Vaginal Progesterone Is Associated with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.

Objective: The frequency of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) peaks during the third trimester of pregnancy when plasma progesterone levels are the highest. Furthermore, twin pregnancies are characterized by higher progesterone levels than singletons and have a higher frequency of cholestasis. Therefore, we hypothesized that exogenous progestogens administered for reducing the risk of spontaneous preterm birth may increase the risk of cholestasis.

Lactate and procalcitonin levels in peripartum women with intraamniotic infection.

Background: Pregnant women are vulnerable to infection as their immune response is modulated.

Objective: Serum biomarkers are used to diagnose and manage severe infections, but data on their utility during labor are limited. We compared lactate and procalcitonin levels in women with and without an intraamniotic infection to determine whether they are useful biomarkers for infection during labor.

Preterm birth outcomes among Asian women by maternal place of birth.

Objective: To investigate overall, spontaneous, and medically indicated preterm birth (PTB) rates between US-born and non-US-born Asian women living in California.

Study Design: Nulliparous women with a singleton livebirth and Asian race in California between 2007 and 2011 were investigated. The prevalence of overall (<37 weeks), spontaneous, and medically indicated PTB was examined by self-reported race and place of birth among ten Asian subgroups.