Articles

Does sex matter? Association of fetal sex and parental age with pregnancy outcomes in Taiwan: a cohort study

Worldwide several studies have examined the associations of fetal sex, paternal age and maternal age with pregnancy outcomes, with the evidence regarding paternal age being less consistent. Although in Taiwan ...

Authors: Tsung Yu, Ta-Sheng Chen, Fu-Wen Liang and Pao-Lin Kuo

Effectiveness of fetal scalp stimulation test in assessing fetal wellbeing during labor, a retrospective cohort study

It is discussed whether fetal scalp stimulation (FSS) test is a reliable complimentary tool to cardiotocography (CTG) to assess fetal wellbeing during labor. The test is based on the assumption that a well-oxy...

Authors: Farzaneh Shakouri, Linda Iorizzo, Hellen Mc Kinnon Edwards, Christina Anne Vinter, Karl Kristensen, Per-Erik Isberg and Nana Wiberg

Normal fertilisation rates and serum 25-OHD levels among couples undergoing in-vitro fertilisation: a prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between serum vitamin D levels in couples undergoing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and normal fertilisation process.

Authors: Liu Jiang, Juan Yang, Jianyuan Song, Yajun Hu and Kun Qian

Maternal genitourinary infections and poor nutritional status increase risk of preterm birth in Gasabo District, Rwanda: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study

Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of early childhood mortality and morbidity, including long-term physical and mental impairment. The risk factors for PTB are complex and include maternal nutritional stat...

Authors: Etienne Nsereko, Aline Uwase, Assumpta Mukabutera, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Stephen Rulisa, David Ntirushwa, Patricia Moreland, Elizabeth J. Corwin, Nicole Santos, Manasse Nzayirambaho and Janet M. Wojcicki

Fetal goiter identified in a pregnant woman with triiodothyronine-predominant graves’ disease: a case report

Approximately 10% of all Graves’ disease cases are triiodothyronine (T3)-predominant. T3-predominance is characterized by higher T3 levels than thyroxine (T4) levels. Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor autoa...

Authors: Akiko Fujishima, Akira Sato, Hiroshi Miura, Yuki Shimoda, Saeko Kameyama, Chika Ariake, Hiroyuki Adachi, Yuki Fukuoka and Yukihiro Terada

Spatio-temporal distribution and associated factors of home delivery in Ethiopia. Further multilevel and spatial analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health surveys 2005–2016

Globally, between 2012 and 2017, 80% of live births occurred at health facilities assisted by skilled health personnel. In Ethiopia, in 2016 only 26% of live births attended by skilled health personal. This st...

Authors: Zemenu Tadesse Tessema and Sofonyas Abebaw Tiruneh

Low birthweight in term singletons mediates the association between maternal smoking intensity exposure status and immediate neonatal intensive care unit admission: the E-value assessment

Research investigating the wellbeing of term neonates in the United States is scarce. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of low birthweight (LBW) and neonatal intensive care unit (NIC...

Authors: Anthony J. Kondracki

Knowledge about child birth and postpartum obstetric danger signs and associated factors among mothers in Dale district, Southern Ethiopia

Globally, every day, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The majority of these deaths occur after childbirth (post-partum period) mostly within 24 h. Raisin...

Authors: Abayneh Desalegn Dangura

The adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancy: a cross sectional study in Hebei, China

The adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by teenage pregnancy are major public health problems with significant social impact. While China is the most populous country in the world, and 8.5% of the women aged 10–...

Authors: Ting Zhang, Huien Wang, Xinling Wang, Yue Yang, Yingkui Zhang, Zengjun Tang and Li Wang

Proximity to risk-appropriate perinatal hospitals for pregnant women with congenital heart defects in New York state

Women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) experiencing pregnancies require specialized delivery care and extensive monitoring that may not be available at all birthing hospitals. In this study, we examined pr...

Authors: Lauren E. Schlichting, Tabassum Insaf, George Lui, Ali Zaidi and Alissa Van Zutphen

Correlates of pregnancy among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in semi urban Blantyre, Malawi

Little is known about female sex workers’ (FSWs) reproductive health apart from their being at higher than usual risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. The aim of this study was therefo...

Authors: Donatien Twizelimana and Adamson S. Muula

Severe pre-eclamptic women with headache: is posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome an associated concurrent finding?

A high incidence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been observed in women with eclampsia on imaging. However this association was documented mostly after convulsions occurred. This stu...

Authors: An-Shine Chao, Yao-Liang Chen, Yao-Lung Chang, Angel Chao, Seng-Yuan Su and Tzu-Hao Wang

The impact of cesarean section on neonatal outcomes at a university-based tertiary hospital in Jordan

Over the past two decades, there has been a steady rise in the rate of Cesarean section delivery globally. As a result, short-term and long-term maternal and neonatal complications are rising. The objective of...

Authors: Wasim Khasawneh, Nail Obeidat, Dawood Yusef and Jomana W. Alsulaiman

Utilization and factors associated with antenatal, delivery and postnatal Care Services in Tigray Region, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

This study aimed to identify the utilization and factors associated with antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care services in Tigray regional state, Ethiopia.

Authors: Mussie Alemayehu, Tesfay Gebregzabher Gebrehiwot, Araya Abrha Medhanyie, Alem Desta, Tesfu Alemu, Atakelti Abrha and Hagos Godefy

Endometrial scratch vs no intervention in egg donation cycles: the ENDOSCRATCH trial protocol

The effects of endometrial scratching (ES) on embryo implantation have been studied for many years. Several studies have shown better outcomes when performed on patients undergoing intrauterine insemination an...

Authors: Alexandra Izquierdo, Laura de la Fuente, Katharina Spies, Jennifer Rayward, Lourdes López, David Lora and Alberto Galindo

Correction to: Early maternal weight gain as a risk factor for SGA in pregnancies with hyperemesis gravidarum: a 15-year hospital cohort study

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Authors: Tale Meinich and Jone Trovik

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana

Breastfeeding and caring for children demand time, energy and effort. Mothers with physical impairments in Ghana require special needs to be able to achieve optimal motherhood as society demands. Globally, lit...

Authors: Angela Kwartemaa Acheampong, Lydia Aziato, Margaret Marfo and Philomena Amevor

Speculum versus digital insertion of Foley catheter for induction of labor in Nulliparas with unripe cervix: a randomized controlled trial

Induction of labor (IoL) is an increasingly common obstetric procedure. Foley catheter IoL is recommended by WHO. It is associated with the lowest rate of uterine hyperstimulation syndrome and similar duration...

Authors: Hang Min Chia, Peng Chiong Tan, Sze Ping Tan, Mukhri Hamdan and Siti Zawiah Omar

Magnitude and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis using 2016 EDHS data

Unintended pregnancy has become a significant public health and reproductive health problem that has had a substantial and appreciable adverse impact on mother, child, and the general public. Despite the param...

Authors: Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale and Getayeneh Antehunegn Tesema

Weighing as part of your care: a feasibility study exploring the re-introduction of weight measurements during pregnancy as part of routine antenatal care

The UK does not currently have guidelines on gestational weight gain owing to gaps in the evidence base. Reintroducing routine weighing of women throughout pregnancy would begin to provide the evidence needed ...

Authors: V. Allen-Walker, A. J. Hunter, V. A. Holmes and M. C. McKinley

Maternal cardiovascular adaptation to twin pregnancy: a population-based prospective cohort study

In women with singleton pregnancies, maternal adaptation is considered a stress test for later life cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess maternal adaptation in women with twin pregnancie...

Authors: Maria C. Adank, Zoe A. Broere-Brown, Romy Gonçalves, M. Kamran Ikram, Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, Eric A. P. Steegers and Sarah Schalekamp-Timmermans

Antenatal testing for anaemia, HIV and syphilis in Indonesia – a health systems analysis of low coverage

Adverse pregnancy outcomes can be prevented through the early detection and treatment of anaemia, HIV and syphilis during the antenatal period. Rates of testing for anaemia, HIV and syphilis among women attend...

Authors: C. Baker, R. Limato, P. Tumbelaka, B. B. Rewari, S. Nasir, R. Ahmed and M. Taegtmeyer

Facility readiness and counseling during antenatal care and the relationship with early breastfeeding in Haiti and Malawi

Early initiation of breastfeeding (within an hour of birth) has benefits for newborn health and survival. Optimal breastfeeding supports growth, health, and development. Health facilities provide essential pre...

Authors: Lindsay Mallick, Rukundo K. Benedict and Wenjuan Wang

Decision-to-delivery interval of emergency cesarean section in Uganda: a retrospective cohort study

In many low and medium human development index countries, the rate of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is high. One factor which may influence this is the decision-to-delivery interval of emergenc...

Authors: Noemi J. Hughes, Imelda Namagembe, Annettee Nakimuli, Musa Sekikubo, Ashley Moffett, Charlotte J. Patient and Catherine E. Aiken

The risk of eating disorder relapse during pregnancy and after delivery and postpartum depression among women recovered from eating disorders

Studies have shown that women of reproductive age develop eating disorders (EDs). Few studies have examined EDs in women by performing long-term follow-ups during pregnancy and after delivery. Our study aimed ...

Authors: Mariko Makino, Mitsuo Yasushi and Sueharu Tsutsui

Effectiveness of a therapeutic multiple-lifestyle intervention taking into account the periconceptional environment in the management of infertile couples: study design of a randomized controlled trial – the PEPCI study

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. It affects approximately one in six couples seeking pregnancy in France or western countries. Many lifestyle fact...

Authors: Charlotte Dupont, Philippe Aegerter, Aude-Marie Foucaut, Aymeric Reyre, François J. Lhuissier, Marie Bourgain, Nathalie Chabbert-Buffet, Isabelle Cédrin-Durnerin, Lise Selleret, Emmanuel Cosson and Rachel Lévy

The provision of epidural analgesia during labor according to maternal birthplace: a Norwegian register study

The provision of epidural analgesia during labor is ideally a shared decision between the woman and her health care provider. However, immigrant characteristics such as maternal birthplace could affect decisio...

Authors: Åsa Henning Waldum, Anne Flem Jacobsen, Mirjam Lukasse, Anne Cathrine Staff, Ragnhild Sørum Falk, Siri Vangen and Ingvil Krarup Sørbye

Pregnancy outcomes in asylum seekers in the North of the Netherlands: a retrospective documentary analysis

With more than 20,000 asylum seekers arriving every year, healthcare for this population has become an important issue. Pregnant asylum seekers seem to be at risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed t...

Authors: A. E. H. Verschuuren, I. R. Postma, Z. M. Riksen, R. L. Nott, E. I. Feijen-de Jong and J. Stekelenburg

The effect of high dietary fiber intake on gestational weight gain, fat accrual, and postpartum weight retention: a randomized clinical trial

Interventions to prevent excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) have had limited success This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a single goal (SG) high dietary fiber intervention to prevent excessive ...

Authors: Holly R. Hull, Amy Herman, Heather Gibbs, Byron Gajewski, Kelli Krase, Susan E. Carlson, Debra K. Sullivan and Jeannine Goetz

The burden of adolescent motherhood and health consequences in Nepal

Annually, 18 million babies are born to mothers 18 years or less. Two thirds of these births take place in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to social and biological factors, adolescent mothers have a hig...

Authors: Rejina Gurung, Mats Målqvist, Zhou Hong, Pragya Gautam Poudel, Avinash K. Sunny, Srijana Sharma, Sangeeta Mishra, Nisso Nurova and Ashish KC

A cluster-randomized, non-inferiority trial comparing use of misoprostol for universal prophylaxis vs. secondary prevention of postpartum hemorrhage among community level births in Egypt

Previous community-based research shows that secondary prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with misoprostol only given to women with above-average measured blood loss produces similar clinical outcomes c...

Authors: Holly A. Anger, Rasha Dabash, Nevine Hassanein, Emad Darwish, Mohamed Cherine Ramadan, Medhat Nawar, Dyanna Charles, Miral Breebaart and Beverly Winikoff

Interventions to improve adherence to antenatal and postnatal care regimens among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa tend to have low adherence to antenatal and postnatal care regimens, contributing to high infant and child mortality rates. Despite low adherence figures and the high retur...

Authors: Kristina Esopo, Lilly Derby and Johannes Haushofer

Implementation of a new program of gestational diabetes screening and management in Morocco: a qualitative exploration of health workers’ perceptions

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk for a future type 2 diabetes mellitus in women and their children. As linkage between maternal health and non-communicable diseases, ant...

Authors: Bettina Utz, Bouchra Assarag, Touria Lekhal, Wim Van Damme and Vincent De Brouwere

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy affects complications and birth outcomes in women with and without asthma

It is known that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has adverse effects on pregnancy and birth outcomes. We aimed to assess the impact of ETS in pregnant women with and without asthma.

Authors: Nasrin Fazel, Michael Kundi, Asghar Kazemzadeh, Habibollah Esmaily, Roya Akbarzadeh and Raheleh Ahmadi

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a frozen-thawed embryo transfer pregnancy: a rare case report

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation. Prevention and early recognition of OHSS are important to ensure patient safety.

Authors: Lihua Yang, Rong Wang, Fang Wang, Feifeng Wang and Libo Zou

Getting into the water: a prospective observational study of water immersion for labour and birth at a New Zealand District Health Board

Authors: Robyn M. Maude and Mikyung Kim

Prevalence of surgical site infection and its associated factors after cesarean section in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Surgical site infection (SSI) affects nearly one third of patients who have undergone a surgical procedure. It is a significant and substantial cause of surgical patient morbidity and mortality later with huma...

Authors: Temesgen Getaneh, Ayenew Negesse and Getenet Dessie

Does growth hormone supplementation improve oocyte competence and IVF outcomes in patients with poor embryonic development? A randomized controlled trial

Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of the addition of growth hormone (GH) to the controlled ovarian stimulation protocol in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in poor-respond patients, but the effect of...

Authors: Jingyu Li, Qiaoli Chen, Jiang Wang, Guoning Huang and Hong Ye

Why women chose unassisted home birth in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Incidences of unassisted home birthing practices have been increasing in Malaysia despite the accessibility to safe and affordable child birthing facilities. We aimed to explore the reasons for women to make s...

Authors: Nur Amani Natasha Ahmad Tajuddin, Julia Suhaimi, Siti Nurkamilla Ramdzan, Khasnur Abd Malek, Ilham Ameera Ismail, Nurainul Hana Shamsuddin, Ahmad Ihsan Abu Bakar and Sajaratulnisah Othman

Andersen’s model on determining the factors associated with antenatal care services in Nepal: an evidence-based analysis of Nepal demographic and health survey 2016

With the formulation of the National Safe Motherhood Policy in 1998, safe motherhood has forever been a priority program in Nepal. Under the safe motherhood program, every woman is provided with essential mate...

Authors: Bidusha Neupane, Sujan Rijal, Srijana G.C. and Til Bahadur Basnet

Paternal violent criminality and preterm birth: a Swedish national cohort study

Fathers may affect expectant mothers’ daily living situations, which in turn might influence pregnancy outcomes. We investigated the association between paternal violent criminality and risk of preterm birth (...

Authors: Can Liu, Niklas Långström, Cecilia Ekéus, Thomas Frisell, Sven Cnattingius and Anders Hjern

Correction to: Postnatal care service utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth in Debretabour town, North West Ethiopia: a community- based cross-sectional study

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Authors: Kihinetu Gelaye Wudineh, Azezu Asres Nigusie, Shumiye Shiferaw Gesese, Azimeraw Arega Tesfu and Fentahun Yenealem Beyene

Postnatal home visits by health extension workers in rural areas of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design

In low-income countries like Ethiopia, where families have poor access to or do not utilize the services of formal health care systems, community health workers provide postnatal care services through home vis...

Authors: Yemane Berhane Tesfau, Alemayehu Bayray Kahsay, Tesfay Gebregzabher Gebrehiwot, Araya Abrha Medhanyie and Hagos Godefay

The characteristics of compassionate care during childbirth according to midwives: a qualitative descriptive inquiry

Although compassion is considered to be of prime importance in nursing and midwifery, there is no clear understanding of what compassionate care in childbirth entails, and how midwives perceive compassionate c...

Authors: Samantha Salome Krausé, Catharina Susanna Minnie and Siedine Knobloch Coetzee

Mother’s satisfaction with the existing labor and delivery care services at public health facilities in West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Mothers’ satisfaction with care during childbirth is indicators of the quality care which affects skilled birth attendance. Negative client’s experiences at health facilities cause them to delay or avoid seeki...

Authors: Gizachew Abdissa Bulto, Dereje Bayissa Demissie, Tefera Likasa Tasu and Getu Alemu Demisse

Association between risk of preeclampsia and maternal plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide in second trimester and at the time of delivery

The data on the association between the microbiota-dependent metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) during pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia (PE) is limited.

Authors: Xin Huang, Zuodong Li, Zhou Gao, Dapeng Wang, Xiaohui Li, Ying Li, Chunmei Mi and Jun Lei

Maternal near miss and mortality attributable to hypertensive disorders in a tertiary hospital, Tanzania; a cross-sectional study

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is the second most common direct cause of maternal deaths accounting for 14% of maternal deaths worldwide. Severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are among the hypertensive diso...

Authors: Jane R. Manyahi, Hans Mgaya and Ali Said

Correction to: Obstetric fistulas in Uganda: scoping review using a determinant of health approach to provide a framework for health policy improvement

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Authors: Geerte C. den Hollander and Erica W. M. Janszen

Factors affecting infant mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS); a multilevel analysis

Infant mortality is one of the leading public health problems globally; the problem is even more staggering in low-income countries. In Ethiopia seven in ten child deaths occurred during infancy in 2016. Even ...

Authors: Adhanom Gebreegziabher Baraki, Temesgen Yihunie Akalu, Haileab Fekadu Wolde, Ayenew Molla Lakew and Kedir Abdela Gonete

Psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Women’s Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire using the Rasch measurement model: a cross sectional study

Birth satisfaction represents a complex construct of implicit and profound relevance to a woman’s perceived birth experience. It correlates with the childbearing woman’s experience of the quality of care recei...

Authors: Mohd Noor Norhayati, Adnan Fatin Imtithal and Mat Junoh Nor Akma