Access to Postpartum Sterilization

Number 530

ABSTRACT: Postpartum tubal sterilization is one of the safest and most effective methods of contraception. Women who desire this type of sterilization typically undergo thorough counseling and inform...

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...

Avoiding Inappropriate Clinical Decisions Based on False-Positive Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test Results

Number 278

(Reaffirmed 2009)

ABSTRACT: Clinically significant false-positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test results are rare. However, some individuals have circulating factors in their serum (eg, heterophilic antibodie...

Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request

Number 559

ABSTRACT: Cesarean delivery on maternal request is defined as a primary prelabor cesarean delivery on maternal request in the absence of any maternal or fetal indications. Potential risks of cesarean...

Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease

Number 444

(Reaffirmed 2011)

ABSTRACT: Hysterectomies are performed vaginally, abdominally, or with laparoscopic or robotic assistance. When choosing the route and method of hysterectomy, the physician should take into considera...

Circumcision

Number 260

(Reaffirmed 2011)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the current position of the American Academy of Pediatrics that finds the existing evidence insufficient to recommend routine neonatal...

Elective Coincidental Appendectomy

Number 323

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 164, December 1995)

ABSTRACT: Because of a lack of evidence from randomized trials, it remains unclear whether the benefits of routine elective coincidental appendectomy outweigh the cost and risk of morbidity associate...

Ethical Considerations for Performing Gynecologic Surgery in Low-Resource Settings Abroad

Number 466

ABSTRACT: International humanitarian medical efforts provide essential services to patients who would not otherwise have access to specific health care services. The Committees on Ethics and Global W...

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...

Health Care for Transgender Individuals

Number 512

ABSTRACT: Transgender individuals face harassment, discrimination, and rejection within our society. Lack of awareness, knowledge, and sensitivity in health care communities eventually leads to inade...

Management of Acute Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Nonpregnant Reproductive-Aged Women

Number 557

ABSTRACT: Initial evaluation of the patient with acute abnormal uterine bleeding should include a prompt assessment for signs of hypovolemia and potential hemodynamic instability. After initial asses...

Maternal Decision Making Ethics and the Law

Number 321

ABSTRACT: Recent legal actions and policies aimed at protecting the fetus as an entity separate from the woman have challenged the rights of pregnant women to make decisions about medical interventio...

Maternal–Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele

Number 550

ABSTRACT: Myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida, occurs in approximately 1 in 1,500 births in the United States. Fetuses in whom myelomeningocele is diagnosed typically are delivered...

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...

Müllerian Agenesis Diagnosis Management and Treatment

Number 562

(Replaces No. 355, December 2006)

ABSTRACT: Müllerian agenesis occurs in 1 out of every 4,000–10,000 females. The most common presentation of müllerian agenesis is congenital absence of the vagina, uterus, or both, which also is refe...

Nongynecologic Procedures

Number 253

(Reaffirmed 2008, Replaces Statement of Policy on Liposuction, January 1988)

Cosmetic procedures (such as laser hair removal, body piercing, tattoo removal, and liposuction) are not considered gynecologic procedures and, therefore, generally are not taught in approved obstetr...

Nonobstetric Surgery During Pregnancy

Number 474

(Reaffirmed 2013, Replaces No. 284, August 2003)

ABSTRACT: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice acknowledges that the issue of nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy is an important concern for phy...

Patient Safety in the Surgical Environment

Number 464

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 328, February 2006)

ABSTRACT: Ensuring patient safety in the operating room begins before the patient enters the operative suite and includes attention to all applicable types of preventable medical errors (including, f...

Reprocessed Single-Use Devices

Number 537

ABSTRACT: The reprocessing and reuse of single-use instruments has become increasingly common. Although there are limited data on reprocessed single-use devices, existing studies have found a signifi...

Scheduled Cesarean Delivery and the Prevention of Vertical Transmission of HIV Infection

Number 234

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 219, August 1999)

Prevention of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to fetus or newborn (vertical transmission) is a major goal in the care of pregnant women infected with HIV. An import...