Focused Searches on OvidGO! are designed to make database searches discoverable, accessible and actionable.
For more information, check our FAQ. If your question is not addressed there, please do not hesitate to contact us.
PICO Searching
A&I databases such as Ovid MEDLINE lend themselves well to targeted searching of scientific literature. This is because they are composed of very granular units of information in the form of database FIELDS. And are usually indexed using a controlled vocabulary, also referred to as a thesaurus. Ovid MEDLINE uses the MeSH thesaurus.
Where a medical intervention is being assessed, a commonly used format for structured searching is the PICO approach. Here, P stands for population or patient group, I for intervention, C for a comparator and O for outcome or outcomes. This format has gained prominence in the assessment of the efficacy of drug-based interventions. When searching on each of these four components, i.e. Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes, it is recommended practice that the searcher conducts a thesaurus search supplemented by a free term search for each one.
Populations, the first component of PICO searching, presents its own issues and challenges. Groups of people are inherently diverse. They may be differently or even contentiously labelled. This has the consequence that they may be difficult to locate and identify within the scientific literature. In some cases even to the extent of remaining ‘invisible’.
The Population ‘Pregnancy’
This Focused Search addresses population around the condition of pregnancy. The Ovid search filter being made available here is based upon part of an Embase on Ovid search filter (see Ref. 2 below) that was developed and used in a systematic review produced for a health technology assessment carried out in 2016 by NIHR, part of the NHS in the UK. (See Ref. 1 below for the full HTA publication reference).
The Original PubMed Search
The original Embase on Ovid search filter half is as given below. Note that search line #1 as displayed below corresponds with search line #13 in the original version.
The Search Filter Amended for Use on Ovid
The version of this filter rendered for use on Ovid MEDLINE is given below.
exp pregnancy/ or exp pregnancy complications/ or exp maternal health services/ or exp fetus/ or exp fetal therapies/ or exp fetal monitoring/ or exp perinatal care/ or exp labor pain or exp analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp infant, newborn/ or exp postpartum period/ or exp breast feeding/ or exp prenatal diagnosis/ or exp obstetrics/ or exp prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,ab,kf.
It can be run directly in Ovid by using the jumpstart link as given < here >. This version of the search filter was last reviewed on 13th February 2023 and as mentioned, draws upon – but is not an exact reproduction of - the search filter Appendix 2 - Search strategy: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group which can be found via the link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK379828/
On Ovid we are also able to provide a focused version of the search filter which has the database narrow the search down to major terms as listed in the MeSH thesaurus. These are displayed in Ovid by an asterisk (*) preceding the MeSH term as shown in this particular version of the search below.
exp *pregnancy/ or exp *pregnancy complications/ or exp *maternal health services/ or exp *fetus/ or exp *fetal therapies/ or exp *fetal monitoring/ or exp *perinatal care/ or exp *labor pain or exp *analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp *anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp *obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp *infant, newborn/ or exp *postpartum period/ or exp *breast feeding/ or exp *prenatal diagnosis/ or exp *obstetrics/ or exp *prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,kf.
This version of the search filter can be run directly in Ovid by using the jumpstart link as given < here >. Also reviewed lastly on 13th February 2023, this filter not only employs focussed, i.e.*MeSH Term, subject headings but also only uses the database fields Title (TI) and Keywords (KF) for the free-text component of the strategy.
The Search Filter on Ovid
The two ways in which these search filters can be use on Ovid are shown below.
Line #1 employs the docz.dz command which displays all the records in the database at the time the command is executed. This serves as an example search upon which the Ovid Pregnancy – Wide search filter can be applied, see line #2. The ‘limit’ version of the search does not display the terms and phrases that made up the filter. However, where the same search is run, either from this Focused Search or from its listing in the Database Field Guide, the terms and phrases are show and can be verified or altered. See line #3.
Lines #4, #5 and #6 provides the same information for the Ovid Pregnancy Search Filter – Focused version of the search filter.
To run the above search in Ovid MEDLINE, click < here >.
(*) Editor's Note: This is an updated, or in some cases, a completely revised version of a search filter formerly available on the Ovid Tools & Resources Portal. All such search filters are marked with the asterisk character placed at the end of the long title. If you have any questions relating to the migration of this search filter between the two portals, please contact us directly via [email protected] .
Primary: Michael Fanning
Secondary: Charlotte Viken
Review Date: 2025-06-23
Expiry Date: 2026-06-23
Ovid Training Team
Ref. 1: Main Reference:
Which method is best for the induction of labour? A systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5027380
Ref. 2: Search Filter Reference:
Appendix 2 - Search strategy: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK379828/
Note: See the Embase on Ovid search from line #13 onwards, which using Ovid syntax, has been converted into a version for Ovid MEDLINE.
OvidGO! / Skills Videos
What are Boolean Operators?
What is an adjacency operator?
What are wildcards?
Subject heading searching
Truncation of keywords
Phrase searching on Ovid
exp pregnancy/ or exp pregnancy complications/ or exp maternal health services/ or exp fetus/ or exp fetal therapies/ or exp fetal monitoring/ or exp perinatal care/ or exp labor pain or exp analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp infant, newborn/ or exp postpartum period/ or exp breast feeding/ or exp prenatal diagnosis/ or exp obstetrics/ or exp prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,ab,kf.
Database: Ovid MEDLINE ALL <1946 to Present>
How to locate references specifically to pregnancy in Ovid MEDLINE. (*)
PICO Searching
A&I databases such as Ovid MEDLINE lend themselves well to targeted searching of scientific literature. This is because they are composed of very granular units of information in the form of database FIELDS. And are usually indexed using a controlled vocabulary, also referred to as a thesaurus. Ovid MEDLINE uses the MeSH thesaurus.
Where a medical intervention is being assessed, a commonly used format for structured searching is the PICO approach. Here, P stands for population or patient group, I for intervention, C for a comparator and O for outcome or outcomes. This format has gained prominence in the assessment of the efficacy of drug-based interventions. When searching on each of these four components, i.e. Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcomes, it is recommended practice that the searcher conducts a thesaurus search supplemented by a free term search for each one.
Populations, the first component of PICO searching, presents its own issues and challenges. Groups of people are inherently diverse. They may be differently or even contentiously labelled. This has the consequence that they may be difficult to locate and identify within the scientific literature. In some cases even to the extent of remaining ‘invisible’.
The Population ‘Pregnancy’
This Focused Search addresses population around the condition of pregnancy. The Ovid search filter being made available here is based upon part of an Embase on Ovid search filter (see Ref. 2 below) that was developed and used in a systematic review produced for a health technology assessment carried out in 2016 by NIHR, part of the NHS in the UK. (See Ref. 1 below for the full HTA publication reference).
The Original PubMed Search
The original Embase on Ovid search filter half is as given below. Note that search line #1 as displayed below corresponds with search line #13 in the original version.
The Search Filter Amended for Use on Ovid
The version of this filter rendered for use on Ovid MEDLINE is given below.
exp pregnancy/ or exp pregnancy complications/ or exp maternal health services/ or exp fetus/ or exp fetal therapies/ or exp fetal monitoring/ or exp perinatal care/ or exp labor pain or exp analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp infant, newborn/ or exp postpartum period/ or exp breast feeding/ or exp prenatal diagnosis/ or exp obstetrics/ or exp prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,ab,kf.
It can be run directly in Ovid by using the jumpstart link as given < here >. This version of the search filter was last reviewed on 13th February 2023 and as mentioned, draws upon – but is not an exact reproduction of - the search filter Appendix 2 - Search strategy: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group which can be found via the link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK379828/
On Ovid we are also able to provide a focused version of the search filter which has the database narrow the search down to major terms as listed in the MeSH thesaurus. These are displayed in Ovid by an asterisk (*) preceding the MeSH term as shown in this particular version of the search below.
exp *pregnancy/ or exp *pregnancy complications/ or exp *maternal health services/ or exp *fetus/ or exp *fetal therapies/ or exp *fetal monitoring/ or exp *perinatal care/ or exp *labor pain or exp *analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp *anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp *obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp *infant, newborn/ or exp *postpartum period/ or exp *breast feeding/ or exp *prenatal diagnosis/ or exp *obstetrics/ or exp *prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,kf.
This version of the search filter can be run directly in Ovid by using the jumpstart link as given < here >. Also reviewed lastly on 13th February 2023, this filter not only employs focussed, i.e.*MeSH Term, subject headings but also only uses the database fields Title (TI) and Keywords (KF) for the free-text component of the strategy.
The Search Filter on Ovid
The two ways in which these search filters can be use on Ovid are shown below.
Line #1 employs the docz.dz command which displays all the records in the database at the time the command is executed. This serves as an example search upon which the Ovid Pregnancy – Wide search filter can be applied, see line #2. The ‘limit’ version of the search does not display the terms and phrases that made up the filter. However, where the same search is run, either from this Focused Search or from its listing in the Database Field Guide, the terms and phrases are show and can be verified or altered. See line #3.
Lines #4, #5 and #6 provides the same information for the Ovid Pregnancy Search Filter – Focused version of the search filter.
To run the above search in Ovid MEDLINE, click < here >.
(*) Editor's Note: This is an updated, or in some cases, a completely revised version of a search filter formerly available on the Ovid Tools & Resources Portal. All such search filters are marked with the asterisk character placed at the end of the long title. If you have any questions relating to the migration of this search filter between the two portals, please contact us directly via [email protected] .
exp pregnancy/ or exp pregnancy complications/ or exp maternal health services/ or exp fetus/ or exp fetal therapies/ or exp fetal monitoring/ or exp perinatal care/ or exp labor pain or exp analgesia, obstetrical/ or exp anesthesia, obstetrical/ or exp obstetric surgical procedures/ or exp infant, newborn/ or exp postpartum period/ or exp breast feeding/ or exp prenatal diagnosis/ or exp obstetrics/ or exp prenatal education/ or (breast-feeding education or parturition or ante natal or antenatal* or pre natal* or prenatal* or puerper* or postnatal* or postpartum or post partum or post natal* or peripartum or peri partum or prepregnancy or pre pregnancy or preconception* or pre conception* or periconception* or peri conception* or ((preterm or premature) and (labor or labour)) or eclamp* or preeclamp* or pre eclamp* or amniocentes* or chorion* vill* or breastfe* or breast fe* or lactation* or cesarean or caesarean or cesarian or caesarian or cesarien or caesarien or newborn* or new born* or tocoly* or fetal or foetal or fetus or foetus or miscarriage* or pregnancy or pregnancies or pregnant).ti,ab,kf.
Primary: Michael Fanning
Secondary: Charlotte Viken
Review Date: 2025-06-23
Expiry Date: 2026-06-23
Ovid Training Team
Ref. 1: Main Reference:
Which method is best for the induction of labour? A systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5027380
Ref. 2: Search Filter Reference:
Appendix 2 - Search strategy: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK379828/
Note: See the Embase on Ovid search from line #13 onwards, which using Ovid syntax, has been converted into a version for Ovid MEDLINE.
OvidGO! / Skills Videos
What are Boolean Operators?
What is an adjacency operator?
What are wildcards?
Subject heading searching
Truncation of keywords
Phrase searching on Ovid
Version: 2025-06-23
Visited:
OvidGo! - Wolters Kluwer - Health Learning, Research and Practice
OvidGO! Portal. Focused Searches: Population Localisation: Pregnancy - Ovid MEDLINE [Internet]. London (UK): Ovid Training Team (Editors); 2025 [updated 18 June 2025; cited 20 June 2025]. Available from: https://tools.ovid.com/ovidgo/searches/view.php?id=134
Version: 2025-06-23
Visited:
Ovid Customer Support, Database Size and Shape – Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Expert Searches Portal, Version: 8th May 2023, Visited: 11th May 2023.
An Ovid Coaching session has its agenda driven by you, the participating librarian. Topics covered are ones that you choose.
They may be related to Ovid functionality, search modes, search techniques, Ovid Tools & Resources, learning materials etc..
To register for an Ovid Coaching session please fill in the contact form below. In the Your Comments box let us know what you would like to discuss and when.
An Ovid Trainer will get back to you to confirm details.
Focused Searches on OvidGO! consist of a comprehensive selection of database searches that are easily discoverable, accessible and actionable, that you can run directly on the Ovid platform with a single click. The curated and regularly reviewed portfolio of searches has been selected by the Ovid Training Team from various named and accredited sources. They include search filters, search strategies, search blocks and vary in size and format.
You can use all the searches within Focused Searches as standalone resources or in combination with the other knowledge and educational assets in the training and coaching activity areas which together make up the OvidGO! portal. Portrayed using a standardised ABC approach (see next section) developed by the Ovid Training Team, any Focused Search can also be quickly displayed on screen passively for consultation, comparative reference as well as teaching purposes. Each search has a background section which provides more detail about the search, its origin plus any noteworthy features and characteristics.
Full accreditation is given to the creator of the search as well as a live and actionable reference to the original source. Each search carries an OvidGO! citation and can be embedded in non-Ovid documentation by means of a dedicated and permanent link.
Developed by the Ovid Training Team, the ABC approach, which stands for Action, Background and Citation, represents the standard format for every search on Focused Searches. Regardless of its type, size or origin, the ABC formula provides for each search; a memorable point of access for both an overview of the search, accompanying information as well as a set of options for its use and re-use.
For example, if you want to view the search on your screen, simply select Actions/Display. If on the other hand you want to launch the search so that it runs and displays in Ovid, select Actions/Display. Once in Ovid, you could use the executed search in the development of your search strategy, save it in My Workspace or share it with colleagues.
Further options under the Actions tab include:
Selecting the Background tab will provide you with information on the search. These details include:
Selecting the Citation tab will display an OvidGO! citation for the search on Ovid and accompanying materials as displayed in Focused Searches. The current citation format is Vancouver.
The searches on Ovid, presented using our ABC format, can be used in a number of ways. These depend, of course, on what your objective is. They could include searching for literature systematically or getting to know an unfamiliar database or even for teaching database use to others.
For example, if you are building a search strategy which requires locating randomised controlled trials, you might want to select Actions/Launch for the Cochrane RCT Search Filter I and directly include it in your search strategy. Equally you might want to save it as a search block in My Workspace for later review, use or even sharing.
Alternatively, were you to be unfamiliar with, say APA PsycInfo, you could select Actions/Display for the Covid and Mental Health - APA PsycInfo search to see how comfortable you are with that database’s use of terms and phrases for the subject matter.
In terms of teaching scenarios, you could refer to the Search History Analysis Example search, where the Background tab provides information on how to use a search history and its systematic deconstruction to help users better understand how and why such searches are built in the way that they are.
If you need our assistance on any of the Focused Searches use cases mentioned above, simply select Actions/Ovid Coaching for the search that interests you.
Every search on Focused Searches is inspected by at least two members of the Ovid Training Team. Inspection involves two activities. First, ensuring that the search as captured and displayed in OvidGO! Focused Searches is a true and accurate version of the original (which often has had to be extracted and/or rebuilt from its original source, commonly a paper- and/or PDF-based publication). Second, that the search runs on Ovid in the selected database and using the syntax as employed by the original creator of the search.
The Ovid Training Team reviewers do not alter or make changes to the content of the original work. Where ambiguities or questions may arise, these are discussed with the original creator of the search for clarification and author-approved remedial action if necessary. Details of any such request for clarification may also be reported on in the Background information where relevant and appropriate.
In the case of search filter type searches included in Focused Searches, if the original author of the search has validated the search, this information is included in the Background information. The Ovid Training Team does not undertake any search validation independently of the creator of the original search. Again, it's worth iterating here that the objective of OvidGO!’s Focused Searches is to bring useful, instructive and highly regarded searches, already published or issued, closer to a user-level surface for greater exposure and positive consumption.
Currently, the searches on Focused Searches will be reviewed annually for relevancy and usage.
Yes. Focused Searches on OvidGO! can now be accessed directly from the newly revised version of the Ovid Tools & Resources Portal under the section entitled Ovid Tools & Resources. The OvidGO! / Focused Searches have replaced what had been referred to as ‘Expert Searches‘ on the previous version of the Ovid Tools & Resources Portal.
Prior to their replacement the Expert Searches were reviewed and assessed for their possible subsequent inclusion into OvidGO!’s collection of Focused Searches. The selection criteria have been influenced by the former Expert Searches’ continued accuracy, relevance and topicality. A proportion of them, or their functional equivalents, have already been migrated to Focused Searches on OvidGO! and re-structured and re-issued in accordance with the ABC approach as discussed above.
If you, your users or your institution have preferred searches that were formerly part of the Expert Searches collection and you do not see them or an equivalent version in OvidGO!’s / Focused Searches, and would like to have them included in Focused Searches on OvidGO!’, please contact us directly via [email protected].
Yes! We would very much like to hear from you. Ideally, recommended searches should be of benefit to a large number of Ovid users. They can nevertheless vary in terms of what they have been designed to achieve. They could be searches that add a more elegant set of lines to a systematic literature search. Or a set of controlled terms that work well across databases with (very) different controlled vocabularies. Or searches that best demonstrate an approach to database usage.
If you have a search that you would like to recommend, please let us know.
The Focused Searches on OvidGO! editors, Michael Fanning and Charlotte Viken, are contactable via their respective e-mail addresses or alternatively via [email protected] .