Antenatal assessment of fetal well-being
This article reviews various tools and interventions that are currently available to assess fetal well-being, including the ongoing assessment of risk factors (leading to the triaging of women into appropriate pathways of care) through to the assessment of fetal well-being with the computerised CTG. Included is a brief overview of screening, symphysis fundal height measurements, growth and Doppler scanning, and perception of fetal movements. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - June 2, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Sumana Narain, Alec McEwan Tags: Review Source Type: research

Editorial Board
(Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - May 30, 2023 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Intrapartum and postpartum bladder management: the poor relation of modern obstetrics
Pelvic floor dysfunction represents a huge burden of disease globally. Poor bladder care in labour and the postnatal period is a risk factor for the development of pelvic floor disorders, in particular voiding dysfunction, which can have a long-lasting detrimental impact on a woman's quality of life, physical and mental wellbeing. If left untreated postpartum urinary retention can lead to repetitive overdistension injury and permanent detrusor muscle damage. It is therefore imperative to raise awareness of the need for bladder care in labour and postpartum, and to develop strategies that will improve recognition of the sym...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 24, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Miriam O'Kane, Angie Rantell Tags: Review Source Type: research

Prenatal diagnosis of single-gene disorders
Genetic disease can occur due to imbalance of whole chromosomes, smaller chromosome microdeletions or duplications, or at the single-gene level where even a single base change can cause significant disease. This review focuses on the methods available to achieve genetic diagnosis of a fetus in pregnancy, both in the context of a family history of a known disease-causing gene variant and where there is clinical suspicion of a genetic disorder based on ultrasound findings. The indications for rapid trio whole exome sequencing in the prenatal setting will be considered. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 21, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Katie Johnson, Jacqueline Eason Tags: Case-based learning Source Type: research

Gestational diabetes: screening, diagnosis, treatment and management
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a common medical condition in pregnancy, and is associated with a range of short and long term maternal and infant complications including pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, caesarean section, stillbirth, macrosomia and large-for-gestational age, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and increased risk of later type 2 diabetes in both mother and offspring. The incidence of complications can be reduced and pregnancy outcomes for these women are generally good with effective management of hyperglycaemia using regular monitoring of blood glucose, antenatal care with a multidisciplinary team, diet and lifestyle int...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 21, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Zoe A. Stewart-Field Tags: Review Source Type: research

Managing obesity in gynaecological surgery
The incidence of obesity is rising worldwide. This is contributing to an increase in complexity around perioperative care in all surgical specialties including gynaecology. A holistic approach is essential when managing obese women requiring surgery. A multidisciplinary team is strongly advised in the process of selecting women for surgery. Careful emphasis must be placed on pre-operative and postoperative care with focus on prevention of additional complications associated with obesity. Weight management clinics may have an important role in the pre-operative planning stage. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 20, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Ciara Mackenzie, Hema Nosib Tags: Review Source Type: research

Self-assessment questions
(Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 15, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Anna Richmond Tags: Self-assessment Source Type: research

A practical approach to managing post-menopausal women with ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are common among post-menopausal women. Although ovarian cancer is a significant cause of mortality in menopausal women, large population-based studies demonstrate that the majority of adnexal masses are benign. In most cases, a pelvic mass or ovarian cyst is an incidental finding, generally corresponding to a benign cyst and easily diagnosed by conventional ultrasound. However, an ovarian tumour may be malignant and should be treated as early as possible. Several diagnostic modalities exist including ultrasound, blood tumour markers, advanced imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, and compute...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 11, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Ballari Ghosh, Barnaby Rufford Tags: Review Source Type: research

COVID-19 vaccination and fertility: fighting misinformation
The introduction of vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with widespread misinformation on social media concerning, among other things, the potential effect of the vaccine in reducing fertility and increasing the risk of miscarriage among recipients. Tackling misinformation requires an understanding of the context in which it spreads and careful use of the doctor ’s knowledge and communication skills. Research into ways of tackling disinformation is still at an early stage, but some measures that are likely to be effective include content moderation, misinformation labelling and improving the level of scientific d...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 7, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Raj Mathur Source Type: research

Mechanisms and management of normal labour
Normal labour reflects the culmination of several complex and complimentary processes, relying on hormonal, biochemical and mechanical interdependence. The four phases of parturition (quiescence, activation, stimulation and involution) in short reflect the transition from gestation to initiation and propagation of labour, delivery of the fetus and placenta, and recovery to the non-pregnant state. Appropriate physiological regulation of this process is key to achieving maturity for the neonate and prevention of associated maternal and neonatal morbidity. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 4, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Jennifer Mary Thornton, Meenakshi Ramphul Tags: Review Source Type: research

Male and female sterilisation
are important forms of contraception worldwide despite declining popularity in developed countries and limited access during the Covid-19 global pandemic. Vasectomy is the only highly reliable form of male contraception. Appropriate counselling about permanent methods of contraception in both sexes is vital and should include information about irreversibility, failure rates and complications. The alternatives to sterilisation, particularly long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), should be discussed in detail as they are at least as effective and have the advantage of reversibility. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology an...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - April 4, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Emma Lincoln, Catherine Schunmann, Rebecca McKay Tags: Case-based learning Source Type: research

The pathophysiology and management of menopausal symptoms
The menopause is a significant event in a women's life that can potentially impact on her quality of life in several ways. It marks the end of the reproductive life cycle and the clinical manifestations of the menopause result from the eventual exhaustion of oocytes within the ovaries. The depletion of these oocytes results in chronic hypoestrogenic state, which in the short term can cause menopausal symptoms and over a longer period, may impact upon bone and cardiovascular health. This review summarises current understanding of pathophysiology of the symptoms of the menopause as well as reviewing the current recommendatio...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - March 30, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Kugajeevan Vigneswaran, Haitham Hamoda Tags: Review Source Type: research

Editorial Board
(Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine)
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - March 29, 2023 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research

Induction of labour
describes the artificial stimulation of the onset of labour and occurs in up to 30% of pregnancies in the United Kingdom. Both mechanical and pharmacological methods of induction of labour exist. Induction of labour is associated with less maternal satisfaction compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery. Therefore, the decision for induction of labour should not be undertaken lightly and appropriate counselling of the mother with appropriate documentation of the provision of information in addition to the indications, risks, benefits and alternatives to induction of labour is advocated. (Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology an...
Source: Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine - March 22, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Saira Azhur, Kate F. Walker Tags: Review Source Type: research