The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2020
A survey of the views and practices of abortion of the New Zealand Fellows and trainees of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Abortion is a common procedure in New Zealand (NZ). Currently, it is only legal when two certifying consultants agree that the person seeking an abortion meets the statutory grounds outlined in Section 187A of the NZ Crimes Act (1961). The Crimes Act also states that one-half of certifying consultants must be practising obstetricians/gynaecologists. However, with abortion law reform on the political agenda, the way that abortion services are provided in NZ may change. ⋯ This study identifies overall support for abortion provision in NZ and abortion training. However, there is a range of views and practices of abortion among RANZCOG trainees and Fellows that reflects the complexity of the abortion debate.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 2020
Observational StudyA prospective review of perinatal mortality at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV).
Timor-Leste has one of the highest perinatal mortality rates in the Asia-Pacific region. Consistent and accurate data collection improves understanding of perinatal outcomes and facilitates the development of interventions to reduce stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. ⋯ There has been limited improvement in the rate of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths at HNGV. Intrapartum hypoxia and maternal hypertensive conditions were the most common identified aetiologies highlighting areas where targeted interventions may help reduce high perinatal mortality rates. Aetiology of perinatal deaths, particularly antepartum stillbirths was difficult to discern even when well-tested classification systems are used.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 2020
The hepatitis B birth-dose immunisation: Exploring parental refusal.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunisation is the first vaccine of infant life and one of the most commonly refused immunisations on the Australian Immunisation Schedule. ⋯ The majority of postnatal women decline HBV birth-dose immunisation for their newborns citing age-related safety concerns and vaccine misconceptions. Informal information sources such as the internet and media are often consulted. Addressing the need for antenatal and health professional education toward the birth-dose may be instrumental in improving uptake.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 2020
Observational StudyAn Epworth Sleep Score ≥11 is associated with emergency operative birth and poor neonatal composite outcome at term.
During pregnancy, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale can be used as a surrogate marker for maternal sleep-disordered breathing, a condition that is becoming increasingly prevalent in obstetric populations and is associated with a multitude of pregnancy complications. ⋯ These results show that symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are associated with emergency operative birth, particularly when the indication for operative birth was intrapartum fetal compromise.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Dec 2019
Pre-eclampsia causing severe maternal morbidity - A national retrospective review of preventability and opportunities for improved care.
Pre-eclampsia and related sequelae are a leading cause of severe maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. A significant proportion of these poor outcomes may be preventable with improvements along the continuum of maternal and neonatal care. ⋯ We found a high level of preventable morbidity in cases of severe pre-eclampsia with a concerning number of preventable eclampsia. Implementation of evidence-based guidelines reinforced with education would assist clinicians to improve risk recognition, timely diagnosis and treatment and decrease potentially preventable severe morbidity associated with pre-eclampsia.