Arizona Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

A small study shows that women found with fibroids at their first ultrasound are at a higher risk of suffering preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

From the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
2011 Elsevier Inc.

A recent study established that waiting three minutes to clamp the umbilical cord resulted in the child's ferritin (iron) level at four months' old being over 40% higher. Being that iron plays a critical role in the development of the brain and central nervous system, this finding represents an important consideration for future deliveries. Effect of delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping on neonatal outcomes and iron status at 4 months: a randomised controlled trial

Delayed cord clamping and improved infant outcomes

Review of several studies show that abdominal cerclage placed laprascopically results in significant reduction in premature delivery associated with an incompetent cervix. Effectiveness of Abdominal Cerclage Placed via Laparotomy or Laparoscopy: Systematic Review

According to existing evidence, sampling fetal blood before delivery is not the most reliable method for ascertaining fetal blood gas PH. As such, the most reliable method continues to be sampling the umbilical arterial blood gases shortly after delivery. Is intrapartum fetal blood sampling a gold standard diagnostic tool for fetal distress?

Pregnant women who consumer larger quantities of marine n-3 fatty acids decreased their risk of experiencing preterm delivery. Additionally, birth weight also showed a slight increase. Evidence regarding an effect of marine n-3 fatty acids on preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

According to study data, preterm delivery via c-section results in a higher survival rate for newborns. Essentially, the stillbirth rate decreased which resulted in the statistically higher survival rate. Trends in cesarean delivery at preterm gestation and association with perinatal mortality.

Research out of Canada demonstrates that miscarriage increased by more than 200% for women who took NSAIDs while pregnant. Of the NSAIDs, Diclofenac was associated with the highest risk while Rofecoxib had the lowest.

Use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion

A recent study shows that pregnant woman given terbutaliine (labor-inhibiting drug) at term, not only experienced increased heart rate, but so did the fetus. Additionally, the fetus experienced increased accelerations in heart rate. Terbutaline: effects on the fetal heart at term

Although difficult to adequately assess or predict the risk of erb's palsy (brachial plexus injury) resulting from difficult deliveries (e.g., shoulder dystocia), there are a number of independent factors that can be used to determine if an expectant mother is at an increased risk of delivering a baby with erb's palsy. Those factors include, large estimated fetal weight (greater than 4500 grams), gestational diabetes, maternal obesity, and large weight gain. An approach to the prediction of neonatal Erb palsy

According to a study out of Europe, pregnant women who experience increases in systolic or diastolic blood pressure in their second and third trimesters are at an increased risk of developing gestational hypertension. Blood pressure tracking during pregnancy and the risk of gestational hypertensive disorders: The Generation R Study

According to data derived from a population-based, twenty-year study there are many factors that can increase the risk eclampsia (seizures developing during pregnancy that are not related to a neurological disorder). Some of these factors include being young or old mother, longer birth interval between deliveries, gestational diabetes, weight gain above or below the guidelines, and pre-pregnancy obesity.

According to a study in Norway, children born at term as a result of induced labor were more like to suffer bilateral and quadriplegia (all four limbs) spastic CP. Induction of labor and cerebral palsy: a population-based study in Norway.

Utilizing cervical length ultrasound screening on all pregnant women appears to be a cost-effective and reliable way to screen for pregnancies at risk of preterm delivery.

Universal cervical-length screening to prevent preterm birth: a cost-effectiveness analysis

According to recent study in New Zealand, pregnant women (at least 28 weeks' gestation) who slept supine the last night of their pregnancy experienced a two-fold increase in stillbirth. It is believed that this position compromises fetal oxygenation. The study also noted that pregnant women should sleep on their left side to decreases risks to their unborn baby. Association between maternal sleep practices and risk of late stillbirth: a case-control study

A recent study establishes that eating fish two or three times a week reduces the risk of preterm labor for women less than 22 weeks into their pregnancy. However, eating more than three servings a week did not further decrease the risk of preterm labor.

Fish Consumption, Erythrocyte Fatty Acids, and Preterm Birth