Enemas during labor, not so useful? Researchers out of Bogota, Colombia, found from a study that giving women enemas does not shorten labor or reduce the risk of infection to mother or baby during labor and delivery. Enemas are often given to laboring women to make the pelvis roomier for the emerging baby and to reduce the risk of the mom relieving herself during the pushing phase, which can be a source of infection (and embarrassment). However, a study of over 1,700 women found that enemas made no difference in infection rates, and there was only a slight trend toward shorter labors for women who were given enemas.

Breaking the waters, not useful either? A study out of the Cochrane Systematic Review finds that routine “breaking of the waters” during labor should be reconsidered, as it does not appear to shorten labor, improve a woman’s birth experience, or improve the condition of the newborn. The conventional wisdom has been that the hormones in the amniotic fluid that are released when a woman’s amniotic membrane is ruptured stimulate contractions.

Bike safety concerns: A new study published in the journal Injury Prevention finds that bike injuries among children and adolescents are more prevalent than was previously thought, and account for nearly $200 million in hospital inpatient charges each year. “Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile,” said Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy, faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and one of the study authors. “The high rate of hospitalization and use of healthcare resources identified in our study supports the need for increased attention to bicycle-related injuries.” One-third of children hospitalized for bike-related injuries are diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, underscoring the need to emphasize bike helmet use.