OBJECTIVES To provide an overview of the critical illnesses that afflict the pregnant patient. DESIGN A comprehensive review of the literature was performed with Pubmed Medline using medical subject headings of pregnancy, critical care, epidemiology, prognostic score, dyspnea, fever, and jaundice. RESULTS Although pregnant women constitute a small number of admissions to an intensive care u...

Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman's life and is characterized by complex physiological changes. These changes can adversely affect oral health. Pregnancy is also an opportune time to educate women about preventing dental caries in young children, a common childhood problem. Although multiple studies have shown an association between periodontal infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such...

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES To find out why the detection of ectopic pregnancy before its rupture continues to be low at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and to suggest ways of improving upon the detection rates. DESIGN Longitudinal retrospective descriptive survey. SETTING Gynaecology unit of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Interview, betwe...

BACKGROUND Despite concerns raised in the literature on the adverse pregnancy outcomes of women with physical disabilities, there is little information about unmet needs of women with physical disabilities during pregnancy and childbirth. OBJECTIVE This article provides an in-depth examination of unmet health care needs during and around the time of pregnancy among a sample of women with phys...

INTRODUCTION Prenatal care is considered an important tool for promoting a healthy lifestyle, but has not been studied as a predictor for maternal weight gain during pregnancy, especially in Romania, where evidence about pregnancy and nutrition is scarce. OBJECTIVE This study has aimed to explore the relationship between pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), adequacy of prenatal care and wei...

BACKGROUND This study examined the frequency and nature of pregnancy-related dreams in pregnant women in a family practice center and assessed the extent such dreams were discussed with providers of prenatal care. METHODS Pregnant women 18 years of age or older who were receiving prenatal care at the University of Missouri-Columbia Family Medical Care Center responded to a two-page self-admin...

BACKGROUND Pre-pregnancy care is considered as the services assessing and reducing the pregnancy risks through providing medical care and mental support. Therefore, a pre-pregnancy counseling protocol was prepared based on a series of guidelines. This study aimed to determine the effect of the protocol on pregnancy and labor indices. METHODS This was a four-phase field study conducted in four...

BACKGROUND Many women diagnosed with varying psychiatric disorders take antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. The safety of antipsychotic medications in pregnancy is largely unknown. METHODS We established the National Register of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy in 2005. Women who are pregnant and taking an antipsychotic medication are interviewed every 6 weeks during pregnancy a...

BACKGROUND Recent declines in the provision of prenatal care by family physicians and the integration of midwives into the Canadian health care system have led to a shift in the pattern of prenatal care provision; however it is unknown if this also impacts use of other health services during pregnancy. This study aimed to assess the impact of the type of prenatal care provider on the self-repor...