated observational cohort with non-randomised patients. Between October 2013 and March 2016, in 19 hospitals in the Netherlands, women hospitalised for HG were approached for study participation.

Early enteral tube feeding in optimizing treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum: the Maternal and Offspring outcomes after Treatment of HyperEmesis by Refeeding (MOTHER) randomized controlled trial.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) leads to dehydration, poor nutritional intake, and weight loss. HG has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight. Information about the potential effectiveness of treatments for HG is limited.

Practice variation of vaginal birth after cesarean and the influence of risk factors at patient level: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Large practice variation exists in mode of delivery after cesarean section, suggesting variation in implementation of contemporary guidelines. We aim to evaluate this practice variation and to what extent this can be explained by risk factors at patient level.

Material And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed among 17 Dutch hospitals in 2010.

Prediction of cesarean section risk in women with gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia at term.

Objective: In a recent randomized controlled trial we found that induction of labor in women with gestational hypertension (GH) or mild (preeclampsia) PE at term prevented high risk situations without increasing the cesarean section (CS) rate. We aimed to assess the predictability of the risk of CS.

Study Design: We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictive factors.

Susceptibility allele-specific loss of miR-1324-mediated silencing of the INO80B chromatin-assembly complex gene in pre-eclampsia.

In humans, the elucidation of the genetics underlying multifactorial diseases such as pre-eclampsia remains complex. Given the current day availability of genome-wide linkage- and expression data pools, we applied pathway-guided genome-wide meta-analysis guided by the premise that the functional network underlying these multifactorial syndromes is under selective genetic pressure. This approach drastically reduced the genomic region of interest, i.

Provision of medical abortion using telemedicine in Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the need for and outcome of self-administered medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol in Brazil, provided through Women on Web, a global telemedicine abortion service.

Study Design: A retrospective case review of women from Brazil who contacted Women on Web in 2011. Information from the online consultation, follow-up questionnaire and emails were used to analyze data including demographics, gestational age, outcome of the medical abortion and symptoms that lead to surgical interventions.

Maternal Nodal inversely affects NODAL and STOX1 expression in the fetal placenta.

Nodal, a secreted signaling protein from the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-super family plays a vital role during early embryonic development. Recently, it was found that maternal decidua-specific Nodal knockout mice show intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth. The chromosomal location of NODAL is in the same linkage area as the placental (fetal) pre-eclampsia (PE) susceptibility gene STOX1, which is associated with the familial form of early-onset, IUGR-complicated PE.

HELLP babies link a novel lincRNA to the trophoblast cell cycle.

The HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy-associated disease inducing hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets in the mother. Although the HELLP symptoms occur in the third trimester in the mother, the origin of the disease can be found in the first trimester fetal placenta. A locus for the HELLP syndrome is present on chromosome 12q23 near PAH.

[Climacteric complaints?].

Three women are presented with climacteric bleeding problems, typical climacteric complaints and atypical climacteric complaints. The importance of a taking a careful case history is discussed. An overview of diagnostic and therapeutic options is presented.

Termination of pregnancy in Curaçao: need for improvement of sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Background: In Curaçao Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) is still forbidden by law, although a policy of tolerance has been stipulated since 1999. This paper is about the prevalence of TOP and about its health complications. These data on TOP are officially unknown but are suspected to be rather high.

Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary care program on recovery and return to work of patients after gynaecological surgery; design of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Return to work after gynaecological surgery takes much longer than expected, irrespective of the level of invasiveness. In order to empower patients in recovery and return to work, a multidisciplinary care program consisting of an e-health intervention and integrated care management including participatory workplace intervention was developed.

Methods/design: We designed a randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of the multidisciplinary care program on full sustainable return to work in patients after gynaecological surgery, compared to usual clinical care.

Regional differences in surgical intervention following medical termination of pregnancy provided by telemedicine.

Objective: Analysis of factors influencing surgical intervention rate after home medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) by women in countries without access to safe services using the telemedical service 'Women on Web'.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Women with an unwanted pregnancy less than nine weeks pregnant who used the telemedicine service of Women on Web between February 2007 and September 2008 and provided follow-up information.

Prediction of progression to a high risk situation in women with gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia at term.

Objective: To evaluate whether progression to a high-risk situation is predictable in women with gestational hypertension (GH) or mild pre-eclampsia (PE) at term.

Methods: Women with a singleton pregnancy, a fetus in cephalic position, between 36 and 41 weeks of gestation, complicated by GH or mild PE that were managed expectantly, were selected from the HYPITAT trial. We evaluated the predictability of progression to a high-risk situation.

Mifepristone followed by home administration of buccal misoprostol for medical abortion up to 70 days of amenorrhoea in a general practice in Curaçao.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of home administration of buccal misoprostol after mifepristone for medical abortion up to 70 days' gestation in a general practice in Curaçao, where induced abortion is severely restricted by law.

Methods: In a prospective study 330 women received 200 mg mifepristone and were instructed to take four tablets (800 μg) of misoprostol via the buccal route 24-36 h later, at home. One week later, follow-up took place.

The clitoral photoplethysmograph: a new way of assessing genital arousal in women.

Introduction: In the present study, we introduce clitoral photoplethysmography as an instrument to assess clitoral blood volume (CBV). In research on female sexual functioning, vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA), as measured using vaginal photoplethysmography, has been used extensively as a measure of vaginal vasocongestion. Measurement of clitoral blood flow has thus far been problematic, mainly because of methodological constraints.