Preterm Labor And Delivery

The increasing prevalence of preterm birth in the United States is a complex public health problem that requires multifaceted solutions. Preterm birth is a cluster of problems with a set of overlapping factors of influence. Its causes may include individual-level behavioral and psychosocial factors, sociodemographic and neighborhood characteristics, environmental exposure, medical conditions, infertility treatments, and biological factors. Many of these factors co-occur, particularly in those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. While advances in perinatal and neonatal care have improved survival for preterm infants, those infants who do survive have a greater risk than infants born at term for developmental disabilities, health problems, and poor growth. The birth of a preterm infant can also bring considerable emotional and economic costs to families and have implications for public-sector services, such as health insurance, educational, and other social support systems. Preterm Birth assesses the problem with respect to both its causes and outcomes. This book addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. By defining and addressing the health and economic consequences of premature birth, this book will be of particular interest to health care professionals, public health officials, policy makers, professional associations and clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science researchers.

This splendid volume presents numerous aspects of preterm labor and delivery, from its fundamental mechanism to clinically focused approaches. The incidence of preterm delivery is 6-7% in Japan, while globally up to 10% of pregnancies with preterm labor result in premature delivery. The rates of overall survival and intact survival of the premature infants are also excellent in Japan. Thus Japan’s approach to preterm labor and delivery has long attracted attention. In each chapter, experts describe specific issues unique to conditions in Japan, including diagnosis, tocolytic agents, definition of clinical chorioamnionitis, treatment of bacterial vaginosis, role of amniocentesis, management of preterm premature membrane rupture and also placental pathology, presenting definitive evidence of the reduced incidence of preterm delivery in Japan. This book benefits not only obstetricians, pediatricians and gynecologist, but also midwives, nurse practitioners, and medical and associated staffs in the field of obstetrics, pediatrics, as well as neonatal and perinatal medicine who are involved in delivery.

Each year in the United States approximately 440,000 babies are born premature. These infants are at greater risk of death, and are more likely to suffer lifelong medical complications than full-term infants. Clinicians and researchers have made vast improvements in treating preterm birth; however, little success has been attained in understanding and preventing preterm birth. Understanding the complexity of interactions underlying preterm birth will be needed if further gains in outcomes are expected. The Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine sponsored a workshop to understand the biological mechanism of normal labor and delivery, and how environmental influences, as broadly defined, can interact with the processes of normal pregnancy to result in preterm birth. This report is a summary of the main themes presented by the speakers and participants.

Preterm delivery is probably the most important problem in obstetrics, and a major public health concern. Recent developments - such as the preventive use of progesterone, and new data on possible mechanisms of initiation of parturition – have placed the topic at the forefront of the interests and preoccupation of many in maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics. Recent studies have found that preterm deliveries have increased even amongst low risk women. Also shown is that assisted conceptions, multiple pregnancies and elective deliveries are associated with early birth. The impact on society is considerable. Preterm birth can also have considerable impact on long-term health, including severe mental or physical disability. With all this being currently debated, Obstetricians should re-evaluate the risks and benefits of delivering babies earlier. This book, published in collaboration with the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, is a balanced, authoritative, well-referenced work with a rigorous underpinning of basic science and evidence-based clinical guidelines. The Editors have ensured that there is development of modern ideas throughout regarding understanding, research, prevention and treatment of preterm birth. The book will be essential reading for Specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Perinatology. Since the book also highlights definitions, classifications and management algorithms, it will also be useful to general ObGyns, both in practice and training.

Empowering Midwives and Obstetric Nurses is a practical approach to understanding the health of women and newborns. It supports learning and prepares readers for the challenges faced in contemporary midwifery healthcare. Written by experts in the field, this book provides an overview, highlights important features, and brings to light certain contemporary issues pertaining to the science and art of midwifery.

This book, based on non-interactive question-and-answer format, offers an essential guide for medical students who need to prepare for oral exams or clinical visits. Starting from specific clinical situations the volume provides clear questions on the theory related to the cases. Each question is followed by correct answers that summarize the main information. Suggested reading are included to deepen the topics and enhance the readers knowledge. Accordingly, this practical guide will help students get ready for their oral exams, and help prepare young residents for their first clinical cases.