Offering women a choice in induction of labour: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate women's choice in the method of labour induction between oral misoprostol, PGE2 pessary and the Foley catheter. To compare women's satisfaction according to their choice and to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction. METHODS: We conducted a comparative, prospective cohort study of 520 women who chose their preferred method for labour induction, in a French tertiary hospital, from July 2019 to October 2020. Before and after the delivery, they were asked to argue their choice and to evaluate their satisfaction through the use of questionnaires. The primary outcome was global level of satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 520 women included, 67.5% of women chose oral misoprostol compared to 21% PGE2 pessary and 11.5% Foley catheter. Regarding global satisfaction, we found no significant difference between the three groups: 78.4%, 68.8% and 71.2% (p = 0.107) for, respectively, oral misoprostol, PGE2 pessary and Foley catheter. Factors that seem to improve women's satisfaction were nulliparity (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI [1.19-3.53]), delivery within 24 h after the start of induction (aOR = 3.46, 95% CI [2.02-6.14]) and adequate information (aOR = 4.21, 95% CI [1.869.64]). Factors associated with lower satisfaction rates were postpartum haemorrhage (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.30-0.88]) and caesarean section (aOR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.17-0.54]). CONCLUSION: Women satisfaction rates were not different between the three methods, when chosen by the patients themselves. These finding should encourage caregivers to promote shared decision making when possible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol was approved by the French ethics committee for research in obstetrics and gynaecology (CEROG, reference number 2019-OBS-0602) on 1st June 2019.

[Factors associated with cesarean delivery of the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin: A case-control study]. / Facteurs de risque de césarienne sur deuxième jumeau après accouchement voie basse du premier jumeau : étude cas-témoins.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for cesarean section of the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin. METHODS: Case-control study conducted between 2004 and 2018 in a tertiary center, CHU Toulouse. Cases were women with twin pregnancy who had vaginal delivery of the first twin and emergency cesarean of the second twin. Controls were women with twin pregnancy who delivered both twins vaginally. Deliveries before 24 weeks of gestation, birth weight of less than 500 grams, fetal death in utero, terminations of pregnancy and delayed delivery were excluded. The association between potential risk factors and cesarean delivery of the second twin was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients who had vaginal delivery of the first twin and emergency cesarean of the second twin and 48 patients who delivered both twins vaginally were included. Neonatal morbidity was increased in the group of women who had an emergency cesarean of the second twin. In multivariable analysis, overweight (OR=10.5 [95% CI: 1.78-62.03] for women with body mass index above 25 compared to women with body mass index below 25), weight gain during pregnancy (OR=1.27 [95% CI: 1.01-1.48] for each kilogram) and preterm labor (OR=4,43 [IC 95%:1,10-17,80]) were associated with significantly increased risk of cesarean section of the second twin. CONCLUSION: Overweight and weight gain during pregnancy are associated with increased risk for cesarean section of the second twin.

Glucose Abnormalities and Inappropriate Weight Gain Predict Negative Pregnancy Outcomes After Gastric Bypass Surgery.

PURPOSE: Pregnancy after gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery remains at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus, prematurity, and small for gestational age infants (SGA). Our objective was to describe the interstitial glucose (IG) profiles and weight changes during such pregnancies, and the association of these factors with adverse pregnancy outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty two pregnancies were analyzed in a monocentric retrospective study. IG profiles were evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring for 4 days. Maternal (hypertension, hospitalizations, and caesarean section) and neonatal outcomes (prematurity, weight for gestational age, hospitalizations, and malformations) were recorded. A logistic stepwise regression model assessed the influence of weight gain and impaired IG on pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred 33 (SD 21 months) after surgery. 73% of the women had IG abnormalities (55% with an increased % of time >140 mg/dl and 69% with an increased % of time <60 mg/dl). Five (4%) children were large for gestational age (LGA), 24 (20%) were SGA and 16 (13%) were born prematurely. There were 3 malformations but no stillbirth. LGA was associated with a high % of time >140 mg/dl and an excessive maternal weight gain. Prematurity was associated with a high % of time <60 mg/dl and an insufficient maternal weight gain. In the multivariate analysis, inappropriate weight gain explained LGA and prematurity independently. SGA was associated with a shorter % of time <60 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: The relationship between IG abnormalities and/or maternal weight gain and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies after RYGB, suggests a careful monitoring of these parameters.

[Preventive staff meetings in maternity ward for women at high medico-psycho-social risk: Qualitative study between 2012 and 2018]. / Réunions pluridisciplinaires en maternité pour les femmes à haut risque médico-psycho-social : étude qualitative entre 2012­2018.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary consultation meeting created in collaboration between a perinatal psychiatry team and professionals from a level 3 maternity hospital, whose purpose is to prepare the delivery and postpartum of pregnant women at high medico-psycho-social risk. I) Study the functioning of these multidisciplinary meetings. II) Assess the concordance between the decisions made in antenatal care and the actual management of the delivery and postpartum care. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 140 files for which the opinion of the multidisciplinary meeting was requested in the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. We looked at the psychiatric files of the patients, as well as the summary sheets written after staff meetings. RESULTS: The selection of files is compliant in 98% of cases and the traceability of information in the summary sheet is over 80% for half of the process indicators. The overall compliance rate between the decisions taken at meetings and their implementation in the post-partum period is 68%. Acute psychiatric episode and reporting could be anticipated. CONCLUSION: This multidisciplinary consultation meeting is efficient in the early detection of risk situations. The decisions taken during the multidisciplinary meetings in antenatal care are mostly applied postpartum in the Maternity Ward. In cases where they are not applied, the system offers great reactivity to postpartum professionals.

[Breech Presentation: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Labour and Induction]. / Présentation du siège. Recommandations pour la pratique clinique du CNGOF ­ Accouchement.

OBJECTIVES: To issue guidelines on management of labour induction and breech vaginal delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bibliographic search restricted to French and English languages using Medline database®, Cochrane Library and international guidelines of medical societies. RESULTS: Breech delivery must take place in a maternity ward, in the presence of an obstetrician and gynaecologist and with the immediate availability of an anesthesiologist and a pediatrician during active second stage (Professional consensus). Term breech is not a contraindication to labour induction when the criteria for acceptance of vaginal delivery are met (Grade C). In this case, oxytocin or prostaglandins can be used (Grade C). Epidural analgesia with low concentrations of local anesthetics should be encouraged in case of vaginal delivery attempt (Professional consensus). It is recommended to use continuous monitoring of the CTG (Professional consensus). The use of second-line fetal monitoring is not recommended (Professional consensus). The administration of oxytocin is possible for labour augmentation (Professional consensus). It is better to start the expulsive efforts when the presentation is engaged as low as possible in the pelvic excavation (Professional consensus). Breech presentation is not an indication of episiotomy (Professional consensus). Due to insufficient data, it was not possible to make recommendations on specificities of preterm breech delivery. CONCLUSION: In case of planned vaginal delivery, labour induction is possible for term breech fetuses, even with unfarable cervix. Guidelines for labour and vaginal delivery management have a low level of evidence.

[Breech Presentation: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Short Text]. / Présentation du siège. Recommandations pour la pratique clinique du CNGOF ­ Texte court.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimal management of singleton breech presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed database, the Cochrane Library and the recommendations from the French and foreign obstetrical societies or colleges have been consulted. RESULTS: In France, 5% of women have breech deliveries (Level of Evidence [LE3]). One third of them have a planned vaginal delivery (LE3) of whom 70% deliver vaginally (LE3). External cephalic version (ECV) is associated with a reduced rate of breech presentation at birth (LE2), and with a lower rate of cesarean section (LE3) without increases in severe maternal (LE3) and perinatal morbidity (LE3). It is therefore recommended to inform women with a breech presentation at term that ECV could be attempted from 36 weeks of gestation (Professional consensus). In case of breech presentation, planned vaginal compared with planned cesarean delivery might be associated with an increased risk of composite perinatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity (LE2). No difference has been found between planned vaginal and planned cesarean delivery for neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years (LE2), cognitive and psychomotor outcomes between 5 and 8 years (LE3), and adult intellectual performances (LE4). Short and long term maternal complications appear similar in case of planned vaginal compared with planned cesarean delivery in the absence of subsequent pregnancies. A previous cesarean delivery results for subsequent pregnancies in higher risks of uterine rupture, placenta accreta spectrum and hysterectomy (LE2). It is recommended to offer women who wish a planned vaginal delivery a pelvimetry at term (Grade C) and to check the absence of hyperextension of the fetal head by ultrasonography (Professional consensus) to plan their mode of delivery. Complete breech presentation, previous cesarean, nulliparity, term prelabor rupture of membranes do not contraindicate planned vaginal delivery (Professionnal consensus). Term breech presentation is not a contraindication to labor induction when the criteria for acceptance of vaginal delivery are met (Grade C). CONCLUSION: In case of breech presentation at term, the risks of severe morbidity for the child and the mother are low after both planned vaginal and planned cesarean delivery. For the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF), planned vaginal delivery is a reasonable option in most cases (Professional consensus). The choice of the planned route of delivery should be shared by the woman and her caregiver, respecting the right to woman's autonomy.

[Evolution of clinical practices in the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse in a "vaginalist" team over the period 2010-2015: A paradigm shift towards pluripotency]. / Évolution des pratiques dans la chirurgie du prolapsus au sein d'une école vaginaliste sur la période 2010­2015.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the 2011 FDA alert and French Guidelines have impacted the routine surgical practice in the management of pelvic organ prolapse in a "vaginalist" team over the period 2010-2015. METHODS: Retrospective study involving all patients undergoing surgical management of anterior and/or apical symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse during the civil years 2010 and 2015. Both naive and relapsed prolapses were eligible. RESULTS: Overall, 338 patients were included: 187 in 2010 and 151 in 2015. Among patients with naive prolapse, we observed a significant increase in the number of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies (11.1% in 2010 versus 34.4% in 2015, P=0.001) and a significant decline in the use of native tissue repair (67.6% in 2010 versus 39% in 2015, P=0.001). While the number of transvaginal meshes did not decline over the study period, their indications displayed a significant evolution towards a restricted use to advanced stages. We did not observe any difference regarding the treatment of recurred pelvic organ prolapse. Vaginal route remained the preferred approach in this indication. CONCLUSION: In our "vaginalist" team, routine practice has significantly evolved over the period 2010-2015, resulting in a diversification of the healthcare offer. This paradigm shift towards pluripotency is mandatory, since patients' preference should also drive the choice of both surgical route and technique.

[Paraplegia and pregnancy]. / Paraplégie et grossesse : à propos d'une série rétrospective continue sur 11 années au CHU de Toulouse.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of the management of pregnancy and child birth in women with spinal cord injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including paraplegics patients with motor deficit (whatever the etiology) who gave birth at the University Hospital of Toulouse between March 2003 and March 2014 (11 years). Monitoring and outcome of pregnancy were studied. RESULTS: Seventeen deliveries (15 patients) were performed on a total of 46,888 in the studied period (prevalence=0.4‰). All patients had urinary tract infections: lower urinary tract (100%), recurrent cystitis (75%), pyelonephritis (31.3%). One patient (6.3%) presented dysautonomia during pregnancy. The cesarean rate was 47% (the indication was in any case an obstetrical reason). Among vaginal deliveries, four (44%) required an instrumental extraction. Epidural analgesia was the method of choice in the absence of contraindication. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy associated with spinal cord injury requires a multidisciplinary approach. Autonomic hyperreflexia syndrome must be known and can be avoided by epidural analgesia in early labor. Vaginal delivery should be the rule.

[Oxidative stress and preeclampsia: A review]. / Implication du stress oxydant dans la physiopathologie de la pré-éclampsie: mise au point.

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of pregnancy complications and affects 3-7% of pregnant women. Pathophysiology of preeclampsia is still unclear. According to the two-stage model of preeclampsia, the abnormal and hypoperfused placenta (stage 1) releases factors to the bloodstream, which are responsible for the maternal symptoms (stage 2), characterised by a systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the preeclampsia and could be the common denominator between the two. This review summarizes the current knowledge of a new potential etiology of the disease, with a special focus on oxidative stress. We also review the different factors that have been proposed to cause endothelial cell dysfunction in preeclampsia, and trials investigating the role of antioxidant supplementation in preeclampsia.

[Use of calcium channel blockers (CCB) for tocolysis in France and abroad]. / Utilisation des inhibiteurs des canaux calciques (ICC) en tocolyse en France et à l'étranger.

OBJECTIVES: Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are routinely off-label used for tocolysis. The purpose of this study is to establish an inventory of the use of CCB for tocolysis in France and abroad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four complementary approaches were performed: (i) a literature review of clinical practice and guidelines of scientific societies; (ii) a national declarative practice survey among French tertiary care centers; (iii) a regional declarative practice survey among all maternities of the Midi-Pyrénées Perinatal Network (MATERMIP); (iv) an evaluation of outpatient tocolysis prescription, analyzing the departmental database EFEMERIS in order to examine drug prescribing during pregnancy. RESULTS: CCB appear to be currently used as first-line, initial tocolysis, in the majority of French maternity hospitals (82.5% of tertiary care centers). Oral Nifedipine is the predominant regimen (86%). CCB utilization rates appear higher than those reported in 2005 in the EVAPRIMA study. Beta-agonists appear rarely prescribed in 1st line (poor maternal tolerance) and even abandoned by many institutions (75% of tertiary care centers). Using a maintenance tocolysis (usually by long-acting CCB) seems to vary depending on the hospitals. It would be prescribed in more than 50% of cases (and probably more in type 1 or 2 hospitals), despite the lack of demonstrated benefit. Furthermore, we can estimate that about 1.5 to 2% of outpatient pregnant women receive a prescription of Nifedipine LP in France. CONCLUSION: CCB (especially Nifedipine) are widely used in the treatment of threatened preterm labor in France, regardless of the type of hospital. The terms of off-label prescribing are not met.

[Pemphigoid gestationis and Turner syndrome; an uncommon association]. / Pemphigoïde de la grossesse et syndrome de Turner ; une association inhabituelle.

The authors report an uncommon case of a pregnant woman with Turner syndrome (TS) whose pregnancy (with favorable outcome) was complicated by a pemphigoid gestationis in third trimester. This case points out that monitoring of these pregnancies is not limited to cardiac monitoring. Prevalence of auto-immune diseases is increased in the TS. Auto-immune dermatoses, such as pemphigoid gestationis, are one of the potential complications during pregnancy and should be known to practitioners.

[Induction of labor in twin pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies; risk factors for failure]. / Déclenchement du travail des grossesses gémellaires: comparaison avec les grossesses monofœtales et facteurs associés au risque d'échec.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modalities of induction of labour in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies and to identify risk factors for failure. MATERIALS ET METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was conducted at the Toulouse University Hospital to compare a cohort of diamniotic twin gestations (Twin A in vertex presentation), with induction of labour ≥36 weeks of gestation, between January 2007 and December 2012, to a singleton's cohort that were induced ≥36 weeks of gestation during the 2007 year. One singleton pregnancy was matched for each twin pregnancy with parity and gestational age. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six twins pregnancies met the inclusion criteria for an induction of labor and were compared to 156 single pregnancies. The same and standard protocol of induction of labor was used for the two cohorts (intrauterine balloon catheter±dinoprostone/ocytocine). The cesarean section rate for failed labor induction (cesarean in latent phase) was similar in the 2 populations (14.7% for twin vs 13.5% for single; P=0.66). The factors associated to failed induction of labor in the total population were nulliparity (OR=1.49) and Bishop score<6 at the beginning of the induction (OR=2.83). CONCLUSION: Twin did not appear as risk of failed induction. The protocol for induction of labor in singletons may be safely proposed to twin gestations.

[Previa uterine leiomyoma: a rare case of bowel obstruction during pregnancy]. / Fibrome prævia : une cause rare d'occlusion intestinale aiguë en cours de grossesse.

We report the case of a massive posterior leiomyoma leading to a bowel acute obstruction and an obstructive renal failure in a 33 years old primigest woman during pregnancy. The patient underwent a urinal and an intestinal derivation during de second trimester of pregnancy as a conservative management. End of pregnancy was uneventful and she gave birth to an healthy boy (2345g) at term, by cesarean section for praevia leiomyoma. The myoma was removed 6 weeks after delivery with restoration of digestive continuity in the same time. This case report shows the morbidity of 10cm and larger leiomyoma during pregnancy.

[Obstetric and anesthetic specificities in the management of a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) associated with cesarean section]. / Spécificités obstétricales et anesthésiques de la prise en charge d'une hémorragie du post-partum (HPP) associée à la césarienne.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) associated with cesarean section (CS), the modalities diagnosis and specific obstetric and anesthetic management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bibliographic search restricted to French and English languages using Medline database(®) and international guidelines of medical societies. RESULTS: Primary PPH associated with CS (incidence 3-15%) is defined as vaginal bleeding ≥500mL within 24hours after surgery. Severe PPH is defined by bleeding ≥1000mL (professional consensus). The intervention threshold to initiate an active management depends on the flow rate of bleeding, the etiology and the clinical context. It can be higher than 500mL after cesarean (professional consensus). The main risk factor for bleeding is the realization of an emergency CS during labor (EL 3). In the case of persistent or severe intraoperative PPH due to uterine atony, conservative surgical procedures should be initiated in association with maternal resuscitation and second-line uterotonic therapy (sulprostone) (professional consensus). If general anesthesia is required, it is recommended to opt for a maintenance treatment limiting sevoflurane or desflurane in case of uterine atony (professional consensus). Severe bleeding during or after cesarean is a thrombotic risk factor and requires antithrombotic prophylaxis with heparin (the duration of treatment may vary depending on the associated risk factors) after normalization of coagulation (professional consensus). Postoperative hemoperitoneum (ultrasound) or suspected vascular wound require urgent laparotomy under general anesthesia (professional consensus). Otherwise, an uterotonic therapy (oxytocin or sulprostone depending on the severity) should be initiated. Balloon intrauterine tamponade or embolization may be discussed in the absence of hemodynamic instability (professional consensus). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of PPH associated with cesarean delivery requires close collaboration between obstetrician and anesthesiologist to ensure a rapid and coordinated management (professional consensus).

Specific infiltration pattern of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in chronic histiocytic intervillositis of unknown etiology.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic histiocytic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE) is a rare placental lesion characterized by an intervillous mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate of maternal origin. Although the mechanism and origin of these lesions are currently not understood, they appear to be related to an immune conflict between mother and fetus cells. AIM: To clarify the inflammatory cell profile and evaluate the T regulatory lymphocyte (Treg) status in CIUE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of CIUE that occurred over an 8-year period were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The inflammatory profile of CIUE was characterized by a clearly predominant component of histiocytic cells (80% ± 6.9) associated with some T cells (24% ± 5.7). The ratio of CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells was close to 1. This profile differs from infectious disease and chronic histiocytic villitis, the main differential diagnoses of CIUE. As for normal pregnancies most regulatory T cells were localized in the decidua basalis. Nevertheless, their appearance was also noted in the intervillous space. In both the intervillous space and the deciduas the number of Tregs gradually increased from grade 1 to 3. CONCLUSION: We found that CIUE is associated with an increase in Treg lymphocytes in the decidua basalis and the intervillous space. Contrary to previously published data on human miscarriage, this result appears to be specific to CIUE and would support the hypothesis of an immunopathological disorder for CIUE.

[Analysis of the evitability of intrapartum asphyxia with a peers review]. / Analyse de l'évitabilité de l'asphyxie per-partum par une revue de pairs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of intrapartum care in birth asphyxia cases. METHODS: Prospective analysis of all cases of birth asphyxia in nine maternity units during one year (2010). Birth asphyxia was defined as the combination of at least one clinical factor (Apgar≤7 at 5 minutes, signs of encephalopathy at birth) and at least one biological factor in cord (pH≤7, BD≥12 mmol/L, lactates>10 mmol/L). These cases were analyzed with a peer review from French guidelines 2007. RESULTS: Fifty cases of birth asphyxia were identified. After peer-review, they were defined as 46% non preventable, 27% possibly preventable, 24% definitely preventable and 3% not established. The main causes have been described as (i) misinterpretation of CTG during the first and second stages of labour, (ii) delayed response time to CTG anomalies and (iii) prolonged second stage. CONCLUSION: In half of the cases of birth asphyxia, this dreaded event was considered as preventable by a group of peers.