Articles

The IDEAL study: investigation of dietary advice and lifestyle for women with borderline gestational diabetes: a randomised controlled trial - study protocol

The Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women (ACHOIS) showed that treatment of pregnant women with mild gestational diabetes mellitus is beneficial for both women and their infants. It is st...

Authors: Caroline A Crowther, William M Hague, Philippa F Middleton, Peter A Baghurst, Andrew J McPhee, Thach S Tran, Lisa N Yelland, Pat Ashwood, Shan Han, Jodie M Dodd and Jeffrey S Robinson

Institutional delivery service utilization in Munisa Woreda, South East Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is a global priority which is particularly relevant to developing countries like Ethiopia. One of the key strategies for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is i...

Authors: Abdella Amano, Abebaw Gebeyehu and Zelalem Birhanu

Short sleep duration, complaints of vital exhaustion and perceived stress are prevalent among pregnant women with mood and anxiety disorders

Psychiatric disorders have been associated with sleep disorders in men and non-pregnant women, but little is known about sleep complaints and disorders among pregnant women with psychiatric disorders.

Authors: Chunfang Qiu, Bizu Gelaye, Neway Fida and Michelle A Williams

Temporal trends in the frequency of twins and higher-order multiple births in Canada and the United States

The dramatic increase in multiple births is an important public health issue, since such births have elevated risks for adverse perinatal outcomes. Our objective was to explore the most recent temporal trends ...

Authors: Deshayne B Fell and KS Joseph

Excess gestational weight gain: an exploration of midwives’ views and practice

Excess gestational weight gain (GWG) can affect the immediate and long term health outcomes of mother and infant. Understanding health providers’ views, attitudes and practices around GWG is crucial to assist ...

Authors: Jane C Willcox, Karen J Campbell, Paige van der Pligt, Elizabeth Hoban, Deborah Pidd and Shelley Wilkinson

Intraclass correlation coefficients in the Brazilian network for surveillance of severe maternal morbidity study

The purpose of the study was to evaluate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of variables concerning personal characteristics, structure, outcome and process in the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of ...

Authors: Samira M Haddad, Maria H Sousa, Jose G Cecatti, Mary A Parpinelli, Maria L Costa and Joao P Souza

Advanced maternal age and risk perception: A qualitative study

Advanced maternal age (AMA) is associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes, hence these pregnancies are considered to be “high risk.” A review of the empirical literature suggests that it is not clear h...

Authors: Hamideh Bayrampour, Maureen Heaman, Karen A Duncan and Suzanne Tough

Women’s experiences of factors that facilitate or inhibit gestational diabetes self-management

Gestational diabetes rates have increased dramatically in the past two decades and this pattern of increase appears to relate primarily to the obesity epidemic, older maternal age and migration from world area...

Authors: Mary Carolan, Gurjeet K Gill and Cheryl Steele

Has increased clinical experience with methotrexate reduced the direct costs of medical management of ectopic pregnancy compared to surgery?

There is a debate about the cost-efficiency of methotrexate for the management of ectopic pregnancy (EP), especially for patients presenting with serum human chorionic gonadotrophin levels of >1500 IU/L. We hy...

Authors: Daniel T Westaby, Olivia Wu, W Colin Duncan, Hilary OD Critchley, Stephen Tong and Andrew W Horne

The differential effects of maternal age, race/ethnicity and insurance on neonatal intensive care unit admission rates

Maternal race/ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) are important factors determining birth outcome. Previous studies have demonstrated that, teenagers, and mothers with advanced maternal age (AMA), a...

Authors: Beatriz E de Jongh, Robert Locke, David A Paul and Matthew Hoffman

Does the organizational model of the maternity health clinic have an influence on women’s and their partners’ experiences? A service evaluation survey in Southwest Finland

In high-income countries, great disparities exist in the organizational characteristics of maternity health services. In Finland, primary maternity care is provided at communal maternity health clinics (MHC). ...

Authors: Miia Tuominen, Anne Kaljonen, Pia Ahonen and Päivi Rautava

Study Protocol. IDUS – Instrumental delivery & ultrasound. A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of ultrasound assessment of the fetal head position versus standard care as an approach to prevent morbidity at instrumental delivery

Instrumental deliveries are commonly performed in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with rates of 12 – 17% in most centres. Knowing the exact position of the fetal head is a pre-requisite for safe instrumental d...

Authors: Deirdre J Murphy, Gerard Burke, Alan A Montgomery and Meenakshi Ramphul

Systemic delays in the initiation of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy do not improve outcomes of HIV-positive mothers: a cohort study

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in eligible HIV-infected pregnant women is an important intervention to promote maternal and child health. Increasing the duration of ART received before delivery plays ...

Authors: Landon Myer, Rose Zulliger, Linda-Gail Bekker and Elaine Abrams

Incidence of and socio-biologic risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth in HIV positive Nigerian women

Recent studies have identified HIV as a leading contributor to preterm delivery and its associated morbidity and mortality. However little or no information exists in our sub-region on this subject. Identifyin...

Authors: Oliver C Ezechi, Agatha N David, Chidinma V Gab-Okafor, Harry Ohwodo, David A Oladele, Olufunto O Kalejaiye, Paschal M Ezeobi, Titilola A Gbajabiamila, Rosemary A Adu, Bamidele Oke, Zaidat A Musa, Sabdat O Ekama, Oluwafunke Ilesanmi, Olutosin Odubela, Esther O Somefun, Ebiere C Herbertson…

Effects of hospital delivery during off-hours on perinatal outcome in several subgroups: a retrospective cohort study

Studies have demonstrated a higher risk of adverse outcomes among infants born or admitted during off-hours, as compared to office hours, leading to questions about quality of care provide during off-hours (we...

Authors: Ronald Gijsen, Chantal WPM Hukkelhoven, C Maarten A Schipper, Uzor C Ogbu, Mieneke de Bruin-Kooistra and Gert P Westert

Body image during pregnancy: an evaluation of the suitability of the body attitudes questionnaire

Available data suggest that body dissatisfaction is common during pregnancy and may even be a precursor to post-natal depression. However, in order to accurately identify at-risk women, it is essential to firs...

Authors: Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Helen Skouteris, Brittany Watson and Briony Hill

Determinants of periodontal health in pregnant women and association with infants’ anthropometric status: a prospective cohort study from Eastern Uganda

Preterm-low birth weight delivery is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in sub Saharan Africa and has been linked to poor periodontal health during pregnancy. This study investigated predisposing ...

Authors: Margaret Wandera, Anne N Åstrøm, Isaac Okullo and James K Tumwine

Protocol for a drugs exposure pregnancy registry for implementation in resource-limited settings

The absence of robust evidence of safety of medicines in pregnancy, particularly those for major diseases provided by public health programmes in developing countries, has resulted in cautious recommendations ...

Authors: Ushma Mehta, Christine Clerk, Elizabeth Allen, Mackensie Yore, Esperança Sevene, Jan Singlovic, Max Petzold, Viviana Mangiaterra, Elizabeth Elefant, Frank M Sullivan, Lewis B Holmes and Melba Gomes

Prevalence and risk factors of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms

There is evidence that traumatic birth experiences are associated with psychological impairments. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms and its obstet...

Authors: Maryam Modarres, Sedigheh Afrasiabi, Parvin Rahnama and Ali Montazeri

Enhancing breast milk production with Domperidone in mothers of preterm neonates (EMPOWER trial)

The use of mother’s own breast milk during initial hospitalization has a positive impact not only in reducing potential serious neonatal morbidities but also contribute to improvements in neurodevelopmental outco...

Authors: Elizabeth V Asztalos, Marsha Campbell-Yeo, Orlando P daSilva, Alex Kiss, David C Knoppert and Shinya Ito

Reasons rural Laotians choose home deliveries over delivery at health facilities: a qualitative study

Maternal mortality among poor rural women in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is among the highest in Southeast Asia, in part because only 15% give birth at health facilities. This study explored...

Authors: Vanphanom Sychareun, Visanou Hansana, Vatsana Somphet, Sisouvanh Xayavong, Alongkone Phengsavanh and Rebecca Popenoe

Concluding remarks

Authors: Edwin A Mitchell

Sleep practices and risk of stillbirth: implications for prevention and research

Authors: Edwin A Mitchell

Sleep position and risk of late stillbirth

Authors: Tomasina Stacey and Edwin A Mitchell

Sleep disruption and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Authors: Louise M O’Brien

Reduced fetal movements

Authors: Alexander Heazell

Low blood pressure

Authors: Jane Warland

Infection and inflammation

Authors: James A McGregor, Janice I French and Marti Perhach

Umbilical cord accidents

Authors: Jason H Collins

Cord around the neck syndrome

Authors: Morarji Peesay

Placental findings in cord accidents

Authors: Mana M Parast

Placental volume

Authors: Harvey J Kliman

Structural abnormalities in the placenta

Authors: Harvey J Kliman

Abnormalities of the placenta

Authors: Alexander Heazell

Emerging ideas to better understand and prevent stillbirths

Authors: Edwin A Mitchell

‘Groping through the fog’: a metasynthesis of women's experiences on VBAC (Vaginal birth after Caesarean section)

Vaginal birth after Caesarean section (VBAC) is a relevant question for a large number of women due to the internationally rising Caesarean section (CS) rate. There is a great deal of research based on quantit...

Authors: Ingela Lundgren, Cecily Begley, Mechthild M Gross and Terese Bondas

Determinants of unwanted pregnancies in India using matched case-control designs

In India, while the total fertility rate has been declined from 3.39 in 1992–93 to 2.68 in 2005–06, the prevalence of unintended pregnancy is still stagnant over the same period. A review of existing literatur...

Authors: Priyanka Dixit, Faujdar Ram and Laxmi Kant Dwivedi

Sexual violence and pregnancy-related physical symptoms

Few studies have investigated the impact of sexual violence on health during pregnancy. We examined the association between sexual violence and the reporting of physical symptoms during pregnancy.

Authors: Mirjam Lukasse, Lena Henriksen, Siri Vangen and Berit Schei

Early preterm delivery due to placenta previa is an independent risk factor for a subsequent spontaneous preterm birth

To determine whether patients with placenta previa who delivered preterm have an increased risk for recurrent spontaneous preterm birth.

Authors: Offer Erez, Lena Novack, Vered Klaitman, Idit Erez-Weiss, Ruthy Beer-Weisel, Doron Dukler and Moshe Mazor

Women with gestational diabetes in Vietnam: a qualitative study to determine attitudes and health behaviours

Diabetes is increasing in prevalence globally, notably amongst populations from low- and middle- income countries. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM), a precursor for type 2 diabetes, is increasing in line wit...

Authors: Jane E Hirst, Thach Son Tran, My An T Do, Forsyth Rowena, Jonathan M Morris and Heather E Jeffery

Addressing disparities in maternal health care in Pakistan: gender, class and exclusion

After more than two decades of the Safe Motherhood Initiative and Millennium Development Goals aimed at reducing maternal mortality, women continue to die in childbirth at unacceptably high rates in Pakistan. ...

Authors: Zubia Mumtaz, Sarah Salway, Laura Shanner, Shakila Zaman and Lory Laing

Trial protocol OPPTIMUM– Does progesterone prophylaxis for the prevention of preterm labour improve outcome?

Preterm birth is a global problem, with a prevalence of 8 to 12% depending on location. Several large trials and systematic reviews have shown progestogens to be effective in preventing or delaying preterm bir...

Authors: Jane E Norman, Andrew Shennan, Phillip Bennett, Steven Thornton, Stephen Robson, Neil Marlow, John Norrie, Stavros Petrou, Neil Sebire, Tina Lavender and Sonia Whyte

A prospective study of effects of psychological factors and sleep on obstetric interventions, mode of birth, and neonatal outcomes among low-risk British Columbian women

Obstetrical interventions, including caesarean sections, are increasing in Canada. Canadian women’s psychological states, fatigue, and sleep have not been examined prospectively for contributions to obstetric ...

Authors: Wendy A Hall, Kathrin Stoll, Eileen K Hutton and Helen Brown

Joint modeling of success and treatment discontinuation in in vitrofertilization programs: a retrospective cohort study

As discontinuation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs has been associated with a poor prognosis, one hypothesis is that some couple-specific predictive factors in IVF may be shared with opposite effect by b...

Authors: Pénélope Troude, Sophie Ancelet, Juliette Guibert, Jean-Luc Pouly, Jean Bouyer and Elise de La Rochebrochard

Infant nutrition in the first seven days of life in rural northern Ghana

Good nutrition is essential for increasing survival rates of infants. This study explored infant feeding practices in a resource-poor setting and assessed implications for future interventions focused on impro...

Authors: Raymond Akawire Aborigo, Cheryl A Moyer, Sarah Rominski, Philip Adongo, John Williams, Gideon Logonia, Gideon Affah, Abraham Hodgson and Cyril Engmann

Can father inclusive practice reduce paternal postnatal anxiety? A repeated measures cohort study using the hospital anxiety and depression scale

Perinatal research on anxiety and depression has primarily focused on mothers. We have limited knowledge of fathers’ anxiety during the perinatal period yet there is evidence that the parenting capacity of a p...

Authors: Jenny Tohotoa, Bruce Maycock, Yvonne L Hauck, Satvinder Dhaliwal, Peter Howat, Sharyn Burns and Colin W Binns

Institutional delivery service utilization and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last 12 months in Sekela District, North West of Ethiopia: A community - based cross sectional study

Reduction of maternal mortality is a global priority particularly in developing countries including Ethiopia where maternal mortality ratio is one of the highest in the world. The key to reducing maternal mort...

Authors: Alemayehu Shimeka Teferra, Fekadu Mazengia Alemu and Solomon Meseret Woldeyohannes

Determinant factors of pregnant mothers’ knowledge on mother to child transmission of HIV and its prevention in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a very important mode of HIV transmission for children. Well-functioning and accessible health facility and knowledge on mother to child transmission of HIV are a prerequ...

Authors: Marelign Tilahun Malaju and Getu Degu Alene

Prenatal management and perinatal outcome in giant placental chorioangioma complicated with hydrops fetalis, fetal anemia and maternal mirror syndrome

Giant placental chorioangiomas have been associated with a number of severe fetal complications and high perinatal mortality.

Authors: Lutgardo García-Díaz, Práxedes Carreto, Susana Costa-Pereira and Guillermo Antiñolo

Health care costs associated with gestational diabetes mellitus among high-risk women – results from a randomised trial

The costs of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening have been frequently reported, but total GDM-related health care costs compared to the health care costs of women without GDM have not been reported. ...

Authors: Päivi Kolu, Jani Raitanen, Pekka Rissanen and Riitta Luoto