Gynecology Blog

Planned home births are associated with a tripling of the newborn mortality rate compared with planned hospital deliveries, yet planned home births are also linked to reduced preterm birth and low birth weight, according to a new study.

Research conducted by Joseph R. Wax, MD, and colleagues, from the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland,  shows that the overall newborn death rate was almost twice as high in planned home vs. planned hospital births, and was almost tripled among those newborns  in planned home births without any congenital abnormalities. More...

Once a sluggish category for clinical innovation, gynecology is drawing new venture-backed companies eager to build upon the lead created by first-generation companies operating in minimally-invasive endometrial ablation and female sterilization. First generation companies had the difficult task of creating paths to early adopters of minimally invasive procedures. These now exist, and the clinical specialty appears to be also evolving in ways that encourage the growth of in-office procedures. 

Preterm birth-meaning the birth of a baby before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy-is a serious health problem in the United States and the leading cause of newborn death. Babies who survive an early birth may face lifetime health challenges, such as breathing problems, vision and hearing problems, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. Preterm birth is also estimated to cost the nation more than $26 billion per year in direct and indirect costs.

Though some medical conditions or problems may require an early delivery, preterm birth is often spontaneous. While the causes often are unknown, experts say first knowing if you're at risk and being familiar with the warning signs are key factors in helping to prevent this serious and potentially life-altering situation. More...

Those who're pregnant or trying to conceive are surrounded by a long list of dos and don'ts, but most of them are myths. Do you really believe that the missionary position can increase your chances of getting pregnant? Well, women trying to conceive are often surrounded by such questions as there are so many urban myths and wives tales that make it difficult to know whether a person is doing the right thing, the wrong thing or simply wasting time.

Now, Heidi Murkoff has just released the latest in her popular What to Expect series, titled What to Expect Before You're Expecting. The book is aimed at women who are trying to conceive, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. More...

Pregorexia is a term used to describe a situation in which a pregnant woman becomes preoccupied with controlling her weight gain through extreme dieting and exercise. While pregorexia is possible — and could harm a baby's health — it's rare. In fact, research shows that far more women gain too much, rather than too little, weight during pregnancy.

No matter what the scale says, however, some women do excessively worry about their weight gain and experience body image issues during pregnancy. The risk of pregorexia may be higher for women who have a history of eating disorders and those who have a weak social support system. More...

According to a group of scientists, premature birth tends to run in families. In the University of Aberdeen study, which was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology journal, researchers discovered that early births risk is linked to the science of genetics.

The research was based on maternity records of 22,343 Scottish moms and their daughters. Boffins found that females born ahead of time or who have brothers or sisters who were born prematurely are 50-60% more likely to have a premature baby themselves. More...

High-risk pregnancies are more likely in women who have difficulty getting pregnant, with or without help from hi-tech fertility treatments, new research finds.

The risks should be considered during pregnancy care of "subfertile" women and when analyzing the potential hazards of fertility-assisting technologies, Australian researchers conclude in a report published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. More...

Nausea in pregnant women during the second and third trimesters can be a sign of flu, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

"People don't necessarily think of influenza when you include the symptoms of nausea or vomiting, but our study showed that they are common with influenza in pregnancy," said Dr. Vanessa Rogers, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and lead author of the study, which appears in the May edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology. More...

Many young women are reporting that they have a low sexual desire, with a new research blaming antidepressants and birth control pills for the problem. Many young women have distress piled on top of the guilt about their lagging sex lives, according to a study by the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health.

And a 2008 research in Obstetrics and Gynecology magazine of 31,000 women age 18 and above found that in the 18 to 44 age group, one in 10 reported low libido, or hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). More...

An Alberta gynecologist convicted of sexually assaulting four of his patients while they were receiving vaginal examinations had an appeal dismissed this week. Carl Christopher Nqumayo was convicted in February 2009 of four counts of sexual assault against patients while he was an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Thickwood Heights Family Medical Clinic. Nqumayo was found guilty of using his fingers to make an in-and-out motion in patients’ vaginas during examinations that went beyond the consent given to a doctor during an exam. More...