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...

Inappropriate Use of the Terms Fetal Distress and Birth Asphyxia

Number 326

ABSTRACT: The Committee on Obstetric Practice is concerned about the continued use of the term "fetal distress" as an antepartum or intrapartum diagnosis and the term "birth asphyxia" as a neonatal d...

Perinatal Risks Associated With Assisted Reproductive Technology

Number 324

(Reaffirmed 2007)

ABSTRACT: Over the past two decades, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased dramatically worldwide and has made pregnancy possible for many infertile couples. A growing bod...

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...

Screening for Tay - Sachs Disease

Number 318

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 162, November 1995)

ABSTRACT: Tay–Sachs disease (TSD) is a severe progressive neurologic disease that causes death in early childhood. Carrier screening should be offered before pregnancy to individuals and couples at h...

The Importance of Preconception Care in the Continuum of Women's Health Care

Number 313

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: The goal of preconception care is to reduce the risk of adverse health effects for the woman, fetus, or neonate by optimizing the woman's health and knowledge before planning and conceiving...

Guidelines for Diagnostic Imaging During Pregnancy

Number 299

(Reaffirmed 2009, Replaces No. 158, September 1995)

ABSTRACT: Undergoing a single diagnostic X-ray procedure does not result in radiation exposure adequate to threaten the well-being of the developing preembryo, embryo, or fetus and is not an indicati...

Nonmedical use of Obstetric Ultrasonography

Number 297

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has endorsed the "Prudent Use" statement from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) discouraging the use of ...

Pain Relief During Labor

Number 295

(Reaffirmed 2008, Replaces No. 231, February 2000)

ABSTRACT: Pain management should be provided whenever medically indicated. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) believe t...

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...

Obstetric Management of Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries

Number 275

(Reaffirmed 2005, Replaces No. 121, April 1993)

ABSTRACT: Effective rehabilitation and modern reproductive technology may increase the number of women considering pregnancy who have spinal cord injuries (SCIs). It is important that obstetricians c...