BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

ObjectiveTo evaluate modifiable antepartum and intrapartum factors associated with nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) cesarean delivery and to model risk stratified induction timing strategies that minimize cesarean risk across maternal risk profiles. Study DesignThis retrospective cohort study included all NTSV deliveries at a tertiary care center from January 2015 through August 2025 (overall cohort n=10,525; limited risk cohort n=5,663). Machine learning identified key predictors o...

ObjectivesTo determine temporal trends in the rates of preterm birth and its sub-types in Sweden and assess the contribution of known-risk factors. DesignA population-based register study. SettingSweden. Participants (Instead of patients or subjects)3,264,146 pregnancies registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry with information on pregnancy duration and onset of labour (1991 - 2021). Main outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were the overall, spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth ...

ObjectiveTo retrospectively validate an electronic health record (EHR) implementation of the patient-initiated PreMA screener and compare its association with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) outcomes against established obstetric comorbidity indices. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study using UCSF (single center) and UC-wide (multi-center) de-identified EHR data, identifying live-birth deliveries with documented preconception data. PreMA and established comorbidity index (Bat...

BackgroundPreterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a leading contributor of adverse perinatal outcomes, particularly in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Despite its clinical importance, prospective evidence on its impact on composite adverse perinatal outcomes in northern Ethiopia remains limited. This study examined the impact of Preterm premature rupture of membranes on composite adverse perinatal outcomes and identified associated predictors among pregnant women in public...

ABSTRACT/SUMMARYO_ST_ABSObjectiveC_ST_ABSCannabis use during pregnancy is increasing; associations with neonatal growth may be confounded by nicotine. We evaluated prenatal cannabis exposure (PreCE) and neonatal outcomes in a prospective cohort with biochemical control for nicotine exposure. MethodsIn the Cannabis Use During Early Life and Development (CUDDEL) study, pregnant women with a lifetime history of cannabis use were classified as PreCE if they self-reported use or had urine THC-COOH p...

BackgroundRisk screening for pre-eclampsia relies on accurate gestational age assessment, but routine access to ultrasound-based gestational dating remains challenging in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As part of the formative work for the "Preventing pre-eclampsia: Evaluating AspiRin Low-dose regimens following risk Screening" (PEARLS) trial, we aim to validate and implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for estimation of gestational age, using blind sweeps don...

BackgroundUndernutrition during pregnancy is a major public health issue and may lead to negative pregnancy outcomes. The body mass index (BMI), considered widely used as the reference method for assessing nutritional status due to its established population-based cut-off points; however, it can be misleading in pregnancy. This study aimed to validate the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a screening tool for identifying undernourished pregnant women (PW) in an urban slum, compared to BMI. ...

ObjectivePreterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with India alone contributing nearly 27% of the global PTB burden. Although alterations in the vaginal microbiome have been implicated in PTB, its association in the Indian context is underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association of vaginal microbiome and PTB in Indian women at the time of delivery. Study designThe vaginal swabs were collected at the time of delivery from 72 women (31...

ObjectivesGiven the widespread use of period-tracking applications and evidence that some users rely on fertile-window predictions for pregnancy prevention, we aimed to quantify pregnancy risk arising from misclassification of biologically fertile days by period-tracking applications, and to compare this risk across calendar-based and basal body temperature (BBT)-supported period tracking and a digital contraceptive regulated as a medical device. MethodsWe conducted an observational analysis of...

BackgroundMaternal participation in neurodevelopmental research involving neuroimaging and diverse biological samples is essential for understanding prenatal influences on early brain development, yet willingness in low-resource settings remains underexplored. MethodWe surveyed 300 mothers using a structured questionnaire to assess willingness to undergo brain health testing (with a focus on electroencephalography [EEG] and brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), provide biological samples (bl...

ObjectivesTo assess if maternal stress is higher in pregnancies with congenital heart disease (CHD) compared to low-risk pregnancies and if maternal stress is associated with placental microstructure and function. To explore if CHD alters the relationship between maternal stress and placental measures. MethodsIn this prospective observational study, 27 participants carrying a fetus with CHD and 42 participants with typical low-risk pregnancies underwent 1-2 combined diffusion{square}T2* relaxat...

BackgroundPlacental growth and function are imperative for healthy fetal growth; data on placentas can inform research and clinical care. Measuring placental size after delivery should be easy, but current methods are hard to standardize and error prone. We developed PlacentaVision using artificial intelligence (AI)-based models, to automatically, accurately, and precisely measure placentas from digital photographs. ObjectiveWe aimed to compare placental disc morphology between gross pathology ...

The use of semaglutide (SE), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with glucose-lowering and weight-loss effects, has risen rapidly, particularly among women of reproductive age. While preclinical studies suggest benefits for ovarian function via the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, its impact on the endometrial-embryo interface remains unclear. Here, we show that GLP-1R is dynamically expressed in fertile human endometrium, restricted to epithelial cells and markedly upregula...

BackgroundWomen with limited or no English proficiency experience persistent barriers to accessing maternity care in the UK, contributing to well-documented inequalities in maternal and perinatal outcomes. NHS parent education classes are predominantly delivered in English, and provision of multilingual classes within individual maternity units is often limited and duplicative. Evidence to inform collaborative, cross-trust service models remains scarce. ObjectiveTo assess womens access to, pref...

BackgroundIndustrial and peri-urban settings present complex health challenges driven by occupational exposures, environmental risks, and socioeconomic vulnerability. Despite ongoing health education and preventive efforts, many populations living and working in such settings continue to experience significant unmet health needs that limit wellbeing and access to care. MethodsThis cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in Namanve Industrial Park and surrounding communities in Mukono Di...

Abstract Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common health issue during pregnancy, often lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes if left untreated, low knowledge contribute to high UTI rates, particularly in resource-limited settings like Jordan. To assess the knowledge levels about UTIs among pregnant women in Jordan and its association with socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending anten...

ObjectiveThe objective of this analysis was to explore temporal and regional trends in breast pump prescription claims in outpatient settings in Germany, and to characterize the types of pumps covered. Study designWe conducted a nationwide secondary analysis of outpatient statutory health insurance billing data for breast pump prescriptions from 2011 to 2024, covering nearly 90% of the German population. Billing data from community pharmacies were scaled to full national coverage using regional...

BackgroundInfertility affects approximately one in six people globally and is associated with diminished quality of life (QoL). In Uganda, an estimated 6.4% of women experience infertility, yet evidence on fertility-specific QoL and its determinants remains limited. We assessed fertility-related QoL and associated factors among individuals seeking fertility care in public and private hospital settings in Kampala to inform patient-centred services. MethodologyWe conducted a hospital-based cross-...

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic birth is a serious but overlooked maternal morbidity, affecting ~20% of women following medically complicated deliveries. PTSD can undermine maternal caregiving. Rapid screening tools suited to busy obstetric settings are lacking. We developed and evaluated a brief screener, derived from the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), to identify PTSD related to childbirth. Study Design: We enrolled 107 women with traumatic childbir...

IntroductionBreastfeeding supports multiple aspects of child development and maternal health. However, research findings are often inconsistent due to methodological limitations, including inadequate control for sociodemographic factors, variation in feeding practices, health conditions across the life course, and heterogeneity in human milk (HM) composition. The Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Center (MILC) is a globally accessible, bench-to-population research platform that enables integr...