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Pregnancy risks rise with age and the average age of first time mothers is rising. This study aimed to assess women's actual knowledge and their perceived knowledge of pregnancy complications relating to advanced maternal age. A cross-sectional survey was administered to primiparous women measuring demographics, knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks, previous counselling and health literacy. Of the 218 women surveyed, the mean knowledge score was not significantly different for women <35 years of age compared to women ≥35 years of age (p = .09). Although there was no difference in knowledge between the two groups, women ≥35 years of age perceived themselves to be more knowledgeable than those under 35 (p < .01). The majority of women (67%) wanted further counselling on this topic and indicated a preference for their doctor to counsel them (76%). Women require counselling informing them of their increased risk of complications if they begin childbearing at older ages. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: The average age of first time mothers is rising worldwide. Pregnancy risks rise with age, especially in first time mothers. Previous studies have shown that knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks correlate with educational level and health literacy. What the results of this study add: This study supports those findings and also demonstrates that perceived knowledge does not correlate with measured knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks. Women ≥35 years of age (higher-risk women) are no more knowledgeable than their younger counterparts though they perceive themselves to be better informed. Greater education regarding these risks may allow women to mitigate some of these risks through lifestyle and diet alteration and will prepare women for what to expect if these risks and complications occur. The majority of women in this study seek pregnancy information on the internet, but desire further counselling from their doctors regarding age-related pregnancy risks. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Given these results, physicians must consider making greater efforts to counsel women about pregnancy risks in advanced maternal age and tailor these conversations to suit the educational level and health literacy of each individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Maternal thyroid gland dysfunction may adversely affect pregnancy outcome. We aimed to examine the association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, to adverse pregnancy outcome.Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all women with an available first trimester thyroid function testing and known pregnancy outcome, categorized to subclinical hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism and evaluated for complication during gestation and delivery.Results: Four thousand five hundred and four women were included in the final analysis - 3231 were euthyroid, 73 (1.6%) were categorized as subclinical hyperthyroidism and 1200 (26.6%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. Low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, i.e. subclinical hyperthyroidism, correlates with higher rates of placental abruption and extremely low birth weight, below 1500 g. Also, the risk for preterm delivery prior to 34 gestational weeks is higher among women with subclinical hypothyroidism, with greater risk among those with a higher TSH level. (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.0-3.28 for TSH 2.5-4.0 mIU/L and OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.11-4.42 for those with TSH > 4 4.0 mIU/L).Conclusions: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery prior to 34 gestational weeks. Additionally, subclinical hyperthyroidism may also have a role in adverse pregnancy outcome - low birth weight and placental abruption - although this needs to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with a single umbilical artery (SUA) as an isolated finding with no other underlying disorders.Methods: This retrospective observational study compared a group of pregnancies with SUA (n = 127) and a group with a normal 3-vessel umbilical cord (n = 27 752). The study variables comprised maternal and obstetric characteristics and perinatal outcomes.Results: The frequency of SUA was 0.45%. Pregnancies with SUA ended more frequently with cesarean delivery, and had a higher risk that the indication for cesarean delivery was non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR). Neonates in the SUA group had a lower weight for gestational age, and a higher risk of low umbilical cord blood pH.Conclusion: Obstetricians should monitor fetal growth closely in pregnancies with SUA, and be alert to NRFHR during labor and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse pregnancy outcomes among Chinese pregnant women. A prospective population-based cohort study was performed using data collected as part of the China-Anhui Birth Cohort Study or C-ABCS. A total of 13,121 pregnant women who received the first prenatal visit were enrolled from November 2008 to October 2010. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and pregnancy outcomes. Results indicated that the increased pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as hypertensive disorder (adjusted relative risk (ARR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–3.6), gestational diabetes (ARR 3.5, 95% CI 2.3–5.2), caesarean delivery (ARR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.4), and medically indicated preterm delivery (ARR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9). Women with pre-pregnancy BMI above the normal range pose an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a case study of a 39-year-old pregnant woman with Herpes Gestationis (HG) or Pemphigoid Gestationis. Particular focus is given to information including the prolonged treatment received by the patient, causes and diagnosis of the disease, and all the complications caused by the disease.

An editorial is presented on the importance of mental health in women before and after pregnancy as it also affects physical fitness. It talks about preconception care for pregnant women until the time for child birth or delivery. It tells about the importance of mental health in women during the perinatal period which after pregnancy.