Since 1973 the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has regularly convened Study Groups to address important growth areas within obstetrics and gynaecology. The resulting volumes, contain the papers presented and provide a summary of the subject that is both authoritative and up-to-date.
Reproductive Genetics
Sean Kehoe, Lyn Chitty and Tessa Homfray, editors
Publication date: November 2009
Retail price: £80.00
Members' price: £60.00
ISBN: 978-1-906985-16-5
Extent: 232 pages
Great progress has been made in the field of genetics within the past decade. This, combined with our growing knowledge, has impacted on this important area with interesting consequences. The ability to identify genetic defects before implantation, to diagnose fetal abnormalities and to introduce screening programmes means that genetic testing now has a major role in preventive medicine. These topics are discussed in detail in the book. In parallel with these advances, other aspects that cannot be ignored, such as education of the public and the potential ethical dilemmas that may arise by virtue of these new methodologies, are raised and discussed in this volume, which is based on the 57th RCOG Study Group and includes a set of consensus views from the expert participants.
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Reproductive Ageing
Susan Bewley, William Ledger and Dimitrios Nikloaou, editors
Publication date: June 2009
Retail price: £80.00
Members' price: £60.00
ISBN: 978-10906985-13-4
Extent: 367 pages
Ageing, and reproductive ageing, affect us all as individuals and as society. Obstetricians and gynaecologists are witnesses to the impact of reproductive ageing and to some of the fears, misinformation and misapprehensions of the general public. This book hopes to raise awareness of the societal trends and implications of the trend. The wider importance of the subject to the whole of society is emphasised by the contributions from experts from disciplines outside obstetrics and gynaecology, both within and outside medicine. Reproductive ageing has effects on individual and public health, now and in generations to come. It is experienced differently by different cultures, by those who are voluntarily and involuntarily childless and by those responsible for organising health services. Although women are healthier than ever, biology can still determine destiny and the decline in fertility and rise in complications with age remains. Scientists can understand but cannot yet control or reverse the processes of ageing, even as they contribute to the means of alleviation of suffering that it may bring. This volume brings together a diverse but timely set of contributions which provides essential information for practising clinicians, interested healthcare and research workers and the general public.
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Cancer and Reproductive Health
Sean Kehoe, Eric Jauniaux, Pierre Martin-Hirsch and Philip Savage, editors
Publication Date: Nov 2008
Retail Price: £80.00
Members Price: £60.00
ISBN: 978-1-904752-61-5
Extent: 294 pages
The words cancer and reproduction conjure images of the human circle: death and the beginning of life itself. Both of these areas are very broad, encompassing the complexity of cancer and its varied biology and the equally challenging areas of fertility, conception and pregnancy. While cancer afflicts primarily the elderly, it also occurs in younger age groups, with different implications specifically relating to reproduction. An even rarer situation is cancer occurring within pregnancy itself although, with more women delaying having a family, this is becoming more common.
This book is derived from the 55th RCOG study group, which brought together acknowledged experts in cancer and human reproduction to address these issues. The sequelae of cancer and therapy in young women, the impact on fertility and newer methods of fertility preservation through ovarian cryopreservation or adjusting standard surgical techniques, are all included. The book also covers the incidence of cancer in pregnancy, how and when to intervene, how diagnostic tools are more limited or less accurate and how therapies may affect the pregnant mother and fetus. Specific attention is focused on the more common cancers, the gynaecological cancers and placental tumours. As more recent evidence has revealed the association between LLETZ and preterm labour, it seemed logical to include management of precancer cervical lesions pertaining to pregnancy. Importantly, the multidisciplinary requirements of cancer and human reproduction are recognised, as is the need for a multidisciplinary team and the moral dilemmas that inevitably arise. This book will be invaluable to any health care professional working in the area of cancer and reproductive health.
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This book explores the most up-to-date evidence on all aspects of diagnosis and management in women with renal problems before, during and after pregnancy. The chapters describe many of the issues likely to be faced in clinical practice, providing valuable information for all healthcare professionals working in this field.
The text stems from the 54th RCOG Study Group on renal disease in pregnancy, which allowed specialists in many disciplines to sift the most up-to-date evidence on all aspects of diagnosis and management in women with renal problems before, during and after pregnancy. The chapters describe many of the issues likely to be faced in clinical practice, providing valuable information for all healthcare professionals working in this field.
General principles for optimal management are clearly defined and separate chapters are devoted to specific disease entities and/or clinical situations. Many controversial areas – management of hypertension, diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, assisted conception, the rationalisation of the many medications used in nephrological practice, renal biopsy, surgical emergencies, patient input and responsibilities – are carefully considered.
Much progress has been made in the last two decades but there still remains a paucity of investigative data behind many of the conflicting arguments. This text is a timely review which will be of interest to all health practitioners with an interest in renal disease and women’s health.
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Obesity, defined as a body mass index above 30 kg/m², is the major public health issue of our time. Rates of obesity have gone up nearly four-fold since the 1980s and currently 1 in 4 adult women are obese. The effect of adiposity is manifest in nearly every aspect of female reproductive life, whether as a metabolic or reproductive complication or as a technical problem affecting clinical issues such as ultrasonography and surgery. Indeed, obesity is present in 35% of maternal deaths in the UK.
While obesity has been widely discussed in the context of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, far less attention has been focused on the reproductive issues. This book, a product of the 53rd RCOG Study Group, provides a comprehensive review of the effects of obesity on reproductive health and gives some indication as to how such risks can best be managed.
Each chapter has been written by an expert in the field and the book also discusses the optimal care for pregnant women who are obese, including advice on managing surgical and anaesthetic risks. Other reproductive issues influenced by obesity, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and quality of life, are also covered. There are also sections on surgery in women who are obese and drugs that are relevant to management of obesity in nonpregnant women. Finally, the measurement of adiposity in pregnancy and the effects of maternal obesity on the future risks for offspring, both short and long term, are discussed. The book is thus relevant for all healthcare workers in obstetric and gynaecology disciplines, as well as others with a general interest in the management of obesity in women.
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This book considers the issue of teenage sexuality and pregnancy from historical, international and regional perspectives. Expert authors question whether teenage pregnancy should be regarded as a social or as an obstetric ‘problem’ and the roles of diet and nutrition are considered. Strategies for reducing teenage pregnancy rates are assessed, including sex education, contraception and service provision, along with evidence for the efficacy of the inventions reviewed.
Methods of reducing social exclusion among teenage parents and their families, housing, education and childcare, are discussed. Most importantly, the perspectives of young women, men and parents are included. This wide-ranging review of the important questions and issues around teenage pregnancy and reproductive health will be of interest and of value not only to obstetricians and gynaecologists but also to anyone for whom the health and welfare of adolescents is of concern.
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Heart Disease and Pregnancy
Philip J Steer, Michael A Gatzoulis and Philip Baker Publication Date: Nov 2006 Retail Price: £52.00 ISBN: 978-1-904752-30-1 Extent: 348 pages |
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Heart disease is the most common medical cause of maternal death in the UK and it is a major pregnancy problem around the world. The RCOG invited 26 of the world’s leading experts from the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada and Japan, to a study group in February of this year, each contributing the latest available information in this vital area.
The editors have paid great attention to accuracy but also to readability. The fact that the contributors came together to check, refine and develop their chapters and the speed with which the book has been produced have resulted in a volume which is particularly valuable for updating clinical practice in this key area.
This is a book that all obstetricians, cardiologists and anaesthetists dealing with pregnant women with heart disease should read. Anyone with an interest in women’s health care will find something for them in these pages.
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Multiple Pregnancy
Mark Kilby, Philip Baker, Hilary Critchley and David Field Publication Date: June 2006 Retail Price: £52.00 ISBN: 978-1-904752-22-6 Extent: 298 pages |
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All healthcare professionals involved in women’s health need to have an awareness of the special antenatal and postnatal problems for the mother having twins or indeed a higher-order multiple pregnancy. There are also particular challenges facing those caring for neonates born from multiple pregnancies. Contributions to this volume come from multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who are leaders in both the scientific understanding and the clinical management of multiple pregnancies. They address not only issues related to pathophysiology and delivery in multiple pregnancy but also the various potential implications and long-term sequelae for the children. The continuing need to support mothers who give birth to multiple pregnancies is also recognised and addressed.
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Contraception and Contraceptive Use
Anna Glasier, Kaye Wellings and Hilary Critchley Publication Date: Nov 2005 Retail Price: £52.00 ISBN: 978-1-904752-15-8 Extent: 276 pages |
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The programme for the 49th RCOG Study Group was designed to explore the big picture of contraceptive use and to discuss the demographic, social and behavioural issues that affect it.
The ‘Consensus Views’ expressed in this volume are not formal recommendations but the conclusions of independent experts. Each of the chapters within this book has provided the authors with an opportunity to share personal views in greater depth and to provide a more comprehensive and evidence-based description of their specialist topic. It is intended that this publication will provide a source of expertise for all those with an interest in improving fertility control, whether involved in research, clinical practice, education or policy making.
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Implantation and Early Development
Hilary Critchley, Iain Cameron and Stephen Smith Publication Date: June 2005 Retail Price: £52.00 ISBN: 978-1-904752-16-5 Extent: 304 pages |
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Successful implantation and early development require a union of healthy gametes and subsequent growth and development within an optimal uterine environment. The 48th Study Group considered factors involved in preparation for implantation within the uterus, what makes a good egg and good sperm and hence good embryo. Lessons from animal models (transgenic and genomic/proteomic technologies) received consideration. Attention was given to both sporadic and recurrent early pregnancy loss and the scale of these distressing events. Assisted reproductive technologies have had a huge impact on the management of fertility problems over the last 25 years. Discussion embraced the arguments for single embryo transfer and the developmental consequences of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Menopause and Hormone Replacement
Hilary Critchley, Anna Gebbie and Valerie Beral Publication Date: Nov 2004 Retail Price: £52.00 ISBN: 978-1-904752-11-0 Extent: 364 pages |
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In the UK, the prescribing of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal symptoms began gradually in the 1950s and reached a peak around 2002. HRT appeared to have an additional role in the prevention of chronic disease in older women. As a consequence, the indications for prescribing HRT increased to include prevention of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease, as clinicians were keen to promote use for these apparent important benefits.
However, the last 2 years have seen a steady decline in prescribing rates as a number of key publications have added greatly to our knowledge on the benefits and risks of HRT. The expected cardiovascular protection of HRT has not been demonstrated and one study has confirmed the increased risk of breast cancer associated with use of HRT.
The 47th Study Group of the RCOG met to debate all these issues concerning the role of HRT in menopause management. Clinicians, epidemiologists and scientists scrutinised the data and, although consensus was not achieved in all areas, greater understanding and agreement did occur. Without doubt, HRT will continue to be prescribed for women with severe menopausal symptoms but some of the other indications will now be relegated to the archives of history. It has taken many decades to reach our current level of knowledge of HRT and the situation may still change. This Study Group leads the way for a greater understanding of the complex balance of risks and benefits of HRT for each menopausal woman considering such therapy
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Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
AB MacLean and JP Neilson Publication Date: 2002 Retail Price: £6.00 ISBN: 978-1-900364-76-8 Extent: 434 pages |
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Since the scope of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths has widened to include key public health issues, much more needs to be done. Morbidity needs to be addressed as well as mortality. This book provides a current and relevant record of the continuing challenge of maternal mortality and morbidity, nationally and globally.So why have a Study Group to examine this subject? First, the process of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in the UK continues only because of the ongoing dedication and determination of a few, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Department of Health must continue to provide support. Second, since the scope of the Confidential Enquiry has widened to include key public health issues, much more needs to be done. Third, there is a need to address morbidity as well as mortality. This book makes available the contributions of the members of the Study Group to provide a current and relevant record of the ongoing challenge of maternal mortality and morbidity, nationally and globally.
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Pain in Obstetrics and Gynaeecology
AB MacLean, RW Stones and S Thornton Publication Date: 2001 Retail Price: £6.00 ISBN: 978-1-900364-52-2 Extent: 392 pages |
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How has our understanding of pain evolved throughout the clinical advances of the past century and a half? Pain can be viewed as a positive feature, a part of the transition to motherhood and as a common symptom given the musculoskeletal pain experienced by more than 50 percent of pregnant women, and yet acute abdominal pain brings serious sequelae if diagnosis or management are delayed. Many clinicians manage pain by identifying pathology, finding a name or giving a diagnosis; in the absence of such features, our understanding of pain and its mechanisms remains vague and naive. The 41st Study Group of the RCOG has brought together a stimulating mixture of scientists, clinicians, psychologists, other health professionals and two lay members to discuss a range of aspects.
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Disorders of the Menstrual Cycle
PMS O'Brien, I Cameron and AB MacLean Publication Date: 2000 Retail Price: £6.00 ISBN: 978-1-900364-40-9 Extent: 402 pages |
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Disorders of the menstrual cycle have become an increasingly important part of modern gynaecological practice. Recent advances have been made in both the basic sciences and management of many of the problems associated with menstruation and the ovarian cycle.
There is a well-known debate centred on the balance between the reduced invasiveness of treatment (medical therapy and minimally invasive surgery) and the offer of complete cure for many menstrual symptoms by hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with their greater morbidity and mortality and ethical, emotional and medico-legal considerations. That debate is continued in lively fashion in this Study Group by contributors drawn from many of the UK centres currently engaged in research into menstrual disorders and from centres from continental Europe, North America and Australia.
This text is essential reading for all those involved in treating women with menstrual disorders but particularly those embarking on basic and clinical research in this stimulating field of women's health.
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