BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Association Between Blood Transfusion for Postpartum Haemorrhage and the Risk of Premature Ovarian Failure: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Aug 4, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), indicated by the need for blood transfusion, and the risk of premature ovarian failure (POF) in women. Their findings reveal that women who experienced severe PPH requiring transfusion had a significantly higher risk of developing POF compared to those who did not require transfusion, highlighting the need for ongoing reproductive health monitoring for affected individuals.

Comparison of Definitions of Severe Maternal Morbidity: A National Cohort Study Using Administrative Data

Aug 4, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the agreement between different definitions of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and explore how these definitions impact the measurement of ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in maternal health outcomes. Their analysis of over 5.9 million maternities revealed significant variation in SMM prevalence across definitions and moderate agreement among them, highlighting that many cases were identified by a single diagnostic code, suggesting a need for improved validation of diagnostic criteria to better inform prevention strategies.

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and the Long-Term Risk of Maternal Retinal and Ophthalmic Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jul 15, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the long-term risk of retinal and other ophthalmic diseases in women who have experienced hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The findings indicate that HDP is significantly associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, non-diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and retinal vascular occlusion, suggesting that women with a history of HDP may face heightened risks for various eye diseases. The authors call for further observational studies to validate these associations.

Lithium Use in Pregnancy and the Risk of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: An Australian Statewide Retrospective Cohort Study

Jul 8, 2026

This study aimed to determine the association between lithium exposure during pregnancy and the risks of spontaneous preterm birth, congenital malformations, and abnormal fetal growth. The findings revealed that lithium use was linked to a two-fold increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth, as well as higher risks of having a large for gestational age infant and congenital cardiac malformations. These results highlight important considerations for decision-making regarding lithium use in pregnant individuals.

Labour Dynamics After Induction in Nulliparous IVF/ICSI and Spontaneous Pregnancies: A Matched Cohort Study

Jul 6, 2026

The authors aimed to compare labor dynamics between nulliparous women with IVF/ICSI and those with spontaneous pregnancies, particularly examining the impact of epidural analgesia on vaginal birth outcomes. The study found that spontaneous conceptions had higher rates of vaginal delivery and shorter active labor compared to IVF/ICSI pregnancies, which were associated with reduced labor progression and a higher likelihood of cesarean delivery. Additionally, while epidural analgesia delayed labor timing, it did not affect the overall likelihood of vaginal delivery in spontaneous pregnancies, and no significant impact was observed in IVF/ICSI cases.

Impact of a Structured Caesarean Reduction Strategy on Perinatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Ecological Time-Trend Study

Jul 2, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of a structured, multidisciplinary strategy to reduce cesarean section (CS) rates in a high-complexity Italian hospital. Their findings indicated a significant decline in CS rates post-2016 without adverse impacts on maternal or neonatal outcomes, suggesting that the implemented strategies were effective in achieving their goal. Overall, the study highlights the potential for structured interventions to influence perinatal outcomes positively.

Long-Term Outcomes After Retropubic and Transobturator Sling Procedures: Reoperation for Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence

Jul 2, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the long-term failure rates and complications associated with retropubic and transobturator midurethral sling procedures for primary stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Their findings indicate that while both procedures have low failure rates, transobturator slings are associated with a higher risk of reoperation, particularly when combined with prolapse repair, whereas retropubic slings carry a greater risk of urinary retention requiring intervention.

First Trimester Screening for Preterm Preeclampsia in the United Kingdom: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Jul 1, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) strategy for first-trimester screening of preterm preeclampsia (PE) compared to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) strategy in the UK. Their analysis revealed that the FMF strategy not only resulted in cost savings of £3191 per 10,000 patients but also provided a gain of 0.92 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), demonstrating its superiority in both cost-effectiveness and clinical outcomes.

Internal Consistency of the Hadlock Estimated Fetal Weight Reference: Methodological Analysis

Jul 1, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the internal consistency of the Hadlock estimated fetal weight (EFW) reference by comparing chart-derived and equation-derived centiles in a population of pregnancies. Their analysis revealed a significant disparity between the two methods, particularly at critical thresholds (3rd and 10th centiles), indicating that the chart underestimates the incidence of small for gestational age fetuses. This suggests that reliance on the Hadlock chart may lead to misclassification in clinical practice.

Indications and Efficacy of Progestogen-Monotherapy as Menopause Hormone Therapy: A Narrative Review

Jun 25, 2026

This narrative review investigates the indications and efficacy of progestogen monotherapy as an alternative to estrogen-containing menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for women with contraindications to estrogen. The authors find that progestogen monotherapy effectively alleviates vasomotor symptoms and offers various benefits, including improved sleep quality and potential bone protection, although its long-term safety, particularly regarding breast cancer risk, remains uncertain. They emphasize the need for larger, high-quality studies to establish clearer guidelines for its use in clinical practice.