Environmental stressors during the crucial period of fetal development can have a substantial impact on long-term health outcomes. A major concern is dietary exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can readily cross the placenta and disrupt fetal hormonal signaling and developmental programming. Examples of these chemicals include bisphenols, phthalates, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Prenatal exposure to EDC has been associated with long-term effects in children, including immune disruption, metabolic dysregulation, impaired neurodevelopment, and reproductive alterations, as evidenced by human cohort studies and experimental models. Epigenetic reprogramming, direct interference with endocrine signaling, and oxidative stress (OS) are hypothesized pathways for these adverse consequences, which often combine to produce long-lasting physiological changes. This narrative review summarizes current research on maternal dietary exposure to EDCs during pregnancy, highlighting associations with adverse child health outcomes. It also discusses the growing evidence of transgenerational effects, the potential mechanisms linking prenatal exposure to long-term outcomes, and the importance of understanding the roles of timing, dosage, and chemical type. By highlighting the necessity of focused interventions to lower maternal EDC exposure and lessen threats to the health of offspring, the review concludes by discussing implications for future research, preventive measures, and public health policy.

Human infertility represents a multifaceted condition, with oxidative stress (OS) and microRNAs (miRNAs) emerging as key contributors to its pathophysiology. This comprehensive review explores the complex interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and miRNAs in male and female reproductive dysfunctions. ROS overproduction damages DNA, lipids, and proteins, impairing sperm quality and oocyte maturation. In males, OS is a leading cause of infertility, especially in conditions like varicocele, where key miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-34a, and miR-155 are dysregulated. In females, oxidative imbalance affects granulosa cells and follicular environments in disorders such as PCOS, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and endometriosis. Several miRNAs (e.g., miR-132-3p, let-7, miR-642a-5p) regulate mitochondrial function, steroidogenesis, and apoptosis through redox-sensitive signaling pathways (PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, FOXO1). Their altered expression in ovarian and seminal environments correlates with poor reproductive outcomes. Emerging evidence supports their potential role as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, although most findings are based on animal models or in vitro studies. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of miRNA modulation and calls for further clinical research to validate miRNA-based interventions. Ultimately, understanding the miRNA–OS nexus offers promising avenues for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of infertility across both sexes.

Background/Objectives: Respectful maternity care involves privacy, dignity, and informed choice within the process of delivery as stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Informed consent is a cornerstone of patient-centered care, representing not just a formal document, but an ongoing ethical and clinical process through which women are offered objective, understandable information to support autonomous, informed decision-making. Methods: This narrative review critically examines the literature on informed consent in maternity care, with particular attention to both obstetric-led and midwifery-led models of care. In addition to identifying institutional, cultural, and systemic obstacles to its successful implementation, the review examines the definition and application of informed consent in perinatal settings and evaluates its effects on women’s autonomy and satisfaction with care. Results: Important conclusions emphasize that improving women’s experiences and minimizing needless interventions require active decision-making participation, a positive provider–patient relationship, and ongoing support from medical professionals. However, significant gaps persist between legal mandates and actual practice due to provider attitudes, systemic constraints, and sociocultural influences. Women’s experiences of consent can be more effectively understood through the use of instruments such as the Mothers’ Respect (MOR) Index and the Mothers’ Autonomy in Decision Making (MADM) Scale. Conclusions: To promote genuinely informed and considerate maternity care, this review emphasizes the necessity of legislative reform and improved provider education in order to close the gap between policy and practice.

As far as childbirth is concerned, it is well known that it constitutes a major life process for every woman. Many women experience negative emotions during pregnancy because of the normal hormonal changes. However, if fear becomes severe, it gives rise to a specific pathology termed tocophobia. Especially, tocophobia adversely affects women's pregnancy and childbirth, including increased caesarean sections. Consequently, midwives need to detect women with tocophobia in order to support them. The aim of the present systematic review was to analyze the risk factors for tocophobia, the impact of this health condition on caesarean sections and the midwife's role. The present systematic review comprised 32 full-text cross-sectional, qualitative, experimental studies and cohort studies published in English between 2017 and 2022, that were obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases, and it was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. The present analysis found that sociodemographic, obstetric and psychological factors were associated with tocophobia. Moreover, women with severe fear had increased obstetric interventions, particularly caesarean sections. Studies have also shown that psycho-education, preparation classes and specific counselling by trained midwives are effective methods in reducing tocophobia. Midwives should be aware of the risk factors for tocophobia in order to detect women with fears and support them in the attempt to avoid non-urgent obstetric interventions. Antenatal and intrapartum care should be offered to women with tocophobia to reduce their fear as well as the prevalence of caesarean section and to promote vaginal birth with a positive experience.

Bisphenols, phthalates, and other plastic-associated compounds are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), common environmental contaminants that can disrupt hormonal homeostasis. Human exposure to such chemicals occurs mainly through food packaging, consumer goods, medical devices, and the environment, starting right from early development stages up to adulthood. These chemicals might cause damage to male reproductive systems as a result of being anti-androgens and estrogenic chemicals. However, the proper development of the male reproductive system requires well-regulated hormonal signaling pathways; hence, exposure to such compounds during the developmental stages poses a great risk. Environmental exposure to plastics during fetal development may influence the development of the testes, reduce the function of the Leydig cells, disrupt steroidogenesis, and produce epigenetic modifications, as documented through studies. This has been shown to increase the risk of developing reproductive disorders and reduce the production of testosterone. Therefore, one of the pathophysiological links between endocrine disruptor exposure and ED might be testosterone deficiency. Apart from disrupting testosterone production, the plastic-sourced EDCs could influence various physiological processes associated with erectile performance, such as those related to vasculature, inflammation, metabolism, and endocrinology. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the scientific data on the effect of plastic-based EDCs on testosterone regulation and male reproductive health has been provided. The role of developmental programming, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, epigenetics, and vascular dysfunction has been explored in detail. Moreover, the possible involvement of micro- and nanoplastics has also been reviewed. From the data that is currently available, there seems to be a physiologically plausible association between plastic-based contaminants, testosterone dysregulation, and adverse reproductive outcomes.

Background: In Germany, midwifery care has a long-standing tradition and history of providing high-quality services to women, particularly during the critical periods of pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives play a pivotal role, which has evolved to meet the demands of modern maternity care, focusing on prevention, accurate information, comprehensive care during pregnancy, monitoring foetal development, and supporting natural childbirth. Aim: This cohort study examines the data collected from the midwife-led delivery room at the maternity clinic of Hochwald Hospital, with the aim of promoting natural birth-centres around the world. Methodology: The study is based on a retrospective evaluation of data from the maternity clinic at Hochwald Hospital in Bad Nauheim. The data were retrieved from the hospital's electronic patient records Management system to the use of midwife-led delivery rooms. Results: In total during the study period, 748 women were initially admitted to the midwifery led unit/delivery room. Of these, 163 women did not meet the criteria for midwife-led care during labour and were referred for alternative care/ OBGYN led delivery room, escalated to contraindications or complications. Of the remaining 585 women who proceeded to deliver in the midwife-led room, 259 required medical intervention during childbirth. Ultimately, 326 women delivered successfully in the midwife-led delivery room without complications. Conclusion: This cohort study underlines the importance of midwife-led delivery rooms as a vital model of care that promotes and enhances natural childbirth. It also highlights the need for continuous improvement in maternity care services through evidence-based practices and women-centred approach during pregnancy, labour and birth. By strengthening these values, we can manage to improve women's experiences during the perinatal period and contribute to reducing any unnecessary medical interventions.