Despite advances in medical technology and patient safety initiatives, maternal morbidity and mortality rates continue to increase. Maternal mortality trends in the US as reported from the CDC from 1989-2009 demonstrate increasing mortality trends from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2009. To combat this problem, a thorough understanding of the critical medical and surgical issues that are often encountered in pregnancy is essential. Each article addresses a topic relevant to care of the critically ill gravida.

Despite advances in medical technology and patient safety initiatives, maternal morbidity and mortality rates continue to increase. Maternal mortality trends in the US as reported from the CDC from 1989-2009 demonstrate increasing mortality trends from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2009. To combat this problem, a thorough understanding of the critical medical and surgical issues that are often encountered in pregnancy is essential. Each article addresses a topic relevant to care of the critically ill gravida.

Critical Care Obstetrics Improve medical outcomes for both mothers and children with this essential guide For the first time in decades, maternal mortality rates are climbing in the United States. Factors including lack of access to prenatal care, un- or underinsured populations, rising rates of cardiovascular disease, and more combine to make pregnancy and childbirth more dangerous prospects. In this environment, the study of critical care obstetrics has never been more essential. Critical Care Obstetrics, Seventh Edition a fully updated guide to the medical management of serious conditions in pregnancy and childbirth. Beginning with basic principles, it surveys the potential serious complications occurring in pregnancy and delivery and the techniques and procedures for maximizing patient outcomes for both pregnant people and fetuses. This clear, accessible text promises to continue the essential work of earlier editions. Readers of the seventh edition of Critical Care Obstetrics will also find: Detailed protocols for implementing life-saving treatments in emergencies New chapters on topics including ECMO, antibiotics, and pneumonia Authorship by internationally renowned experts in emergency obstetrics Critical Care Obstetrics is ideal for working clinical obstetricians and for trainees in obstetrics and gynecology.

In this issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, guest editors Drs. Amy VanBlaricom and Brigid McCue bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Hospitalists and Laborists. Top experts provide clinical updates to help obstetrics and gynecology hospitalists stay current, including important topics such as restricted access to termination; medical innovations; crisis management; risk mitigation; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Contains 14 relevant, practice-oriented topics including obstetric and gynecologic hospitalist fellowships; medical innovation for obstetrics and gynecologist hospitalists' practice and patient experience; the gynecologic hospitalist; can obstetrics/gynecology hospitalists reduce severe maternal morbidity; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on obstetrics and gynecologic hospitalists and laborists, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Obstetrician Gynecologists are frequently responsible for management of the primary care needs of their patients. A survey performed in 2005 found an estimated 37% of, non-pregnant patients, relies on gynecologists for routine primary care. The same study found that almost a quarter of gynecologists reported they needed additional primary care training across a broad set of medical topics (Acad Med. 2007; 82:602–607). The impetus for training in primary care skills is increasing. In response to language in the Affordable Care Act, the Institute of Medicine developed a report on clinical preventative services necessary for women (Clinical Preventative Services for Women: Closing the Gaps IOM. 2011; also Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2011, 23:471–480). The US Department of Health and Human services has adopted these IOM recommendations and, as a result, health plans are required to include these services. While initiatives such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Well-Woman Task Force and recent cross-specialty ACOG educational collaborations have begun to address supplemental educational needs, additional resources covering key primary care topics are necessary. This issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics is an ideal means for accomplishing this important goal.

The second edition of Critical Care in Obstetrics brings clinicians fully up to date with the latest developments in dealing with emergencies during pregnancy and labour. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and also has new chapters including managing pregnancy in cancer survivors, newer imaging techniques, peri-mortem caesarean section and medico legal issues. The book deals with all aspects of the management of critically ill pregnant women, covering care of the unborn foetus, as well as care of babies born to critically ill mothers. Anaesthetic management and ventilatory procedures are discussed in depth. This fully referenced, easy to read text includes nearly 80 images and illustrations to assist obstetricians and residents prevent, recognise and treat women needing critical care in pregnancy. Key points New edition bringing clinicians up to date with latest developments in management of emergencies in pregnancy and labour Thoroughly revised text with addition of important new chapters Emphasis on anaesthetic management and ventilatory procedures Previous edition published in 2008

Vulvar disorders are prevalent but often overlooked conditions in the curricula of obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, and primary care residency training programs. This has led many outpatient clinicians to feel unprepared to evaluate the patient with a vulvar complaint. Often patients with complex, chronic vulvar disorders have seen multiple providers in consultation before they are appropriately diagnosed and treated, leading to frustration amongst patients and providers alike as well as excessive health care costs. The goal of this issue is to present a practical review on vulvar disease for outpatient clinicians to improve patient care. The topics highlighted in this issue represent gaps in knowledge among residents, fellows, providers, and course and conference attendees. The issue begins with a general approach to the evaluation and management of vulvar disorders and then moves on to an article on vulvar pathology that will help clinicians obtain the most useful pathology reads from their biopsies. Also addressed are specific vulvar disorders or presenting findings that are common or challenging. A pelvic floor physical therapy colleague provides information on how this modality can help manage vulvar pain. The issue concludes with an article on hot topics in vulvar disease. In the last several years there has been a growing number of newly trained physicians committed to advancing patient care in the area of vulvar disease, and many of this issue’s authors are part of this group. This issue should serve as a useful resource in the office of any provider who evaluates patients with vulvar complaints.