Read about our latest activities and insights on pregnancy & childbirth.
Progesterone protects babies from preterm birthWomen with a short cervix around 20 weeks of pregnancy have an increased risk of preterm birth. Preventing preterm birth in pregnant women with a short cervix is a crucial step in protecting the health of the child.
Progesterone protects babies from preterm birthWomen with a short cervix around 20 weeks of pregnancy have an increased risk of preterm birth. Preventing preterm birth in pregnant women with a short cervix is a crucial step in protecting the health of the child. Research from Amsterdam UMC now shows that, in pregnant women with a short cervix around 20 weeks, Progesterone (a hormone) is better than a cervical pessary at reducing the risk of severe preterm birth. This study was published today in the BMJ.
Ultrasound can be used to detect placenta problems in small babiesA Doppler ultrasound that measures the blood flow of small unborn babies can reveal whether or not the placenta is working properly. In case of repeated deviations from these Doppler measurements, additional monitoring of the unborn baby is necessary. These deviations indicate a higher risk of oxygen deficiency and other health problems for the baby. This study by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with UMC Groningen and 17 other Dutch hospitals is published today in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Ultrasound can be used to detect placenta problems in small babiesA Doppler ultrasound that measures the blood flow of small unborn babies can reveal whether or not the placenta is working properly. In case of repeated deviations from these Doppler measurements, additional monitoring of the unborn baby is necessary. These deviations indicate a higher risk of oxygen deficiency and other health problems for the baby. This study by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with UMC Groningen and 17 other Dutch hospitals is published today in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Home-monitoring during IVF equally safe and successfulHome monitoring of ovulation prior to placing frozen embryos during an IVF process works just as well as hospital checks to determine the best time. In addition, it is more pleasant for women to undergo this in their own environment, and it places less burden on the hospital facilities. "Monitoring ovulation at home means a hospital visit once for the placement of these embryos instead of 3 to 4 times for hospital monitoring. This is more sustainable and reduces the cost of treatment by up to 80%," says Tijtske Zaat, researcher at Amsterdam UMC. The study was published today in The Lancet.
Gender Equality is the basis of the futureHigher rates of poverty, more mental health problems and more often the victims of violence. Women are also less likely to have access to good quality food and education. In the eyes of Tessa Roseboom, Professor of Early Development and Health at Amsterdam UMC, although "only" half of the world's population is female, gender equality affects all of us.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Test free for all women in the Netherlands This month the Dutch TRIDENT studies aiming at responsible implementation of the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) in the Netherlands will end. As a result of the positive outcomes of these studies, NIPT becomes a structural part of the Dutch national prenatal screening program and will from now on be freely available for all pregnant women in the Netherlands.
New IVF Method: more expensive, not more effective The use of time-lapse monitoring in IVF does not result in more pregnancies or shorten the time it takes to get pregnant. This new method, which promises to "identify the most viable embryos", is more expensive than the classic approach. Research from Amsterdam UMC, published today in The Lancet, shows that time-lapse monitoring does not improve clinical results.