LDA for Unexplained Recurrent SABs?

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects approximately 5% of couples and is an emotional burden on those affected. There is some evidence that vaginal progesterone supplementation may be considered in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss who are experiencing vaginal bleeding during the first trimester. But what about prophylactic low dose aspirin in the first trimester, or preconceptionally, for unexplained RPL? Is that evidence-based? A new publication from the SMFM’s journal Pregnancy has examined this. Listen in for details. 1. 22 November 2025: Low-dose aspirin in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Pregnancy): https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pmf2.700992. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice, T. Flint Porter, Cynthia Gyanff-Bannerman, Tracy Manuck. Low-Dose Aspirin Use During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2018)3. Naimi AI, Perkins NJ, Sjaarda LA, et al. The Effect of Preconception-Initiated Low-Dose Aspirin on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Detected Pregnancy, Pregnancy Loss, and Live Birth : Per Protocol Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2021;174(5):595-601. doi:10.7326/M20-0469.4. Lee EE, Jun JK, Lee EB.Management of Women With Antiphospholipid Antibodies or Antiphospholipid Syndrome During Pregnancy. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2021;36(4):e24. doi:10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e24.5. de Assis V, Giugni CS, Ros ST. Evaluation of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Obstet Gynecol. 2024 May 1;143(5):645-659. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005498. Epub 2024 Jan 4. PMID: 38176012.

Having data is sometimes different than having clinically applicable data. This is exactly the issue with the proposed plan to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) by changing surgical gloves after placental delivery at C-Section. Just 24 hours ago, we received the question from a PGY4 OBGYN resident asking whether the practice of changing surgical gloves at C-Section after placental delivery to reduce SSI was evidence-based. So, in this episode, we will review the data - which is timely since this was recently published on November 13, 2025 in the J Hospital Infection. This study follows a statement on this practice released by FIGO in September 2025. It’s an interesting proposal, and there is clearly data in support of this, yet the ACOG and CDC do not recommend this practice as of Nov 2025. Is there a disconnect? Listen in for details. 1. FIGO: https://www.figo.org/news/new-ijgo-review-provides-comprehensive-framework-preventing-post-caesarean-sepsis (International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics)2. Stanberry B, Jordan L, Pullyblank A, Hargreaves J. Glove change during caesarean birth: impact on maternity service budgets and capacity. J Hosp Infect. 2025 Nov 13:S0195-6701(25)00354-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2025.10.033. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41241232.3. Narice BF, Almeida JR, Farrell T, Madhuvrata P. Impact of Changing Gloves During Cesarean Section on Postoperative Infective Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2021;100(9):1581-1594. doi:10.1111/aogs.14161.4. Routine Sterile Glove and Instrument Change at the Time of Abdominal Wound Closure to Prevent Surgical Site Infection (ChEETAh): A Pragmatic, Cluster-Randomised Trial in Seven Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries.NIHR Global Research Health Unit on Global Surgery. Lancet (London, England). 2022;400(10365):1767-1776. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01884-0.5. Gialdini C, Chamillard M, Diaz V, Pasquale J, Thangaratinam S, Abalos E, Torloni MR, Betran AP. Evidence-based surgical procedures to optimize caesarean outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 May 19;72:102632. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102632. PMID: 38812964; PMCID: PMC11134562.

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that affect about 16 to 25 per 100,000 people in the US, with the most common childhood form being Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the most common adult form being myotonic dystrophy. The prevalence of DMD is estimated at around 1 in 3,500 live male births. Prenatal carrier screening for this is part of the ACMG Tier 3 expanded carrier panel. This is different from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). As we recently had a patient who was a MD carrier, with affected male children, who we cared for, we decided to do a quick review of muscular dystrophy: its prevalence, genetics, and evaluation of asymptomatic maternal carriers.1. https://www.mda.org/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/causes-inheritance2.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/musculardys/conditioninfo/causes3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/muscular-dystrophy/4. ACMG: https://thednaexchange.com/2022/03/30/acmg-carrier-screening-guideline-the-hypothetical-tier-3-panel/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20this%20ACMG,1%20in%2040%2C000%20or%20higher.

Regional anesthesia, typically with a spinal or epidural, haslong been favored for cesarean births due in part to concerns about the effects that general anesthesia (GA) may have on newborns at delivery. However, data has shown that up to 1 in 6 women may experience pain with a “topped-off”labor epidural, during the cesarean. A new publication in the journal Anesthesia is now being interpreted as implying that general anesthesia may be a valid alternative electively. Is that what this new study found? Has GA been linked to postpartum depression? What about later child neurodevelopmental delays? This is a fascinating topic…Listen in for details. 1.     Langer, Sarah M.D.1; Lim, Grace M.D., M.Sc.2;Qiu, Yue M.D.3; Biaesch, Jingyuan D.O.4; Neuman, Mark D. M.D., M.Sc.5. NeonatalOutcomes with Regional versus General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: AMeta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Anesthesiology():10.1097/ALN.0000000000005785, November 12, 2025. | DOI:10.1097/ALN.00000000000057852.     Guglielminotti J, Monk C, Russell MT, Li G.Association of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery with PostpartumDepression and Suicidality. Anesth Analg. 2025 Sep 1;141(3):618-628. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000007314. Epub 2024 Dec 4. PMID: 39630595; PMCID:PMC12134152.3.     Chen, YC., Liang, FW., Tan, PH. et al.Association between general anesthesia for cesarean delivery and subsequentdevelopmental disorders in children: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.BMC Med 23, 119 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-03886-64.     https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/new-study-challenges-fears-about-general-anesthesia-during-c-section

The US has no shortage of lidocaine patch television commercials. Topical lidocaine has a role for local, topical, minor aches and pains. What about lidocaine patches for post-op cesarean section pain? Is there data for that? A brand-new meta-analysis in AJOG-MFM (Nov 13, 2025) looks at this option. However, there has been 3 prior reviews on the same topic from 2019, 2022, and 2023. Do they all arrive at the same result? Listen in for details!1.     Smoker J, Cohen A, Rasouli MR, Schwenk ES. TransdermalLidocaine for Perioperative Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Current Pain and Headache Reports.2019;23(12):89. doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0830-9.2.     Koo CH, Kim J, Na HS, Ryu JH, Shin HJ. TheEffect of Lidocaine Patch for Postoperative Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. 2022;81:110918.doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2022.110918.3.     Wu X, Wei X, Jiang L, et al. Is Lidocaine PatchBeneficial for Postoperative Pain?: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 2023;39(9):484-490. doi:10.1097/AJP.00000000000011354.     Parisi, Nadia et al.Lidocaine patches aftercesarean delivery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, Volume 0, Issue 0, 101832

Podcast Family, we have covered the subject of Measles previously on this show (links below). Those episodes were a preview of what has now been released ahead of print as a narrative review in the Green Journal! In this episode, we will summarize the KEY points of measles infection in pregnancy and re-state the “rule of 4” and the importance of the number 10 regarding this.1. Feb 24, 2025: Measles 101: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lXrpqKTJPdDcTXPxpEmcb2. April 27, 2019: Measles!! ACOG Practice Advisory: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/dr-hector-chapa/episodes/MEASLES---ACOG-practice-advisory-e3s1p43. Joseph, Naima T. MD, MPH. Measles in Pregnancy: Clinical Considerations and Challenges. Obstetrics & Gynecology ():10.1097/AOG.0000000000006126, November 14, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006126

The term "hypnosis" was first described in 1843 byScottish surgeon James Braid, who published the book Neurypnology. He coined the term "hypnosis" from the Greek word for sleep to describe the trance-like state induced by focusing on a bright object. Self-hypnosis has nowbeen shown to aid in menopausal hot flash reduction! In this episode, we will review this brand new publication from JAMA Network which confirmed via a multicenter RCT that a simple daily hypnosis audio session was effective forsymptom relief. The study is the first to compare self-guided hypnosis with an active control condition (i.e. sham white noise control group). Listen in for details. 1.     Elkins G, Arring N, Morgan G, Lorenz T, Muniz V,Lafferty C, Scheffrahn K, Alldredge C, Barton D. Self-Administered Hypnosis vsSham Hypnosis for Hot Flashes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open.2025 Nov 3;8(11):e2542537. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42537. PMID:41217756.2.     https://interestingengineering.com/health/hypnosis-lowers-menopause-hot-flashes 

Well, from time to time we cover RANDOM tidbits of information which cover RANDOM questions and/or RANDOM patient care issues that we encounter. In this episode we will cover one OB issue related to recurrent pregnancy loss, one GYN issue related to unilateral breast swelling in a patient with SLE, and one RANDOM life perspective response from a mock interview that I participated in for a residency candidate. Listen in fordetails!1.     Viviana DO; Giugni, Claudio Schenone MD; Ros, Stephanie T. MD, MSCI. Factor V and recurrent pregnancy loss: de Assis, Evaluation of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Obstetrics & Gynecology 143(5):p 645-659, May 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005498Unilateral Breast Swelling with SLE: 2.     Voizard B, Lalonde L, Sanchez LM, et al. LupusMastitis as a First Manifestation of Systemic Disease: About Two Cases With a Review of the Literature. European Journal of Radiology. 2017;92:124-131. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2017.04.023.3.     Kinonen C, Gattuso P, Reddy VB. Lupus Mastitis:An Uncommon Complication of Systemic or Discoid Lupus. The American Journal of Surgical Pathology. 2010;34(6):901-6. doi:10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181da00fb.4.      Summers TA, Lehman MB, Barner R, Royer MC. Lupus Mastitis: A Clinicopathologic Review and Addition of a Case. Advances in Anatomic Pathology.2009;16(1):56-61. doi:10.1097/PAP.0b013e3181915ff7.5.     Jiménez-Antón A, Jiménez-Gallo D,Millán-Cayetano JF, Navarro-Navarro I, Linares-Barrios M. Unilateral Lupus Mastitis.Lupus. 2023;32(3):438-440. doi:10.1177/09612033221151011.STRONG COFFEE PROMO: 20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/CHAPANOSPINOBG

On August 15, 2025, we reviewed the data from an FDA expert panel calling on the FDA to remove the exiting Black Box warning on commercial HRT options for menopausal care. In a historic decision, this happened today. Listen in for details! 1. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/fda-chief-explains-changes-to-black-box-warnings-on-some-hormone-therapies-for-menopause/2. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-advances-womens-health-removes-misleading-fda-warnings-hormone-replacement-therapy.html

The ACOG acknowledges that maternal obesity affects labor curves and recommends allowing more time for cervical dilation before diagnosing labor arrest in obese patients. This approach aims to avoid unnecessary interventions, such as premature cesarean delivery, which may occur if standard labor curves are strictly applied to obese women. In this episode, we will review a new study from the AJOG (08 Nov 2025) which describes labor progression and duration according to maternal body mass index, validating the need (possibly) for a BMI -based labor curve. Has there been advocates of a BMI-based labor curve? Listen in for details.1. Edwards, Sara et al. Characterizing Labor Progression and Duration According to Maternal Body Mass Index. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 0, Issue 02. Lundborg L, Liu X, Åberg K, et al. Association of Body Mass Index and Maternal Age With First Stage Duration of Labour. Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1):13843. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-93217-5.3. Kominiarek MA, Zhang J, Vanveldhuisen P, et al. Contemporary Labor Patterns: The Impact of Maternal Body Mass Index. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2011;205(3):244.e1-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.06.014.4. Norman SM, Tuuli MG, Odibo AO, et al. The Effects of Obesity on the First Stage of Labor.Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2012;120(1):130-5. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e318259589c.