American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2015
Do laborists improve delivery outcomes for laboring women in California community hospitals?
We sought to determine the impact of the laborist staffing model on cesarean rates and maternal morbidity in California community hospitals. ⋯ We were unable to demonstrate differences in cesarean and maternal childbirth complication rates in community hospitals with and without laborists. Further efforts are needed to understand how the laborist staffing model contributes to neonatal outcomes, cost and efficiency of care, and patient and physician satisfaction.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2015
Postpartum contraceptive use among women with a recent preterm birth.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the associations between postpartum contraception and having a recent preterm birth. ⋯ During contraceptive counseling with women who had recent preterm births, providers should address an optimal pregnancy interval and consider that women with recent extreme preterm birth, particularly those whose infants died, may not use contraception because they want to get pregnant.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2015
Trends in timing of prenatal diagnosis and abortion for fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
Our objective was to evaluate changes in the timing of prenatal diagnosis and abortion for chromosomal abnormalities over the past 10 years. ⋯ Since 2005, the gestational ages at prenatal diagnosis and abortion for Down syndrome have declined significantly. These changes are likely attributable to improvements in early screening that leads to higher rates of chorionic villus sampling.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Sep 2015
Blood volume determination in obese and normal-weight gravidas: the hydroxyethyl starch method.
The impact of obesity on maternal blood volume in pregnancy has not been reported. We compared the blood volumes of obese and normal-weight gravidas using a validated hydroxyethyl starch (HES) dilution technique for blood volume estimation. ⋯ Obese gravidas have similar circulating blood volume, but lower blood volume per kilogram body weight, than normal-weight gravidas near term.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Sep 2015
Observational StudyA model to predict vaginal delivery in nulliparous women based on maternal characteristics and intrapartum ultrasound.
Accurate prediction of whether a nulliparous woman will have a vaginal delivery would be a major advance in obstetrics. The objective of the study was to develop such a model based on maternal characteristics and the results of intrapartum ultrasound. ⋯ A risk score based on maternal characteristics and intrapartum findings can predict vaginal delivery in nulliparous women in the first stage of labor.