Prenatal and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing - Expanded Recommendations

Number 418

(Reaffirmed 2011, Replaces No. 304, November 2004)

ABSTRACT: Early identification and treatment of all pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the best way to prevent neonatal disease and improve the woman's health. Human immunodefi...

Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing

Number 410

ABSTRACT: Genetic testing is poised to play an increasing role in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. To assure patients of the highest quality of care, physicians should become familiar with ...

Direct-to-Consumer Marketing of Genetic Testing

Number 409

ABSTRACT: Marketing of genetic testing, although similar to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, raises additional concerns and considerations. These include issues of limited knowle...

Professional Liability and Gynecology-Only Practice

Number 408

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 288, October 2003)

ABSTRACT: Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists may choose to limit the scope of their practices to gynecology. The College considers early pregnancy care (often up to 12...

Late-Preterm Infants

Number 404

(Reaffirmed 2011)

ABSTRACT: Late–preterm infants (defined as infants born between 34 0/7 weeks and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation) often are mistakenly believed to be as physiologically and metabolically mature as term inf...

Surrogate Motherhood

Number 397

ABSTRACT: Ethical responsibilities are described for obstetrician–gynecologists who choose to participate in surrogacy arrangements by 1) advising couples who are considering surrogacy, 2) counseling...

Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

Number 399

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 183, April 1997)

ABSTRACT: Two types of banks have emerged for the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood—public banks and private banks. Public banks promote allogenic (related or unrelated) donation, analog...

Surgery and Patient Choice

Number 395

ABSTRACT: Acknowledgment of the importance of patient autonomy and increased patient access to information has prompted more patient–generated requests for surgical interventions not necessarily reco...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Number 389

ABSTRACT: Because human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection often is detected through prenatal and sexually transmitted disease testing, an obstetrician–gynecologist may be the first health profes...

Fetal Monitoring Prior to Scheduled Cesarean Delivery

Number 382

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: There are insufficient data to determine the value of fetal monitoring prior to scheduled cesarean delivery in patients without risk factors.   With the increasing rate of schedule...

Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy

Number 381

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Subclinical hypothyroidism is diagnosed in asymptomatic women when the thyroid-stimulating hormone level is elevated and the free thyroxine level is within the reference range. Thyroid horm...

Management of Delivery of a Newborn With Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid

Number 379

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: In accordance with the new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, all infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid should no longer routinely...

Nalbuphine Hydrochloride Use for Intrapartum Analgesia

Number 376

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Safety concerns have been raised regarding the use of nalbuphine hydrochloride during labor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists finds data are insufficient to recommend...

Breastfeeding: Maternal and Infant Aspects

Number 361

ABSTRACT: Evidence continues to mount regarding the value of breastfeeding for both women and their infants. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly supports breastfeeding an...

Sex Selection

Number 360

(Reaffirmed 2011)

ABSTRACT: In this Committee Opinion, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Ethics presents various ethical considerations and arguments relevant to both prefertilizati...

Umbilical Cord Blood Gas and Acid-Base Analysis

Number 348

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Umbilical cord blood gas and acid-base assessment are the most objective determinations of the fetal metabolic condition at the moment of birth. Moderate and severe newborn encephalopathy, ...

Amnioinfusion Does Not Prevent Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Number 346

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Amnioinfusion has been advocated as a technique to reduce the incidence of meconium aspiration and to improve neonatal outcome. However, a large proportion of women with meconium-stained am...

Mode of Term Singleton Breech Delivery

Number 340

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 265, December 2001)

ABSTRACT: In light of recent studies that further clarify the long-term risks of vaginal breech delivery, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that the decision regardin...

Analgesia and Cesarean Delivery Rates

Number 339

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 269, February 2002)

ABSTRACT: Neuraxial analgesia techniques are the most effective and least depressant treatments for labor pain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists previously recommended that pra...

The Apgar Score

Number 333

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 174, July 1996)

ABSTRACT: The Apgar score provides a convenient shorthand for reporting the status of the newborn infant and the response to resuscitation. The Apgar score has been used inappropriately to predict sp...