{"title":"Management of malposition and malpresentation in labour","authors":"Anna K Richmond, Janet R Ashworth","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A malpresentation is diagnosed when any other part except the vertex of the fetal head is presented to the maternal pelvis. A malposition is diagnosed in any other position of the fetal head except an occipito-anterior (OA) flexed vertex. Both malpresentation and malposition are associated with prolonged or obstructed labour and associated fetal and maternal morbidity and potential mortality if not managed in labour effectively. The most common fetal malpresentation in longitudinal lie is breech presentation which can be further subdivided into subtypes. Other malpresentations in longitudinal lie include face, brow and compound. The fetus in non-longitudinal lie may include oblique and transverse with shoulder, arm or cord presentations. Malpositions include occipito-posterior (OP) and occipito-transverse (OT) with degrees of deflexion and asynclitism. This practical review considers the potential fetal abnormal presentations and positions, their risk factors and how these should be managed during labour, including approaches to vaginal breech delivery and assisted vaginal birth for malposition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 5","pages":"Pages 152-160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adebayo Agboola, Aethele Khunda, Victoria Kershaw, Paul Ballard, Sami Shawer
{"title":"Overactive bladder syndrome: an updated review of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities","authors":"Adebayo Agboola, Aethele Khunda, Victoria Kershaw, Paul Ballard, Sami Shawer","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Overactive bladder (OAB), as defined by the International Continence Society (ICS), is characterised by urinary urgency, usually accompanied by increased daytime frequency and/or nocturia, with urinary incontinence (OAB-wet) or without (OAB-dry), in the absence of urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology. It affects up to 40% of women, with increasing incidence with age. Diagnosis relies on self-reported symptoms and/or bladder diary assessments. Management follows a stepwise approach: first-line interventions include lifestyle modifications, bladder training, and pelvic floor muscle exercises. Pharmacological therapy, such as anticholinergic agents or beta-3 adrenoreceptor agonists, is considered second-line, though caution is advised with anticholinergics due to potential cumulative anticholinergic burden. Approximately 25–40% of women with OAB are refractory to first- and second-line treatments; these patients may benefit from advanced therapies, including intradetrusor Botulinum toxin A, neuromodulation, or reconstructive surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 5","pages":"Pages 133-142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147828096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gestational trophoblastic disease: clinical presentation and management","authors":"Refaat Youssef, Lesley M McMahon","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a heterogeneous group of early pregnancy disorders encompassing the non-neoplastic partial and complete hydatidiform moles and the malignant conditions of invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumour and epithelioid trophoblastic tumour. It also includes other entities such as placental site nodules (PSN) and non-molar abnormal villous lesions. Hydatidiform mole (HM) pregnancies develop due to abnormal proliferation of the villous trophoblast resulting from abnormal conceptions characterized by over-expression of the paternal genome. Patients are often asymptomatic with vaginal bleeding, positive pregnancy test and suggestive ultrasound features continue to be the most common presenting picture of HM. Earlier detection due to advances in ultrasound scanning (US) and first trimester US, facilitates accurate and timely diagnosis and ensures appropriate follow up and management. Cure rate is achieved in 98–100% of cases through effective registration in the well-developed national UK registry, appropriate follow up and treatment programme in one of recognized GTD treatment centres.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 5","pages":"Pages 143-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Medicolegal issues in obstetrics","authors":"Emma Ferriman","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An adverse incident in obstetrics can be catastrophic and life changing with clinical negligence claims in obstetrics continuing to represent the highest value claims. High costs arise because birth injury including brain injury can have catastrophic effects over a lifetime. The patients and their families who are harmed suffer the direct effects of clinical negligence, but the strains are felt throughout the system. Spending on clinical negligence is escalating and as such is a major drain on NHS resources and its long-term sustainability. Obstetrics is a high risk specialty and as such almost all clinicians will be involved in some form of litigation. Litigation cannot be avoided in the current climate, there will always be risk in obstetrics and adverse outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 5","pages":"Pages 125-132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147828095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Managing pelvic organ prolapse with the aid of vaginal pessaries","authors":"Georgina Smart, Veenu Tyagi","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article provides an overview of pelvic organ prolapse, a condition affecting around 40% of women over the age of 40, with significant implications for quality of life. It outlines the anatomical, physiological, and risk factors contributing to the development of prolapse, such as childbirth, advancing age, and increased body mass index. The article emphasizes the importance of thorough clinical assessment, including the use of the POP-Q staging system, to determine the severity and type of prolapse. Special focus is given to the role of vaginal pessaries as a conservative management option, highlighting their utility in symptom alleviation and maintenance of quality of life for women who may not be suitable for or wish to avoid surgery. We describe in detail different types of pessaries for use as well as information regarding the benefits of teaching patients to self-manage their pessaries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 4","pages":"Pages 105-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147661672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An update on primary dysmenorrhoea: what's new?","authors":"Naimah Raza, Yadava Jeve","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Primary dysmenorrhoea is a common gynaecological condition affecting adolescents and women of reproductive age, with substantial impact on quality of life, education, and productivity. It is characterized by cyclical menstrual pain in the absence of pelvic pathology and is primarily driven by excessive prostaglandin-mediated uterine activity, with increasing recognition of central pain sensitization. While first-line pharmacological management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal contraception remains unchanged, recent years have seen a growing evidence base for non-pharmacological and adjunctive interventions. This update summarizes key developments in recent years, including advances in understanding pathophysiology and new data on adjunctive treatment options such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture, exercise, manual therapy, and educational approaches. These modalities support a multimodal, patient-centred approach to management, particularly for women who have an incomplete response to standard treatments or wish to avoid hormonal therapy. Ongoing challenges include heterogeneity of outcomes and limited long-term data, highlighting priorities for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 4","pages":"Pages 115-118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147661673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prenatal screening for common aneuploidies","authors":"Rupanjali Baranikumar, Farah Siddiqui","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Screening for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) screening has been part of clinical practice for over 5 decades. During this time, substantial advances have improved the accuracy, safety, and range of options available to women considering antenatal screening for chromosomal aneuploidy. In the UK, the National Screening Committee has played a pivotal role in setting national standards for screening and guiding improvements in detection rates while reducing false positive results, thereby lowering the number of unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, and the associated risk of miscarriage. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which analyzes cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma, represents the most recent major development in this field. NIPT offers very high sensitivity for common aneuploidies and is now incorporated into the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme as a contingent test, offered to women who receive a high-chance result from first or second-trimester (combined or quadruple test). This approach is expected to further reduce the number of invasive diagnostic procedures while maintaining current detection rates for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 4","pages":"Pages 99-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147661357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Big Baby Trial: data-informed delivery options","authors":"Lauren Ewington, Siobhan Quenby","doi":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ogrm.2026.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Big Baby trial was a randomised controlled trial to explore the benefits and harms of early induction of labour in large for gestational age (LGA) pregnancies. Between 2018 and 2022, 2893 pregnant women with a suspected LGA pregnancy (>90th customised centile) confirmed on ultrasound scan between 35<sup>+0</sup> and 38<sup>+0</sup> weeks' gestation, were randomised to either induction of labour between 38<sup>+0</sup> and 38<sup>+4</sup> or to standard care. The primary outcome was shoulder dystocia. The intention to treat analysis found a non-significant reduction in shoulder dystocia in the induction of labour group (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.51–1.09). A prespecified per-protocol analysis comparing those induced in the intervention window to those not delivered by 38<sup>+4</sup> weeks’ gestation in the standard care group did find a significant reduction in shoulder dystocia (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.92). This spotlight article will provide an overview of the trial, explore the key findings and discuss how these may impact clinical practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53410,"journal":{"name":"Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine","volume":"36 4","pages":"Pages 119-122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147661671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}