Meconium-stained amniotic fluid: a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage.

Background/aim: Clinical data with respect to the impact of meconium on the risk of maternal hemorrhage are scarce. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) represents a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery in a large unselected population.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective cohort study evaluated 78,542 consecutive women who had a vaginal delivery between 24th and 44th weeks of gestation.

Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring interpretation in labour: a critical appraisal.

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) has been introduced in the obstetrics practice as a test to identify the first signs of fetal deterioration, allowing a prompt intervention to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, results from clinical trials fail to demonstrate a clear benefit with the use of EFM. No decrease in the incidence of cerebral palsy due to intrapartum asphyxia has been achieved and a significant increase in the rate of operative deliveries and in medico-legal litigations has been observed instead.

Successful rescue hysteroscopic resection of a cervical ectopic pregnancy previously treated with methotrexate with no combined safety precautions.

Background: Cervical pregnancy (CP) is a life-threatening condition that represents less than one percent of all ectopic pregnancies. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) is the gold standard for an accurate diagnosis. For hemodinamically stable women the available treatments involve a medical therapy, alone or in combination with interventional measures (hysteroscopy, angiographic embolization or laparoscopic ligation of uterine arteries).

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A mutation and in vitro fertilization: prospective cohort study.

Background: The influence of thrombophilia on fertility and on IVF outcome is very controversial. The objectives of this study were: (i) to compare the prevalence of Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin gene G20210A mutation (PGM) in women undergoing IVF to women with spontaneous pregnancy; (ii) to compare the IVF outcomes and the risk of complications in FVL and PGM carrier to non-carrier women.

Methods: From March 2005 to December 2009, a total of 510 women requiring IVF were recruited in a prospective cohort study.

[The use of ultrasonography in the prediction of first-trimester abortion].

The prediction of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester is made possible owing to the use of two diagnostic procedures: maternal assay of some biochemical parameters and ultrasonography. However, the diagnostic value of ultrasound is greater than the former procedure since it enables the embryo to be visualized directly, measuring crown-rump length (CRL), together with the gestational sac whose diameter can also be measured (DSG). The present study aimed to verify the prediction of abortion given by the ratio between DSG and CRL measured using ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy, namely with signs of embryonic vitality already present.