On April 8, 2024, parts of the United States will be within the Path of Totality for the total solar eclipse. The state of Texas has already declared a state of emergency as visitors flock to the state to witness the event. This is a fascinating celestial occurrence that is not scheduled to happen again until August 2044. Does the eclipse have a negative effect on pregnancy? Do lunar cycles affect birth rates? What does the data say? Does NASA have a statement on this? And what are...

Today, April 3, 2024, the ACOG released a clinical practice update to practice bulletin# 222 (gestational hypertension eclampsia). This is in direct response to a recent FDA approved biomarker test for risk stratification for preeclampsia. On May 19, 2023, the FDA cleared a novel biomarker serum test for the risk stratification for severe preeclampsia in hypertensive pregnant women. This clearance is the first given to any blood-based biomarker test for assessing preeclampsia risk. The...

According to the CDC, as well as worldwide data, the percentage of individuals categorized as overweight or obese is rising. First released in 1990 by the IOM, the guidelines for expected weight gain in pregnancy-based on pre-pregnancy weight (BMI)- have been controversial. These guidelines were revised in 2009. Now, a new publication from the Lancet (28 March 2024), is questioning the validity of the “minimal weight gain” recommended for patients with obesity. In this episode, we will review...

The current dose and schedule for antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) follows the original publication by Liggins and Howie in 1972. That dose and schedule was based on sheep models from the 1960s. The dose in current use had never been evaluated to minimize exposures while assuring efficacy. New pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data is calling into question whether the current dose and schedule is necessary. Translational research in animal models indicate that a constant, low concentration...

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors with a female predominance. The vast majority of these tumors are benign (World Health Organization [WHO] grade 1) while 15% to 20% of these tumors can behave atypically (WHO grade 2) and rarely, in 1% to 2% of cases, these tumors can be malignant (WHO grade 3) Their etiology is still poorly documented. The role of sexual hormones has long been proposed, but data have been conflicting across studies. However, a dose-dependent relationship between the...

According to the ACOG, pre-labor rupture of membranes (PROM) complicates 10% of all births in the United States and is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. What is the best course of action when patients present with PROM with a “unfavorable cervix”? Should it be a pharmacological method of ripening, or a mechanical? What does the data say? In this episode, we will do a deep dive into published data from the 1980s up to 2023. We will also explain why the Bishop score “is...

Obstetrical vacuum and forceps are incredible tools, when used correctly, to assist vaginal delivery. Appropriately selected and used, they can be pivotal in reducing the number of unnecessary cesareans and potentially decreasing certain fetal and maternal complications. However, there are several pearls of wisdom to remember when using them. In this episode, we will focus on a rare – but potentially fatal – complication of vacuum use: subgaleal hemorrhage. Although subgaleal hemorrhage can...

Ovarian preservation by autologous transplantation has given hope to patients desiring future fertility after certain gonadotoxic therapies for malignant conditions. But now, the same procedure is being promoted as a “natural cure” for menopause. Can ovarian tissue-based therapies really be the female, endocrine “fountain of youth”? In this episode, we will highlight a recent publication from the AJOG describing the potential of this procedure. We will also discuss the history of ovarian...

Since the late 1990s, the standard practice for GDM care has been to measure postprandial glucose values. For patients with pre-gestational diabetes, whether type I or type II, the ACOG recommends multi-level glucose checks (fasting, pre-meal , postprandial, and nighttime). But what about in the immediate postpartum interval? In patient’s with pre-existing diabetes, should blood sugars be checked pre-meal (qAC) or postprandial while still in the hospital, and after discharge? The topic for...

Is breastfeeding with Hepatitis C safe? The answer: Yes! But confusion persists today mainly surrounding the serum hepatitis C viral load. That’s the topic and focus of the new publication released March 2024 in the Green journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology. We will highlight this new study in this episode. Yep, we have learned a lot about hepatitis C, and HIV, and breast-feeding. In this episode, we will review: the different hepatitis C genotypes and their implications, current...

It has been estimated that up to 4.4% of the US adult population has been diagnosed with ADHD. Use of ADHD medication is increasing among pregnant women. In the last several years, there’s been a litany of publications looking at the effects of pregnancy on ADHD, as well as the effects of medication on the pregnancy. In this episode, we will highlight a new publication released March 2024 (Archives Women’s Mental Health) examining prenatal outcomes in women who continued dexamphetamine in...

Four years, the US National Vital Statistics System has reported an abnormally high maternal mortality rate in the United States, showing it to be nearly doubled from 17.4 in 2018 to 32.9 per 100,000 live births in 2021. The United States’s maternal mortality rate has been on the media radar for many years because of this. But that rate is completely WRONG. How is it that maternal mortality rates are more than 2 to 3 times higher than other developed countries despite our vast progress in...

The ACOG, CDC, and WHO currently do not recommend universal screening for thrombophilia in the general population before starting oral contraceptive pills. However, a new publication in AJOG (March 2024) is challenging that stance. In this episode, we will review this new prospective population-based study to see if it makes the case for universal screening for thrombophilia variants before starting OCPs. In this episode, we’ll also discuss high-risk versus low-risk thrombophilia, discuss...

Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is vastly more prevalent in pregnancy compared to pre-existing diabetes. In 2009, the ACOG states that 7% of all pregnancies were complicated by a diabetes diagnosis, with 86% being GDM. The prevalence of GDM keeps rising in the US and globally. Metformin is increasingly prescribed in pregnancy, yet its long-term effect on the neurocognitive development of the offspring remains incompletely described. However, newly published data (March 6, 2024; AJOG) has changed...

On this podcast, we have been following this story of the OPill for several months. Previous episodes on the subject can be found in our podcast library. As expected, this first ever daily use progestin only pill is now available over-the-counter in the US. 👏👏. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the ACOG released its Practice Advisory presenting some key reminders for clinicians regarding this new over-the-counter contraceptive option. In this episode, we will summarize this practice advisory and...

Use of second-line noninsulin diabetic medications, like Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, is rapidly increasing for treatment of T2D and other indications. As these drugs are being used by an increasing group of fertile women, it is expected that a few of them will get pregnant and data on their safety when used in the first trimester is needed. Is periconceptional use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists...

Using mechanical options as a way to prime/ripen the cervix for labor is nothing new. Balloon catheters have been used for labor induction as far back as the 1890s. Embrey and Mollison reinvigorated the method in 1967 using it in combination with extraamniotic prostaglandins. Since then numerous studies have been performed worldwide, mostly using the Foley catheter. Then, in 1990, the double balloon catheter was introduced by Atad; this paved the way for the Cook Balloon. But what is the best...

It’s very important to stay up-to-date and current with new data. But sometimes you read something that is hot-off-the press and it makes you just stop and say, “hmmm”. In this episode, we will discuss the new USPSTF position statement on screening/treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. We will also review the ACOG August 2023 clinical consensus #4 regarding UTI in pregnancy. In doing so, we present 2 things that “make you go hmmm”.

The “traditional“ Parkland management protocol for GDM included the immediate initiation of medical therapy for those with abnormal fasting blood sugar, in addition to another additional value, on the 3 hour GTT. These patients were automatically labeled as A2 GDM at time of diagnosis, rather than waiting the 1 to 2 weeks of nutritional/diet therapy. Does fasting hyperglycemia on the 100g GTT truly predict the need for subsequent medical therapy? In this episode, we will summarize new data on...

Yes, the subject of RhoGAM/RHIG administration to RH negative patients under 12 weeks gestational age is a continuously controversial issue. We have covered this issue in past episodes, most recently- last month- on January 4, 2024. Today, February 26, 2024, the SMFM released their position statement on the subject. As you would guess, the controversy continues! In this episode, we will review this brand new, hot off the press, position statement regarding RHIG administration, or avoidance,...

February 2024 has seen its share of medical and mainstream media stories highlighting hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. While some of this can be considered “old news”, there is “new news” and new developments on the horizon. We have covered hypertensive disorders in pregnancy on several past episodes; however, in this episode, we are going to pick up where we left off and review what the current state of understanding is for AHA/ACC Stage 1 hypertension in pregnancy. Does stage I...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) has a reported incidence of approximately 0.3–3% of pregnancies. Without prompt recognition and treatment, severe maternal dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially altered fetal neurodevelopment may result. Recently, HG made medical and general media news as new data has pinpointed 2 likely culprits of its origin- and neither one is estrogen. In this episode, we will discuss these 2 protein markers, and how researchers are...

Women whose fetuses are in the occiput posterior head position at the time of delivery are known to have longer second stages of labor and more complicated deliveries, including more operative assisted births, more 3rd and 4th degree lacerations, PPH, and in some studies lower Apgar scores and lower umbilical cord arterial pH. At what point in labor should the healthcare provider attempt to rotate the fetal head: first stage or second stage of labor? Recent intrapartum studies using...

The ACOG has long-held that shoulder dystocia is “unpreventable and unpredictable”. Nonetheless, as it is a devastating obstetrical occurrence, researchers have attempted to identify a reproducible mathematical formula using ultrasonographic, anthropometric factors to better predict it. What is the data behind these math models? Does the ACOG recognize their use? What is their positive predictive value? In this episode, we will examine the data – going back 40 years – and we will end the...

The ACOG has consistently recommended universal screening for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 gestational weeks. Although controversial, the ACOG does endorse earlier screening for GDM in patients with additional risk factors. But what about patients who present for prenatal care after the 28th or 29th week? Should screening for GDM be done in the 3rd trimester? And if we do screen in the then, what is the reference range for “normal “or “abnormal”? Is it the same interpretation as...