The 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM 2020)

Betamethasone timing during late pregnancy does not affect neonatal outcomes

Tristan Manalac, 20200227100000

The timing of betamethasone (BMZ) administration in pregnant women does not seem to differentially affect the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and, in turn, has no apparent effect on neonatal outcomes, according to a study presented at recently concluded 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal Foetal Medicine (SMFM 2020).

Getting active during pregnancy leads to improved obstetric outcomes

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20200227080000

Pregnant women may do well to exercise at an adequate amount, as it lowers the likelihood of adverse obstetric outcomes independent of blood pressure, according to a study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting.

Povidone iodine superior to chlorhexidine, saline preparation in reducing postpartum infections

Stephen Padilla, 20200226120000

The use of povidone iodine (PI) is more effective than chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) at reducing vaginal bacterial colony counts in pregnancy and appears to be a superior vaginal antiseptic for decreasing postpartum infections, according to a study presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM 2020).

Moms with type O blood at risk of developing postpartum haemorrhage

Tristan Manalac, 20200226100000

Being of type O blood may increase the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during caesarean delivery, according to a new study presented at the recently concluded 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal Foetal Medicine (SMFM 2020).

Vegan diet in pregnancy does not change umbilical-cord levels of vitamin B12, folate, ferritin

Stephen Padilla, 20200225120000

A vegan diet among pregnant women appears to have no impact on the umbilical-cord levels of vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and haemoglobin, according to a study presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Meeting (SMFM 2020).

Metformin: One pill takes care of pre-eclampsia risk, glucose control in pregnancy

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20200225090000

In pregnant women with prediabetes or pregestational type 2 diabetes (T2D), metformin also yields protective effects on the risk of pre-eclampsia, as shown in two studies presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 40th Annual Pregnancy Meeting.

Propranolol does not shorten duration of labour induction in nulliparous women

Elaine Soliven, 20200224000000

Administering intravenous propranolol hydrochloride does not reduce the duration of labour induction for nulliparous women who undergo vaginal delivery, according to a study presented at SMFM 2020.

MDR UTIs in pregnancy prone to progressing to pyelonephritis

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20200222110101

Pregnant women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria may be at increased risk of developing pyelonephritis, according to a single-centre, retrospective study presented at SMFM 2020.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis could reduce infection risk after C-secs

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20200220140102

The administration of adjunctive azithromycin prior to unscheduled Caesarean sections may reduce post-surgical infection risk, according to a study presented at SMFM 2020.

Similar time from induction of labour to delivery with low- vs high-dose oxytocin

Elaine Soliven, 20200220093317

The administration of either low- or high-dose oxytocin does not impact time from induction of labour to delivery in lean and obese women, according to a study presented at SMFM 2020.