Browse Complications of Pregnancy Articles by Topic

New Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis

An analysis of the Women’s Health Study based on a recent questionnaire about adverse pregnancy outcomes showed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and low birth weight are independent predictors of subsequent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Hospital Reduces High Cesarean Delivery Rate to Below Average

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine both recognize cesarean deliveries can save lives, but they advise vaginal deliveries for most pregnancies because the risk is lower than that of cesarean deliveries. The cesarean delivery rate is considered a key indicator of quality and patient safety. Leapfrog reported the average cesarean rate nationwide in 2018 was 26.1%, although the organization set a target of 23.9%.

Spacing Childbirth Is Better for Women’s and Children’s Health

Women’s health benefits from waiting at least two years after a live birth before the next pregnancy. The results of a recent study reveal that women are more likely to space out childbearing after participating in a two-year intervention that includes providing women with access to family planning counselors, free transportation to a high-quality family planning clinic, referrals for services, consultations, and financial reimbursement for family planning services.

Study of Epidural Analgesia Stirs Controversy

Several groups stand in strong opposition to a group of researchers’ recent conclusion about possible connection to autism risk.

Teen Pregnancy Part 2: Obstetrical Complications in Adolescents

Teen pregnancies are at high risk of obstetrical complications with an increased rate of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Acute care clinicians should be familiar with, and adept at, caring for the common or emergent obstetrical complications that may occur in a pregnant teenager.

Opioids May Lower Conception Odds, Cause Pregnancy Loss

Researchers urge careful pain management planning among this patient population.

Teen Pregnancy Part 1: The First Trimester

Acute care providers will frequently encounter an adolescent with a new diagnosis of pregnancy or a known pregnancy (complicated or uncomplicated). The unique features of teenage pregnancy are critical to be familiar with, so as not to miss the diagnosis of pregnancy or identify a complication and initiate timely, appropriate management.

Study Reveals Low Rate of Contraceptive Use in Women with Recent Preterm Births

Medicaid claims data among a North Carolina cohort show that women were less likely to fill a contraceptive claim within 90 days after preterm birth. Investigators theorized it would be harder for women to access contraception after a preterm birth because they would be caring for a medically fragile infant. Also, women who deliver preterm experience shorter pregnancies, which means there is less time for a conversation with their healthcare providers about contraception.

Study Finds High Prevalence of STIs in Pregnant Adolescents

A new study revealed that teenagers who give birth have a higher-than-expected risk of sexually transmitted infections and high rates of preterm births and chorioamnionitis.

Rheumatology Association Issues Its First Reproductive Health Guidelines

The 2020 Guideline for the Management of Reproductive Health in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases is the first set of evidence-based recommendations regarding contraception and other reproductive health issues from the American College of Rheumatology.