- Using the Electronic Medical Record to Correlate Patient-Provider Perspectives in the Care of Black Individuals With High-Risk Pregnancies. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 21. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: We highlight limitations of using EMR alone as a tool to assess the quality of care for Black pregnant patients and propose a novel informed care model that encourages providers to center patient voices, assess personal biases, and consider patients' historical, personal, and community contexts while counseling patients with high-risk pregnancies.
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- Post-Traumatic Growth in a Canadian Perinatal Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Examination. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 20. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Identified themes reflect PTG theory and demonstrate that appreciating newfound time, particularly with family, is a foundational component of positive experiences for perinatal women. These findings highlight pathways to growth that can inform risk screening and tailored interventions in the context of future pandemics or individual challenges for perinatal women.
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- Status of Prenatal Care Received by Disabled Women. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 15. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Although disabled women had high rates of receiving prenatal care, they experienced problems due to their disabilities while receiving that care. Health professionals should have the knowledge and skills to provide individualized prenatal care that meets the needs of women with disabilities. Providers should use educational materials that accommodate for disabilities experienced by women in their care.
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- Sociostructural Interventions Concerning Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: A Scoping Review of Recent Studies. [Review]Birth. 2026 Sep 14. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of sociostructural interventional studies addressing VBAC, with few studies finding significant effects. While patient-centered interventions show promise in improving birth outcomes for those pursuing TOLAC, most published clinical trials focus on biomechanical interventions, overlooking the associated complex sociostructural elements.
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- Predictors of Shoulder Dystocia: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 10. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Fetal macrosomia was the most robust independent predictor of SD. Maternal overweight and diabetes mellitus were contributory and modifiable risk factors. Parity did not independently predict SD events, likely due to a Type I statistical error.
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- Applying the Theoretical Domains Framework to Explore Doula Perceptions of Medicaid Coverage: Barriers and Facilitators in Florida. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 07. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Doula care is associated with improved perinatal outcomes, yet structural barriers hinder access to doula care for low-income families in Florida (and beyond), creating further health inequities.
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- Increased Pregnancy Complications Among Mothers With Adverse Childhood Experiences: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Study. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 06. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Maternal ACEs were associated with pregnancy complications (gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or premature rupture of membranes) but not directly with birth outcomes (prematurity or low birth weight). These findings highlight the importance of early psychosocial risk detection. Strengthening preventive care systems, such as the Dutch system, may help mitigate intergenerational adversity, even without formal ACE screening.
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- Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Guidelines Across Six High-Income Countries. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Sep 06. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Substantial divergences between ACOG and international guidelines suggest opportunities to strengthen U.S. HDP prevention and management. Recent trial evidence and persistent, inequitable maternal mortality support moving beyond voluntary recommendations toward accountability mechanisms driving consistent, evidence-based care.
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- Age-Period-Cohort Patterns in the Increase in Cesarean Section Rates in South Korea, 2007-2024: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Aug 31. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Korea's increasing CS rate appears to reflect not only maternal aging but also period patterns after 2015 and elevated CS rates among recent birth cohorts, especially among primiparous women. These findings suggest that changes in the obstetric care environment and cohort-specific delivery practices should be considered when interpreting recent national trends.
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- Impacts of Medicaid Privatization on Prenatal Care Utilization in Iowa. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Aug 27. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: While the period following the MCO transition improved prenatal care initiation among rural parents, additional geographic and sociodemographic barriers must be identified and addressed to ensure the maintenance of prenatal care throughout pregnancy.
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- Engagement With Antenatal Care: Analysis of Routinely Collected Data at Two Hospitals Implementing Group Pregnancy Care for Women of Refugee Background. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Aug 05. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: GPC has the potential to facilitate earlier and increased engagement with antenatal attendance, coupled with access to an interpreter when required. Future expansion of GPC for women of refugee background should be conducted within a rigorous evaluation framework that includes the extension of the program to diverse population groups with appropriate cultural guidance and adaptation.
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- Shared Decision-Making on Late-Term Gestation Management (LATE-Study): A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Maternity Care Providers. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Aug 02. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Care providers are generally positive about the tools in the late-term management guideline, though not all use them. Key elements for SDM are often omitted, and birth beliefs influence how SDM is conducted.
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- Supervised Multicomponent Exercise During Pregnancy Reduces Cesarean Section Rates Without Increasing Miscarriage Risk: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Jul 30. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a supervised, moderate-intensity multicomponent exercise program throughout pregnancy reduced cesarean section rates without increasing miscarriage risk, supporting its incorporation into routine prenatal care as a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving delivery outcomes.
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- Depression and Anxiety Symptoms at Two Months Postpartum in Women and Perceived Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Jul 24. [Online ahead of print]B
- CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms emerged as the strongest correlate of compromised maternal sleep. These findings highlight the importance of routine assessment of sleep difficulties and mental health problems in the postpartum period.
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- International Doula Month Virtual Issue: In Honor of Penny Simkin. [Journal Article]Birth. 2026 Jul 23. [Online ahead of print]B
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