Beyfortus PASSIVE Immunity info! For Katie!! ❤️❤️❤️
A quick clarification about Beyfortus neonatal protection against RSV. Thank you Katie for bringing this to my attention! What a wonderful podcast community we have. ❤️❤️❤️

A quick clarification about Beyfortus neonatal protection against RSV. Thank you Katie for bringing this to my attention! What a wonderful podcast community we have. ❤️❤️❤️
We have been following this developing story on the Maternal RSV vaccine, Abrysvo. In the recent podcast, we stated that we would let you know when the ACOG releases its “Practice Advisory”, which is its clinical guidance update. This is now out! In this episode will provide the summary, high-yield points regarding this vaccine’s use in pregnancy. Can this be co-administered with other vaccines? What did ACOG say about the preterm birth “numerical imbalance” among study trial participants who re...
Low Dose Aspirin has been a routine aspect of preeclampsia prevention since first mentioned by the ACOG’s Hypertension in Pregnancy Task Force report, back in November 2013. Since that time, there has been several revisions of the criteria of who qualifies for low-dose aspirin in pregnancy. Nonetheless, there are calls and expert opinions challenging this “risk factor based” approach, favoring a more universal adoption. Additionally, the DOSE of low-dose aspirin has also come under recent critiq...
According to the CDC’s press release from September 2022, the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related death include mental health conditions (including deaths to suicide and overdose/poisoning related to substance use disorder), accounting for 23% of cases. The top 2 perinatal, mental health conditions are anxiety and depression. And, although much more rare with an incidence of 1–2/1,000, postpartum psychosis is a major cause of self-harm an infant harm. In this episode, we will review “...
It’s pretty standard of an evaluation… TVUS for postmenopausal bleeding. It’s well accepted that an endometrial thickness of 4 mm (5 mm in some studies) should trigger further endometrial tissue analysis in women with postmenopausal bleeding. But is there a cut-off endometrial thickness at which endometrial tissue should be evaluated in a postmenopausal patient WITHOUT bleeding, where this was found incidentally? There is definitely an evidence-based recommendation, and we will cover that in thi...
Welcome to our “OB Smorgasburg” episode, where we have a CORNUCOPIA of topics. Well, maybe not a full cornucopia… But a mini-cornucopia. In this episode, we will address 2 recent publications that really are my “pet peeves“ about medical data! One is from the US Preventive Service Task Force, and the other has to do with “timed intercourse”. You have to listen to this! Then we will get into new data regarding the association of 1 abnormal glucose value on the 3 hour GTT with adverse neonatal out...
Universal, weekly (surveillance) laboratory screening for expectant management of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy has been routine practice since the release of the ACOG’s Hypertension in Pregnancy executive summary in November of 2013. This plan of care was also recommended in the ACOG Practice Bulletin 222 focused on Gestational Hypertension and Preeclmapsia. But does this actually help prevent maternal morbidity? Does routine weekly lab surveillance, detect worsening disease over clinical...
Trichomoniasis has been found in every continent and climate without showing any significant seasonal variability. According to the CDC, trichomoniasis is estimated to be the most prevalent nonviral STI worldwide, affecting approximately 2.6 million persons in the United States. Conditions shown to be associated with T vaginalis infection include: Increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission, increased prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections, adverse outcomes of pregnancy (eg, ...
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting reproductive-aged women, with a prevalence between 10 to 13%. PCOS has a large component of Insulin Resistance at its core. This is not only a metabolic complication in gynecology, but also has adverse implications for pregnancy. Since metformin is a staple of PCOS care, not only for infertility but also for the metabolic syndrome in adults, a common question is what to do with that medication once conception occurs. Sh...
NSAIDs have been shown to be associated with development of VTEs. This data is not new, but is more than 10 years old. Of course, hormonal contraception is also known to potentially increase the risk of VTE depending on the amount of estrogen in the combination product as well as the type of progestin used. So, a reasonable question to ask is whether the use of these two medications TOGETHER synergistically increase the risk of VTE. A recent publication in BMJ (06 Sept 2023) provided some contro...
Optimal uterine closure remains one of the most studied and controversial aspects of cesarean delivery. Traditionally, a single-layer locking hysterotomy closure has been taught and passes down. Is this evidence based? Is there any advantage to doing a double-layer myometrial closure? We’ll get down to the data in this episode.
A uterine niche is a reservoir-like pouch in the anterior uterine isthmus located at the site of a previous CS scar. First published and describe din 1961, there have been a variety of publications looking at "best practice" at cesarean hysterotomy closure to try to minimize its occurrence. This defect has been linked to abnormal placentation in subsequent pregnancies, CS scar ectopic pregnancies, abnormal uterine bleeding, and dysmenorrhea. While the complete pathogenesis of the niche defect is...
SLE can affect people of all ages, including children. However, women of childbearing ages—15 to 44 years—are at greatest risk of developing SLE. Women of all ages are affected far more than men (estimates range from 4 to 12 women for every 1 man). Are you familiar with the 2019 updated diagnostic criteria for SLE? What are some specific concerns regarding this condition in pregnancy? Do patients with anti-SSA/SSB antibodies need serial fetal echocardiograms? And do these patients need early ind...
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine. Celiac disease is the only autoimmune disorder with a single clearly identified environmental trigger...DIET. Although the exact mechanism of the disease development is unknown, celiac disease appears to form after gluten intake from a complex interplay of environmental, immune, and genetic factors. What is Tropical Sprue and how is this different than Tropical Sprue? Does this lead to infertility? How is this linked to a specific ...
Probiotics may be good for your gut, but does your vagina need them too? Probiotics are in everything from fermented drinks to pills and powders, and in many cases, are being advertised as a way of improving your vaginal health. Is that evidence based? Do oral probiotics help support a healthy vaginal microbiome? What about vaginal probiotics? Can vaginal probiotics augment BV therapy? The answer may surprise you. So…Grab your kombucha and take a seat… We’re going to cover this and much more, in...
We recently provided some additional information regarding the recently approved medication for postpartum depression, Zoranalone. One of the benefits of this medication is it’s rapid mechanism of action. Although not yet approved for major depressive disorder outside of the perinatal interval, there is a separate medication, which was FDA approved last year, which is ultra-fast acting for depression. Oddly enough, one of its main ingredients is a traditional cough suppressant. Have you heard of...
As a true testament that we read each one of our Podcast Facebook messages, this is a “You asked, We answered” episode regarding 3 main recent topics: 1. dose of oral MI for PCOS, 2. Zoranalone for Major Depressive Disorder, and 3. the “shoulder shrug” maneuver for shoulder dystocia. 👍👍👍👍
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder and one of the most frequent causes of infertility in women. It affects 5–20% of women of childbearing age. The pathogenesis of PCOS is still not fully understood; however, insulin resistance (IR) is known to have a central role in its pathogenesis. According to a cross-sectional study, IR is present in 75% of lean and 95% of overweight women with PCOS. This IR seems to have something else behind it: an imbalance in the ratio...
In 1990, the ACOG released the “Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program“. OB healthcare workers have doing universal screening for Hepatitis B using HBsAg in each pregnancy, ever since. However, there is a new guidance being released in September 2023 from the ACOG. This new guidance aligns with the national Hep B screening and testing recommendations from the CDC released March 2023. Are you familiar with the “Hep B triple screen”? Is antiviral therapy recommended for Hep B in pregnancy? When ...
OK, OK…we all get that past history of DVT related to hormonal exposure is a true and persistent contraindication for estrogen birth control. We get that. But what about the incidental presence of lower extremity varicose veins? Are varicose veins a contraindication to estrogen containing birth control? After all, some data has linked superficial varicose veins to the development of DVT. That must mean that estrogen containing BC is contraindicated due to the additional risk of clot formation, r...
On August 21, 2023, the FDA approved a new RSV vaccine for maternal use, ideally in the late third trimester. However, there are some nuances and some cautionary notes here! In this episode, we will review the phase 3 data, which fostered the FDA approval and review the nuances to this study. Are we ready for mass incorporation of the maternal RSV vaccine into clinical practice? The answer quite simply is… “No”. We will explain why in this episode.
In 2015, the ACOG released its Committee Opinion on "Endometrial Intraepithelial Hyperplasia", or EIN (CO 631). EIN is of clinical significance because it is often a precursor lesion to adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Making the distinction between hyperplasia and true precancerous lesions or true neoplasia is super important because their differing cancer risks must be matched with an appropriate intervention to avoid under/overtreatment. As is our podcast tagline, "medicine moves fast"; com...
Recently, a horrific and unimaginable birth event made national (USA) news. A case of shoulder dystocia resulted in an extremely morbid and rarely witnessed complication. On August 16, 2023, an extremely important review article was released (ahead of print) in the American Journal of ObGyn. This article summarizes important key aspects and tips for the proper performance of rescue maneuvers for shoulder dystocia, with the aim of keeping both the mother and the baby safe. In this episode, we wil...
Access to effective oral emergency contraception is vital, now more than ever. While use of either levonorgestrel or ulipristal is endorsed by the ACOG, pharmacodynamic and clinical data does show that ulipristal has the efficacy advantage. Although the process of ovulation is directed by the LH surge, it is also put into action by prostaglandin resulting from COX2 activity. So, can the addition of a COX2 inhibitor increase the efficacy of Plan B when taken as a combo? A new study published 24 h...
Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), now called Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia, was first described by Leiblum and Nathan in 2001 in a five-patient case series. This is now a well-recognized pelvic floor/genital abnormality with a consensus statement being released in 2019 by the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Are you familiar with this condition? It is a source of severe emotional and mental hardship for those affected. In this episode, we will summarize the dat...
The definition of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in the US is 2 or more consecutive failed clinical pregnancies documented by ultrasound or histopathology, while, in the United Kingdom, the definition is as having 3 or more consecutive early pregnancy losses. Up to 50 percent of cases of recurrent pregnancy loss lack a clear etiology. Where do we stand, in 2023, in regards to our understanding of the effects of inherited thrombophilias on recurrent pregnancy losses? Do they cause recurrent ABs? ...
Perineal trauma after vaginal birth is common, with approximately 9 of 10 women being affected. Second-degree perineal tears are twice as likely to occur in primiparous births, with a incidence of 40%! Obstetrical lacerations of all degrees can lead to significant physical and even psychological morbidity, and have been identified as an independent risk factor for sexual dysfunction- which could last up to 18 months after delivery. Can perineal massage help reduce the rate of obstetrical trauma ...
In 2019, brexanolone, better known as Zulresso, became the first postpartum depression (PPD) drug to receive FDA approval. While we have previously discussed this IV medication for PPD in other episodes, there is now a novel oral version of this antidepressant which has made the news as of last week (ie, early august 2023). That medication was known as SAGE 217 during the clinical trials, but it is now known as zuranolone (ZURZUVAE™). YEP.. in the first week of August 2023, the US Food and Drug ...
In our most recent episode on vaginal prep at C-section, we referenced a parallel topic where individual data pieces seem to be contradictory: prophylactic TXA at time of cesarean section. In that past episode, we referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis that showed prophylactic TXA was indeed beneficial. Well… we are going to build on that data regarding prophylactic TXA in this quick/targeted episode that we call our NEW DATA BLURB. In this episode, we will highlight a fantastic, brand...
With improvements in the screening & treatment of Breast Ca, the number of female survivors continues to rise, with a reported 5-year survival rate of up to 90%. However, several of the systemic treatments for breast cancer, including endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, can result in a new or worsened hypoestrogenic state. Up to 70% of postmenopausal women will develop symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). With an estimated 3.8 million breast cancer survivors ...