Intrapartum versus postpartum insertion of intrauterine device in women delivering by cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: The intrauterine device (IUD), being a reversible and effective contraception method, is the most widely used worldwide. This study aims to demonstrate the efficacy of IUD insertion during elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) versus its insertion six weeks postpartum. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted on 200 women planned for elective cesarean delivery and desired IUD as a contraceptive method. They were allocated into two groups; group I, in which IUD was inserted during LSCS, and group II, in which IUD was inserted six weeks or more after LSCS. Both groups were compared regarding failed insertion, post-insertion pain, and uterine perforation. They were followed for one year for the incidence of menorrhagia, vaginal infection, IUD displacement/expulsion, missed threads, or unintended pregnancy. RESULTS: Women in the second group showed a significantly higher incidence of failed insertion and uterine perforation than women in the first group. On the contrary, women in the first group showed a significantly higher incidence of missed threads than women in the second group. Regarding other consequences, there were no significant differences between both groups concerning menorrhagia, vaginal infection, IUD displacement/expulsion, or unintended pregnancy. CONCLUSION: IUD insertion during elective LSCS showed a significantly lower incidence of failed insertion and uterine perforation than its insertion six weeks postoperative.

Effect of maternal BMI on labor outcomes in primigravida pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to detect the effects of increased BMI on labor outcomes in primigravida pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involved 600 full-term singleton primigravida pregnant women who presented in the active phase of labor to the labor ward. They were divided according to BMI into three equals groups; women with normal BMI (group I), overweight women (group II), and women with class I obesity (group III). RESULTS: We found that high BMI was associated with a significantly increased risk of Caesarean section (C.S.) (13% in group I, 18% in group II and 40% in group III). Women with higher BMI and delivered vaginally had a significantly prolonged first and second stage of labor, consequently increased the need for oxytocin augmentation as well as the oxytocin dose. Regarding the maternal and fetal outcomes, there are significantly increased risks of postpartum sepsis, perineal tears, wound infection, as well as significantly increased birth weight and longer neonatal stay in the neonatal unit (NNU). CONCLUSION: Obese primigravida pregnant women were at higher risk of suboptimal outcomes. Besides, prolonged first and second stages of labor and the incidence of C.S. have also been increased.

The role of levonorgestrel intra-uterine system in the management of adenomyosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

INTRODUCTION: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a long-acting hormone-releasing uterine device that has many non-contraceptive benefits. The study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of LNG-IUS in the management of adenomyosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE and Google Scholar for the relevant studies which used LNG-IUS in management of patients with clinically or ultrasonographic diagnosed adenomyosis.The main outcome measures are pain score at the end of follow-up, bleeding, symptomatic relief, uterine volume (mL), endometrial thickness (mm) and/or hemoglobin level. RESULTS: Ten prospective studies (patients n = 551) were included. The overall effect estimates showed that the LNG-IUS led to significant reductions in pain score after 12 months (standardized mean difference [SMD[ -3.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] -5.51 to -2.23, P < .001), 24 months (SMD -5.56, 95% CI -9.80 to -1.32, P = .01) and 36 months of insertion (SMD -3.81, 95% CI -4.27 to -3.36, P < .001). Similarly, the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC) showed significant reduction up to 36 months after LNG-IUS insertion (SMD -2.32, 95% CI -2.91 to -1.73, P < .001). The LNG-IUS led to significant reductions in the uterine volume 12 months (SMD -.60, 95% CI -0.88 to -.31, P < .001) and 36 months after insertion (SMD -0.42, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.14, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: LNG-IUS is a promising and effective option for the management of adenomyosis. Its use effectively reduced the severity of symptoms, uterine volume and endometrial thickness, and improved laboratory outcomes.

The Effect of Antenatal Vaginal Progesterone Administration on Uterine, Umbilical, and Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler Flow: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal progesterone (P) administration during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on Doppler velocimetry of uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral vessels. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study conducted on 80 women at risk for preterm labor. Uterine artery, umbilical artery, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler indices were measured before and after 1 week of administration of 200 mg twice daily vaginal P. The primary outcome parameter was the change of MCA pulsatility index (PI) after P administration. Secondary outcomes included changes in uterine artery and umbilical artery Doppler measurement. RESULTS: There was no significant changes of umbilical artery resistance index (RI) (0.69 ± 0.049 vs. 0.68 ± 0.041), umbilical artery PI (1.14 ± 0.118 vs. 1.11 ± 0.116), uterine artery RI (0.66 ± 0.12 vs. 0.66 ± 0.107), uterine artery PI (1.00 ± 0.26 vs. 1.016 ± 0.24), and MCA PI (1.27 ± 0.18 vs. 1.26 ± 0.23) measurements before and after 1 week of P administration, respectively. CONCLUSION: Administration of vaginal P has no significant effects on uterine artery, umbilical artery, and MCA Doppler indices.

Role of first-trimester three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler of placental blood flow and 3D placental volume in early prediction of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of first-trimester three-dimensional (3D) placental volume as well as 3D power Doppler of placental vascular indices for early prediction of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: The prospective cohort study included over 2019 women with a singleton pregnancy in their first trimester at 11-13+ weeks of pregnancy. All women were examined by 3D abdominal ultrasound, including Doppler techniques for the placental volume and placental vascular indices. Uterine artery Doppler indices were also assessed. All participants were cared for until delivery for assessment of pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: In all, 163 women developed pre-eclampsia while 1856 women remained normotensive. The women with pre-eclampsia had significantly lower placental volume (77.09 ml vs. 99.8 ml, p < 0.001), and placental vascular indices (vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization flow index were 7.41 vs. 9.89, 39.03 vs. 46.63, and 2.77 vs. 4.4, respectively, p < 0.001). In contrast, women with pre-eclampsia had significantly high mean uterine pulsatility index and resistance index (2.02 vs. 1.11, 0.83 vs. 0.64, respectively, p < 0.001) compared with the normotensive women. The placental vascular indices were highly sensitive, whereas the placental volume and the mean uterine pulsatility index and resistance index had higher specificity for the prediction of pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: First-trimester assessment through 3D placental volume and power Doppler of placental vascular indices, especially in combination with uterine artery Doppler assessment, revealed an increase in the accuracy of early detection of women at risk for developing pre-eclampsia.

The value of amniopatch in pregnancies associated with spontaneous preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of amniopatch in pregnancies associated with spontaneous preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM).Methods: A randomized controlled trial that involved 100 women diagnosed with PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age. Participants were randomized equally into two groups. Group I in which amniopatch was done in addition to the routine management. Group II was treated with routine management including antibiotics and corticosteroids.Results: Amniopatch was successful in complete sealing of the membrane defect in 6/50 (12%) of women while none the control group have undergone similar sealing (p = .0144, RR = 0.88). Women in the amniopatch group showed a significant increase of AFI compared to controls (12 versus 0, p = .0001, RR = 0.56).Conclusion: The amniopatch procedure is a successful technique that safely enhances sealing of fetal membranes and restore the AFI.Clinical trial registration: NCT03473210SynopsisThe amniopatch procedure is a successful technique that could be done safely to enhance sealing the fetal membranes and restoring the AFI after PPROM.

Role of 3-D Transvaginal Ultrasonography in Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization/Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

Both 2-D and 3-D transvaginal ultrasonography are effective imaging modalities for assessment of ovarian reserve. Our aim was to compare both modalities in assessment of ovarian reserve of women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Fifty women were scheduled according to their menstrual cycle to be examined by both 2-D and 3-D transvaginal ultrasonography. We found that the average time for computerized analysis of the 3-D ultrasound data was significantly shorter than that for analysis of the 2-D ultrasound data, for both total antral follicle count and ovarian volume. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the methods in total antral follicle count and ovarian volume. We conclude that, where available, 3-D ultrasonography can be used for assessment of ovarian reserve in addition to the biochemical marker, particularly in overcrowded in vitro fertilization centers that need to save time.

Urinary tract injuries during cesarean section in patients with morbid placental adherence: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cases of lower urinary tract injuries during cesarean section with or without hysterectomy in cases with morbid placental adherence. METHODS: This record based retrospective study was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital in Cairo, Egypt during the period between January 2014 and December 2016. It included all patients who had urinary tract injuries during cesarean section with or without hysterectomy in the cases with morbid placental adherence and they were collected from files of pregnant women who were admitted at hospital planned for termination of pregnancy. Patients were enrolled in four groups, Group 1: cases without urinary tract injuries. Group 2: cases with injuries to the bladder. Group 3: cases with injuries of the ureter. Group 4: cases with injuries to the bladder and ureter. RESULTS: This study gave us new information about the incidence of urinary tract injuries during cesarean section with morbid adherence placenta was 21.7% (Bladder 11.7%, Ureter 4.7%, and bladder with ureter 5.3%). There were various types of repair of urinary tract injury, as the following, bladder repair 10.8%, ureteric catheterization 0.9%, ureterovesical repair or reimplantation 1.5%, bladder repair and ureterovesical 1.2%, bladder repair and ureteric catheterization 2.3%, ureteric catheterization and ureterovesical 1.5 and 6.4% of cases needed urologic consultations. There is a real relation between urinary tract injury and obesity (55.3%). Bladder invasion was found in only 26.9% of all cases according to sonography findings. Most of the cases were delivered by cesarean section in 67.5%, and the remainders were delivered by cesarean hysterectomy 32.5%. About 96.5% of cases needed a blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The morbid adherent placenta is still a challenge, which faces us as obstetricians, due to high morbidity and mortality. A multidisciplinary team is mandatory to avoid complications.

Prognostic accuracy of cerebroplacental ratio for adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with severe pre-eclampsia; a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to assess the efficacy of fetal middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio (cerebroplacental ratio CPR) in predicting the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with severe pre-eclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study included 100 pregnant women between 34 and 40 weeks of gestation attended the labor ward and diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia. Doppler evaluation was carried out to measure the CPR. Apgar score and fetal umbilical artery pH were assessed within 5 min of delivery. The rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was obtained. RESULTS: Apgar score at 5 min >7 was in 82 cases (82%) and 12 cases (12%) scored < 7. Fetal blood PH was >7.2 in 67% of cases while 33% of cases had PH <7.2. As regard the NICU admission; 66% of neonates did not need admission while 34% of neonates were admitted to the NICU. There was a significant association between CPR and low Apgar score at 5 min (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of CPR in detection of Apgar score <7 was 50%, and specificity 88.1%. CPR had a poor predictive value of the low umbilical artery PH <7.2 (P = 0.318) with 43.75% sensitivity and 69.05% specificity. There was a significant association between CPR and NICU admission (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Adding CPR ratio to routine antepartum fetal surveillance from 34 weeks gestation may help with patient counseling regarding adverse neonatal outcomes for women with severe pre-eclampsia as there is a strong correlation between it and adverse neonatal outcomes.