Artificial Intelligence in Predicting the Mode of Delivery: A Systematic Review.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into obstetric care offers significant potential to enhance clinical decision-making and optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes. Traditional prediction methods for mode of delivery often rely on subjective clinical judgment and limited statistical models, which may not fully capture complex patient data. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current state of research on AI applications in predicting the mode of delivery, comparing the performance of AI models with traditional methods, and identifying gaps for future research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, covering publications from January 2010 to July 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies employing AI techniques to predict the mode of delivery, published in peer-reviewed journals, and involving human subjects. Studies were assessed for quality using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), and data were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity. In total, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, employing various AI models such as logistic regression, random forest, gradient boosting, and neural networks. Sample sizes ranged from 40 to 94,480 participants across diverse geographic settings. AI models demonstrated high accuracy rates, often exceeding 90%, and strong predictive metrics (area under the curve (AUC) values from 0.745 to 0.932). Key predictors included maternal age, gravidity, parity, gestational age, labor induction type, and fetal weight. Notable models like the Adana System and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost, Yandex LLC, Moscow, Russia) highlighted the effectiveness of AI in enhancing prediction accuracy and supporting clinical decisions. AI models significantly outperform traditional statistical methods in predicting the mode of delivery, providing a robust tool for obstetric care. Future research should focus on standardizing data collection, improving model interpretability, addressing ethical concerns, and ensuring fairness in AI predictions to enhance clinical trust and application.

Mode of delivery and behavioral and neuropsychological outcomes in children at 10 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that mode of delivery, particularly cesarean delivery (CD), is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This study evaluates behavioral and neuropsychological test scores in children based on mode of delivery. METHODS: Children enrolled in the Raine Study from Western Australia, born between 1989 and 1992 by instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD), elective CD, and non-elective CD, were compared to those with spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD). The primary outcome was the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) administered at age 10. Secondary outcomes included evaluations of language, motor function, cognition, and autistic traits. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate score differences by mode of delivery adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and Poisson regression was used to evaluate for increased risk of clinical deficit. RESULTS: Of 2,855 children, 1770 (62.0 %) were delivered via SVD, 480 (16.8 %) via IVD, 346 (12.1 %) via elective CD, and 259 (9.1 %) via non-elective CD. Non-elective CD was associated with higher (worse) CBCL Internalizing (+2.09; 95 % CI 0.49, 3.96; p=0.01) scores, and elective CD was associated with lower (worse) McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development (MAND) (-3.48; 95 % CI -5.61, -1.35; p=0.001) scores. Differences were not seen in other outcomes, and increased risk of clinical deficit was not observed with either the CBCL Internalizing or MAND scores. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in behavior and motor function were observed in children delivered by CD, but given that score differences were not associated with increased incidence of clinical deficit, clinical significance may be limited.

What is the best mode of delivery in nulliparous, singleton, term, vertex pregnancies.

With approximately 145 million births occurring worldwide each year-over 30 million by cesarean delivery (CD), the need for evaluation of maternal and perinatal outcomes in different delivery scenarios is more pressing than ever. Recently, in a meta-analysis of the available randomized controlled trials, planned CD was associated with significantly decreased rates of low umbilical artery pH, and neonatal complications such as birth trauma, tube feeding, and hypotonia when compared to planned vaginal delivery (VD). Among singleton pregnancies, planned CD was associated with a significantly lower rate of perinatal death. For mothers, planned CD was associated with significantly less chorioamnionitis, more wound infection, and less urinary incontinence at 1 to 2 years. Conversely, planned VD has been associated with benefits such as a lower incidence of wound infection and quicker postpartum recovery compared to planned CD. Nonetheless, several risk factors for CD are increasing-such as older maternal age, obesity, diabetes, excessive gestational weight gain, and birth weight-while maternal pelvises are getting smaller. Concerns about the potential long-term risks of multiple cesarean deliveries, such as placenta accreta spectrum disorders, highlight the need for a balanced evaluation of both delivery modes. However, the total fertility rate is decreasing in the US and around the world, with many people wanting two or fewer babies, which decreases future risk of placenta accreta incurred by multiple cesarean deliveries in these individuals. Furthermore, one in four obstetricians-gynecologists has undergone a CD on maternal request for their nulliparous, singleton, term, vertex (NSTV) pregnancy, and CD rates less than about 19% have been associated with higher perinatal and maternal mortality. Thus, we propose that it is imperative that we prioritize conducting randomized trials to compare planned cesarean to planned VD for NSTV pregnancies. Such trials would need to include 8000 or more individuals; they would ideally follow each participant to the end of their reproductive life and study perinatal and maternal outcomes, including nonbiologic outcomes such as patient satisfaction, postpartum depression, breastfeeding rates, mother-infant bonding, post-traumatic stress, and cost-effectiveness. The time for such a trial is now, as it holds the potential to inform and improve obstetrical care practices globally.

Cesarean delivery, labor duration, and mothers' mortality risk over 50 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy complications have been recognized as a window to future health. Though cesarean delivery is common, it is unknown whether labor duration and mode of delivery are associated with maternal long-term mortality. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether labor duration and mode of delivery were associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were mothers from the multisite Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP) cohort (1959-1966; n=43,646, limited to last CPP delivery). We ascertained all-cause and specific causes of death as of 2016 via linkage to the National Death Index and Social Security Death Master File. Hazard ratios (HR) testing mode of delivery and labor duration were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. We further stratified analyses by parity. RESULTS: Among participants with a recorded delivery mode, 5.9% (2486/42,335) had a cesarean delivery. Participants who had a cesarean were older (26.9 vs 24.3 years), with higher body mass index (24.0 vs 22.7 kg/m2), were less likely to be nulliparous (21% vs 30%), and more likely to have a household income of at least $6000 (22% vs 17%), to smoke ≥1 pack/d (18% vs 15%), to have diabetes mellitus (12% vs 1%) and to have a prior medical condition (47% vs 34%), compared to participants with a vaginal delivery. Delivery mode was similar by race/ethnicity, marital status, and education. Median labor duration was 395 minutes among participants who had an intrapartum cesarean delivery and 350 minutes among participants delivered vaginally. By 2016, 52.2% of participants with a cesarean delivery and 38.5% of participants with a vaginal delivery had died. Cesarean vs vaginal delivery was significantly associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (HR=1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09, 1.23); in nulliparas, HR=1.27 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.47); in multiparas, HR=1.13 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.21) as well as increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, infection, and kidney disease. Associations with death from cardiovascular disease, infection, and kidney disease were stronger for multiparas than nulliparas, though the association with death from diabetes was stronger among nulliparas. Labor duration was not significantly related to overall mortality. CONCLUSION: In a historic United States cohort with a low cesarean delivery rate, cesarean delivery was an indicator for subsequent increased mortality risk, particularly related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Future studies with long-term follow-up are warranted given the current high prevalence of cesarean delivery.

Association between mode of delivery and early neurodevelopment: A prospective birth cohort study.

Previous research has assessed the effects of caesarean delivery (CD) on child neurodevelopment; however, whether the effects stem from the surgical procedure itself or its related medical conditions has not been conclusively determined. This study aimed to evaluate the associations among delivery mode, CD-related medical conditions and early childhood neurodevelopment. A total of 3829 maternal-infant pairs from a longitudinal birth cohort in Wuhan City, China, were included in the primary analysis. The neurodevelopment of the children was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), the Conners Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scale and the Chinese version of the Autism Behavior Checklist. Data on delivery mode and medical conditions were collected via medical records from the study hospital. Among the 3829 children for whom the BSID test was completed at two years of age, 50%, 27%, and 23% were delivered vaginally, by necessary CD, and by elective CD, respectively. Compared with vaginally delivered children, Necessary CD was associated with a 16.67% decrease in Mental Development Index (MDI) scores and a 13.37% decrease in Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) scores, while elective CD showed a 20.63% and 20.99% decrease after FDR correction, respectively. Similarly, among the 2448 children for whom the CBRS was completed, necessary CD was found to be associated with conduct disorders (adjusted ß: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09), hyperactivity (adjusted ß: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.11), and hyperactivity index (adjusted ß: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11), while elective CD was significantly associated with hyperactivity problem scores (adjusted ß: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.13). However, no significant association was found between CD and symptoms of autism in children, as assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the adverse impact of CD on child neurodevelopment stems from the procedure itself rather than CD-related medical conditions. It is important to minimize the use of CD when there is no medical necessity. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Caesarean delivery (CD) may influence child neurodevelopment and other long-term outcomes. • In China, approximately one-quarter of CD are performed due to maternal request without medical indications. WHAT IS NEW: • The negative impact of CD on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children may be primarily attributed to the procedure itself, as opposed to related medical conditions. • In the absence of medical indications, unnecessary CD may have adverse impacts on children's neurodevelopment.

Prediction Models for HIV Infection in Infants: Analysis of Scoring Systems on Maternal, Infants, and Mode of Delivery Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis for HIV in infants is hard to determine, particularly in limited- resource areas. A delay in the diagnosis of HIV-infected infants will lead to high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this project is to construct a model of an HIV-positive infant and develop a useful and practical scoring system to estimate the likelihood of mother-to-child transmission that can be applied in the field. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 100 subjects through medical records of infants born to HIV-infected mothers was conducted at four hospitals and one community health center. Several models of risk prediction scores of HIV-infected infants were then made. Furthermore, the performed validation was performed on 20 subjects of infants born to mothers with HIV in three hospitals by comparing the scoring system and the result of the PCR RNA examination performed at the age of 6 weeks old. RESULTS: The risk of HIV-infected infants was higher in mothers who did not receive ARV through PMTCT programs (OR 33.6; 95% CI 4.0 to 282.2), pulmonary TB infection (OR 5.1; IK95% 1.6 to 16.0) and vaginal delivery (OR 9.2; IK95 2.2 to 38.0%). Two models can predict the occurrence of infected HIV infants effectively. Model 1 consists of maternal age, maternal ARVs, lung TB infection, gestational age, mode of delivery, and sex of the infants with sensitivity and specificity of 78.9% and 70.8% (AUC=0.817 [95% CI 0.709 to 0.926]) and likelihood ratio score of 4. Model 2 consists of ARVs to the mother, pulmonary TB infection, and mode of delivery with sensitivity and specificity of 73.7% and 86.1%; AUC value of 0.812 (95% CI 0.687 to 0.938) and likelihood ratio of 5. External Validation gave similar results to the Model 2 scoring system with PCR RNA. CONCLUSION: The prediction score of HIV-infected infants in Model 2 can be used in newborns of HIV-positive mothers as an effective and practical risk screening tool for HIV-infected infants before the gold standard examination by PCR.

Social disparities in delivery choice among patients with history of cesarean.

OBJECTIVE: Given the call to reduce rates of non-medically indicated cesarean deliveries (CDs) by encouraging trials of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), this study looks at social characteristics of patients choosing a TOLAC versus a scheduled repeat cesarean delivery (SRCD) to determine disparities regarding delivery method choice. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a history of one CD between April 29, 2015-April 29, 2020. Patients were divided based on type of delivery chosen at admission. Chi-squared tests examined proportional differences between groups and logistic regression models examined odd ratios of choosing TOLAC versus SRCD according to socially dependent categories including race/ethnicity, health insurance, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). RESULTS: 1,983 patients were included. Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that patients with a high SVI (reference: low/medium SVI) (AOR 2.0, CI: 1.5, 2.5), self-identified as Black/ African American (AOR: 2.4, CI: 1.6, 3.6) or Hispanic/Latina (AOR: 2.0, CI: 1.4, 2.8) (reference: White), had public insurance (reference: private insurance) (AOR: 3.7, CI: 2.8, 5.0), and who had an obese BMI (reference: non-obese BMI) were more likely to opt for a TOLAC rather than SRCD. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate differences in delivery method preferences. Specifically, more disadvantaged patients are more likely to choose TOLAC, suggesting that social and economic factors may play a role in delivery preferences. These findings have implications for improving individualized counselling and engaging in shared decision-making around mode of delivery.

Pregnancy and delivery outcomes after abdominal vs. laparoscopic myomectomy: an evaluation of an American population database.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate population characteristics and obstetric complications after abdominal myomectomy vs. laparoscopic myomectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) data representative of over 20% of all hospital admissions in the United States. PATIENT(S): A total of 13,868 and 338 pregnancies after abdominal or laparoscopic myomectomy, respectively. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Obstetric outcomes after abdominal or laparoscopic myomectomies were collected using hospital discharges from 2004 to 2014 inclusively, and adjusted using multiple and binomial logistic regression in different models for age, obesity, chronic hypertension, and pregestational diabetes mellitus. Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. RESULT(S): Abdominal myomectomy were characterized by younger patients, lower rates of White chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, active smoking, illicit drug use, and higher rates of previous cesarean delivery, and multiple gestations when compared with laparoscopic myomectomy. Pregnant women with laparoscopic myomectomy had decreased rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension (adjusted risk ratios [aRR], 0.12; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.006-0.24]), gestational hypertension (aRR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.76), pre-eclampsia (aRR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.07-0.48), and pre-eclampsia or eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension (aRR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.005-0.3), gestational diabetes mellitus (aRR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06-0.34), preterm premature rupture of membranes (aRR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.96), preterm delivery (aRR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.23-0.55), and cesarean delivery (aRR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.007-0.01) and small for gestational age (aRR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.005-0.04), compared with abdominal myomectomy group. Laparoscopic myomectomy group had a higher rate of spontaneous (aRR, 35.57; 95% CI, 22.53-62.66), and operative vaginal delivery (aRR, 10.2; 95% CI, 8.3-12.56), uterine rupture (aRR, 6.1; 95% CI, 3.2-11.63), postpartum hemorrhage (aRR, 3.54; 95% CI, 2.62-4.8), hysterectomy (aRR, 7.74; 95% CI, 5.27-11.4), transfusion (aRR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.54-4.4), pulmonary embolism (aRR, 7.44; 95% CI, 2.44-22.71), disseminated intravascular coagulation (aRR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.47-5.21), maternal infection (aRR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5), death (aRR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.31-3.2), and intrauterine fetal death (aRR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.72-5.2) compared with the abdominal myomectomy group. CONCLUSION(S): Women who had a previous abdominal myomectomy have underlying risk factors for hypertension disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomies have higher risks of bleeding, uterine rupture, resultant complications, and death, and should be monitored as high-risk patients, like abdominal myomectomies.

The mode of delivery after operative fixation of pelvic ring fractures-a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether retained hardware after surgical treatment for a pelvic fracture prior to pregnancy affects the choice of delivery method. The study aims to provide insights into the rates of vaginal delivery and caesarean sections, understanding whether the mode of delivery was influenced by patient preference or the recommendations of obstetricians or surgeons, and examining the rate of complications during delivery and postpartum. METHODS: All women of childbearing age who underwent surgical fixation for a pelvic ring fracture between 1994 and 2021 were identified. A questionnaire was sent about their possible pregnancies and deliveries. Of the included patients, surgical data were collected and the fracture patterns were retrospectively classified. Follow-up was a minimum of 36 months. RESULTS: A total of 168 women with a pelvic fracture were identified, of whom 13 had a pregnancy after surgical stabilization. Eleven women had combined anterior and posterior fracture patterns and two had isolated sacral fractures. Four women underwent combined anterior and posterior fixation, the others either anterior or posterior fixation. Seven women had a total of 11 vaginal deliveries, and 6 women had 6 caesarean sections. The decision for vaginal delivery was often the wish of the mother (n = 4, 57%) while the decision to opt for caesarean section was made by the surgeon or obstetrician (n = 5, 83%). One woman in the vaginal delivery group suffered a postpartum complication possibly related to her retained pelvic hardware. CONCLUSION: Women with retained hardware after pelvic ring fixation can have successful vaginal deliveries. Complications during labor or postpartum are rare. The rate of primary caesarean sections is high (46%) and is probably influenced by physician bias. Future research should focus on tools that can predict labor outcomes in this specific population, and larger multicenter studies are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Causal effects of endometriosis stages and locations on menstruation, ovulation, reproductive function, and delivery modes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of women during their reproductive years. The relationship between the severity and location of endometriosis and menstruation, ovulation, reproductive function, and mode of delivery remains unclear. Methods: We explored the association between the various phenotypes of endometriosis and menstruation, ovulation, reproductive function, and mode of delivery, using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and summary data on endometriosis stages and locations from the FinnGen consortium and women's menstruation, ovulation, reproductive function, and mode of delivery from OpenGWAS and ReproGen. Inverse-variance weighting was used for the primary MR analysis. In addition, a series of sensitivity analyses, confounding analyses, co-localization analyses, and multivariate MR analyses were performed. Results: MR analysis showed a negative effect of moderate to severe endometriosis on age at last live birth (OR = 0.973, 95% CI: 0.960-0.986) and normal delivery (OR = 0.999, 95% CI: 0.998-1.000; values for endpoint were excluded), ovarian endometriosis on age at last live birth (OR = 0.976, 95% CI: 0.965-0.988) and normal delivery (OR = 0.999, 95% CI: 0.998-1.000; values for endpoint were excluded), and fallopian tubal endometriosis on excessive irregular menstruation (OR = 0.966, 95% CI: 0.942-0.990). Bidirectional MR analysis showed that age at menarche had a negative causal effect on intestinal endometriosis (OR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.216-0.804). All MR analyses were confirmed by sensitivity analyses, and only the genetic effects of moderate to severe endometriosis on normal delivery and age at last live birth were supported by co-localization evidence. Conclusion: Our findings deepen the understanding of the relationship between various types of endometriosis and menstruation, ovulation, reproductive function, and mode of delivery and clarify the important role of moderate to severe endometriosis.

Establishing a risk score for prediction of intrapartum cesarean delivery among older women: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors and to develop a risk prediction score for intrapartum cesarean delivery (CD) in women over 40 years old. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study, in a single university-affiliated tertiary medical center. All women aged 40 years or more who planned a trial of labor between 2012 and 2022. Women who opted for an elective CD and those with non-viable fetuses were excluded. Maternal and neonatal characteristics of women who delivered vaginally were compared to those who underwent an intrapartum CD. Risk factors were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis. A score was developed to predict the need for intrapartum CD. We assessed a receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate the performance of our model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: An unplanned intrapartum cesarean section. RESULTS: During the study period, 122,583 women delivered at our center, of whom 6122 (4.9 %) aged 40 years or more attempted a trial of labor. Of them, 428 (7 %) underwent intrapartum CD. Several independent risk factors were identified, including nulliparity, regional anesthesia, induction of labor, use of antibiotics during labor, multiple gestation, previous cesarean delivery, and the presence of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. A risk score model, employing a cut-off of 7, demonstrated successful prediction of intrapartum CD, with an area under the curve of 0.86. CONCLUSION: The score model for intrapartum CD can be used by caregivers to offer a more informed consultation to women aged 40 years or more deciding on the mode of delivery.

Prevalence of delivery mode in an Italian nationwide cohort with celiac disease: a SIGENP multicenter retrospective study (the CD-deliver-IT).

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated an association between cesarean section (CS), especially elective CS, and an increased risk of celiac disease (CD), but the conclusions of other studies are contradictory. The primary aim of this study (CD-deliver-IT) was to evaluate the rate of CS in a large population of CD patients throughout Italy.  METHODS: This national multicenter retrospective study was conducted between December 2020 and November 2021. The coordinating center was the Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit of Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza, University of Rome, Lazio, Italy. Eleven other referral centers for CD have participated to the study. Each center has collected data on mode of delivery and perinatal period of all CD patients referring to the center in the last 40 years. RESULTS: Out of 3,259 CD patients recruited in different Italian regions, data on the mode of delivery were obtained from 3,234. One thousand nine hundred forty-one (1,941) patients (60%) were born vaginally and 1,293 (40%) by CS (8.3% emergency CS, 30.1% planned CS, 1.5% undefined CS). A statistically significant difference was found comparing median age at time of CD diagnosis of patients who were born by emergency CS (4 years, CI 95% 3.40-4.59), planned CS (7 years, CI 95% 6.02-7.97) and vaginal delivery (6 years, CI 95% 5.62-6.37) (log rank p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Italian multicenter study aiming at evaluating the rate of CS in a large population of CD patients through Italy. The CS rate found in our CD patients is higher than rates reported in the general population over the last 40 years and emergency CS seems to be associated with an earlier onset of CD compared to vaginal delivery or elective CS in our large nationwide retrospective cohort. This suggests a potential role of the mode of delivery on the risk of developing CD and on its age of onset, but it is more likely that it works in concert with other perinatal factors. Further prospective studies on other perinatal factors potentially influencing gut microbiota are awaited in order to address heavy conflicting evidence reaming in this research field.

Obstetric outcomes of nulliparous women with pelvic pain undergoing fertility treatment.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there any association between pelvic pain and primary caesarean delivery for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment? DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of nulliparous patients with singleton pregnancies who underwent ART treatment and achieved a live birth between 2012 and 2020. Cases included patients diagnosed with pelvic pain. A 3:1 ratio propensity-score-matched population of patients without a history of pelvic pain was included as the control group. Comparative statistics were performed using chi-squared test and Student's t-test. A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between pelvic pain and mode of delivery. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four patients with pelvic pain were compared with 575 controls. Patients with pelvic pain reported a significantly longer duration of infertility compared with controls (18.98 ± 20.2 months versus 14.06 ± 14.06 months; P = 0.003). Patients with pelvic pain had a significantly higher rate of anxiety disorders (115 ± 21.9 versus 55 ± 31.6; P = 0.009) and use of anxiolytics at embryo transfer (17 ± 3.2 versus 12 ± 6.9; P = 0.03) compared with controls. In addition, patients with pelvic pain had a higher rate of primary caesarean delivery compared with controls (59.8% versus 49.0%; P = 0.01). After adjusting for multiple variables, a significant association was found between pelvic pain and increased odds of primary caesarean delivery (adjusted OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02-2.1). CONCLUSION: Patients with pelvic pain have significantly higher odds of primary caesarean delivery compared with patients without a history of pelvic pain. The infertility outpatient setting may be uniquely positioned to identify patients at risk for undergoing primary caesarean delivery, and could facilitate earlier intervention for pelvic floor physical therapy during the preconception and antepartum periods.

Modes of delivery and indications in women with COVID-19: a regional observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caesarean section (CS) has been the preferred deliver method for pregnant women with COVID-19 in order to limit the use of hospital beds and prevent morbidity among healthcare workers. METHODS: To evaluate delivery methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the rates of adverse events and healthcare worker morbidity associated with caesarean deliveries. METHODS: We investigated maternal and neonatal backgrounds, delivery methods, indications and complication rates among pregnant women with COVID-19 from December 2020 to August 2022 in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The predominant mutation period was classified as the pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron epoch. RESULTS: Of the 1291 pregnant women with COVID-19, 59 delivered; 23 had a vaginal delivery and 36 underwent CS. Thirteen underwent CS with no medical indications other than mild COVID-19, all during the Omicron epoch. Neonatal complications occurred significantly more often in CS than in vaginal delivery. COVID-19 in healthcare workers was not attributable to the delivery process. CONCLUSION: The number of CS with no medical indications and neonatal complications related to CS increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this study included centres that performed vaginal deliveries during COVID-19, there were no cases of COVID-19 in healthcare workers. It is possible that the number of CS and neonatal complications could have been reduced by establishing a system for vaginal delivery in pregnant women with recent-onset COVID-19, given that there were no cases of COVID-19 among the healthcare workers included in the study.

We evaluated the incidence of adverse events associated with caesarean section (CS) deliveries and the morbidity of health care workers, which increased during the coronavirus infection pandemic. Maternal and neonatal background, delivery methods, indications and complication rates of pregnant women with COVID-19 from December 2020 to August 2022 in Mie Prefecture were investigated by time of onset. Of the 1291 pregnant women with COVID-19, 59 delivered while affected; 23 underwent vaginal delivery and 36 CS. Of these, 13 who underwent CS in the omicron epoch had no medical indication other than mild COVID-19. Neonatal complications were significantly more common with CS than with vaginal delivery, and there was no occurrence of COVID-19 in healthcare workers. In this study, there were no cases of COVID-19 among health care workers; establishing a system to perform vaginal delivery for pregnant women with COVID-19 could have reduced the number of CS and neonatal complications.

The ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor predicts time to delivery and mode of birth in patients with suspected preeclampsia: a secondary analysis of the INSPIRE trial.

BACKGROUND: The ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor is a useful biomarker for preeclampsia. Since it is a measure of placental dysfunction, it could also be a predictor of clinical deterioration and fetal tolerance to intrapartum stress. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio predicts time to delivery. Secondary objectives were to examine associations between the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio and mode of birth, fetal distress, need for labor induction, and birthweight z score. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the INSPIRE trial, a randomized interventional study on prediction of preeclampsia/eclampsia in which women with suspected preeclampsia were recruited and their blood soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio was assessed. We stratified participants into 3 groups according to the ratio result: category 1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ≤38); category 2 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor >38 and <85); and category 3 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ≥85). We modeled time from soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor determination to delivery using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared the 3 ratio categories adjusting for gestational age at soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor determination and trial arm with Cox regression. The association between ratio category and mode of delivery, induction of labor, and fetal distress was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression adjusting for gestational age at sampling and trial arm. The association between birthweight z score and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio was evaluated using multiple linear regression. Subgroup analysis was conducted in women with no preeclampsia and spontaneous onset of labor; women with preeclampsia; and participants in the nonreveal arm. RESULTS: Higher ratio categories were associated with a shorter latency from soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor determination to delivery (37 vs 13 vs 10 days for ratios categories 1-3 respectively), hazards ratio for category 3 ratio of 5.64 (95% confidence interval 4.06-7.84, P<.001). A soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio ≥85 had specificity of 92.7% (95% confidence interval 89.0%-95.1%) and sensitivity of 54.72% (95% confidence interval, 41.3-69.5) for prediction of preeclampsia indicated delivery within 2 weeks. A ratio category 3 was also associated with decreased odds of spontaneous vaginal delivery (Odds ratio [OR] 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.89); an almost 6-fold increased risk of emergency cesarean section (OR 5.89, 95% confidence interval 3.05-11.21); and a 2-fold increased risk for intrapartum fetal distress requiring operative delivery or cesarean section (OR 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.53-6.05) when compared to patients with ratios ≤38. Higher ratio categories were also associated with higher odds of induction of labor when compared to ratios category 1 (category 2, OR 2.20, 95% confidence interval 1.02-4.76; category 3, OR 6.0, 95% confidence interval 2.01-17.93); and lower median birthweight z score. Within subgroups of women a) without preeclampsia and with spontaneous onset of labor and b) women with preeclampsia, the log ratio was significantly higher in patients requiring intervention for fetal distress or failure to progress compared to those who delivered vaginaly without intervention. In the subset of women with no preeclampsia and spontaneous onset of labor, those who required intervention for fetal distress or failure to progress had a significantly higher log ratio than those who delivered vaginaly without needing intervention. CONCLUSION: The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 to placental growth factor ratio might be helpful in risk stratification of patients who present with suspected preeclampsia regarding clinical deterioration, intrapartum fetal distress, and mode of birth (including the need for intervention in labor).

Cesarean delivery is associated with lower neonatal mortality among breech pregnancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preterm deliveries ≤32 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between actual and planned modes of delivery, neonatal mortality, and short-term outcomes among preterm pregnancies ≤32 weeks of gestation. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search was conducted in 3 main databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to November 16, 2022. The protocol was registered in advance in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022377870). STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Eligible studies examined pregnancies ≤32nd gestational week. All infants received active care, and the outcomes were reported separately by different modes of delivery. Singleton and twin pregnancies at vertex and breech presentations were included. Studies that included pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and abruptio placentae were excluded. Primary outcomes were neonatal mortality and intraventricular hemorrhage. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Articles were selected by title, abstract, and full text, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Random effects model-based odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions-I was used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 19 observational studies were included involving a total of 16,042 preterm infants in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Actual cesarean delivery improves survival (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.9) and decreases the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio, 0.70; confidence interval, 0.57-0.85) compared to vaginal delivery. Planned cesarean delivery does not improve the survival of very and extremely preterm infants compared to vaginal delivery (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-1.44). Subset analysis found significantly lower odds of death for singleton breech preterm deliveries born by both planned (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.98) and actual (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.88) cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Cesarean delivery should be the mode of delivery for preterm ≤32 weeks of gestation breech births due to the higher mortality in preterm infants born via vaginal delivery.

Preferences and factors determining preferences for mode of delivery among primigravida mothers.

Background: Childbirth is a beautiful life event, a unique personal experience for each woman. The study aimed to assess the preferences and factors determining preference for mode of delivery among primigravida mothers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was applied to explore the factors for preferring the mode of delivery among 250 antenatal mothers, selected by convenient sampling technique. A self-structured dichotomous questionnaire on preference and factors influencing preference for mode of delivery was used. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 software. Results: The majority of participants (98.4%) preferred vaginal delivery over elective cesarean section as a mode of delivery. The significant factor influencing preferences was speedy recovery after delivery (89.8%). However, significant factors for preferring the cesarean mode of delivery were the obstetrician's advice and the baby's safety (100%). Conclusion: The majority of women preferred a vaginal mode of delivery; they still undergo cesarean mode of delivery. Considering factors, there is a need to develop a positive attitude toward NVD and actions to create awareness toward a safe mode of delivery by building a mutual trust environment and increasing effective dissemination of correct and neutral delivery option advice.

The impact of gestational diabetes on functional capacity of the infant gut microbiome is modest and transient.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic complication that manifests as hyperglycemia during the later stages of pregnancy. In high resource settings, careful management of GDM limits risk to the pregnancy, and hyperglycemia typically resolves after birth. At the same time, previous studies have revealed that the gut microbiome of infants born to mothers who experienced GDM exhibit reduced diversity and reduction in the abundance of several key taxa, including Lactobacillus. What is not known is what the functional consequences of these changes might be. In this case control study, we applied 16S rRNA sequence surveys and metatranscriptomics to profile the gut microbiome of 30 twelve-month-old infants - 16 from mothers with GDM, 14 from mothers without - to examine the impact of GDM during pregnancy. Relative to the mode of delivery and sex of the infant, maternal GDM status had a limited impact on the structure and function of the developing microbiome. While GDM samples were associated with a decrease in alpha diversity, we observed no effect on beta diversity and no differentially abundant taxa. Further, while the mode of delivery and sex of infant affected the expression of multiple bacterial pathways, much of the impact of GDM status on the function of the infant microbiome appears to be lost by twelve months of age. These data may indicate that, while mode of delivery appears to impact function and diversity for longer than anticipated, GDM may not have persistent effects on the function nor composition of the infant gut microbiome.

Influence of pregnancy and mode of delivery on pelvic floor function: a review of literature.

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI), severely affect women's quality of life. Among these, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common, impacting a significant proportion of women. In the US, the lifetime risk of undergoing surgery for UI or POP stands at 20%. Pregnancy-related factors, notably delivery method and UI occurrence during pregnancy, have a potent correlation with PFD onset. The pathophysiology of PFDs during pregnancy is complex, with factors like increased intra-abdominal pressure, changes in bladder neck mobility, and shifts in pelvic floor muscle strength and collagen metabolism playing pivotal roles. PFD risk factors span across pregnancy, labor, and the postnatal phase and include UI or fecal incontinence (FI) during pregnancy, advanced maternal age, elevated BMI, multiple births, instrumental and spontaneous vaginal deliveries, and newborns weighing over 4000 grams. Conversely, Cesarean deliveries are linked with a reduced long-term risk of UI and POP compared to vaginal births. Current prognostic models can predict the likelihood of PFD development based on variables such as delivery method, number of births, and familial history. Preventive measures encompass lifestyle changes like caffeine reduction and weight management, alongside pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during pregnancy. Thus, expectant mothers are advised to participate in physical activities, prominently including PFMT.

Effect of mode of delivery on postpartum weight retention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Retention of weight gained over pregnancy increases the risk of long-term obesity and related health concerns. While many risk factors for this postpartum weight retention have been examined, the role of mode of delivery in this relationship remains controversial. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum weight retention. METHODS: Ten electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-Fang database, the VIP database and China Biology Medicine Database (CBM) were searched from inception through November 2022. Review Manager 5.4 was used to pool the study data and calculate effect sizes. For dichotomous data, the odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval were used to report the results. For continuous data, the mean difference (MD) and 95 % confidence interval were used to report the results. The outcomes were the amount of postpartum weight retention and the number or proportion of women who experienced postpartum weight retention. The Newcastle- Ottawa Scale (NOS) and GRADE Guidelines were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. FINDINGS: A total of 16 articles were included in the systematic review and 13 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the mode of delivery had a significant effect on postpartum weight retention, women who delivered by caesarean section were more likely to experience postpartum weight retention compared to those who delivered vaginally. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable and credible. CONCLUSION: Due to the limitations of this study, the findings need to be treated with caution. And, to better prevent the postpartum weight retention, future practice and research need to further focus on upstream modifiable factors.