Pregnancy, obstetrics, breastfeeding, gynaecology

House of Commons to discuss the use of valproate in pregnancy

The UK Parliament is to hold a debate on the use of epilepsy drug valproate in pregnancy on 19 October 2017, after campaigners and MPs called for a discussion on the drug’s risk.…

Antibiotics should be offered to all women in pre-term labour

All women who go into labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy should be offered antibiotics to prevent a potential transmission of Group B streptococcal disease to their babies, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has said in revised guidelines.…

HRT not linked to early death, study concludes

Hormone replacement therapy is not associated with all-cause, cancer or cardiovascular death, according to the results of an 18-year follow-up study.…

Managing diabetes in women during preconception and pregnancy

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with risks to the woman and to the developing foetus. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals need to be able to support and educate women who are planning pregnancy and those who are already pregnant to manage their diabetes.…

Pregnant women use the internet for medication safety information

Pregnant women are searching the internet for information on medication use in pregnancy because of a lack of specific recommendations, researchers have found…

Antidepressant use during pregnancy increases risk of psychiatric disorders in children

Children of mothers who used antidepressants before and/or during pregnancy are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, according to a study published in the The BMJ.…

Oral contraceptives linked to decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Study explores the impact of both oral contraceptives and breastfeeding on womens’ risk of rheumatoid arthritis. …

Community pharmacy-led sexual health services should be commissioned nationally, conference hears

Community pharmacies are ideally placed to be the first port of call for women requiring comprehensive and convenient contraceptive and sexual health services, concluded a discussion at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2017 annual conference in Birmingham, UK.…

Prior maternal flu vaccination does not affect future protection in infants

Flu vaccination does not appear to reduce antibody responses to subsequent vaccinations of newborns, a group at high risk for complications from influenza infection.…

Conjunctivitis in pregnancy: case study

Healthcare professionals should advise non-pharmacological therapies for the initial treatment of minor ailments, such as eye conditions, in women who are pregnant. A conservative approach reduces the risk of exposing the unborn baby to medicines and their metabolites.…