News on American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Guidelines: Do medical tests later, less often

2010-03-12T02:45:19Z

<div id="subtitle">Are some medical tests overused? Some guidelines are scaling back on frequency, timing</div><div><p>Recent reports and guideline changes suggest some medical tests should be delayed, avoided, or done less often:</p><p>_ MAMMOGRAM: Most women don't need a mammogram in their 40s and they should get one every two years starting at 50, according to the Reuters Health) - Women who attempt vaginal childbirth after having several babies by cesarean section may not have a greater risk of complications than women who've had only one prior C-section, a new study suggests.</p><p>At one time, doctors believed that once a woman had a C-section, she would have to have one for all subsequent pregnancies -- mainly out...

Car airbags not a risk to pregnant women

2010-02-23T12:27:18Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For pregnant women involved in a traffic accident, the impact of an airbag does not seem to raise the risks of most pregnancy complications, a new study finds.</p><p>Airbags, used along with seatbelts, are known to cut car-crash victims' risk of death and severe injury. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of an airbag on a p...

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care

2010-02-24T02:35:31Z

<div id="subtitle">GOP: Recommendations for fewer women's health tests could mean rationed health care under bill</div><div><p>Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care — and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul.</p&am...

Guidelines for cancer screening differ by group

2010-02-24T02:37:57Z

<div><p>Several doctors groups and advocacy groups set guidelines for cancer screening, and they update that advice periodically as new information emerges. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don't. Last year, a number of groups got together and issued consensus guidelines for colon cancer.</p><p>The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a...

Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between Paps

2010-02-24T02:42:34Z

<div id="subtitle">Guidelines say less frequent Paps OK to detect cervical cancer - every 2 years for under-30</div><div><p>First mammograms. Now — in an apparent coincidence — Pap smears.</p><p>New guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say most wome...

US backs new start date for cervical cancer tests

2010-02-24T02:47:02Z

<div><p>Women should not get their first cervical cancer screening before age 21, the leading US group of women's health care professionals said Friday, also recommending less frequent subsequent tests.</p><p>Pushing back the age of the first screening would help avoid giving teen girls unnecessary treatment, which can have "economic, emotional and future childbearing implications," according to the guidelines issued by the CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women in the United States should start cervical cancer screening at age 21 and most do not need an annual Pap smear, according to new guidelines issued on Friday that aim to reduce the risk of unnecessary treatment.</p><p>The guidelines from the...

Tips on hormone use, coping with menopause

2010-02-24T14:31:55Z

<div id="subtitle">Tips on hormone use, coping with menopause</div><div><p>What to do if menopause makes you miserable?</p><p>Start with a visit to your doctor. If you don't have one you really trust, fix that problem before you try to tackle the rest, women's health experts recommend.</p><p>A good doctor will do an exam to make sure menopause is what is causing your symptoms, take sto...

Pregnant? Get a flu shot _ but it may be a hassle

2010-02-25T01:31:12Z

<div><p>It's hard for pregnant women to escape the message: You're at extra risk from swine flu — it could trigger premature labor, hospitalize you for weeks, even kill you — so be among the first in line for vaccine next month. But only about one in seven pregnant women gets a flu shot each winter.</p><p>While federal health officials are working hard to raise that number this year, repeated swine flu warnings won't automatically overcome ...

Talk, drug therapy may ease depression in pregnancy

2010-02-25T17:32:49Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who are depressed during pregnancy can take hope that antidepressants and/or "talk therapy" may be safe and appropriate treatment options, according to new professional guidelines made public this week.</p><p>"Depression in pregnant women often goes unrecognized and untreated in part because of concerns about the safety of treating wo...

Home-birth advocates press pro-midwife campaign

2010-03-02T15:36:09Z

<div><p>With health care costs high on the national agenda, advocates of home births are challenging the medical and political establishments to give midwives a larger role in maternity care and to ease the state laws that limit their out-of-hospital practice.</p><p>Pending bills to further this goal have significant backing in several states, which home-birth supporters want to add to the 25 states that already have taken such steps.&l...

Care Before and During Pregnancy--Prenatal Care

2010-03-05T12:06:16Z

Getting early and regular prenatal care is one of the best ways to promote a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal care is more than just health care; it often includes education and counseling about how to handle different aspects of pregnancy, such as nutrition and physical activity, what to expect from the birth itself, and basic skills for caring for your infant.. Prenatal visits also give you and your family a chance to talk to your health care provider about any questions or concerns you have rel...