Pregnancy, obstetrics, breastfeeding, gynaecology

Case-based learning: postnatal depression

Appropriate early recognition and timely treatment of postnatal depression is essential if patients are to make a full recovery.…

Five legal protections soon-to-be or new parents should know about

Whether pregnant or returning to a career in pharmacy, there are several ways the law protects new parents.…

Postnatal depression: recognition and diagnosis

Pharmacists are likely to encounter patients affected by postnatal depression; therefore, the ability to identify signs of this under-recognised disorder is essential for appropriate and prompt referral for help and support.…

Asthma exacerbations during pregnancy linked to birth complications

Women with asthma who experience exacerbations during pregnancy are more likely to have birth complications than women with well-controlled asthma, a study published in the European Respiratory Journal has suggested.…

Use of antidepressants linked to heightened risk of gestational diabetes

Women who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to develop gestational diabetes than women who do not, research published in BMJ Open suggests.…

Flu vaccination in pregnancy found to be effective in immunising babies

Having a flu vaccination during pregnancy helps to prevent infection and admission to hospital in babies, a study funded by Public Health England has found.…

We should not write off vitamin D supplementation — especially in pregnancy

Testing all pregnant women for insufficient vitamin D levels is expensive, but two systematic reviews suggest that providing them all with vitamin D supplements could reduce risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and low birth weight.…

Wendy Jones: ‘Mothers feel reassured after talking to us’

Drugs in Breastmilk service creator Wendy Jones, a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has been awarded an MBE for services to mothers and babies. Here, Corrinne Burns speaks to her about about her work, and the importance of accessible pharmaceutical expertise to breastf…

Painkiller link to childhood asthma unlikely to be causal, researchers say

A previously reported association between analgesic use in pregnancy and childhood asthma is likely to result from confounding factors, researchers have concluded.…

More than half of women think emergency contraception should switch to OTC, poll reveals

Emergency contraception should be made available over the counter without the need for a pharmacist consultation, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service has said.…