Cross-sectional observational study protocol: missing microbes in infants born by caesarean section (MiMIC): antenatal antibiotics and mode of delivery.

Introduction: The intestinal microbiome in early life plays a major role in infant health and development. Factors like antibiotic exposure, breast/formula feeding and mode of delivery are known to affect the microbiome. The increasing occurrence of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries and antibiotic exposure warrants further insight into the potential missing microbes in those infants.

Exploring obstetricians', midwives' and general practitioners' approach to weight management in pregnant women with a BMI ≥25 kg/m: a qualitative study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) beliefs and attitudes towards weight management for pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: A public antenatal clinic in a large academic maternity hospital in Cork, Ireland, and general practice clinics in the same region.

Fetal heart rate patterns in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: relationship with early cerebral activity and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Despite widespread use of fetal heart rate monitoring, the timing of injury in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains unclear. Our aim was to examine fetal heart rate patterns during labor in infants with clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) evidence of HIE and to relate these findings to neurodevelopmental outcome. Timing of onset of pathological cardiotocographs (CTGs) was determined in each case by two blinded reviewers and related to EEG grade at birth and neurological outcome at 24 months.

Haemostasis in normal and abnormal pregnancy.

Haemostasis is a complex and dynamic equilibrium involving pro-coagulants, the natural anticoagulation system and fibrinolysis. Normal human pregnancy is associated with profound alterations to the process of haemostasis such that the pro-coagulant effect becomes dominant. There are very few studies which have attempted to elucidate the adaptations that take place in the uteroplacental circulation where the haemostatic system faces the conflicting tasks of maintaining blood fluidity during pregnancy while preparing for the haemostatic challenge of delivery.