Although pregnancy is considered as a physiological state, most pregnant women in developed countries receive multiple medications to prevent maternal or neonatal complications, with antibiotics among the most frequently prescribed. During pregnancy, antibiotics are often prescribed in the context of preterm labor, intrapartum fever, prevention of neonatal Group B Streptococcus fever, and cesar...

Approximately 500,000 women in the US suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) every year. Yet only half of women affected seek treatment. PPD affects the entire family unit, altering parenting behaviors and increasing prevalence of depression among male partners of women suffering from PPD. In addition, infants whose mothers suffer from PPD have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SI...

INTRODUCTION Intrapartum fetal monitoring is essential for the identification of fetal hypoxia to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. Cardiotocography is associated with low specificity for fetal acidosis and poor perinatal outcome leading to unnecessary operative deliveries. ST waveform analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram has been shown to be a promising adjunctive intrapartum assess...

OBJECTIVES To describe the relationship between maternal age and intrapartum outcomes in 'low-risk' women; and to evaluate whether the relationship between maternal age and intrapartum interventions and adverse outcomes differs by planned place of birth. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Obstetric units (OUs), midwifery units and planned home births in England. PARTICIPANTS 63 371 ...

OBJECTIVES Intrapartum-related complications are the second leading cause of neonatal death worldwide. We estimate the community-level risk and burden of intrapartum-related fetal/neonatal mortality and morbidity associated with non-cephalic and multiple birth in rural Sarlahi District, Nepal. DESIGN Community-based prospective cohort study. SETTING Rural Sarlahi District, Nepal. PARTICIP...

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns. Universal screening for GBS among women at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation is more effective than administration of intrapartum antibiotics based on risk factors. Lower vaginal and rectal cultures for GBS are collected at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation, and routine dindamycin and erythromycin susceptibility testi...

OBJECTIVE To compare two protocols for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) against neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis, with respect to staff compliance, in a prospective cohort study in the obstetric units of a community hospital (A) and a university teaching hospital (B). METHODS Cohorts comprised about 500 women attending antenatal clinics at each hospital (total 1096). Women ...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of time and day of birth on the risk of neonatal death at term. DESIGN Population based retrospective cohort study. SETTING Data from the linked Scottish morbidity records, Stillbirth and Infant Death Survey, and birth certificate database of live births in Scotland, 1985-2004. SUBJECTS Liveborn term singletons with cephalic presentation. Perinatal deaths...

Most cases of neonatal group B streptococcal disease with early onset have an intrapartum pathogenesis. Attack rates are increased substantially in infants born to mothers with prenatal group B streptococcal colonization and various perinatal risk factors (premature labor, prolonged membrane rupture, or intrapartum fever). In a randomized controlled trial, we studied the effect of selective int...

OBJECTIVE This guideline provides new recommendations pertaining to the application and documentation of fetal surveillance in the antepartum and intrapartum period that will decrease the incidence of birth asphyxia while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetrical intervention. Pregnancies with and without risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes are considered. This guideline prese...