Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Status of Pregnant Women: A Single-Center Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced people to make major life changes, and there is concern that depressive tendencies have increased in pregnant women during the pandemic. This study used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), administered in the second trimester, to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of Japanese women during pregnancy and to provide early intervention.

Methods: The study included 1,320 pregnant women (663 pre-COVID-19 and 657 during COVID-19) with similar background characteristics and compared the results for the COVID-19 period (September 2020-August 2021) and control period (September 2018-August 2019).

Evaluating the effectiveness of lateral postural management for breech presentation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (BRLT study).

Background: Breech presentation is observed in 3-4% at term of pregnancy and is one of the leading causes of cesarean section. There is no established treatment for breech presentation before 36 weeks. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to demonstrate that the lateral position is effective for breech presentation.

Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity after Late Preterm, Singleton, Cesarean Delivery before Labor by Mothers Who Did Not Receive Antenatal Corticosteroids.

Background: Some evidence suggests that administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) reduces neonatal respiratory complications among women at risk for late preterm birth. However, because of concerns regarding long-term outcomes of children, ACS is not recommended in Japan for pregnant women at risk in late preterm. We assessed the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity after late preterm, singleton, cesarean delivery before labor by mothers who did not receive ACS.

Cephalic version by postural management in the lateral position without the knee-chest position for primiparous breech presentation: A retrospective cohort study.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of postural management in the lateral position for primiparous breech presentation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution from January 2020 through December 2020. Participants were singleton primiparous pregnant women diagnosed with breech presentation between 28 + 0 and 29 + 6 weeks of gestation.

Use of tumor markers to distinguish endometriosis-related ovarian neoplasms from ovarian endometrioma.

Objective: Only few studies have focused on tumor markers used in the preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis-related ovarian neoplasms, and previous studies have only assessed serum CA125 levels. This study investigated the significance of preoperative tumor markers and clinical characteristics in distinguishing endometriosis-related ovarian neoplasms from ovarian endometrioma.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 283 women who were diagnosed with confirmed pathology with endometriosis-related ovarian neoplasms (n=21) and ovarian endometrioma (n=262) at a single institution from April 2008 to April 2018.

The Necessity of Awareness of Early Symptoms of Placental Abruption Among Pregnant Japanese Women.

Background: In 2012, the recommendation for immediate contact and visit to obstetric institutions by pregnant women was emphasized by The Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy (JOCSC). In this study, we examined whether or not the increased awareness has led to the improvement of perinatal outcomes of placental abruption managed at private clinics.

Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records of 38 singleton pregnant women complicated by placental abruption that developed at home, and were managed at private clinics from April 2008 through April 2016.

Maternal Uncontrolled Anxiety Disorders Are Associated With the Increased Risk of Hypertensive Disorders in Japanese Pregnant Women.

Background: We examined the risk of hypertensive disorders in relation to maternal depressive and anxiety disorders which were diagnosed before or during early pregnancy in Japanese women.

Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records of all Japanese singleton deliveries at ≥ 22 weeks' gestation managed at the Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital between 2009 and 2014. Potential risk factors for hypertensive disorders with maternal depressive and anxiety disorders were selected as follows: maternal age, parity, medications, self-interruption of medications and economic problems.