Pregnancy following a period of infertility was considered to be an increased risk for the fetus. During a period of 3 years (1983-85), 748 couples were seen at this infertility clinic; 515 women (68.9%) conceived, and were followed up and studied prospectively. Fifteen of these women moved out of the area. We analysed the results of pregnancies for the remaining 500, (Group 1) and compared them with the outcome for the total obstetric population (Group 2) during the same period. Mean age at conception in the infertility group (Group 1) was 31.8 (+/- 2.7, 2 SD) years, as compared with 23.7 (+/- 2.9, 2 SD) in the total hospital obstetric population (Group 2) (p less than 0.05). The incidences of spontaneous abortion for the two groups (8 and 6.2%) did not differ (p greater than 0.05). However, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy was higher (3.0%) in Group 1 than in Group 2 (1.5%) (p less than 0.01). The incidence of pre-existing hypertensive vascular disease (7.7%) complicating pregnancy and multiple pregnancy (4.1%) was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (1.5% and 1.4% respectively), (p less than 0.01). The incidences of induction of labor (29.5%) and elective operative delivery (10.6%) were higher in Group 1 (p less than 0.01). The incidences of infants with birth weight below the tenth centile (12.9%), of fetal distress in labor (14.6%) and a low Apgar score (0-5) (9.5%), were higher in Group 1, but there was no difference in the perinatal mortality rate between the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
PMID 3176923 3176923 DOI 10.3109/00016348809004181 10.3109/00016348809004181
Cite this article
Varma, T. R., Patel, R. H., & Bhathenia, R. K. (1988). Outcome of pregnancy after infertility. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 67(2), 115-119. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016348809004181
Varma TR, Patel RH, Bhathenia RK. Outcome of pregnancy after infertility. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1988;67(2):115-119. doi:10.3109/00016348809004181
Varma, T. R., et al. "Outcome of pregnancy after infertility." Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, vol. 67, no. 2, 1988, pp. 115-119.
We evaluated the association between subfertility and low birth weight infants. Women in this analysis participated in a cross-sectional investigation of maternal risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Medical and obstetric history and life style information were obtained from women who delivered at the Boston Hospital for Women, 1977 to 1980. PATIENTS, Our analysis was restricted to nondiabetic married women who planned their pregnancies and subsequently delivered viable singletons (3,622). The 644 "subfertile" women (no conception during a year of unprotected intercourse) were compared with 2,978 "fertile" women (conception within 1 year). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relative risk of low birth weight was estimated using the cumulative incidence risk ratio. After adjusting for confounding, the relative risk of delivering a low birth weight infant (less than 2,500 g) for subfertile women versus fertile women was 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 2.8). The adjusted relative risk of delivering a term low birth weight (intrauterine growth retarded) infant was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.2 to 4.4). In these data, subfertility is a predictor for low birth weight. The association may result from endocrinological, immunological, cervical, or other factors that interfere with optimal fetal growth.
PregnancyExercise and Physical ActivityWeight Gain ManagementExercise Interventions
Open Access
Redondo‐Delgado P et al., 2025·Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand
Physical activity is known to improve physical and psychological outcomes in pregnant women. While aerobic exercise is typically emphasized in physical activity guidelines for pregnant women, emerging research suggests that strength training may offer unique benefits beyond those provided by aerobic exercise alone. This systematic review aimed to systematically explore the effects and characteristics of strength training interventions on the health‐related quality of life of pregnant women, with the goal of informing more comprehensive and specific exercise guidelines. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host databases without time restrictions, following PRISMA guidelines (Prospero Id: CRD42024511477). Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1581 participants. The studies reviewed demonstrated that strength training during pregnancy can mitigate excessive weight gain, alleviate low back and sciatic pain, enhance mood, and improve various aspects of health‐related quality of life. These aspects include physical activity levels, muscular strength, flexibility, sleep quality, energy expenditure, and psychological well‐being. Despite these promising findings, this review highlights the need for standardized methodologies and detailed reporting in future research. Incorporating strength training into general exercise recommendations for pregnant women has the potential to optimize maternal health outcomes such as muscle strength, weight gain, physical activity levels, low back pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, anxiety, energy levels, vitality, sleep duration, and health status.
Contraception/ComparisonMetabolic OutcomesPrior ContraceptionHormonal Exposure
Open Access
Current use of combined hormonal contraceptives worsens glucose tolerance and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus at late fertile age, but the impact of their former use on the risk of glucose metabolism disorders is still controversial. This was a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort study with long-term follow-up consisting of 5889 women. The cohort population has been followed at birth, and at ages of 1, 14, 31 and 46. In total, 3280 (55.7%) women were clinically examined and 2780 also underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at age 46. Glucose metabolism indices were analyzed in former combined hormonal contraceptive users (n = 1371) and former progestin-only contraceptive users (n = 52) and in women with no history of hormonal contraceptive use (n = 253). Compared with women with no history of hormonal contraceptive use, those who formerly used combined hormonal contraceptives for over 10 years had an increased risk of prediabetes (odds ratio [OR] 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-9.2) but not of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Former progestin-only contraceptive use was not associated with any glucose metabolism disorders. The results persisted after adjusting for socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol consumption, parity, body mass index and use of cholesterol-lowering medication. Former long-term use of combined hormonal contraceptives was associated with a significantly increased risk of prediabetes in perimenopausal women, which potentially indicates a need of screening for glucose metabolism disorders in these women.
Nijsten K et al., 2021·Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) complicates 1% of pregnancies and has a major impact on maternal quality of life and well-being. We know very little about HG's long-term impact after an affected pregnancy, including recurrence rates in future pregnancies, which is essential information for women considering subsequent pregnancies. In this study, we aimed to prospectively measure the recurrence rate of HG and the number of postponed and terminated subsequent pregnancies due to HG. We also aimed to evaluate if there were predictive factors that could identify women at increased risk for HG recurrence, and postponing and terminating subsequent pregnancies. We conducted a prospective cohort study. A total of 215 women admitted for HG to public hospitals in the Netherlands were enrolled in the original MOTHER randomized controlled trial and associated observational cohort. Seventy-three women were included in this follow-up study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. Recurrent HG was defined as vomiting symptoms accompanied multiple medication use, weight loss, admission, tube feeding or if nausea and vomiting symptoms were severe enough to affect life and/or work. Outcome measures were recurrence, postponing, and termination rates due to HG. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors associated with HG recurrence, and postponing and terminating subsequent pregnancies. Thirty-five women (48%) became pregnant again of whom 40% had postponed their pregnancy due to HG. HG recurred in 89% of pregnancies. One woman terminated and eight women (23%) considered terminating their pregnancy because of recurrent HG. Twenty-four out of 38 women did not get pregnant again because of HG in the past. Univariable logistic regression analysis identifying possible predictive factors found that having a western background was associated with having weight loss due to recurrent HG in subsequent pregnancies (odds ratio 12.9, 95% CI 1.3-130.5, p = 0.03). High rates of HG recurrence and a high number of postponed pregnancies due to HG were observed. Women can be informed of a high chance of recurrence to enable informed family planning.