The rate of failure to achieve vaginal delivery within 24 h was lower with Foley's balloon and oral misoprostol as compared to oral misoprostol alone.

INTRODUCTION Data regarding pregnancy and related outcomes with COVID-19 are inconsistent, which leads to difficulties in counselling pregnant women. This brings uncertainty to pregnant women regarding mode of birth, transmission and issues that may occur in case they contract the disease. We conducted this study to assess the knowledge about COVID-19 risk during pregnancy and childbirth and to assess the concerns, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women during the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 376 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Karachi, Pakistan, between 1 July and 16 July 2020, using pretested questionnaires. RESULTS A total of 376 pregnant women participated in the survey. Participants had inadequate knowledge about COVID-19 risk during pregnancy, including potential vertical transmission (58.5%), preferred route of delivery (52%), safety of breastfeeding (50%), birth defects (44.7%), rooming in and skin-to-skin contact (58.5%). The majority (85.1%) had a high concern score, and negative attitude (62.8%). Only 43.6% said that they would not hide their symptoms, while 37.2% stated that they will deliver at hospital if they tested positive. Only 30.9% of respondents had good practices. During visits, 39.4% maintained social distancing and sanitized hands while only 37.2% said that they did not bring more than one person with them. CONCLUSIONS The study population had inadequate knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices regarding pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the respondents thought that concealing symptoms and delivering at home would be better. Awareness programs are urgently needed.

Context:Due to increased life expectancy worldwide, women are expected to spend a significant portion of their lives in menopause. Proven prevention strategies against serious risks and tested effective treatments for common symptoms may remain unutilized in our population if these women are not asked about these symptoms.Aim:This study aims to assess the prevalence of different menopausal symptoms and their severity according to menopause rating scale (MRS) in women.Setting and Design:The present study was a cross-sectional survey, conducted in the outpatient department of gynecology and obstetrics.Subjects and Methods:After written and informed consent, 121 women having their last menstrual period at least 1 year ago were included. The menopausal symptoms were assessed using the MRS. The primary outcome measure in this study was the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in these women according to MRS and the severity of these symptoms.Statistical Analysis Used:Data were analyzed using the SPSS software program, version 15.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA).Results:The most common symptom was mental and physical exhaustion which was reported by 88 (72%) women, followed by joint and muscular discomfort which was reported by 83 (68.59%). Hot flushes were reported by 54 (44.62%) respondents. Majority of women reported mild-to-moderate symptoms.Conclusions:The prevalence of menopausal symptoms is high, and a health policy needs to be generated for the region.