Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Hantavirus was first discovered in the early 1950s near the Hantaan River in South Korea. The US has seen this before: the 1993 Four Corners outbreak was the first recognition of the virus in the United States, causing a deadly respiratory syndrome. Now, Hantavirus is in the news again with 17 Americans currently (5.10.26) enroute back to the US for specialized observation. In this episode, we wil...

Uterine hysterotomy unintended extensions happen. For sure. This has been analyzed over many years, and it is still making news. Look at this mini-timeline: Back in 2018, authors published “Unintended hysterotomy extension during caesarean delivery: risk factors and maternal morbidity”. Moving up the timeline to 2020, others published in J Maternal-Fetal Neonatal Medicine, “Risk factors for uterin...

Genome-wide noninvasive prenatal testing (GW-NIPT) was introduced in 2015 and became widely available in 2019. Nonetheless, we are still learning more about this important prenatal screening test. In January 2026, the ACOG released a new PA on this, which we will also review in this episode. Our main publication ti review, however, will be the AJOG May 2026’s systematic review and meta-analysis on...

There is no denying it, you know of one or MORE individuals or patients currently on a GLP1 agent. Although not FDA approved for PCOS as a stand-alone diagnosis, there is growing evidence supporting their offlabel use in PCOS, and international guidelines now include them as a conditional recommendation. In women, the weight loss associated with these medications may trigger the return of spontane...

The belief that IV dextrose is necessary to clear ketones in hyperemesis gravidarum originated from a logical, and now known to be outdated, extrapolation of basic starvation ketosis physiology and the treatment paradigm for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The original experiments that led to this conclusion go back to the 1960s (Foster data). Not only is this outdated, but it is also physiologically...

AUDIO EXCERPT from our recent Instragm post on this Social Media trend. Silly or Science? Listen in for details.

Uterine compression sutures are effective, uterus-sparing techniques for managing severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to atony, avoiding hysterectomy. Keytypes include the B-Lynch suture (vertical, brace-like), Hayman suture (simplified vertical), and Pereira sutures (multiple, comprehensive sutures), and Cho Compression (quadrant square anterior to posterior closures), are applied when pharmac...

(From our Instagram Video Post): A very quick recap of the brand new ACOG Cervcial Caner Screening Update from April 24, 2026.

Just a VERY QUICK episode in rsponse to my sweet friend's question. Kerri is an MFM in another part of the country and she had KEEN insights on our recent episode on "Best Perioperative ose for Ketorolac at CS". Listen in for more good stuff!

The ACOG recommends a multimodal approach to postoperative pain that includes nonsteroidal NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and opioids. Ketorolac is a favored NSAID for postop pain control. However, the optimal dose of ketorolac after cesarean delivery has not been determined. In this episode, we will summarize a brand new randomized, controlled, single-blind trial of pregnant women undergoing cesarean del...

Uterine hemorrhage remains a significant complication following abortion loss and in the postpartum period and contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality among pregnant patients. Although some FDA approved devices are on the market (Bakri balloon and Jada vacuum), they may be cost prohibited in some settings and/or some uterine cavities may be very small for either option, like after a mid...

“GOOD VIBRATIONS”: Its not just a Marky Mark song, but it is also part of GYNECOLOGIC SEXUAL HEALTH! In this episode, we will highlight an April 2026 new qualitative study on women’s vibrator use, as well as a separate publication (on a similar topic) also released in April 2026 in the journal Menopause. 1. Leong KA, Carlton CE, Deverdis EC, Grimes CL, Jacobs BE, Rogers RG, Roberts BL. Intimacy an...

In the ACOG CO 734 from 2018, it states, “Transvaginal ultrasonography usually is sufficient for an initial evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding if the ultrasound images reveal a thin endometrial echo (less than or equal to 4 mm), given that an endometrial thickness of 4 mm or less has a greater than 99% negative predictive value for endometrial cancer”. But medicine moves fast. This is NO LONGER...

Yes we have covered antenatal corticosteroids in the late preterm interval on several episodes in the past- it's DEJA VU! However, there is new data in the American Journal of Perinatology (April 2026 ) that is helpful for us as clinicians as we do “shared decision making” with patients in offering betamethasone in the late preterm interval. Listen in for details. 1. Zigron R, Rotem R, Erlichm...

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is associated withseveral adverse pregnancy outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and placental abruption. It makes sense that diagnosing and treating anemia and its underlying causes in earlypregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes, but evidence has been scarce…until now. In this episode, we will review a new...

The diagnosis of fetal growth restriction can be made with an isolated abdominal circumference less than the 90th percentile. So is the opposite true? Does a fetal abdominal circumference (isolated) of greater than 90% qualify for “LGA” fetus? In this episode we're going to explain why, although it is logically correct, it is diagnostically incorrect. An isolated abdominal circumference on ult...

Livi by LiviWell is an FDA-cleared, single-use, soft polyurethane foam device designed to immediately absorb post-intercourse fluids (semen) to support vaginal health. Inserted like a tampon within 15 minutes post-coitus, it works in roughly 60 seconds to restore natural pH, helping to manage odor, dripping, and discomfort. Is this evidence-based? Listen in for details. 1. https://www.biospace.com...

Modern medicine has come a long way in its fight against diabetes. We now have continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and automated insulin delivery (AIDs) systems. These have revolutionized patient care. The FDA has approved devices for use in pregnancy as “nonadjunctive use” (meaning they may be used alone), although capillary finger stick assessments are currently still considered the Gold Standard....

Podcast family, we have to be careful what we ask for…Because we might just get it! We have been asking for new ways to predict preeclampsia for close to two decades. Well now we have new biomarker serum tests that are even offered direct- to-consumer. The problem is, what do we dowith a positive test?! In a past episode we covered an FDA cleared serum test by Thermo Fisher for use in patients alr...

Words matter, and equally as important, our actions matter. Sometimes the words opportunistic salpingectomy (OPS or OS) are used interchangeably with risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS). However, these are two completely different items. In fact, there are 4 very important differences between the two. In the April 2026 AJOG, there's a new Clinical Opinion on this very topic. Listen in for detail...

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections do not have formal FDA approval for specific clinical indications. PRP is regulated as an autologous blood product and is used "off-label" in clinical practice. However, there is substantial clinical evidence supporting its use for certain dental surgeries and musculoskeletal conditions, particularly lateral epicondylitis, knee osteoarthritis, and pl...

Podcast family, welcome to Quickie #4. This one will be fun: A. Medicine changes, and changes fast. I trained with and learned the Grannum grading placental system (grades 0-III based on ultrasound appearance). Is that still a thing? We recently found a “grade III placenta at 34 weeks” as an incidental finding. Is there specific management considerations for this? Listen in for details. B. What do...

Well, it's no doubt we live in a culture of immediate gratification. When we need to know something, we must know it immediately! This even applies to couples seeking pregnancy and their desire to find out if their monthly attempts have been successful. However, there is a problem with trying to prove pregnancy too promptly. In this episode, we will review a new publication just released on Ma...

What an AMAZING lesson, Podcast Family, in this impromptu episode, we will hear from one of my former medical students, now BOARD-CERTIFIED OBGYN...and an incredible OB case she just had. Sometimes....we find ZEBRAS! Great job, Lauren!

Podcast family we've all heard the rumors that oursmartphones are “LISTENING TO US”. Well, some of that is actually true, and trust me I'm not a conspiracy theorist. Our smartphones are capable of remarkable things. A new publication from the Green journal (released ahead ofprint on 03/05/2026 ) is proposing that it may now be able to detect fetal movement, fetal breathing, and even fetal...