Engaging women to set the research agenda for assisted vaginal birth.

Introduction: Public and patient involvement can provide crucial insights to optimise research by enhancing relevance and appropriateness of studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) engaged in an inclusive process to ensure that both technical experts and women had a voice in defining the research gaps and needs to increase or reintroduce the use of assisted vaginal birth (AVB) in settings where this intervention is needed but unavailable or underused.

Methods: We describe the methods and outcomes of online workshops led by WHO to obtain women representatives' perspectives about AVB research gaps and needs.

Evidence-based surgical procedures to optimize caesarean outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: Caesarean section (CS) is the most performed major surgery worldwide. Surgical techniques used for CS vary widely and there is no internationally accepted standardization. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SR) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to summarize the evidence on surgical techniques or procedures related to CS.

A research agenda to improve incidence and outcomes of assisted vaginal birth.

Access to emergency obstetric care, including assisted vaginal birth and caesarean birth, is crucial for improving maternal and childbirth outcomes. However, although the proportion of births by caesarean section has increased during the last few decades, the use of assisted vaginal birth has declined. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income countries, despite an assisted vaginal birth often being less risky than caesarean birth.

What do healthcare providers think of the quality of uterotonics? A mixed-methods systematic review.

Objectives: To synthesise evidence on the perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) about the quality of oxytocin and misoprostol available in their settings, and their actions as a result of these perceptions.

Design: Mixed-methods systematic review.

Eligibility Criteria: We included quantitative and qualitative studies reporting HCPs' perceptions about oxytocin or misoprostol quality.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Brazilian Physicians about Immediate Postpartum and Postabortion Intrauterine Device Insertion.

Objective:  To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Brazilian physicians about immediate postpartum and postabortion intrauterine device insertion.

Methods:  Cross-sectional online survey involving physicians on duty in public Brazilian hospitals. Participants answered an anonymous questionnaire with close-ended questions to assess their knowledge, attitude, and experience on the immediate postpartum and postabortion insertion of copper intrauterine devices.

Vaccines for preventing herpes zoster in older adults.

Background: Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes varicella (chickenpox). After resolution of the varicella episode, the virus can remain latent in the sensitive dorsal ganglia of the spine. Years later, with declining immunity, the varicella zoster virus (VZV) can reactivate and cause herpes zoster, an extremely painful condition that can last many weeks or months and significantly compromise the quality of life of the affected person.

Dietary intake of pregnant women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Background And Aims: Findings on the role of diet in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis are inconsistent. There are few studies on the dietary habits of pregnant women with NAFLD. Our primary aim was to compare the dietary intakes of pregnant women with and without NAFLD.

Alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, T-cell-dependent, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with an unpredictable course. Current MS therapies focus on treating and preventing exacerbations, and avoiding the progression of disability. At present, there is no treatment that is capable of safely and effectively reaching these objectives.

Caesarean section or vaginal delivery for low-risk pregnancy? Helping women make an informed choice in low- and middle-income countries.

Women's fear and uncertainty about vaginal delivery and lack of empowerment in decision-making generate decision conflict and is one of the main determinants of high caesarean section rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to develop a decision analysis tool (DAT) to help pregnant women make an informed choice about the planned mode of delivery and to evaluate its acceptability in Vietnam, Thailand, Argentina, and Burkina Faso. The DAT targets low-risk pregnant women with a healthy, singleton foetus, without any medical or obstetric disorder, no previous caesarean scarring, and eligibility for labour trials.

Sexual function in Brazilian female adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the sexual function of Brazilian adolescents and young women who were using popular contraceptive methods.

Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in 2012-2014 in a free family planning clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital in Brazil. Participants were female adolescents (10-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years) who were using barrier (condom) or hormonal contraceptive methods.

Pregnant women's experience of undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test: A cross-sectional study.

Aims: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is routinely performed in most pregnancies; however, there are few studies which document the experience of taking this test. We assessed the experience of pregnant women during an OGTT.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 152 women (24-32 weeks' gestation) and assessed their knowledge, anxiety (Spielberg anxiety inventory test-STAI), and physical pain (0-10 visual analog scale) during the OGTT.

Collaborative model of intrapartum care: qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to implementation in a private Brazilian hospital.

Introduction: A collaborative (midwife-obstetrician) model of intrapartum care (CMIC) is associated with lower caesarean section (CS) rates than physician-led models. In 2019, the largest private maternity hospital in Latin America (14.000 deliveries/year, 89% CS) created a quality improvement initiative to optimise intrapartum care and safely reduce CS in low-risk women managed by its internal team of healthcare providers (HCP).

Post-Placental Intrauterine Device Insertion in Brazilian Adolescents: Clinical Outcomes at 12 Months.

Study Objective: To assess the acceptability, expulsion and continuation rates, satisfaction, and complications associated with post-placental intrauterine device insertion (PPIUDI) in Brazilian adolescents DESIGN: Prospective cohort SETTING: A single public, tertiary teaching hospital PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents (≤ 19 years) giving birth by vaginal delivery or cesarean section INTERVENTION: PPIUDI MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were PPIUDI acceptability, expulsion, continuation, and user satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were changes in menstrual bleeding and pain, infection, uterine perforation, and repeat pregnancy up to 12 months after PPIUDI.

Results: Of 1710 adolescents who delivered during the study period, 294 accepted PPIUDI (acceptability 17.

Timing of oxytocin administration to prevent post-partum hemorrhage in women delivered by cesarean section: A systematic review and metanalysis.

Background: There is no consensus on the best timing for prophylactic oxytocin administration during cesarean section (CS) to prevent post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).

Objectives: Assess the effects of administrating prophylactic oxytocin at different times during CS.

Methods: We searched nine databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Risk factors for severe and critical Covid-19 in pregnant women in a single center in Brazil.

Background: Risk factors for severe SARS-CoV2 infection in pregnancy have not been extensively studied. This information can help guide the management of pregnant women with COVID-19.

Objective: Examine risk factors for severe COVID-19 in pregnant women.