Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

Screening And Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes, And Perinatal Outcomes In Patients With Bariatric Surgery History, Silpa Annavarapu, Bs, Charlette Williams, Md, Rodney Mclaren, Jr., Md, Sarah Boudova, Md, Phd

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

- ~1 in 5 women of reproductive age are obese, with bariatric surgery increasing in popularity as an intervention

- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with shoulder dystocia, polyhydramnios, weight >4500g, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, NICU admission, respiratory distress, cesarean delivery, gestational hypertension (HTN), and Preeclampsia

- Adverse outcomes of GDM can be mitigated with early diagnosis and blood glucose management

- The glucose tolerance test (GTT) is the current gold standard for diagnosing gestational diabetes (GDM)

• Individuals with a history of bariatric surgery may not tolerate the sugar load or volume of the GTT
• The GTT may not accurately …

Evaluation Of Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception For Reducing Short Interval Pregnancies, Andrew Grover, Md, Molly Haas, Bs, Amanda Ricard, Do, Heather Cunningham, Md, Joanne N. Quiñones, Amanda Flicker, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Objective

• Short interval pregnancy (SIP): any pregnancy that occurs within 18 months of a previous delivery or pregnancy loss.
• SIP is associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes, placenta accreta spectrum,1preterm birth, low birth weight, and small size for gestational age.²
• Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants offer solutions to the limitations of daily oral contraception. Despite these options, 45% of U.S. pregnancies in 2011 were unintentional.³

While immediate postpartum LARC has been shown to be effective for mitigating unintended pregnancy, implementation of programs providing access to this contraceptive option have …

Asking About Gender Identity In Pediatric And Adolescent Gynecology Clinic: Patient, Family And Provider Perspectives (The Reflective Study), Madeline Ross, Hariye Sema Baghaki, Hannah Suffian, Lauren Roth, Jeanette Higgins, Tazim Dowlut-Mcelroy

Research Days

Background

The provision of medical and psychosocial support requires the identification of gender diverse individuals in health care settings. However, in primary care settings, some adolescents and parents expressed that gender identity screening (GIS) was offensive and clinicians expressed that GIS negatively affected their workflow. We sought to assess the acceptability and feasibility of GIS in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) clinics of a large tertiary care children’s hospital in the United States (US) Midwest.

Methods

A GIS survey developed in the US West Coast was modified with permission. After IRB approval, the anonymous single-site cross-sectional survey was administered to …

Teen And Young Adult Experiences With Intrauterine Device Placement Under Procedural Sedation: A Pilot Study, Ellen Bryant, Stephani L. Stancil, Anne-Marie Priebe, Andrea Nos, Ashli A. Lawson

Research Days

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a reliable method of contraception and menstrual management, but uptake of them, especially in the adolescent population, can be limited by concerns for pain and anxiety during the placement procedure. Pain management plans for IUD insertion are recommended prior to placement, but data regarding multiple modes of analgesia and anxiolysis have shown mixed results. This study is designed as a pilot study to analyze adolescent experiences with IUD placement with sedation, as well as to identify patient characteristics that may be associated with a favorable or unfavorable experience.

Implementation Of An Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway In Adolescent Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Evaluation Of Endometriosis, Lauren Roth Md, Madeline Ross Md, Todd Glenski Md, Emily Weisberg Md, Ashli Lawson

Research Days

This study evaluates the implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for adolescent patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis at a tertiary children's hospital. The retrospective reviewed included 53 patients (20 pre-ERAS, 33 post-ERAS) aged 12-20 years old, comparing preoperative compliance, intraoperative adherence, and postoperative outcomes. Findings showed 81% compliance with preoperative medication, 76% received appropriate preoperative medications, and 39% had recommended carbohydrate loading. Intraoperative compliance was 87%, with 61% adherence to postoperative medications. Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay time increased (44 vs 53 minutes, p=0.21), but pain scores, postoperative prescriptions, and hospital readmissions remained unchanged. This study …

Impact Of A Multidisciplinary Clinic On Hormone Replacement Therapy In Adolescents With Turner Syndrome, Madeline Ross, Trisha Patel, Ashli A. Lawson, Joseph Cernich, Tazim Dowlut-Mcelroy

Research Days

Background

Turner Syndrome (TS) is associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Most adolescents with TS require hormone replacement therapy (HRT).1 International guidelines recommend transdermal estradiol (TDE) as first-line estrogen replacement therapy.1 Care within a multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) has been associated with higher adherence to screening guidelines for metabolic and auditory disorders in TS.2 It is unknown if adherence to guidelines for postpubertal HRT differ for adolescents with TS managed in a MDC compared to those managed outside of a MDC. Our study aimed to compare 1) postpubertal HRT regimen prescribed, and 2) compliance to HRT and menstrual bleeding patterns for …

Development Of A Light-Based Platform To Assess Cervical Mucus Barrier Function And Physical Mucus Properties, Elizabeth J. Buzbee

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet current clinical tools for predicting its risk lack specificity and reliability. Cervical mucus plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy by forming a barrier that protects the uterus against infection. This study investigates the use of laser speckle rheology as a noninvasive technique to assess cervical mucus biomechanics. Synthetic cervical mucus was fabricated at varying hydration levels and tested using a conventional rheometer that confirmed that the mechanical properties of the synthetic mucus samples were representative of physiological cervical mucus. These results were compared to the complex …

Implementation Of An Adolescent Women’S Health And Wellness Education Program, Lauren Acker, Laynee Conner, Jennifer Cera

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objectives: The goal of this research study was to provide scientific evidence supporting the importance and effectiveness of implementing a women’s health and wellness education course and its effect on (1) adolescent knowledge of sexual health and hygiene, (2) self-efficacy in menstrual management, and (3) self-empowerment in managing their own reproductive health.

Design: This was a mixed methods pilot study utilizing a pre/post-test single intervention efficacy trial. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained.

Setting: The setting included two different sites including one outpatient ambulatory obstetrics/gynecology clinic and one community outreach center. Both sites were located within a midwestern metropolitan …

Covid-19 Infection History As A Risk Factor For Early Pregnancy Loss: Results From The Electronic Health Record-Based Southeast Texas Covid And Pregnancy Cohort Study, Micaela N Sandoval, Michelle R Klawans, Mackinsey A Bach, Jennifer Mikhail, Edward A Graviss, Tru Cao, Jacqueline G Parchem, Junaid Husain, Eric Boerwinkle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection before or during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes are still largely unknown. We hypothesized that COVID-19 in early pregnancy is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly miscarriage.

Methods: We examined the relationship between COVID-19 and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and preterm delivery in a large, retrospective, electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort, from 2019 to 2023. Generalized estimating equation modeling was performed to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Study exposures included COVID-19 before pregnancy, COVID-19 during pregnancy, age, race/ethnicity, comorbidity burden, and neighborhood-level social vulnerability.

Results: In the …

Ultrasonographic Accuracy In Rural Vs Urban Counties, Riley T. Paulsen, Avery D. Franzen, Amy M. Eichfeld, Laurie Landeen

Scholarship Pathways Program

Background: Rural communities in the United States face significant barriers to prenatal care, including limited access to birthing facilities and obstetric providers. Accurate prenatal ultrasonography is essential for identifying congenital anomalies and predicting birth outcomes, particularly in these underserved areas.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether ultrasonographic accuracy differs between rural and urban counties, specifically in predicting birth weight and detecting congenital anomalies.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using data from the Sanford Health system. Maternal and fetal data were collected from second trimester ultrasounds and compared with postnatal outcomes. Counties with populations under 50,000 were classified …

Relationship Between Maternal Iron Indices In The Second Trimester With Cord Blood Iron Indices And Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study, J.P. Akshaykirthan, Manjunath S. Somannavar, M.S. Deepthy, Umesh Charantimath, S. Yogeshkumar, Amaresh Patil, Mrutyunjaya B. Bellad, Richard Derman, Shivaprasad S. Goudar

Global Health Articles

Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy poses risks to mothers and infants. This study aimed to correlate maternal iron indices in the second trimester with cord blood indices and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was nested within the RAPIDIRON Trial (Reducing Anaemia in Pregnancy in India) at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Karnataka, India. A total of 292 pregnant women with moderate anemia who received oral iron supplementation were enrolled from April 2021 to May 2023. Maternal iron indices were measured at multiple time points and correlated with cord blood indices and pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Increased hemoglobin levels were …

Implementation Of Guidelines For Preprocedural Ultrasound In Neuraxial Placement For Obstetric Patients With Scoliosis, Luther Nyirenda

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Neuraxial anesthesia including epidural, spinal, and combined spinal-epidural, is used with 65% of parturients in the United States for the management of pain and discomfort. Conventional landmark palpation has been the mainstay technique for neuraxial anesthesia, but unfamiliar spinal anatomy can lead to incomplete blockade or an increased incidence of complications. Scoliosis causes lateral curvature and rotation of the spine leading to arthritis and soft tissue changes that can present obscure anatomical landmarks, cause difficulty in needle passage, and result in inadequacy of local anesthetic efficacy. The literature illustrates that preprocedural ultrasound is recommended for needle placement in parturients with …

Impact Of Implementing An Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Protocol In The Primary Care Setting, Teri A. Koch

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women globally. Current screening methods by clinicians include cytology sampling, high-risk human papillomavirus sampling, or co-testing with both methods. These tests may detect cell changes before they become cancerous, yet the uptake of these methods has decreased in recent years (Aginga, 2022; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023; Popalis et al., 2022; Sung et al., 2021). The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if the implementation of an updated cervical screening protocol improved the linkage of abnormal results to appropriate clinical follow-up …

Evaluation Of Engagement And Collaboration Among Hospitals In The Maine Rural Maternity & Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rmoms) Network, Molly Volt, Lori Travis, Caroline Zimmerman, Erica Swan, Katherine Crothers, Anna Gilbert, Kate Allerding

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Introduction

• Maine RMOMS Network: Grant awarded to Maine in 2022, 16 rural birthing hospitals & 5 state partners

• Network Goal: Improve access to maternity and obstetrics care for rural communities

• A qualitative Network Health Evaluation was conducted to diagnose strengths and areas of growth regarding engagement and collaboration

Menstruation Cycles And The Impact On A Female Athlete's Performance And Perception Of Performance, Mckenzie Mcaloon

Honors Projects in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

This two-part study investigates the impact of menstrual cycle hormone levels on performances and perception of performance among division I athletes. A survey was given to the captains of all Bryant University female sports teams for the dispersal amongst their teams. Each of the 13 female sports teams participated and contributed. A total of 107 survey responses were collected. Data regarding the perception of menstrual cycle on specific aspects of their athletic lives were collected, as well as whether they were on contraception, their age of menarche and heaviness of flow. The results indicate that 83% of athletes surveyed believe …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Barriers To Hormone Therapy Utilization: Strategies For Improving Menopause Management In Women Aged 40-60, Suhan Lee

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Menopause is a natural transition marked by the cessation of ovarian activity, often accompanied by vasomotor symptoms (VMS), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and psychological changes that significantly impact women’s quality of life. Hormone therapy (HT) has been the primary treatment for managing menopausal symptoms, particularly VMS, providing substantial relief when initiated within 10 years of menopause. Despite its effectiveness, HT usage has declined dramatically over the past two decades primarily due to barriers such as stigma, safety, misinformation, provider hesitancy, financial barriers, and cultural beliefs. This comprehensive literature review explores key factors influencing HT decision-making, including the media’s role …

The State Of Abortion Training In Medical School And Family Medicine Residency Curricula: A Scoping Literature Review, Eric James Reece

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This project aims to assess how abortion education has been integrated into medical training over the past decade, with a particular focus on understanding its current state in medical schools and family medicine residencies, including those offering specialized programs affiliated with RHEDI (Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine) and TEACH (Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare). Given the ever-evolving legal landscape following the June 4^th, 2022 Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, this review explores how both federal- and state-level legal restrictions impact access to abortion training and attempts to identify gaps …

Small For Gestational Age Sub-Groups Have Differential Morbidity, Growth And Neurodevelopment At Age 2: The Interbio-21st Newborn Study, Aris T. Papageorghiou, María C. Restrepo-Méndez, Rose Mcgready, Fernando C. Barros, Francois Nosten, Shama Munim, Roseline Ochieng, Rachel Craik, Hellen C. Barsosio, James A. Berkley

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background :Small for Gestational Age (SGA) is a complex perinatal syndrome associated with increased neonatal morbidity, mortality, and impaired childhood growth and neurodevelopment. Current classifications rely primarily on birth weight, which does not capture the heterogeneity of the condition nor predict long-term health outcomes. Here we aim to identify and characterise distinct SGA sub-groups and assess their neonatal and early childhood health trajectories.

Objectives: To refine the classification of SGA by identifying sub-groups based on maternal, fetal, and environmental factors and evaluating their associations with neonatal morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment at age 2.

Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study. In six …

Volatile Anesthetic Exposure During Organogenesis (Weeks 6-9): Implications For Fetal Brain Development, Cheryce Daniel, Kylon Coombs

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Organogenesis, particularly during gestational weeks 6 through 9, represent a critical window for fetal brain development. During this period, neurogenesis, neural tube closure and synaptic organization are actively occurring. Disruption of these processes, especially from exogenous agents, can result in lasting developmental consequences.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings regarding the use of anesthetic agents such as isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane. Noting the potential risk of neurotoxic effects on the developing brain. This warning is particularly highlighted when administered drugs are present for long periods of time or during repeated procedures. The goal of this literature review …

Literature Review: Prazosin Used For Ptsd In Pregnancy, Afshan Khan, Natali Sharma, Rebekah M. Dietrich, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 3–4% of pregnant and postpartum individuals and is associated with complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression. Pharmacologic treatment options during pregnancy are limited by concerns about fetal safety.

Methods: A literature review was conducted focusing on studies reporting maternal or neonatal outcomes following prazosin exposure in pregnancy.

Results: One observational study of 11 pregnancies found 54.5% had uneventful outcomes, with rates of preterm birth, miscarriage, and preeclampsia similar to the general population. Hypotension and limited lactation data remain concerns.

Conclusion: Early evidence suggests prazosin may be a relatively safe and …