^ Back to Top

Pregnancy and reproductive health

Contraception: which option for which patient?

Prescribing contraception is a core part of primary care practice. A patient’s co-morbidities and concurrent medicines can influence... View Article

July 2021

Condoms: advising on the options

Condoms are the only form of contraception that protects against both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.... View Article

July 2021

Oral contraceptives: selecting a pill

Oral contraceptive pills are a safe and effective contraceptive method widely used in New Zealand. For patients using a combined... View Article

July 2021

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injections: an intermediate option

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections are a form of hormonal contraception administered every 13 weeks for optimal effect.... View Article

July 2021

Long-acting contraceptives: implants and IUCs

Long-acting reversible contraceptives include progestogen (levonorgestrel) implants and copper or levonorgestrel intrauterine... View Article

July 2021

Diagnosing and managing primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency is the loss of ovarian function before age 40 years, resulting in menstrual irregularities and menopausal... View Article

December 2019

Diagnosing and managing perinatal depression in primary care

The consequences of perinatal depression* can be severe. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality† in New Zealand and... View Article

November 2019

Community pharmacy guide on medicine safety in pregnancy

Community pharmacists are a key point of contact for women seeking advice about medicines use in pregnancy. While non-pharmacological... View Article

November 2019

The role of the primary healthcare team in pregnancy care

Pregnancy is a time when women are likely to engage with a number of different healthcare professionals. Effective communication... View Article

November 2019

News item: access to levonorgestrel intrauterine devices/systems widened

From 1 November, 2019, levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs; also known as levonorgestrel intrauterine systems or LIUS),... View Article

October 2019

Balancing the benefits and risks of prescribing antiepileptic medicines in women

Antiepileptic medicines reduce the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and are sometimes used as part of the management of... View Article

October 2018

NZF is changing the way that pregnancy and breast-feeding advice for medicines is presented

From 1 October, 2018, the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) will replace the current pregnancy and breast-feeding advice, which is based... View Article

September 2018

An HPV update: vaccination coverage needs to be improved

Vaccination against human papillomaviruses (HPV) is fully subsidised for girls and young women to reduce their risk of cervical... View Article

October 2015

News Update: Pertussis vaccine now subsidised for all pregnant women

Changes to the funding criteria for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine (Boostrix) came into effect on 1 August,... View Article

August 2015

Monitoring diabetes before, during and after pregnancy

Hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse outcomes which can affect both mother and child, and can... View Article

July 2015

The Integrated Performance and Incentive Framework (IPIF): A Healthy Start

IPIF is a quality improvement programme designed to enhance the quality, accessibility, and integration of the New Zealand healthcare... View Article

April 2015

News Updates

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article

October 2014

Measles: what to be aware of during an outbreak

The current measles outbreak in New Zealand highlights the importance of maintaining high measles mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation... View Article

September 2014

Antenatal testing in pregnancy

This report discusses antenatal testing between January – December 2013, using the National Minimum Dataset (hospital events)... View Article

July 2014

News Updates

Reminder: Most broad-spectrum antibiotics do not interact with combined oral contraceptives | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir... View Article

June 2014

Pertussis immunisation in pregnancy

New Zealand is slowly emerging from its most recent outbreak of pertussis. The highest-risk period for pertussis in infants is... View Article

April 2014

The pharmacological management of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition in which endometrial tissue is present outside the uterine cavity, causing cyclic... View Article

April 2013

Encouraging smoke-free pregnancies: the role of primary care

One in ten New Zealand women smoke during pregnancy and this figure is significantly higher among Māori and women living in lower... View Article

February 2013

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms of early pregnancy and usually resolve by 16–20 weeks gestation (most commonly by... View Article

November 2011

News in brief: Maternity referral guidelines & Simvastatin


• New maternity referral guidelines released
• Simvastatin: risk associated with high doses
View Article

September 2011

Routine laboratory testing during pregnancy

Most general practitioners no longer offer lead maternity care but may still be involved with the initial confirmation of pregnancy... View Article

July 2011

News in brief: Dabigatran; Antibiotics and COC; Prescription kitchen

Dabigatran to be listed | Most broad spectrum antibiotics do not affect the combined oral contraceptive | Prescription kitchen View Article

June 2011

Managing urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur commonly during pregnancy. UTIs are managed more aggressively in pregnant women than in... View Article

April 2011

Continuing care for pregnant women with asthma

When asthma is well controlled during pregnancy, there is little or no increased risk of adverse maternal or foetal complications.... View Article

April 2011

Contraception in early adolescence

Young people are having sex. Advice about sexual health and contraception should be considered for all adolescents, including... View Article

April 2011

The role of General Practice in the care of pregnant women

Although most GPs in New Zealand no longer provide lead maternity care services, general practice is encouraged to have a role... View Article

April 2011

Pre-conception care in general practice

Education to improve pre-conception health should be viewed as a routine aspect of primary care for all women of reproductive age. View Article

April 2011

Purpose and introduction

The purpose of this journal is to examine the assessment and management of depression in women during the antenatal and postnatal... View Article

November 2010

References

References for Depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods View Article

November 2010

Postnatal depression

Depressive symptoms in the postnatal period represent a range of clinical conditions of varying severity from simple “baby blues”... View Article

November 2010

Snippets: Jadelle & Sibutramine

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article

November 2010

Appendices

Appendices for Depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods View Article

November 2010

Antenatal depression

Unrecognised or untreated depression during pregnancy poses considerable risk to both the mother and the developing foetus. View Article

November 2010

Snippets: Iodine supplements Zoledronic acid & Atorvastatin

This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article

August 2010

The Role of the GP

The Role of the GP in Termination of Pregnancy in New Zealand View Article

February 2010

References

Termination of Pregnancy in New Zealand References View Article

February 2010

Termination Law In New Zealand

The Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977 and the Crimes Act 1961 (amendments 1977 & 1978) are the basis for the... View Article

February 2010

Appendix 1: Recommended methods of termination for different gestations

Appendix 1: Recommended methods of termination for different gestations View Article

February 2010

Access to Services

At present in New Zealand, there are issues around equity of access. The majority of DHBs are either experiencing access issues,... View Article

February 2010

Management of side effects and complications

The data on complications due to terminations performed in New Zealand is incomplete. Approximately 30% of women return to their... View Article

February 2010

Key Concepts

Key Concepts for Termination of Pregnancy in New Zealand View Article

February 2010

Methods of Termination

Methods of Termination of Pregnancy in New Zealand View Article

February 2010

Upfront: New hope for genetic disorders: pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) represents the latest technology in genetic testing. However it also opens up an ethical... View Article

February 2009

Nutrition and supplements during pregnancy

Pregnancy outcomes can be improved by following important nutritional guidelines; achieve a healthy body weight prior to conception... View Article

December 2008

Mastitis and sore nipples while breastfeeding

The management of two conditions that commonly, but unnecessarily, lead to discontinuation of breastfeeding are outlined. View Article

December 2008

Infant formula

Although breastfeeding is the best option for an infant, cows’ milk based formula is recommended if breast feeding does... View Article

August 2008

Upfront: Mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid

What side is your bread buttered on? Mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid: the debate. View Article

August 2008

Snippet: Depo-provera and bone scans

It is generally accepted that the use of Depo-Provera results in reduced bone mineral density (BMD). This is of particular concern... View Article

April 2008

Hormone replacement therapy: Latest evidence and treatment recommendations

The use of HRT is associated with an increased risk of stroke, venous thromboembolism, gall bladder disease, breast cancer and... View Article

April 2008

Combined oral contraceptives: Issues for current users

Oral contraceptives are used by 147,000 New Zealand women. This article offers guidance for managing their use in the presence... View Article

April 2008

Dear Dave


• Breakthrough Bleeding
• Camphor in Pregnancy
View Article

December 2007

Dear Dave

Does the "seven day rule" still apply with the concomitant use of combined oral contraceptives and all antibiotics? Serotonin... View Article

September 2007

Dear Dave

Is there an association between the use of the combined oral contraceptive and Vitamin B12 deficiency View Article

April 2007

Nocturnal leg cramps: is there any relief?

Nocturnal leg cramps are common, particularly in older people and in women who are pregnant. Is there an effective treatment?... View Article

December 2012