Thinking About Ob/Gyn

Antonia Roberts and Howard Herrell
  • 4.7 (46)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A fresh and evidence-based perspective of all things related to obstetrics and gynecology. Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn or visit thinkingaboutobgyn.com for show notes and more. 

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 11.9 Vaccine Q&A

    We answer vaccine questions head-on, using real numbers to separate online fear from how vaccines, immunity, and public health actually work. We break down why diseases feel “gone,” what the modern schedule really exposes babies to, and how to spot misleading claims around ingredients, autism, and VAERS. Featuring Kate Moloney and our vaccine-hesitant friend Anah.  • why vaccine success makes diseases look eradicated while risk returns when coverage drops  • Stanford modeling estimates for measles, diphtheria, polio, and rubella without vaccination  • meningococcal meningitis basics, who is most at risk, and why outcomes can be catastrophic  • why clean water and sanitation do not explain protection from droplet-spread viruses  • what antigens are and why antigen exposure is far lower than decades ago  • downsides of delaying vaccines including longer vulnerability and more office visits  • aluminum, formaldehyde, and mercury claims explained with real-world comparisons  • “natural immunity” tradeoffs including measles pneumonia, immune amnesia, and SSPE  • long flu and post-viral inflammatory syndromes as quality-of-life consequences  • how vaccine schedules change, why the autism claim is debunked, and what profit incentives really look like  • what VAERS can and cannot tell you, plus how bias and viral claims distort reports  • why newborn hepatitis B vaccination exists, screening gaps, and true serious side effects  • rubella history and why vaccination primarily protects fetuses  1:05 Do We Vaccinate Too Much 3:32 Modeling A World Without Vaccines 6:20 Meningitis And Fast Catastrophes 8:28 Clean Water Is Not A Vaccine 11:02 Antigens And The Modern Schedule 15:44 Why Spacing Shots Can Backfire 16:53 Aluminum Formaldehyde Mercury Facts 22:00 Natural Immunity And Measles Damage 26:16 Long Flu And Post Viral Illness 28:26 Profit Fears And Autism Claims 31:26 VAERS Limits And Bad Math 38:39 Why Newborns Get Hepatitis B 45:09 Real Side Effects And Detox Scams 48:37 Rubella And Protecting Fetuses 51:57 Final Takeaways And Next Steps Be sure to check out thinkingaoutobgyn.com for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    53 min

  2. APR 15

    Episode 11.8 MTHFR, Bed Rest, and More!

    We take on four stubborn myths in modern obstetrics and follow the evidence instead of the vibes, from thrombophilia testing to bed rest to seizure prophylaxis. We also spotlight a patient-empowering insulin strategy that may improve gestational diabetes outcomes faster than usual care.  • distinguishing recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation from venous thromboembolism testing  • focusing thrombophilia workups on antiphospholipid antibody syndrome when criteria are met  • explaining why MTHFR variants and PAI-1 polymorphisms do not belong in routine panels  • unpacking how social media and narrative fallacies keep low-value tests alive  • reviewing the AWARE trial and why activity restriction lacks benefit and carries harms  • clarifying reasonable pregnancy activity modifications versus false labor prevention claims  • assessing late preterm antenatal corticosteroids for twins and the hypoglycemia signal  • discussing inertia of practice and why weak evidence becomes hard to undo  • breaking down patient-led insulin titration for gestational diabetes and why it may reduce macrosomia  • evaluating laboring down and long-term pelvic floor outcomes plus statistical pitfalls  • answering a listener question on Keppra alternatives to magnesium for preeclampsia seizures  Be sure to check out thinking about obgyn.com for more information, and be sure to follow us on Instagram. 0:00 Welcome And What We’re Reviewing 0:28 Thrombophilia Testing After Miscarriage 3:51 What Belongs In A VTE Panel 5:55 MTHFR And PAI1 Myth Busting 13:36 Activity Restriction And The AWARE Trial 23:27 Practical Counseling Without False Promises 27:08 Late Preterm Steroids For Twins 32:53 Patient-Led Insulin Titration In GDM 38:38 Laboring Down And Pelvic Floor Outcomes 47:51 Keppra Versus Magnesium For Preeclampsia 1:00:25 Wrap Up And Where To Follow Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1h 1m

  3. APR 2

    Episode 11.7 Professional Guideline Discrepancies on Labor And Delivery

    We talk with Dr. Emily Donelan about how conflicting labor management guidelines can derail communication between nurses and physicians and quietly raise patient safety risks. We map the biggest friction points and lay out practical ways to reconcile guidance locally while pushing for a unified national approach.  • defining “communication dystocia” and why guideline discrepancies create real bedside conflict  • how evidence gaps drive teams toward institutional culture and inertia in practice  • the ARRIVE trial as a case study in differing priorities and framing  • a detailed induction vignette showing where amniotomy, oxytocin titration and uterine activity definitions collide  • why the 20 mU/min oxytocin threshold persists and what newer data suggests  • tachysystole rules, Category II tracings and how prescriptive language shapes nursing behavior  • delayed pushing versus pushing at complete dilation and the moral distress it can create  • the need for standardized evidence grading and cleaner citations across organizations  • a national interprofessional reconciliation program and who must be at the table  • one actionable step for tomorrow: stay curious and surface the real reason behind the disagreement  Be sure to check out thinking about obgyn.com for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram. 0:01 Why Guideline Conflicts Matter 3:52 The ARRIVE Trial Framing Problem 12:23 A Labor Case Where Rules Collide 24:08 Oxytocin Thresholds And Litigation Fear 33:26 Pushing Timing And Moral Distress 38:05 Who Should Write Unified Guidance 44:04 Evidence Grading And Bedside Decisions 52:05 Inertia In Practice And De-Implementation 1:00:14 Takeaways Plus A No-Evidence Pet Peeve Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1h 3m

  4. MAR 19

    Episode 11.6 Ovarian Torsion & The Pitt

    We use a plotline from The Pit to separate ovarian torsion facts from TV fiction and explain why Doppler findings can’t replace clinical judgment. Then we answer a listener question on trial of labor after myomectomy and how we counsel when the data are thin and the details matter.  • why “competency porn” and “certainty porn” can distort real expectations of care  • how color Doppler actually works and why red and blue do not always mean artery and vein  • PCOS misconceptions and what really increases torsion risk  • ovarian torsion as a clinical diagnosis and why preserved Doppler flow cannot rule it out  • ultrasound clues that help beyond flow alone, including the whirlpool sign and peripheral follicles  • when oophoropexy might be considered and why it remains controversial  • why detorsion usually beats oophorectomy even with a black or blue ovary  • limits of lab tests and the need to think in probabilities, not binaries  • false positives and false negatives in pregnancy testing, including the hook effect and real-world mix-ups  • counseling on vaginal delivery after myomectomy, focusing on depth, cavity entry, number and location of incisions, and shared decision-making  Be sure to check out thinkingaboutobgyn.com for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram  0:01 Welcome And What We Cover 0:32 The Pit Torsion Plot Setup 3:06 Competency Porn And Public Expectations 8:39 Color Doppler Basics BART Rule 10:09 PCOS Myths And Torsion Risk 13:27 Endometriosis Guidance And Clinical Diagnosis 18:29 Torsion Diagnosis Beyond Doppler Flow 24:30 Oophoropexy When It Helps And Harms 29:22 Scoring Tools For Torsion Triage 32:48 Detorsion Versus Oophorectomy And Recovery 37:09 Certainty Porn And Limits Of Tests 41:09 Pregnancy Tests False Positives And Negatives 47:10 Listener Question TOL After Myomectomy 50:01 Counseling Factors And Limited Rupture Data 55:31 Closing And Next Guest Tease Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    57 min

  5. MAR 5

    Episode 11.5 Gray Journal Cesarean Delivery Edition

    We unpack the Gray Journal’s special edition on Cesarean Delivery, separating strong evidence from expert habit, and spotlight where technique, culture, and policy collide. From TXA and barbed sutures to better metrics and imaging, we share what to adopt now and what to question. Featuring Maddie White. • evidence versus expert opinion across the special issue • TXA at cesarean shows no meaningful outcome gains • barbed versus braided sutures and the cost of “speed” • why fundamentals beat gadgets for blood loss and time • critique of New Jersey NTSV study and outcome framing • imaging pearls for post‑cesarean complications • infection prevention steps supported by trials • history of cesarean steps and why we dropped some • rising cesarean rates driven by non‑clinical forces • better classification systems and dyadic metrics • balancing maternal and neonatal outcomes • tool use in obesity and cost‑conscious choices Be sure to check out thinkingaboutobgyn.com for more information, and be sure to follow us on Instagram 0:01 Why A Massive C‑Section Special Issue Matters 3:15 Expert Opinion vs Evidence: Read With Caution 5:44 Safety Basics: Wear Eye Protection 7:46 Evidence‑Based Technique Still Stands 10:55 TXA At Cesarean: Reanalyzing TRAAP2 18:19 Barbed Sutures And The Myth Of Speed 27:30 Operative Time: Fundamentals Over Gadgets 33:54 New Jersey QI Study: Claims And Confounders 42:05 Outcomes Framing: “Cone Heads” And Bias 49:15 Imaging After Cesarean: What To Look For 54:35 Infection Prevention And SSI Takeaways Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1 hr

  6. FEB 19

    Episode 11.4 Syphilis and lots more!

    We examine why U.S. maternal mortality headlines mislead, showing overdose and violence dominate early postpartum deaths while obstetric causes decline. We then cover strong evidence for opportunistic salpingectomy, debunk a shaky Cochrane-fueled home birth claim, clarify Nexplanon’s five-year approval and bleeding management, confirm no Tylenol-autism link, and walk through modern syphilis testing in pregnancy before closing with pragmatic magnesium use after delivery. • overdose and violence as leading postpartum deaths • pitfalls of cross-country maternal mortality comparisons • fentanyl trends and infant risk • opportunistic salpingectomy reduces ovarian cancer risk • how bad meta-analyses distort home birth safety claims • intent-to-treat and risk matching in birth setting data • Nexplanon five-year efficacy and bleeding treatments • no association between acetaminophen and autism • syphilis screening algorithms and pregnancy timing • magnesium postpartum as seizure prophylaxis, not BP treatment Be sure to check out thinkingaboutobgyn.com for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram 0:00 Setting The Agenda: What Really Kills Moms 0:33 Redefining Maternal Mortality And Comparisons 2:11 Violence, Overdose, And Postpartum Risk 5:33 State Variability And Media Narratives 8:15 Data On Drugs, Fentanyl, And Infant Harm 11:06 Opportunistic Salpingectomy: New Evidence 14:06 Population Study And Risk Reduction Ranges 16:16 Cochrane Review And Home Birth Claims 20:24 Why Bad Meta-Analyses Mislead 24:15 Real-World Data And Intent-To-Treat For Birth Setting 28:02 Pain, Epidurals, And Cultural Narratives 31:00 Nexplanon Five Years And Bleeding Fixes 35:21 Tylenol And Autism: Meta-Analysis Revisited 38:04 Syphilis Testing In Pregnancy: Why It’s Hard 42:25 Traditional Vs Reverse Algorithms Explained 47:05 Managing Discordant Results And Reinfection 50:11 History, Ethics, And Tuskegee Lessons 54:15 Listener Question: Magnesium Duration Postpartum 59:05 Clinical Judgment Over Dogma And Wrap Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1h 9m

  7. FEB 4

    Episode 11.3 Preventing Surgical Complications

    We map a prevention-first approach to OBGYN surgical complications—from environmental fixes and technique to early detection, skilled repair, and honest recovery—so fewer patients are harmed and clinicians carry less hidden burden. Practical steps, board-level reasoning, and real cases bring it to life. • applying primordial to quaternary prevention to surgical harm • avoiding unnecessary hysterectomy and favoring safer routes • bladder repair tactics by size and location • ureter injury recognition, stenting, and reimplant options • bowel injury triage, Lembert technique, and resection thresholds • four practical tips to prevent bowel injury • vascular control from aorta to epigastrics and presacral bleeds • preventing neuropathies with smarter positioning and retractors • disclosure with HEAL and supporting clinicians with just culture • key historical insights  0:00 Framing Complications With Prevention 2:55 Primordial To Quaternary: The Model 7:30 Urologic Risks: Bladder First 16:20 Trigone, Stents, And Calling For Help 23:45 Ureter Injury Playbook 33:20 Delayed Ureter Injuries And Management 38:05 Small Bowel: From Serosa To Resection 46:30 Colon Injuries: Repair Or Resect 52:40 Four Tips To Prevent Bowel Injury 58:10 Vascular Injury: Aorta To Epigastrics Be sure to check out thinkingaboutobgyn.com for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1h 2m

  8. JAN 22

    Episode 11.2 Rethinking VBAC Risk and a Lot More!

    We unpack new studies that reshape how we counsel on VBAC after short intervals, update what we tell BRCA carriers about estrogen therapy, and explore how self-collected HPV tests can reduce screening gaps. We also question surgical marketing, workforce trends, and the shaky evidence behind aspirin dosing for preeclampsia. • Short interpregnancy interval as a VBAC risk factor, not a contraindication • Absolute uterine rupture rates in spontaneous vs induced labor • Estrogen therapy in BRCA carriers and treated gyn cancers • Cervical screening overuse and underscreening in insured populations • Self-collected HPV testing intervals and access benefits • OB-GYN workforce shortages and rural distribution gaps • Endometriosis surgery indications versus fertility claims • Robotics versus laparoscopy outcomes and training priorities • Aspirin dose trials, lack of placebo arms, and abruption signals • Reading statistics correctly and demanding better editorial standards 0:00 Setting The Agenda: New Studies 0:40 Short Interval Pregnancy And VBAC Risk 3:10 Quantifying Uterine Rupture By Spacing 8:10 Induction, Augmentation, And Rupture Math 9:40 HRT In BRCA Carriers: New Evidence 13:05 Estrogen After Gyn Cancers: Practice Gaps 17:40 Cervical Screening: Overuse And Underscreening 22:30 Self-Collected HPV Testing Guidance 27:00 OB-GYN Shortages And Distribution 33:20 Endometriosis Surgery And Fertility Claims 41:20 Robotics Vs Laparoscopy: Outcomes And Training 47:20 Aspirin Dosing For Preeclampsia: No Signal 55:30 Interpreting Stats And Editorial Standards 59:20 Closing Notes And Next Steps Be sure to check out thinking about obgyn.com for more information, and be sure to follow us on Instagram Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

    1 hr
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4.7
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

A fresh and evidence-based perspective of all things related to obstetrics and gynecology. Follow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn or visit thinkingaboutobgyn.com for show notes and more. 

Information

  • Creator
    Antonia Roberts and Howard Herrell
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Thinking About Ob/Gyn
  • Show Website
    Thinking About Ob/Gyn

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