Assessing the timing of amniotomy after Foley balloon catheter removal in women with labor induction: The role of Bishop score: An observational study.

The timing of amniotomy after the Foley balloon catheter removal is crucial for successful labor induction. This study aimed to assess the effects of the Bishop score on the timing of amniotomy in patients undergoing labor induction after the Foley balloon catheter removal. This was a retrospective cohort study based on electronic medical records.

Women's experience of body weight management during and post-pregnancy: a mixed methods approach.

Background: Gaining excessive weight during pregnancy has been linked with adverse effects including increased risk of caesarean delivery and postpartum weight retention. Despite these recognised risks, currently no UK/Ireland gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines exist, women are not routinely weighed throughout pregnancy and consequently, women's understanding of the importance of weight management during, and post-pregnancy remains poor. The present study explored factors influencing weight change during and post-pregnancy and identified potential opportunities that could help women manage weight during these periods.

Self-reported dyspareunia and outcome satisfaction after spontaneous second-degree tear compared to episiotomy: A register-based cohort study.

Introduction: Symptoms after second-degree tears and in particular episiotomies are common. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and degree of dyspareunia and level of satisfaction with the outcome of the perineal repair after a spontaneous second-degree tear compared to an episiotomy. Further, we aimed to identify risk factors for dyspareunia and dissatisfaction with the outcome.

Immune changes in pregnancy: associations with pre-existing conditions and obstetrical complications at the 20th gestational week-a prospective cohort study.

Background: Pregnancy is a complex biological process and serious complications can arise when the delicate balance between the maternal and semi-allogeneic fetal immune systems is disrupted or challenged. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight pose serious threats to maternal and fetal health. Identification of early biomarkers through an in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms is critical for early intervention.

Investigating the causes of maternal mortality in Razavi Khorasan based on forensic medical records during the years 2015 to 2022.

Background: Maternal mortality is among the main indicators of health in nations. Identifying the causes of maternal mortality is crucial in designing preventive interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the causes of maternal mortality during 8 years.

An integrated, multidisciplinary management team intervention to improve patient-centeredness, HIV, and maternal-child outcomes in Lesotho: formative research on participatory implementation strategies.

Background: Reducing perinatal HIV transmission and optimizing maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in high HIV prevalence settings is an urgent, but complex, priority. Extant interventions over-emphasize individual-level provider and patient behaviors, and neglect critical health systems-level changes. The 'Integrated Management Team to Improve Maternal-Child Outcomes (IMPROVE)' study implemented a three-part, patient-centered, health-systems-level intervention to improve MCH and HIV outcomes in Lesotho.

Atopic dermatitis and the outcomes of pregnancy and offspring: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Background And Objectives: Studies have identified increased risks of pregnancy complications in expectant mothers with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the associations between maternal AD and adverse pregnancy or offspring outcomes in Asians remain unexplored. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between maternal AD and adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes in Taiwan.

Dilapan-S versus Standard Methods for Cervical Ripening in Term Pregnancies: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Dilapan-S is a cervical ripening agent approved by the FDA that has been found to be just as effective as other agents and can be utilized for outpatient ripening. No large-scale studies have been conducted to compare cesarean delivery rates between Dilapan-S and other ripening methods. Our objective was to combine these trials to compare cesarean delivery rates for Dilapan-S with other cervical ripening methods, overall and in sub-groups.

Maternal epilepsy and pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate associations between maternal epilepsy and pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) database, between 2004-2014. Through logistic regression analysis, we compared associations between epilepsy and pregnancy-related outcomes while adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities.

Periodontal Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Women at Prior High Risk for Gestational Diabetes.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among women at prior high risk for gestational diabetes with the hypothesis that women with MetS show more signs of periodontal disease than women without MetS.

Material And Methods: A total of 112 women from an original study cohort of 348 women at high risk of gestational diabetes were examined 4-6 years postpartum. Diagnosis of MetS was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III diagnostic criteria.

Effect and safety of intravenous iron compared to oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.

Rationale: Intravenous iron is increasingly used to treat iron-deficient anaemia (IDA) in pregnancy. A previous network meta-analysis suggested that intravenous irons have a greater effect on haematological parameters than oral irons; however, the impact on serious pregnancy complications such as postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) or the need for blood transfusion was unclear. Since then, several new randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted.

Characteristics of the pregnancy and labour course in women who underwent COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and labor, focusing on its effects on maternal and child health. The research explores the relationships between coronavirus infection and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as the risks of pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes.

Methods: The study involved 60 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19.

Pregnancy Outcomes and All-Cause Mortality After Pregnancy Among US-Born Women With Perinatally Acquired HIV.

Background: Maternal and pregnancy outcomes among women with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) versus women with HIV acquired through other routes (NPHIV) are not fully understood.

Setting: US-born women during 2005-2015 in New York City.

Methods: We used data from the New York City HIV surveillance registry, Expanded Perinatal Surveillance database, and Vital Statistics, to compare pregnancy and all-cause mortality outcomes among women with PHIV versus NPHIV delivering infants during 2005-2015.

Hypokalaemia in pregnancy - Prevalence, underlying causes, and an approach to investigation.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and aetiology of hypokalaemia in pregnancy.

Methods: This was a five-year retrospective audit of women who received care at a tertiary hospital, who developed hypokalaemia during pregnancy and within three weeks postpartum. Serum potassium and magnesium levels cause(s) of hospitalization and investigations for hypokalaemia were obtained from hospital records.

Public health, policy, and clinical interventions to improve perinatal care for migrant women and infants in high-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: Migrant women who are pregnant or postpartum and their infants are often at increased risk of poorer perinatal outcomes compared to host country populations. This review aimed to identify public health, policy, and clinical interventions to improve maternity care for migrant women and their infants in high-income countries (HICs).

Methods: In this systematic review we searched EMBASE, EMCARE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO, CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, and grey literature from inception to 13th March 2024, with no language or date restrictions (PROSPERO: CRD42022380678).

Peripartum maternal outcomes in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus in a real-world electronic health record cohort.

Objective: Few studies have examined peripartum maternal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Using a de-identified electronic health record (EHR) cohort of individuals with and without SLE, we compared rates of peripartum maternal outcomes including maternal infections, blood transfusions, hospital length of stay, and SLE flares.

Methods: We identified deliveries among individuals with SLE and individuals without autoimmune disease using a previously validated algorithm.

Assessment of Pregnancy Status in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and their Partners.

Background: HIV is a globally prevalent infection for which there is currently no cure or vaccine. As the number of individuals with HIV infection increases, so does the number of individuals wishing to have children despite being infected. This situation has highlighted issues related to couples where one partner is infected while the other is not (serodiscordant couples) and couples where both partners are positive.

Predictors of maternal HIV acquisition during pregnancy and lactation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Objectives: To eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, global institutions recommend using a risk-guided approach for HIV prevention services in antenatal and postnatal settings. Identifying predictors of maternal HIV acquisition can inform the development of risk-guided approaches, but individual studies of predictors can have limited power and generalizability.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and narrative synthesis to identify common predictors of maternal HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

To give or not give antibiotic prophylaxis for planned caesarean section: An assessment of risk of postpartum prescription of antibiotics depending on prophylaxis regimen.

Introduction: No national recommendation for antibiotic prophylaxis for planned caesarean section in Sweden exists. Swedish delivery units have chosen different strategies. Some units routinely administer antibiotic prophylaxis to all women for whom a caesarean section is planned, while other units give prophylactic antibiotics to risk groups only.

Risk of invasive pneumococcal disease during pregnancy and postpartum and association with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes: A prospective cohort study, England, 2014-19.

Background: Pneumococcal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially at the extremes of age and in those with underlying conditions. Little is known about the risks, presentations or outcomes of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) during pregnancy or the postpartum period.

Methods: The UK Health Security Agency conducts enhanced national surveillance of IPD in England.