Pregnancy Outcomes of Nifedipine Compared With Labetalol for Oral Treatment of Mild Chronic Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes by type of antihypertensive used in participants of the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy) trial. METHODS: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of CHAP, an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial of antihypertensive treatment compared with standard care (no treatment unless severe hypertension developed) in pregnant patients with mild chronic hypertension (blood pressure 140-159/90-104 mm Hg before 20 weeks of gestation) and singleton pregnancies. We performed three comparisons based on medications prescribed at enrollment: labetalol compared with standard care, nifedipine compared with standard care, and labetalol compared with nifedipine. Although active compared with standard care groups were randomized, medication assignment within the active treatment group was not random but based on clinician or patient preference. The primary outcome was the occurrence of superimposed preeclampsia with severe features, preterm birth before 35 weeks of gestation, placental abruption, or fetal or neonatal death. The key secondary outcome was small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. We also compared medication adverse effects between groups. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated with log binomial regression to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: Of 2,292 participants analyzed, 720 (31.4%) received labetalol, 417 (18.2%) received nifedipine, and 1,155 (50.4%) received no treatment. The mean gestational age at enrollment was 10.5±3.7 weeks; nearly half of participants (47.5%) identified as non-Hispanic Black; and 44.5% used aspirin. The primary outcome occurred in 217 (30.1%), 130 (31.2%), and 427 (37.0%) in the labetalol, nifedipine, and standard care groups, respectively. Risk of the primary outcome was lower among those receiving treatment (labetalol use vs standard adjusted RR 0.82, 95% CI, 0.72-0.94; nifedipine use vs standard adjusted RR 0.84, 95% CI, 0.71-0.99), but there was no significant difference in risk when labetalol was compared with nifedipine (adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI, 0.82-1.18). There were no significant differences in SGA or serious adverse events between participants receiving labetalol and those receiving nifedipine. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in predetermined maternal or neonatal outcomes were detected on the basis of the use of labetalol or nifedipine for treatment of chronic hypertension in pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02299414.

Strategies and outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in peripartum patients: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in peripartum patients is rare, and there is a gap in the literature on the outcomes and guidance on using ECMO in peripartum patients. This study describes ECMO strategies our institution uses for peripartum patients and reports outcomes of ECMO use in peripartum patients with respiratory and/or cardiac failure. METHODS: A case series of all peripartum patients, defined as pregnant or up to 6 weeks after delivery of an infant >20 weeks gestation, from 2018 to 2023 from a single center requiring ECMO support. Patients were included if ECMO was initiated in the setting of cardiac, pulmonary, or combined failure. Patient demographics, operative details, ECMO data, and adverse outcomes for maternal, fetus, and neonates were all collected. RESULTS: Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria. The cohort had a mean maternal age of 30.7 years old and was racially diverse. A majority of this cohort tested positive for COVID-19 (n = 10, 55%). ECMO was a bridge to recovery for all patients, of whom 14 (78%) were discharged out of the hospital alive. No patients received transplantation or a durable mechanical device. The most common complications were infection (25%) and postpartum hemorrhage (22%). CONCLUSIONS: ECMO use in peripartum patients in a single tertiary center was associated with a high survival rate. Furthermore, a strong multidisciplinary team, careful reevaluation of clinical trajectory, and consideration of complications and risks associated with using ECMO in peripartum patients are possible frameworks to use when challenged with critically ill peripartum patients.

Mean Arterial Pressure and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Mild Chronic Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between mean arterial pressure during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in participants with chronic hypertension using data from the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy) trial. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the CHAP trial, an open-label, multicenter randomized trial of antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy, was conducted. The CHAP trial enrolled participants with mild chronic hypertension (blood pressure [BP] 140-159/90-104 mm Hg) and singleton pregnancies less than 23 weeks of gestation, randomizing them to active treatment (maintained on antihypertensive therapy with a goal BP below 140/90 mm Hg) or standard treatment (control; antihypertensives withheld unless BP reached 160 mm Hg systolic BP or higher or 105 mm Hg diastolic BP or higher). We used logistic regression to measure the strength of association between mean arterial pressure (average and highest across study visits) and to select neonatal outcomes. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (per 1-unit increase in millimeters of mercury) of the primary neonatal composite outcome (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, or intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4) and individual secondary outcomes (neonatal intensive care unit admission [NICU], low birth weight [LBW] below 2,500 g, and small for gestational age [SGA]) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 2,284 participants were included: 1,155 active and 1,129 control. Adjusted models controlling for randomization group demonstrated that increasing average mean arterial pressure per millimeter of mercury was associated with an increase in each neonatal outcome examined except NEC, specifically neonatal composite (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.12, 95% CI, 1.09-1.16), NICU admission (aOR 1.07, 95% CI, 1.06-1.08), LBW (aOR 1.12, 95% CI, 1.11-1.14), SGA below the fifth percentile (aOR 1.03, 95% CI, 1.01-1.06), and SGA below the 10th percentile (aOR 1.02, 95% CI, 1.01-1.04). Models using the highest mean arterial pressure as opposed to average mean arterial pressure also demonstrated consistent associations. CONCLUSION: Increasing mean arterial pressure was positively associated with most adverse neonatal outcomes except NEC. Given that the relationship between mean arterial pressure and adverse pregnancy outcomes may not be consistent at all mean arterial pressure levels, future work should attempt to further elucidate whether there is an absolute threshold or relative change in mean arterial pressure at which fetal benefits are optimized along with maternal benefits. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02299414.

Proteomic studies of VEGFR2 in human placentas reveal protein associations with preeclampsia, diabetes, gravidity, and labor.

VEGFR2 (Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) is a central regulator of placental angiogenesis. The study of the VEGFR2 proteome of chorionic villi at term revealed its partners MDMX (Double minute 4 protein) and PICALM (Phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein). Subsequently, the oxytocin receptor (OT-R) and vasopressin V1aR receptor were detected in MDMX and PICALM immunoprecipitations. Immunogold electron microscopy showed VEGFR2 on endothelial cell (EC) nuclei, mitochondria, and Hofbauer cells (HC), tissue-resident macrophages of the placenta. MDMX, PICALM, and V1aR were located on EC plasma membranes, nuclei, and HC nuclei. Unexpectedly, PICALM and OT-R were detected on EC projections into the fetal lumen and OT-R on 20-150 nm clusters therein, prompting the hypothesis that placental exosomes transport OT-R to the fetus and across the blood-brain barrier. Insights on gestational complications were gained by univariable and multivariable regression analyses associating preeclampsia with lower MDMX protein levels in membrane extracts of chorionic villi, and lower MDMX, PICALM, OT-R, and V1aR with spontaneous vaginal deliveries compared to cesarean deliveries before the onset of labor. We found select associations between higher MDMX, PICALM, OT-R protein levels and either gravidity, diabetes, BMI, maternal age, or neonatal weight, and correlations only between PICALM-OT-R (p < 2.7 × 10-8), PICALM-V1aR (p < 0.006), and OT-R-V1aR (p < 0.001). These results offer for exploration new partnerships in metabolic networks, tissue-resident immunity, and labor, notably for HC that predominantly express MDMX.

Physiologic blood pressure patterns in pregnancies with mild chronic hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To assess physiologic blood pressure (BP) changes throughout pregnancy in patients with mild chronic hypertension (CHTN) who do and do not develop preeclampsia (PEC), compared to patients with normal BP. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of singleton gestations with CHTN at a single tertiary center from 2000 to 2014 and a randomly selected cohort of patients without CHTN and normal pregnancy outcomes (NML) in the same time period with BP measurements available <12 weeks gestational age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was gestational age (GA) at nadir of systolic and diastolic BP. Secondary outcomes included perinatal death, umbilical cord pH, maternal and neonatal length of stay, GA at delivery, and mode of delivery. Quadratic mixed models were used to estimate SBP and DBP throughout gestation. RESULTS: Of 367 pregnancies with CHTN, 268 (73%) had CHTN without PEC and 99 (27%) had CHTN with PEC; 198 NML pregnancies were used as a comparison group. The median GA nadir for patients in the NML, CHTN without PEC, and CHTN with PEC for SBP were 20, 24, and 21, respectively. For DBP, the median GA nadir were 22, 24, and 21 for patients in the NML, CHTN without PEC, and CHTN with PEC cohorts, respectively. Adverse secondary outcomes were more frequent in patients with CHTN who developed PEC. CONCLUSIONS: BP trajectories in pregnancy are different between patients with CHTN with PEC, CHTN without PEC, and patients with normal BP. These findings may be useful in assessing patients' risks for developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding Practices in Patients with Heart Disease Stratified by Area Deprivation Index.

Objective: We sought to evaluate breastfeeding (BF) practices in patients with maternal cardiac disease (MCD) stratified by area deprivation index (ADI) to identity communities at risk. Study Design: Retrospective cohort of patients managed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Cardio-Obstetrics Program. Patients were included if they had ≥1 prenatal visit with the Cardio-Obstetrics team, delivered at UAB, and had a street address on file. The primary outcome was BF rate at hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included BF intent on admission and BF at the postpartum (PP) visit. ADI reports socioeconomic disadvantage at the census tract level; 1 = least deprived and 100 = most deprived. Baseline characteristics and BF rates were compared by ADI categories: Low (ADI 1-33), medium (ADI 34-66), and high (ADI 67-100). Results: One hundred and forty-eight patients were included: 14 (10%) low, 42 (28%) medium, and 92 (62%) high ADI. Patients in the high ADI category were younger relative to those in the medium or low ADI (26 versus 28 versus 32 years; p < 0.01) and less likely to be married or living with a partner (30.4% versus 58.5% versus 71.4%; p < 0.01), There was no difference in BF intent between the lowest, medium, and highest ADI categories (85.7% versus 85.4% versus 81.6%; p = 0.38) or BF rates at hospital discharge (100% versus 92.7% versus 85.6%, p = 0.23). However, there was a significant difference in BF rates at the PP visit (90% versus 63.0% versus 38.6%; p < 0.01) even after controlling for differences in baseline characteristics (odds ratio = 0.11 (95% confidence interval [0.01-0.93]), p = 0.043). Conclusions: There was an association between living in a resource-poor community and early cessation of BF in our population of patients with MCD. Community-based interventions targeting mothers with heart disease living in high ADI communities may help these individuals achieve higher BF rates.

Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Rates in Patients with Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate racial disparities in breastfeeding rates in patients with heart disease. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of pregnant patients with maternal cardiac disease managed by a Cardio-Obstetrics program. Patients self-identifying as Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW), who attended ≥ 1 prenatal visit at the Cardio-Obstetrics Program and delivered at the same hospital between March 2015 and June 2019 were included. The primary outcome was breastfeeding rate at discharge from the delivery-associated hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding intent on admission and breastfeeding rates at the postpartum visit among patients who initiated breastfeeding. RESULTS: 138 pregnant patients with cardiac disease were included: 58 (42%) NHB and 80 (58%) NHW patients. Parity, marital status and insurance were statistically different between groups. NHB patients were more likely to have government insurance compared to NHW patients (77.6% vs. 40%; p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the intent to breastfeed upon admission for the delivery-associated hospitalization (74.2% NHB vs. NHW 91.3%; p = 0.01), but not at hospital discharge (84.5% NHB vs. 93.8% NHW; p = 0.08). However, breastfeeding rates were significantly lower among NHB patients at the postpartum visit among the entire cohort (38.2% in NHB vs. 61.1% in NHW women; p = 0.036) and among those who initiated breastfeeding (35.3% NHB vs. 61.1% NHW, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge, NHB patients with maternal cardiac disease were less likely to intend to breastfeed at admission and/or continue breastfeeding by the postpartum visits. Qualitative studies understanding these differences are crucial to improve breastfeeding rates, especially for NHB patients with maternal cardiac disease.

Clinical Trials That Have Changed Obstetric Practice: The Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) Trial.

We describe the evolution of treatment recommendations for chronic hypertension (CHTN) in pregnancy, the CHTN and pregnancy (CHAP) trial, and its impact on obstetric practice. The US multicenter CHAP trial showed that antihypertensive treatment for mild CHTN in pregnancy [blood pressures (BP)<160/105 mm Hg] to goal<140/90 mm Hg, primarily with labetalol or nifedipine compared with no treatment unless BP were severe reduced the composite risk of superimposed severe preeclampsia, indicated preterm birth <35 weeks, placental abruption, and fetal/neonatal death. As a result of this trial, professional societies in the United States recommended treatment of patients with CHTN in pregnancy to BP goal<140/90 mm Hg.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk of type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Although gestational diabetes mellitus and delivering high-birthweight infants are known to predict a higher risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus, the association of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other adverse pregnancy outcomes with type 2 diabetes mellitus is not well established. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the associations between different types of adverse pregnancy outcomes and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus among postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: The Women's Health Initiative, a nationwide cohort of postmenopausal women, collected self-reported history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and delivering low- birthweight (<2500 g) or high-birthweight (>4500 g) infants. Participants were followed up annually for self-reported incident type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with medication from baseline (1993-1998) to March 2021. This study used logistic regression to examine the associations of any and individual adverse pregnancy outcomes with diabetes mellitus. Stratified analyses were performed to assess effect modification by body mass index, race and ethnicity, education, parity, breastfeeding, and age at first birth. RESULTS: This analysis included 49,717 women without a history of diabetes mellitus at enrollment who had a least 1 pregnancy and responded to the questionnaire about adverse pregnancy outcomes. After adjusting for body mass index, demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors, gestational diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.94-2.63), high birthweight (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.44), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.30) were independently associated with higher odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus, whereas preterm birth and low birthweight were not associated with diabetes mellitus risk. A history of ≥2 adverse pregnancy outcomes was associated with higher odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.88). This study further observed higher odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 3.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.38-5.70) among women with a history of both gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than those without any adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus, those delivering high-birthweight infants, or those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, women with ≥2 conditions had an augmented risk and might be prioritized for screening and prevention efforts for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #68: Sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Pregnant individuals with sickle cell disease have an increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, prepregnancy counseling and multidisciplinary care can lead to favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this consult series, we summarize what is known about sickle cell disease and provide guidance for sickle cell disease management during pregnancy. The following are Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommendations.

Physiologic Treatment of Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy and Postpartum.

We aimed to evaluate physiologic treatment of severe hypertension. This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnant and postpartum patients with severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure [BP] 160 mm Hg or higher or diastolic BP 110 mm Hg or higher) treated with intravenous labetalol or hydralazine at a single tertiary care center between 2013 and 2018. Patients were classified as having physiologic treatment if they had hyperdynamic physiology (pulse pressure 65 mm Hg or higher) and received labetalol or had vasoconstrictive physiology (diastolic BP 100 mm Hg or higher) and received hydralazine. The primary outcome was number of antihypertensive doses to achieve nonsevere BP. Of 1,120 patients included in the analysis, 653 had physiologic treatment and 467 had nonphysiologic treatment, with 16 (1.4%) excluded for inability to classify physiology. Physiologic treatment was associated with fewer antihypertensive doses (1.4±0.9 doses vs 1.6±1.4 doses; adjusted ß -0.28, 95% CI, -0.42 to -0.14) and lower odds of medication conversion (2.5% vs 4.7%; adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% CI, 0.24-0.93) but no difference in time to nonsevere BP (31 minutes [interquartile range 16-66 minutes] vs 34 minutes [interquartile range 15-76 minutes]; adjusted hazard ratio 1.0, 95% CI, 0.9-1.2). Physiologic treatment of severe hypertension warrants further evaluation.

Outcomes in low-risk patients before and after an institutional policy offering 39-week elective induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: Elective induction of labor versus expectant management at 39 weeks gestation in low-risk nulliparous patients was shown in the ARRIVE randomized trial of over 6000 patients to decrease risks of cesarean delivery without significant change in the composite perinatal outcome. We aimed to pragmatically analyze the effect of offering elective induction of labor (eIOL) to all low-risk patients. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of low-risk nulliparous and multiparous patients delivering live, non-anomalous singletons at a single center at greater than or equal to 39 0/7 weeks gestational age. Those with prior or planned cesarean delivery, ruptured membranes, medical comorbidities, or contraindications to vaginal delivery were excluded. Patients were categorized as before (pre-eIOL; 1/2012-3/2014) or after (post-eIOL; 3/2019-12/2021) an institution-wide policy offering eIOL at 39 0/7 weeks. Births occurring April 2014 to December 2018 were allocated to a separate cohort (during-eIOL) given increased exposure to eIOL as our center recruited participants for the ARRIVE trial. The primary outcome was cesarean birth. Secondary outcomes included select maternal (e.g. chorioamnionitis, operative delivery, postpartum hemorrhage) and neonatal morbidities (e.g. birthweight, small- and large-for gestational age, hypoglycemia). Characteristics and outcomes were compared between the pre and during-eIOL, and pre and post-eIOL groups; adjusted OR (95% CI) were calculated using multivariable regression. Subgroup analysis by parity was planned. RESULTS: Of 10,758 patients analyzed, 2521 (23.4%) were pre-eIOL, 5410 (50.3%) during-eIOL, and 2827 (26.3%) post-eIOL. Groups differed with respect to labor type, age, race/ethnicity, marital and payor status, and gestational age at care entry. Post-eIOL was associated with lower odds of cesarean compared to pre-eIOL (aOR 0.83 [95% CI 0.72-0.96]), which was even lower among those specifically undergoing labor induction (aOR 0.58 [0.48-0.70]. During-eIOL was also associated with lower odds of cesarean compared to pre-eIOL (aOR 0.79 [0.69-0.90]). Both during and post-eIOL groups were associated with higher odds of chorioamnionitis, operative delivery, and hemorrhage compared to pre-eIOL. However, only among post-eIOL were there fewer neonates weighing ≥4000 g, large-for-gestational age infants, and neonatal hypoglycemia compared to pre-IOL. CONCLUSION: An institutional policy offering eIOL at 39 0/7 to low-risk patients was associated with a lower cesarean birth rate, lower birthweights and lower neonatal hypoglycemia, and an increased risk of chorioamnionitis and hemorrhage.

Two pregnancies in a patient following pulmonary endarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pregnancies complicated by pulmonary hypertension are associated with a high rate of maternal morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary endarterectomy is a curative treatment for pulmonary hypertension in select patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Limited data exist regarding the maternal and perinatal outcomes following pulmonary endarterectomy.We present the case of a patient in her 20s with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy and subsequently carried two pregnancies. Her cardiopulmonary status remained stable throughout both pregnancies. Her first pregnancy was complicated by HELLP syndrome requiring induction of labour at 30 weeks, and her second child was born at term. In summary, this patient's course provides cautious optimism that a curative pulmonary endarterectomy may allow a patient to avoid complications of pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy.

Contribution of Health Care Practitioner and Maternity Services Factors to Racial Disparities in Alabama: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Black patients are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White patients in the United States, and Alabama has the third worst maternal mortality rate in the nation. We sought to identify health care practitioner and maternity service factors contributing to disparities in Alabama, as well as potential strategies to address these contributors. METHODS: We conducted key informant interviews with obstetricians, nurses, doulas, lactation counselors, health system administrators, and representatives of professional organizations who deliver maternity care to racially and ethnically diverse patients in Alabama. The interview guide was developed using Howell's conceptual framework on racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Adopting a thematic analysis approach, we coded and analyzed transcripts using NVivo 12 software. Open coding and selective coding were conducted to identify themes related to health care practitioner- and maternity services-level determinants. RESULTS: Overall, 20 health care practitioners or administrators were interviewed. Primary themes related to health care practitioners included implicit bias and explicit racism, lack of communication and lack of positive patient-health care practitioner relationships, lack of cultural sensitivity, and variation in clinical knowledge and experience. Primary themes related to maternity services included lack of accessibility, inadequate quality and content of care, lack of continuity of care, discriminatory facility policies, and workforce shortages and lack of diversity. Strategies suggested by participants to address these factors included bias trainings for health care practitioners, improvements in racial and interdisciplinary diversity in the maternity workforce, and evidence-based interventions such as group prenatal care, disparities dashboards, simulation trainings, early warning signs criteria, and coordinated care. CONCLUSION: We gained diverse perspectives from health care practitioners and administrators on how maternity health care practitioner and maternity health services factors contribute to inequities in maternal health in Alabama. Strategies to address these contributing factors were multifaceted.

Community and Systems Contributors and Strategies to Reduce Racial Inequities in Maternal Health in the Deep South: Provider Perspectives.

Purpose: Black pregnant individuals in Alabama are disproportionately affected by severe maternal morbidity and mortality (SMM). To understand why racial disparities in maternal health outcomes persist and identify potential strategies to reduce these inequities, we sought perspectives from obstetric health care providers, health administrators, and members of local organizations who provide pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care services in Alabama. Methods: We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with stakeholders (n=20), purposively recruited from community-based organizations, clinical settings, government organizations, and academic institutions. Interview guides were based on Howell's conceptual model of pathways to racial disparities in maternal mortality. Data were coded using a modified framework theory approach and analyzed thematically. Results: Racism, unjust laws and policies, and poverty/lack of infrastructure in communities emerged as major themes contributing to racial disparities in maternal health at the community and systems levels. Inadequate health insurance coverage was described as a strong driver of the disparities. Service providers suggested strategies for Alabama should be community focused, evidence based, and culturally sensitive. These should include Medicaid expansion, expanded parental leave, and removal of laws restricting choice. Community- and systems-level interventions should include community infrastructure improvements, choice in maternity services, and provision of digital communication options. Conclusions: Providers shared perspectives on community and structural areas of intervention to reduce racial inequities in SMM. These results can inform discussions with health system and community partners about Alabama and other Deep South initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes in black communities.

Breastfeeding practices among patients managed by a comprehensive cardio-obstetrics program.

Objective: To evaluate breastfeeding intent, rates at discharge, and continued breastfeeding at follow-up in patients managed in a comprehensive cardio-obstetrics program stratified by severity of maternal cardiac disease.Study Design: Retrospective cohort of patients managed by a comprehensive cardio-obstetrics program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Patients were included if they had ≥1 prenatal visit with the Cardio-Obstetrics team and delivered at UAB. The primary outcome was the breastfeeding rate on discharge from the delivery-associated hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included intent to breastfeed on admission and breastfeeding at the postpartum visit. Baseline characteristics and rates were compared between patients with less severe (mWHO I - II/III) vs. more severe (mWHO III - IV) maternal cardiac disease.Results: 147 patients were included: 85 (57.8%) mWHO class I - II and 62 (42.2%) mWHO class III-IV. Patients with more severe maternal cardiac disease had higher rates of chronic hypertension (22.6% vs. 9.4%; p = 0.027), lower gestational age at delivery (36.4 vs 37.7 weeks; p = 0.008), and higher rates of NICU admission (31.2% vs. 14.1%; p = 0.013). There were no significant differences between mWHO class I-II vs. mWHO class III-IV in intent to breastfeed upon admission to the delivery-associated hospitalization (84.7% vs. 82.3%; p = 0.67), breastfeeding rates upon discharge from the delivery-associated hospitalization (90.6% vs. 87.1%; p = 0.50), or breastfeeding rates at the postpartum visit (54.1% vs. 48.5%; p = 0.60).Conclusions: Despite potential barriers in this high-risk population, over 85% of patients breastfed upon discharge from the delivery-associated hospitalization. However, breastfeeding rates dropped by 40% at the postpartum visit. Strategies to support breastfeeding in the post-partum period in patients with maternal cardiac disease are imperative.

Occipital Nerve Block Compared With Acetaminophen and Caffeine for Headache Treatment in Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of occipital nerve block compared with standard care , defined as acetaminophen with caffeine, for treatment of acute headache in pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, unblinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial of pregnant patients with headache and pain score higher than 3 on the visual rating scale. Patients with secondary headache, preeclampsia, or allergy or contraindication to study medications were excluded. Participants were randomized to occipital nerve block or standard care (oral 650 mg acetaminophen and 200 mg caffeine). Crossover treatment was given at 2 hours and second-line treatment at 4 hours to those with worsening visual rating scale score or visual rating scale score higher than 3. The primary outcome was headache improvement to a visual rating scale score of 3 or lower within 2 hours of initial therapy. Secondary outcomes included serial visual rating scale scores, receipt of crossover or second-line therapy, patient satisfaction, and perinatal outcomes. Outcomes were assessed in an intention-to-treat analysis. We estimated that a sample of 62 would provide 80% power to detect a difference from 85% to 50% between groups. RESULTS: From February 2020 to May 2022, 62 participants were randomized to occipital nerve block (n=31) or standard care (n=31). Groups were similar except payer status. The primary outcome, headache improvement to visual rating scale score of 3 or lower, was not significantly different between groups (64.5% vs 51.6%, P =.30). The occipital nerve block group experienced lower median [interquartile range] visual rating scale scores at 1 hour (2 [0-5] vs 6 [2-7], P =.014), and more patients in the occipital nerve block group had visual rating scale scores of 3 or lower at 1 hour. Among patients receiving crossover treatment at 2 hours, the standard care group had a significantly lower visual rating scale score 1 hour after crossover to occipital nerve block than the occipital nerve block group receiving crossover to standard care ( P =.028). There were no significant differences in second-line treatment, refractory headache, satisfaction, or complications. Patients receiving occipital nerve block delivered earlier (36.6 weeks vs 37.8 weeks), but preterm birth did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Occipital nerve block is an effective and quick-acting treatment option for acute headache in pregnancy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03951649.

Predicting Spontaneous Labor beyond 39 Weeks among Low-Risk Expectantly Managed Pregnant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics associated with spontaneous labor onset in pregnant patients undergoing expectant management at greater than 39 weeks' gestation and delineate perinatal outcomes associated with spontaneous labor compared with labor induction. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies at ≥390/7 weeks' gestation delivered at a single center in 2013. The exclusion criteria were elective induction, cesarean delivery or presence of a medical indication for delivery at 39 weeks, more than one prior cesarean delivery, and fetal anomaly or demise. We evaluated prenatally available maternal characteristics as potential predictors of the primary outcome-spontaneous labor onset. Multivariable logistic regression was used to generate two parsimonious models: one with and one without third trimester cervical dilation. We also performed sensitivity analysis by parity and timing of cervical examination, and compared the mode of delivery and other secondary outcomes between patients who went into spontaneous labor and those who did not. RESULTS: Of 707 eligible patients, 536 (75.8%) attained spontaneous labor and 171 (24.2%) did not. In the first model, maternal body mass index (BMI), parity, and substance use were identified as the most predictive factors. Overall, the model did not predict spontaneous labor (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.70) with high accuracy. The addition of third trimester cervical dilation in the second model did not significantly improve labor prediction (AUC: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.61-0.70; p = 0.76). These results did not differ by timing of cervical examination or parity. Patients admitted in spontaneous labor had lower odds of cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR]: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.21-0.53) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.15-0.94). Other perinatal outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Maternal characteristics did not predict spontaneous labor onset at ≥39 weeks' gestation with high accuracy. Patients should be counseled on the challenges of labor prediction regardless of parity and cervical examination, outcomes if spontaneous labor does not occur, and benefits of labor induction. KEY POINTS: · Majority of patients will attain spontaneous labor at ≥39 weeks.. · Maternal characteristics do not predict labor at ≥39 weeks.. · Spontaneous labor has associated lower perinatal risks.. · A shared decision model should be utilized in counseling patients who may choose expectant management..

Associations of maternal preterm birth with subsequent risk for type 2 diabetes in women from the women's health initiative.

Preterm birth has been associated with insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, a hallmark characteristic of type 2 diabetes. However, studies investigating the relationship between a personal history of being born preterm and type 2 diabetes are sparse. We sought to investigate the potential association between a personal history of being born preterm and risk for type 2 diabetes in a racially and ethnically diverse population. Baseline and incident data (>16 years of follow-up) from the Women's Health Initiative (n = 85,356) were used to examine the association between personal history of being born preterm (born 1910-1940s) and prevalent (baseline enrollment; cross-sectional) or incident (prospective cohort) cases of type 2 diabetes. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate odds and hazards ratios. Being born preterm was significantly, positively associated with odds for prevalent type 2 diabetes at enrollment (adjOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.43-2.24; P < 0.0001). Stratified regression models suggested the positive associations at baseline were consistent across race and ethnicity groups. However, being born preterm was not significantly associated with risk for incident type 2 diabetes. Regression models stratified by age at enrollment suggest the relationship between being born preterm and type 2 diabetes persists only among younger age groups. Preterm birth was associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes but only in those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes prior to study enrollment, suggesting the association between preterm birth and type 2 diabetes may exist at earlier age of diagnosis but wane over time.

Electronic Cigarette Use during Pregnancy: Is It Harmful?

Although combustible cigarette smoking rates have declined in recent years, alternative tobacco product use, particularly electronic cigarette use ("vaping"), has increased among young adults. Recent studies indicate that vaping during pregnancy is on the rise, possibly due to the perception that it is a safer alternative to combustible cigarette smoking. However, e-cigarette aerosols may contain several newer, potentially toxic compounds, including some known developmental toxicants that may adversely impact both the mother and the fetus. However, there is paucity of studies that have examined the effects of vaping during pregnancy. While the adverse perinatal outcomes of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are well established, the specific risks associated with inhaling vaping aerosols during pregnancy requires more research. In this article, we discuss the existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the risks of vaping during pregnancy. Studies that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects (i.e., biomarker analyses) and maternal and neonatal clinical health outcomes are needed to reach more robust conclusions. We particularly emphasize the need to go beyond comparative studies with cigarettes, and advocate for research that objectively evaluates the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.