A new study to be published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reveals the consequences of heavy and binge drinking on pregnancy even after these drinking patterns have stopped.

The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the appointment of former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as secretary of state in the Obama administration by a vote of 94-2, the Los Angeles Times reports. Clinton has said she is committed to advancing women's rights in the U.S. and abroad (Richter, Los Angeles Times, 1/22).

A new study to be published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reveals the consequences of heavy and binge drinking on pregnancy even after these drinking patterns have stopped. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A study of more than 2,500 pregnant women in Africa has shown that those who experience violence from their partners are 50% more likely to lose their baby in at least one pregnancy. The study findings support the idea of prenatal screening for spousal violence in Africa, the region with the highest levels of fetal loss in the world. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Researchers believe that local online forums could play a key role in helping new mothers to share experiences and concerns, according to a study published in the January issue of the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Authors: PMID: 19155890 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Keeping Current on Women's Health Care. Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Feb;113(2 Pt 1):256-7 Authors: Queenan JT PMID: 19155891 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Authors: Steege JF PMID: 19155892 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: All methods adequately measured the pelvic pain intensity in gynecologic emergencies. The self-report scales were easier to use than the behavioral indices. Self-report measurements of pelvic pain intensity provide useful information at the time of triage in gynecologic emergency departments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 19155893 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Failure after tubal sterilization using Filshie clips is less than 1:500 operations. Patient selection and surgeons' experience may have influenced these results. Regret occurred in a small proportion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: III. PMID: 19155894 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Oral sedation, as studied, is not equivalent to intravenous sedation for pain control during first-trimester surgical abortion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00337792 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: I. PMID: 19155895 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Treatment with 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate did not reduce the rate of preterm birth in women with triplet gestations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00099164 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: I. PMID: 19155896 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Rates of severe obstetric complications increased from 1998-1999 to 2004-2005. For many of these complications, these increases were associated with the increasing rate of cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: III. PMID: 19155897 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Overweight and obese teenage mothers are at increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Research on optimal weight for pregnant teens and weight control interventions is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 19155898 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: An organized, consistent program of dietary and lifestyle counseling did reduce weight gain in pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00792480 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: I. PMID: 19155899 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: The preoperative injection of intracervical vasopressin leads to decreased blood loss during vaginal hysterectomy. There was, however, a significant increase in postoperative morphine use in patients receiving vasopressin. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00799292 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: I. PMID: 19155900 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: The radiation-associated endometrial cancers carry a grave prognosis because they are more likely to be nonendometrioid, poorly differentiated advanced stage cancers. The longer latency and extensive spread at diagnosis among radiation-associated endometrial cancers may suggest a possible delay in clinical presentation and diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 19155901 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Earlier serum hCG regression in the recent cohort of complete hydatidiform moles probably is a result of widely used first-trimester ultrasonography leading to detection and evacuation of complete moles at younger gestational ages, resulting in lower hCG levels at time of evacuation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 19155902 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: Pregnancy outcomes in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler results at either 20 or 24 weeks were intermediate between those with normal or abnormal results at both time points. If overall test performance could be enhanced by the addition of clinical data, biomarkers, or both, we would recommend that 20 weeks is the most appropriate gestation in the second trimester to perform uterine artery Doppler studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 19155903 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

CONCLUSION:: A 1-day regimen of nitrofurantoin is significantly less effective than a 7-day regimen. Women with asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy should receive the standard 7-day regimen. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:: ISRCTN, isrctn.org, ISRCTN11966080 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: I. PMID: 19155904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)