Woman's Health: In ERs, UTIs and STIs in women misdiagnosed ♦ India's abortion law puts women at risk ♦ Women in developed world still face many barriers to early abortion

In ERs, UTIs and STIs in women misdiagnosed, even mixed up nearly half the time Urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections in women are misdiagnosed by emergency departments nearly half the time, according to research. These misdiagnoses result in overuse of antibiotics, and increased antibiotic resistance.

Women's sport participation and gender equality: African women in the beautiful game Despite a notably high percentage of women in political positions, South Africa has high rates of rape and domestic violence, suggesting poor gender equality, widespread discrimination and male dominance in (South) Africa. New research examines women’s involvement in sport, specifically soccer and its impact on balance of gender power in South Africa on National, community and personal levels.

Women have up to a fourfold increase in risk of stillbirth following a previous stillbirth Women who have experienced a stillbirth have up to a fourfold increased risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy compared to those who had an initial live birth

India's abortion law puts women at risk, should be changed, experts say Proposed amendments to India's abortion law are 'contradictory' and need 'urgent redrafting' to prevent women from making ill informed decisions and risking their lives with illegal terminations

Women in developed world still face many barriers to early abortion Women in developed countries still find it very difficult to get an abortion in early pregnancy, despite facing fewer legal constraints than in other parts of the world.

Pregnancy Research: Pacemaker designed for fetal use ♦ Mother's diet influences weight-control neural circuits in offspring ♦ Effects of smoking seen in unborn babies

First fully-implantable micro pacemaker designed for fetal use The first fully implantable micro pacemaker designed for use in a fetus with complete heart block has been designed by researchers. The investigators anticipate the first human use of the device in the near future.

Mother's diet influences weight-control neural circuits in offspring Maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation may prime offspring for weight gain and obesity later in life, according to researchers who looked at rats whose mothers consumed a high-fat diet and found that the offspring's feeding controls and feelings of fullness did not function normally.

High-definition scans suggest effects of smoking seen in unborn babies The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy may be reflected in the facial movements of mothers' unborn babies, new research has suggested. The researchers say that the reason for this might be that the fetal central nervous system, did not develop at the same rate and in the same manner as in fetuses of mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy

Research on medical abortion, miscarriage may change international routines Two scientific studies are expected to form the basis of new international recommendations for the treatment of medical abortions and miscarriages. One of the studies shows that it is possible to replace the clinical follow-up examinations recommended today with medical abortions that include a home pregnancy test. The other study shows that midwives can safely and effectively treat failed abortions and miscarriages in rural districts of Uganda.