219© 2010 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Website reviews2010;12:219–22010.1576/toag.12.3.219.27610 http://onlinetog.orgThe Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Website reviews @ TOGWebsite reviews editor Barry O’Reilly

The future of the website reviews section has beenthe focus for discussion recently by the EditorialBoard. It has been decided that in future the journalwill include websites relevant to articles within thatparticular issue.

In this issue of TOG we have an excellent review ontwin controversies and so it seems timely to look atwebsites that we, as clinicians, can use as a learningtool and, more importantly, as a resource for ourpatients.

Most of our members are aware of the pioneeringwork of Drs Reginald and Catherine Hamlin, whoset up the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in 1974.Wehave included the website for the Hamlin Fistula®Relief and Aid Fund, which has recently beenrelaunched and, therefore, included in this issue.Author details

Barry O’Reilly MD MRCOG FRANZCOG

(Website Reviews Editor)

Consultant in Obstetrics/Gynaecology

Subspecialist in Urogynaecology

Cork University Maternity Hospital

Cork, Republic of Ireland

Email: barry.oreilly@hse.ie

www.tamba.org.uk/

The Twins & Multiple Births Association (Tamba)is a charity that was set up in 1978 by parents oftwins, triplets and higher multiples and byinterested professionals involved in their care. It isthe only UK-wide organisation that directly helpsparents and professionals to meet the uniquechallenges that families with multiple births face. Itundertakes research and campaigns and it provides

information and support to over 10 000 membersand supporters each year. Tamba has a number ofspecific support groups with a co-ordinator foreach who is easily contactable, which includeinfertility, one-parent families, supertwins, specialneeds and bereavement. This section is wellpresented in the website and there is a number ofinformation segments included as well asinformation on helplines for patients. The websiteis easy to use and it is a valuable resource tool forfamilies.

TOG12_3_Website_reviews.qxd 6/30/10 4:36 PM Page 219

220

Website reviews 2010;12:219–220 The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

© 2010 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

www.multiplebirths.org.uk/

The Multiple Births Foundation is an independentcharity based at Queen Charlotte’s and ChelseaHospital in West London. This is also an excellentresource for professionals and families. It aims toimprove the care and support of families withmultiple births through the education of allrelevant professionals. It was founded in 1988 by Dr Elizabeth Bryan, an international expert on

multiple births and past president of theInternational Society for Twin Studies. The work of the Multiple Births Foundation has generatedinterest in the UK and abroad and it has become aninternational authority on the care, developmentand special problems of children born as twins,triplets or more. The website contains an excellentgeneral information section on types and causes oftwinning and higher multiples, data on mortalityrates and development issues and downloadableinformation sheets for parents.

www.fetalcarecenter.org/

The Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati websiteprovides an excellent, comprehensivematernal–fetal health information resource forhigh-risk pregnant women and obstetricians.There is an almost complete list of potential fetalanomalies listed, with extensive medical

information on each in a textbook style witheasy-to-navigate drop-down menus. Eachcondition is comprehensively described andincludes multiple references that may be ofinterest. There is an information section forpatients which includes downloadableinformation sheets on the more common fetalconditions, a worthwhile resource for clinicians.

www.fetal medicine.com

This is the web address for the Fetal MedicineCentre and Fetal Medicine Foundation. This stillremains the most popular resource for UK-based clinicians, although the site appears tohave changed and may not be as clear from apatient’s perspective. The previous website had

an easy click option for both patients anddoctors and it now appears that both patientsand clinicians looking for accreditation browsethe same sites. However, this is still the defaultsite for all questions fetal. It is clear, informative,evidence-based, honest and an excellentresource for patients and doctors.

www.fistulatrust.org

Hamlin Fistula® Australia Ltd is an Australiancharity that supports the Addis Ababa FistulaHospital in Ethiopia. This is an internationaltraining centre for fistula surgery and over 35 000 women have been cured since it opened;many Members and Fellows will be familiar withits work. Five new fistula centres are being built

in Ethiopia by the hospital. A midwifery collegehas also been established to train midwives whowill prevent obstetric fistula occurring amongstrural women. Financial help can be given onlineand information brochures and DVDs areavailable. The website also has links to affiliatedtrusts, such as Hamlin Fistula UK. Archives ofold articles are available, as well as informationabout Ethiopia itself.

NO IMAGE AVAILABLE

TOG12_3_Website_reviews.qxd 6/30/10 4:36 PM Page 220