A Meta-Analysis of the Global Stillbirth Rates during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has been shown to have variable adverse effects on pregnancy. Reported data on stillbirth rates during the pandemic have, however, been inconsistent-some reporting a rise and others no change. Knowing the precise impact of COVID-19 on stillbirths should help with the planning and delivery of antenatal care. Our aim was, therefore, to undertake a meta-analysis to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the stillbirth rate. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science, with no language restriction. Publications with stillbirth data on women with COVID-19, comparing stillbirth rates in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 women, as well as comparisons before and during the pandemic, were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data separately and then compared them to ensure the accuracy of extraction and synthesis. Where data were incomplete, authors were contacted for additional information, which was included if provided. The main outcome measures were (1) stillbirth (SB) rate in pregnant women with COVID-19, (2) stillbirth rates in pregnant women with and without COVID-19 during the same period, and (3) population stillbirth rates in pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. A total of 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis; from 17 of these, the SB rate was 7 per 1000 in women with COVID-19. This rate was much higher (34/1000) in low- and middle-income countries. The odds ratio of stillbirth in COVID-19 compared to non-COVID-19 pregnant women was 1.89. However, there was no significant difference in population SB between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Stillbirths are an ongoing global concern, and there is evidence that the rate has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but mostly in low- and middle-income countries. A major factor for this is possibly access to healthcare during the pandemic. Attention should be focused on education and the provision of high-quality maternity care, such as face-to-face consultation (taking all the preventative precautions) or remote appointments where appropriate.

Preterm Birth: Screening and Prediction.

Preterm birth (PTB) affects approximately 10% of births globally each year and is the most significant direct cause of neonatal death and of long-term disability worldwide. Early identification of women at high risk of PTB is important, given the availability of evidence-based, effective screening modalities, which facilitate decision-making on preventative strategies, particularly transvaginal sonographic cervical length (CL) measurement. There is growing evidence that combining CL with quantitative fetal fibronectin (qfFN) and maternal risk factors in the extensively peer-reviewed and validated QUanititative Innovation in Predicting Preterm birth (QUiPP) application can aid both the triage of patients who present as emergencies with symptoms of preterm labor and high-risk asymptomatic women attending PTB surveillance clinics. The QUiPP app risk of delivery thus supports shared decision-making with patients on the need for increased outpatient surveillance, in-patient treatment for preterm labor or simply reassurance for those unlikely to deliver preterm. Effective triage of patients at preterm gestations is an obstetric clinical priority as correctly timed administration of antenatal corticosteroids will maximise their neonatal benefits. This review explores the predictive capacity of existing predictive tests for PTB in both singleton and multiple pregnancies, including the QUiPP app v.2. and discusses promising new research areas, which aim to predict PTB through cervical stiffness and elastography measurements, metabolomics, extracellular vesicles and artificial intelligence.

Assisted vaginal delivery in the obese patient.

Appropriate use of ventouse or obstetric forceps as options in the management of the second-stage of labor is good medical practice. The instruments are not inherently dangerous, however, the manner in which they are used may be. In addition to a working knowledge of the instruments, the operator must have the willingness to abandon an unsuccessful procedure. Awareness that failure of assisted vaginal delivery is more likely in women with BMI >30, hence, gives pause to consider trial in theatre with early recourse to cesarean delivery if unsuccessful Awareness that obesity is associated with increased risk of intrapartum complications, such as the need for second-stage assistance to achieve delivery, shoulder dystocia and postnatal complications, such as obstetric anal sphincter injury and febrile morbidity.

Drug use in pregnancy in Ireland's capital city: A decade of trends and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present contemporary trends in opiate use disorder (OUD) and substance use in pregnancy in Ireland, with associated obstetric outcomes, over the last ten years. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at an Irish tertiary maternity unit. All women with OUD or substance use in pregnancy delivered under this service between 2010 and 2019 were included. Drug-exposure was self-reported. Data was collected by combining electronic and hand-held patient records. Trends and outcomes were analysed by year of delivery. Approval for the study was granted by the institution's clinical governance committee. RESULTS: Of the 82,669 women delivered, 525 had OUD or substance use in pregnancy (1 in every 160 women booking). 11.6% were homeless, 20.0% were in full-time employment and 91.0% smoked tobacco in pregnancy. 66.3% had a history of psychiatric disorders. Over the ten years, there was a significant reduction in women delivered with OUD or substance use in pregnancy (0.8 % to 0.4 %, RR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.36-0.85), significant reduction in the proportion of women on Opioid-Substitute-Treatment (OST, RR 0.66 95 % CI 0.51-0.87) and an increase in mean maternal age (30.7to32.0 years). Rates of cocaine and cannabis consumption increased (20.6 %, RR 3.8, 95 % CI 1.57-9.44: 24.0 %, RR 3.7, 95 % CI 1.58-8.86 respectively). The maternal mortality rate was 380.9:100,000 births. The perinatal mortality rate was 15.6:1000 births. The preterm birth rate was 17.9 %, with a mean birth weight of 2832 g. The rate of NICU admission was 52.0 % and the mean length of stay was 22.4 days. Amongst the smaller OUD population, the rate of NICU admission for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and treatment for NAS increased over the study timeframe (36.0 %, RR 2.97, 95 % CI 1.86-4.75: 28.5 %, RR 2.92, 95 % CI 1.70-5.0 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The obstetric population attending an Irish antenatal service with opiate use disorder or substance exposure is reducing in size with older patients, less opioid substitute therapy and increasing cocaine and cannabis use. These women have high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Specialist antenatal addiction services, coordinated by the drug-liaison midwife, are critical in adapting care to respond to this dynamic and vulnerable patient cohort.

Non-diabetic fetal macrosomia: outcomes of elective delivery versus expectant management.

BACKGROUND: Macrosomia in the absence of diabetes can be associated with increased neonatal and maternal morbidity. Management is usually undertaken on a case-by-case basis. AIMS: In order to inform local practice, this study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the management of non-diabetic macrosomia in an Irish tertiary center. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on all women with estimated fetal weight over 4000 g after 37 weeks' gestation. Maternal demographics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were recorded using the hospital information system. Women with diabetes, previous caesarean section, non-cephalic presentation, or any other complicating condition were excluded. Women were divided into two groups: 1. Active management: Elective delivery for macrosomia-between 38 + 0 and 40 + 6 weeks' gestation 2. Expectant management: with induction of labour offered after 41 weeks' gestation RESULTS: There were 397 women included, 188 with active and 209 with expectant management. There was no difference in adverse neonatal outcomes, major maternal morbidity, or mode of delivery, after exclusion of pre-labor caesarean section. Women with expectant management were more likely to go into spontaneous labor (46.9 vs 1.6%, p < 0.001) and to have a favorable cervix at the onset of induction of labor if nulliparous (86.1 vs 70.0%, p = 0.021), but have higher rates of episiotomy (28.6 vs 18.2%, p = 0.021). With active management, nulliparas with an unfavorable cervix had increased risk of anal sphincter injury (6.5 vs 0.0%, p = 0.007) and postpartum hemorrhage (59.0 vs 35.5%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was no difference in major maternal or neonatal outcomes between management options for fetal macrosomia. However, inducing nulliparas with an unfavorable cervix for non-diabetic macrosomia was associated with obstetric anal sphincter injury and postpartum hemorrhage.

Midwives' personal and professional attitudes towards women's delivery choices, interventions and neonatal care.

OBJECTIVES: Caesarean section (CS) rates in middle- and high-income countries are rising partly due to maternal request. This study aimed to explore the personal and professional attitudes of midwives and nurses towards women's delivery choices, interventions and neonatal care. METHODS: Midwifery and nursing staff at the Coombe hospital were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning decisions for elective CS and neonatal care. The midwives' responses were divided into multiparous and nulliparous according to their own parity. RESULTS: Multiparae and nulliparae did not differ on their personal preferences for their own baby. Only 3% wanted an elective CS in a normal, healthy pregnancy but this increased to 80.2% when there was a breech presentation and 42% if the estimated fetal weight was >4.5 kg. These numbers and trends were very close to the midwives' professional recommendations under the same circumstances. The lower threshold for full resuscitation and ICU care was at 23 and 24 weeks gestation for both personal and professional recommendations. In the case of severely premature babies or babies with a poor prognosis, 54% stated that the approach to neonatal care was correct. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, midwives' professional views reflected what they would want for themselves and their babies. Only 3% recommended an elective CS in a normal, healthy pregnancy making it unlikely that midwives' attitudes are driving the rise in CS rates in Ireland.

Reducing maternal mortality: a 10-year experience at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal mortality is one of the major Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the global health community. The aim of the SDG 3.1 is to reduce global maternal mortality ratio considerably by 2030. The objective of this study was to document the epidemiological trends in maternal mortality for Mpilo Central Hospital. METHODS: This was a 10 year retrospective study using readily available data from the maternity registers. The International Classification of Diseases-Maternal Mortality (ICD-MM) coding system for maternal deaths was used. RESULTS: The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) declined from 655 per 100,000 live births in 2011 to 203 per 100,000 live births by 2020. The commonest groups of maternal mortality during the period 2011-2020 were hypertensive disorders, obstetric haemorrhage, pregnancy-related infection, and pregnancies with abortive outcomes. There were 273 maternal deaths recorded in the period 2011-2015, and 168 maternal deaths in the period 2016-2020. There was also a decline in maternal deaths due to obstetric haemorrhage (53 vs. 34). Maternal deaths due to pregnancy-related infection also declined (46 vs. 22), as well as pregnancies with abortive outcomes (40 vs. 26). CONCLUSIONS: There was a 69% decline in the MMR over the 10 year period. The introduction of government interventions such as malarial control, the adoption of life-long Option B+ antiretroviral treatment for the pregnant women, the training courses of staff, and the introduction of strong clinical leadership and accountability were all associated with a significant decline in the causes of maternal deaths.

The Histological Spectrum Reported on Evacuated Endometrial Tissue From Patients With Secondary Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Pilot Study.

Background/aim This study sought to explore the possible yield of pathology requests on tissue obtained in uterine evacuation for secondary postpartum hemorrhage (SPPH) at our institution over five years. Material and methods A content categorization of histological reports on endo-uterine tissue obtained from patients with secondary postpartum hemorrhage was undertaken. The aggregate tissue dimensions were also recorded. Additional information on the time elapsed between delivery and hospital presentation was deduced from medical records. Results From the 53 tissue samples reported, we clustered 114 descriptive mentions of phrases and terms and categorized them based on parent tissue, changes, and background cellularity. Inflammation and/or inflammatory changes were mentioned 18.4% of the time, no tissue was identified in 5.8% of instances, whilst placental tissue was encountered in 9.7% of specimens. Separately or in variable combination, decidua, decidualized tissue, hemorrhagic tissue, fibrinous material, and membranous tissue amounted to 48.5% of mentions. There was no correlation between aggregate tissue measurements and time elapsed since delivery. Conclusion Nearly half of the content of histological reports on tissue evacuated SPPH patients were consistent with expected findings on a postpartum endometrium. Remnants of placental tissue were mentioned in about 10% of instances.

Assessment of antenatal anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder in pregnant women in the COVID-19 era.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mental health of pregnant women, with reference to anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ireland during the third wave of the pandemic between February and March 2021. Psychiatric, social and obstetric information was collected from pregnant women in a Dublin maternity hospital, alongside self-reported measures of mental health status. RESULTS: Of 392 women responding, 23.7% had anxiety, scoring >9 for GAD-7 (7-item generalised anxiety disorder), 20.4% had depression, scoring >9 for PHQ-9 (9-item depression screening tool: Patient health questionnaire) and 10.3% had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), scoring >13 for Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale symptom checklist (Y-BOCS). Amongst self-reported OCD symptoms, there was a preponderance for obsessions rather than compulsions. Of 392 women, 36.2% described their mental health as worse during the pandemic, most frequently describing symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance. When analysed against test scores, self-reported worsening of mental health was significantly associated with higher scores on the GAD-7, PHQ-9 and Y-BOCS scales. The three scores were positively interrelated. Poor mental health scores were associated with self-reported strain in relationship with the baby's father, and current or previous history of mental illness. CONCLUSION: This study found high levels of depression, anxiety and OC symptoms amongst pregnant women during COVID-19. This highlights the vulnerability of this group to mental illness and the importance of enhanced screening and support during pandemics.

External cephalic version - A 10-year review of practice.

INTRODUCTION: Following the term breech trial (TBT), the incidence of Caesarean section secondary to breech presentations increased, from 76.9 % to 89.7 %. External Cephalic Version (ECV) is a safe effective method to reduce non-cephalic presentation at time of delivery. METHODS: Retrospective audit of all the ECV procedures performed at a tertiary women's hospital between Jan 2010 and Jan 2020. RESULTS: The success rate of ECV was 54.5 %. The rate of vaginal birth following successful ECV was 73.6 % and rate of Caesarean 26.4 %, compared to 96.4 % for those with unsuccessful ECV (P < 0.0001). Factors found to be associated with increased success rates was the use of Intravenous terbutaline (P = 0.03), fetal birth weight ≥3.5 kg (P = 0.0001) and when the procedure is performed by an experienced operator who performed over 20 ECV procedures (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ECV is a safe and effective procedure to reduce Caesarean section rates secondary to breech presentation. A dedicated ECV clinic with experienced operators and the use of intravenous terbutaline could improve success rate of ECV and reduce the number of Caesareans for breech presentation.

Survey of obstetricians' approach to the issue of reinfibulation after childbirth in women with prior female genital mutilation.

BACKGROUND: The procedure of reinfibulation is the resuturing (usually after vaginal childbirth) of the incised scar tissue in women with previous female genital mutilation. Many authorities do not recommend the practice of reinfibulation. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess physicians' approach to the practice of reinfibulation. STUDY DESIGN: A structured online, anonymous questionnaire was sent to 130 practicing obstetricians and gynecologists through Survey Monkey. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 98 respondents (75.4%).This survey showed that 76% of obstetricians (74 of 98) agree with a standard policy of not performing reinfibulation. However, 37% of those who refused to perform reinfibulation (27 of 74) would agree to undertake it if the woman insisted because she feared marital problems or divorce, and 73% of them (54 of 74) would offer treatment from an obstetrician with a different view. CONCLUSION: The complex nature of reinfibulation is discussed and an alternative approach is suggested.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on maternity services: A review of maternal and neonatal outcomes before, during and after the pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To explore any apparent trends in maternal or neonatal outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic by comparing the maternity outcomes before, during and after the pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed of maternity statistics recorded on the hospital database of a large tertiary referral centre in Dublin with over 8000 deliveries per annum from 1st January to 31st July 2020. This time period represented the months prior to, during the peak and following the pandemic in Ireland. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the monthly number of Covid deaths and the monthly number of perinatal deaths (r = 0.465, NS), preterm births (r = 0.339, NS) or hypertensive pregnancies (r = 0.48, NS). Compared to the combined numbers for the same month in 2018 and 2019, there were no significant changes in perinatal deaths or preterm births in the months when Covid deaths were at their height. The rate of preterm birth was significantly less common in January-July 2020 compared to January-July in 2018/2019 (7.4 % v 8.6 %, chi-sq 4.53, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The was no evidence of a negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on maternity services, as demonstrated by maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Preference for mode of delivery in a low-risk population in Cape Town, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: There has been an increase in Caesarean section rates in many developed countries with maternal request frequently being cited as a reason. There are few studies examining African women's preference for mode of delivery. The objectives this study were to determine women's preference for mode of delivery in a low risk population to describe the major reasons for their preferences. STUDY DESIGN: Women over the age of 18 with a singleton low risk pregnancy were recruited during the third trimester. Two trained interviewers conducted a questionnaire in the women's preferred language regarding her preference for mode of delivery. RESULTS: Of the 195 women that participated, 160 (82.1 %) indicated a preference for vaginal delivery, 5 (2.6 %) preferred a Caesarean delivery, and 30 women (15.4 %) were unsure about their preferred mode of delivery. There was a significant association between delivery preference and age, ethnicity and HIV status. Level of education, employment, income, relationship status, and parity demonstrated no statistical association. In addition, 106 (54.4 %) did not believe that women should be given the right to request a Caesarean section. CONCLUSION: The majority of women prefer to have a vaginal delivery. In this low risk population, 15.4 % of women were unsure about their preference.

The diagnostic use of magnetic resonance imaging for acute abdominal and pelvic pain in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Acute abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnancy represents a diagnostic challenge. In many cases, radiological and laparoscopic diagnostic modalities are hazardous or contraindicated. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not commonly used for this indication and the results are not widely published. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center retrospective observational study. POPULATION: 34 cases of pregnant women with abdomino-pelvic pain who underwent MRI as an additional modality when clinical, laboratory and ultrasound (USS) findings were indeterminate. METHODS: Case notes were reviewed where pregnant women underwent a MRI investigation for abdominal-pelvic pain. Primary Obstetric indications for an MRI eg placenta accreta were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The differential diagnosis after; 1) history and physical examination and 2) with the addition of USS and 3) with the further addition of an MRI were all individually compared to the eventual diagnosis. RESULTS: The diagnoses reached by MRI corresponded with the final diagnosis in 22 out of 23 cases. In the remaining 11 cases MRI accurately ruled out presence of pathology. MRI was inaccurate in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The additional use of MRI was more accurate than clinical assessment and USS combined. The accurate exclusion of pathology in 11 cases is particularly significant. MRI should be considered in cases of abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnant women.