The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health

Episodes

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  Behavioural activation for perinatal depression with Daisy Singla and Claire Kerr Zlobin 05.10.2026 37m

  Perinatal depression affects 20–25% of pregnant and postpartum individuals. If left untreated, perinatal depression can lead to downstream effects on obstetric outcomes, child development, adolescent mental health, and long-term health expenditures. Prof Daisy Singla (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada) and Claire Kerr Zlobin (Founder of the Life With A Baby support network) join Ben to discuss 6- and 12-month findings from the SUMMIT trial , including mental health, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness outcomes following a behavioural activation intervention delivered through task-sharing and telemedicine-approaches. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(26)00254-2/fulltext
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  The first anniversary of WHO’s Maternal Wellbeing Framework with Allisyn Moran 03.09.2026 33m

  Marking the journal’s 1 year anniversary, Allisyn Moran (Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health Team Lead at WHO) rejoins the show to reflect on the progress of WHO’s Maternal Wellbeing Framework published in our first issue in September 2025, the effect of climate change and increasing geopolitical instability on the wellbeing of women, the role of WHO in research facilitation and guideline development, and look to the future and the next steps for the framework. Sonia and Sarah also join Ben to discuss their personal highlights from the first year The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, including some publication highlights — list below.   Sonia’s picks Contraception trial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00006-8/fulltext Endometriosis scoping reviews: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00027-5/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00004-4/fulltext   Sarah’s picks VACCIN trial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00007-X/fulltext Menstrual cycle as a vital sign: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00001-9/fulltext  
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  WHO's new postpartum haemorrhage diagnostic criteria with Nicole Minckas 05.08.2026 27m

  Each year an estimated 27 million women have postpartum haemorrhage, resulting in 43 000 deaths annually. In 2025, WHO introduced new diagnostic criteria based on objectively measured blood loss of 300 mL or more with any abnormal haemodynamic sign, or 500 mL or more, whichever occurs first within 24 h after birth. Dr Nicole Minckas (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) joins Ben to discuss the findings of a new mixed-methods study done in six (Colombia, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand) countries assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and roll out of the new criteria. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(26)00115-9/fulltext
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  Patient-focused fertility care and IVF add-ons with Sarah Lensen, Jennifer Gordon, and Beate Muehlroth 06.07.2026 59m

  WHO estimates that one in six couples are affected by infertility, with an increasing number of people turning to reproductive medicine to aid them to fulfil their family goals. However, with media narratives focusing on falling fertility rates, this episode of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health in conversation with delves into a special theme issue focusing on placing patient wellbeing at the centre of fertility care through interviews with researchers, Sarah Lensen (University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) and Jennifer Gordon (University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada), and a patient with lived experience, Beate Muehlroth. Click here to read the full articles: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00054-3/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00114-7/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00152-4/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00144-5/fulltext  
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  Women's experiences of menopause care with Anna Kalbarczyk 08.06.2026 34m

  Menopause is a key life transition experienced by millions of women every year, yet health systems are failing to provide the responsive, coordinated care that women need. Anna Kalbarczyk (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA) joins Ben to discuss her Review drawing on evidence from 89 studies across diverse populations and geographies to highlight experiences of menopause care. The review reveals persistent gaps in provider knowledge, fragmented care pathways, and systemic barriers to access Click here to read the full article:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(26)00053-1/fulltext 
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  eBM & TLOGWH in conversation at The Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders annual meeting 2026 15.05.2026 33m

  In a special episode from the conference floor at SEUD 2026, Christina Biamis (Senior Editor at eBioMedicine) and Ben (Senior Editor at The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health) speak with Prof Charles Chapron, Dr Mathilde Bourdon, Prof Felice Petraglia, Dr Silvia Vannuccini, Dr Lydia Coxon, Dr Ludivine Doridot, Dr Tina Tellum, Dr Devon Evans, and Prof Ludwig Keisel about the latest advances in the treatment of patients with endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, and other uterine disorders. Hear from the experts as they discuss the need for a paradigm shift in the treatment of diseases that affect tens of millions of women worldwide. Click here to read the news report: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/S3050-5038(26)00146-9/fulltext
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  Bev Lawton and Jane Macdonald on HPV self-testing 05.05.2026 31m

  Cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination and screening. Since the introduction of a national cervical screening programme, incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by 50% in New Zealand. However, more than 85% of cervical cancer cases occur in women who are not regularly screened, and Māori women are twice as likely as non-Māori women to die from cervical cancer. Prof Bev Lawton and Dr Jane Macdonald (Victoria University of Wellington) sat down with Ben to discuss their cluster randomised trial that assessed the impact of a universal offer of HPV self-testing for cervical screening. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00201-8/abstract
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  Liz Spry and Raquel Catalao on long term outcomes after childhood sexual assault 13.04.2026 33m

  Content warning: This conversation is about violence and childhood sexual assault and may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please visit https://findahelpline.com/ a global database of support lines associated with the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Globally, up to 1 in 5 women experience childhood sexual abuse. Liz Spry (Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) and Raquel Catalao (King's College London, London, UK) join to discuss the findings of their multicohort study including data from two Australian and one New Zealand cohort. The work aimed to describe disparities in social and financial resources, mental health, and parenting in pregnancy and early parenthood in women reporting experience of childhood sexual abuse. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00177-3/abstract
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  Asma Khalil on Paracetamol During Pregnancy and the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Intellectual Disab... 18.03.2026 31m

  Data suggest that 42-65% of women use paracetamol (also known as tylenol and acetaminophen) during pregnancy; however, concerns linking the common pain killer to childhood development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability were reported. Asma Khalil joins the podcast to discuss a recent systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the highest quality trials that showed no link between use of paracetamol during p...
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  Pascale Allotey and Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent on International Women’s Day 08.03.2026 1h 4m

  Pascale Allotey (WHO) and Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent (International Confederation of Midwives) join Sonia, Sarah, and Ben in this special bonus episode dedicated to International Women's Day. In two in-depth interviews, Pascale and Jacqueline discuss their academic and clinical journeys, spotlight key advances in women's health from AI to HPV among many others, and highlight key works that their organisations are undertaking, including ChatHRP (https://chathrp.org/) and the One Million More Midw...
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  Alex Ridout on FemTech 09.02.2026 32m

  From its origins in fertility medicine and wellness, the field of FemTech is rapidly evolving, with new innovations having the potential to drastically improve the health of women and girls in low-income and middle-income countries. However, barriers exist preventing the true potential of FemTech interventions to be realised. Alex Ridout (King's College London, London, UK) joins Ben to discuss the potential FemTech offers and the hurdles preventing its role out. Click here to rea...
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  Bassel Wattar on acute heavy menstrual bleeding 05.01.2026 22m

  Happy New Year! Sonia and Ben are in the studio to discuss the first issue of 2026, which includes and editorial on new WHO guidelines for the management of diabetes during pregnancy; insights on the sexual and reproductive health rights, original research on liver stiffness, and a viewpoint on the ever growing role of FemTech and the potential solutions it offers. In this episodes extended interview, Bassel Wattar joins Ben to discuss the BROWNIE study which looked to assess the number of w...
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  John Newnham on the national prevention of preterm birth programme in Australia 12.12.2025 34m

  It is our last episode of 2025! Sarah and Ben discuss the December issue which covers a plethora of topics including COP30 and the links between the climate emergency and women's health, the use of paracetamol in pregnancy, the care of pregnant and breastfeeding women in contact with the criminal legal system, and original research on ovarian and cervical cancer, the CRADLE-5 study, and an extended interview about the prevention of preterm birth WHO reported that an estimated 13.4 million ba...
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  Tatjana Gibbons and Devon Evans on Endometriosis care guidelines and national action plans 05.11.2025 40m

  Sonia and Sarah join Ben to discuss the third edition of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, a special issue focusing on Endometriosis. The team highlight key pieces of content including an essay on endometriosis care from a person with lived experience, an insight on the future of menopause research, and two early research papers investigating the treatment of pain in women with endometriosis. Ben is also joined by Tatjana Gibbons and Devon Evans to discuss their two sc...
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  Hamilton Morrin on hyperemesis gravidarum and neuropsychiatric outcomes 08.10.2025 24m

  Sarah and Ben discuss the second issue of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, including our Editorial on contraception, a Viewpoint on the use of mifepristone in breast cancer, and the effect on the E-MOTIVE care bundle for postpartum haemorrhage in Pakistan. Dr Hamilton Morrin (King's College London) joins the podcast to discuss his recent publication investigating the association between hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) and 24 different health outcomes,...
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  Allisyn Moran on WHO’s New Framework for Maternal Wellbeing 11.09.2025 33m

  Ben sits down with Allisyn Moran, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO, to discuss the newly published maternal wellbeing framework developed by WHO and collaborators and consider the supporting scoping review which investigated the definitions of wellbeing. Both papers are included in the newly published first issue of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health. Read the full Health Policy: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/arti...
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  Sonia Muliyil and Sarah Passey on how to launch a medical journal 11.09.2025 23m

  Welcome to The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health in conversation with. In the first episode of this new podcast, Ben sits down with Sonia Muliyil and Sarah Passey to discuss how to launch a medical journal. The team discuss all the twists, turns, and challenges faces over the past 6 months as we’ve worked towards our first issue and the official launch of The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health from developing our aims and scope, building an advisory bo...