Time from insertion to expulsion of cervical ripening balloon in preterm versus term inductions of labor.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm induction of labor can be necessary for maternal and fetal wellbeing. Duration of cervical ripening balloon (CRB) use has been studied in only term inductions. Our study investigated duration of time in hours for CRB expulsion and vaginal delivery in preterm inductions of labor. METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of preterm (< 37 weeks) and term (≥ 37 weeks) inductions with CRB between 2010 and 2021. Cesarean deliveries were excluded. Primary outcome was insertion to expulsion time of CRB. Secondary outcomes included induction to delivery time, cervical dilation after expulsion, misoprostol, and Pitocin use. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was obtained prior to the study. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with vaginal delivery after preterm CRB use were identified and matched 1:1 on baseline characteristics (p > 0.05) to term patients with vaginal delivery after CRB use. Mean insertion to expulsion time was significantly shorter for term than preterm inductions (mean 7.2 ± 3.09 h versus 8.5 ± 3.38 h; p < 0.01). Mean induction to delivery time was significantly shorter for term than preterm inductions (18.4 ± 7.6 h versus 22.5 ± 9.01 h; p < 0.01). Increased use of misoprostol, Pitocin, and second CRB were noted among the preterm cohort. Among term patients, more CRB placement at start of induction and greater cervical dilation post-balloon were found in comparison to preterm patients. CONCLUSION: Among patients undergoing preterm induction, longer insertion to expulsion time of CRB, longer induction to delivery time, and increased interventions should be expected. Different standards for labor management should be considered for achieving vaginal delivery in preterm inductions.

Patient Experience with Telehealth Medicine During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated integration of telehealth services into OBGYN practices in New York City. Since then, studies have shown high patient satisfaction with OBGYN telehealth services. However, few studies have compared satisfaction between obstetric and gynecologic patients. The primary objective of this study was to compare satisfaction with telehealth services between obstetric and gynecologic patients. Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved cross-sectional survey study among patients who had a telehealth visit at NYU OBGYN Faculty Group Practice from March 2020 to March 2021. Results: Gynecologic patients had higher rates of being "completely satisfied" compared with obstetric patients (40% vs. 24%, p < 0.001). Gynecologic patients were more likely to opt for telehealth services than obstetric patients both during a pandemic (70% vs. 59%, p < 0.001) and in the absence of a pandemic (53% vs. 37%, p < 0.001). Discussion: Prior studies have demonstrated high satisfaction with OBGYN telehealth. However, obstetric patients were less likely than gynecologic patients to feel satisfied with and opt for telehealth services.

Gender Differences in Academic Rank and NIH Funding among Academic Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physicians in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates gender differences in academic rank and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among academic maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of board-certified academic MFM physicians. Physicians were identified in July 2017 from the MFM fellowship Web sites. Academic rank and receipt of any NIH funding were compared by gender. Data on potential confounders were collected, including years since board certification, region of practice, additional degrees, number of publications, and h-index. RESULTS: We identified 659 MFM physicians at 72 institutions, 312 (47.3%) male and 347 (52.7%) female. There were 246 (37.3%) full, 163 (24.7%) associate, and 250 (37.9%) assistant professors. Among the 154 (23.4%) MFM physicians with NIH funding, 89 (57.8%) were male and 65 (42.2%) were female (p = 0.003). Adjusting for potential confounders, male MFM physicians were twice as likely to hold a higher academic rank than female MFM physicians (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.04 [95% confidence interval, 1.39-2.94], p < 0.001). There was no difference in NIH funding between male and female MFM physicians (aOR, 1.23 [0.79-1.92], p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: Compared with female academic MFM physicians, male academic MFM physicians were twice as likely to hold a higher academic rank but were no more likely to receive NIH funding.

Labor Curves in Multiparous Women Related to Interbirth Intervals.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that risk of cesarean section increases among multiparous women as interbirth interval increases. One possibility is that progress of labor may vary with interbirth interval, such that with longer intervals, labor curves of multiparas more closely resemble those of nulliparas. We sought to define labor curves among a cohort of multiparas with varying interbirth intervals. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of term multiparas with known interval from last delivery and only vaginal deliveries. Subjects were grouped by interval between the studied pregnancy and the most recent birth: 0 to 59, 60 to 119, and ≥120 months. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed effects model. Group slopes and intercepts were compared using model t-tests for individual effects. Length of second stage was compared using a Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. RESULTS: Groups did not differ significantly in demographic or obstetrical characteristics. Rate of dilation was similar between the 0 to 59 and 60 to 119 month groups (p = 0.38), but faster in the ≥120 month group compared with the 60 to 119 month group (p = 0.037). Median duration of second stage increased slightly with increased interbirth interval (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Prolonged interbirth interval is not associated with slower active phase of labor.

Predictors of shoulder dystocia at the time of operative vaginal delivery.

BACKGROUND: It remains uncertain whether clinical factors known prior to delivery can predict which women are more likely to experience shoulder dystocia in the setting of operative vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify whether shoulder dystocia can be accurately predicted among women undergoing an operative vaginal delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-control study of women undergoing a low or outlet operative vaginal delivery from 2005 through 2014 in a single tertiary care center. Cases were defined as women who experienced a shoulder dystocia at the time of operative vaginal delivery. Controls consisted of women without a shoulder dystocia at the time of operative vaginal delivery. Variables previously identified to be associated with shoulder dystocia that could be known prior to delivery were abstracted from the medical records. Bivariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors independently associated with shoulder dystocia. A receiver operating characteristic curve was created to evaluate the predictive value of the model for shoulder dystocia. RESULTS: Of the 4080 women who met inclusion criteria, shoulder dystocia occurred in 162 (4.0%) women. In bivariable analysis, maternal age, parity, body mass index, diabetes, chorioamnionitis, arrest disorder as an indication for an operative vaginal delivery, vacuum use, and estimated fetal weight >4 kg were significantly associated with shoulder dystocia. In multivariable analysis, parity, diabetes, chorioamnionitis, arrest disorder as an indication for operative vaginal delivery, vacuum use, and estimated fetal weight >4 kg remained independently associated with shoulder dystocia. The area under the curve for the generated receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.77), demonstrating only a modest ability to predict shoulder dystocia before performing an operative vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: While risk factors for shoulder dystocia at the time of operative vaginal delivery can be identified, reliable prediction of shoulder dystocia in this setting cannot be attained.

Factors Associated With Timing of Return to Intercourse After Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of obstetric perineal trauma on timing of return to intercourse is unclear, although sexual desire is clearly decreased in these women. In addition, studies examining timing of return to intercourse are cross-sectional and therefore cannot delineate potential reasons that patients might delay return to intercourse. AIM: To identify factors associated with delayed return to intercourse after obstetric anal sphincter injuries. METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of women sustaining obstetric anal sphincter injuries during delivery of a full-term singleton infant. Patients completed the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index at every postpartum visit (1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 once resuming vaginal intercourse. Intercourse was considered "delayed" if patients did not resume intercourse by the 12-week visit. This cutoff was chosen because it was subsequent to the 6-week visit, when patients were instructed to return to normal pelvic activity. Continuous variables were compared using the Student t-test (parametric) or Mann-Whitney U-test (non-parametric). The χ(2) test was used for categorical variables. Statistical significance was assigned with a P value less than .05. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measurements were differences in pelvic floor symptoms on validated surveys between the "delayed" and "not-delayed" groups at the first postpartum visit and at the time the subjects returned to intercourse. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression, the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 for urinary symptoms, the visual analog scale for pain, the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index for bowel symptoms, and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 at the return to intercourse visit only. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine women were included in this analysis. Most were Caucasian (77%) and primiparous (86%). One hundred nineteen women (60%) did not resume vaginal intercourse until after the 12-week visit and were deemed "delayed." Patients who delayed intercourse scored higher on the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (more anal incontinence) than those who resumed intercourse before 12 weeks (15.4 ± 12.3 vs 12.0 ± 12.8, P = .02). The delayed group also had worse sexual function, shown as lower Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 scores (35.4 ± 5.9 vs 38.4 ± 4.1, P ≤ .001) and persistently higher Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores (4.1 ± 7.3 vs 1.6 ± 4.4, P = .001), at the first visit after returning to intercourse. CONCLUSION: Patients with obstetric anal sphincter injuries who do not resume intercourse by 12 weeks postpartum report more severe anal incontinence symptoms and worse sexual function after return to coitus.

The association between diabetes and postpartum depression.

This study aims to estimate if diabetic women were more likely to experience postpartum depression symptoms than women without diabetes. This was a prospective cohort of women who received prenatal care at a hospital-affiliated prenatal clinic serving low-income women in Chicago, Illinois. For the primary analysis, women were divided by diabetes status (i.e., no diabetes or either gestational diabetes or pre-pregnancy diabetes). Postpartum depression was defined as a positive screen on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Rates of postpartum depression were compared, stratified by diabetic status. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for potential confounders. A planned secondary analysis compared women with pre-pregnancy diabetes to those without pre-pre-pregnancy diabetes. Three hundred and five women consented to participate of whom 100 (30.5 %) had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 33 (10.8 %) had pre-pregnancy diabetes. Compared to women without any diabetes, women with diabetes (either GDM or pre-pregnancy diabetes) had similar rates of antenatal [(OR) 0.69, 95 % CI) 0.44-1.08] and postpartum depression (OR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.33-1.66). However, postpartum depression was more common among women with pre-pregnancy diabetes (34.8 %) compared to non-diabetic women (16.7 %) (OR 2.67, 95 % CI 1.05-6.78). This association persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders (aOR 2.67, 95 % CI 1.05-9.79). Gestational diabetes was not associated with increased rates of depression. However, women with pre-pregnancy diabetes are more likely to experience postpartum depression compared to women without pre-pregnancy diabetes, even after adjusting for related comorbidities.

Sonographic evaluation for intra-abdominal hemorrhage after cesarean delivery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether intra-abdominal hemorrhage is visible on a modified focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) examination in stable obstetrics patients after a nonemergent cesarean delivery. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent nonemergent cesarean delivery at a single institution. Patients provided written informed consent to participate in the study preoperatively and underwent a modified FAST examination in the recovery room within 2 hours of completion of surgery. A sonographic examination was considered positive for hemorrhage if an anechoic pocket consistent with free fluid was present. RESULTS: One hundred patients underwent suprapubic and bilateral upper-quadrant sonographic evaluations. The mean (±SD) time of the evaluation was 74.2 ± 36 minutes after the end of surgery. Among the 100 sonographic examinations of each upper quadrant, 194 (97.0%) were negative, 5 (2.5%) were indeterminate, and 1 (0.5%) was positive for fluid. All suprapubic sonographic examinations were considered inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic evaluation immediately after cesarean delivery is feasible in most patients and was overwhelmingly negative for intra-abdominal hemorrhage in a group of patients who did not require reoperation or unexpected blood transfusion.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in abdominal versus minimally invasive hysterectomy for benign conditions.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hysterectomy for benign conditions and to estimate if VTE incidence differs for abdominal and minimally invasive hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Data for patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions from 2010 through 2012 were abstracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Cases of VTE were compared to those without VTE. Minimally invasive hysterectomy was defined as both vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy. Pearson χ2 test, Student t test, and binary logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 44,167 patients underwent hysterectomy; 12,733 (28.8%) underwent open hysterectomy, 22,559 (51.1%) underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 8875 (20.1%) underwent vaginal hysterectomy. The incidence of VTE for open hysterectomy was higher (0.6%, 81/12,733) than minimally invasive hysterectomy (0.2% 73/31,434, P<.001). Open surgery (P<.001), body mass index (P=.006), race (P<.001), diabetes (P=.037), preoperative functional status (P<.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P<.001), total operative time (P<.001), and time from surgery to discharge (P<.001) were each associated with VTE. Age, hypertension, current smoking, pack-year history, and year operation was performed were not associated with VTE. Using binary logistic regression, open surgery (P<.001), operative time (P<.001), and length of stay (P<.001) remained associated with VTE. The odds ratio for VTE after open hysterectomy compared with minimally invasive hysterectomy was 2.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.77-3.40). CONCLUSION: In this large quality database, a minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy was independently associated with a decreased incidence of VTE when compared with open hysterectomy.

The impact of perinatal depression on the evolution of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

We sought to examine the evolution of postpartum anxiety, obsessions and compulsions over time, and the influence of depression on their clinical course. This was a prospective cohort of obstetric patients enrolled at a tertiary care women's hospital. Women were recruited immediately postpartum and followed for 6 months. Women were screened for depression, state-trait anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and dichotomized by the presence of depression. Four hundred sixty-one women agreed to participate in the study and completed the 2 weeks postpartum assessment; 331 (72 %) women completed the assessment at 6 months postpartum. At 2 weeks postpartum, 28 (19.9 %) women with depression had anxiety symptoms, compared to 4 (1.3 %) women who screened negative for depression (p < 0.001). Similarly, 36 (25.7 %) women with depression endorsed obsessions and compulsions compared to 19 (8.4 %) women without depression (p < 0.001). A significant interaction effect was present with anxiety over time such that by 6 months postpartum, there were no differences in symptoms in women with and without depression (p = 0.860). Conversely, the differences in obsessions and compulsions between depressed and non-depressed women persisted (p = 0.017). Women with postpartum depression are more likely to experience comorbid state-trait anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the immediate postpartum period. While state-trait anxiety symptoms tend to resolve with time, obsessive-compulsive symptoms persist. Understanding these temporal trends is critical to tailor appropriate monitoring and treatment.

Development and evaluation of cesarean section surgical training using computer-enhanced visual learning.

BACKGROUND: Skilled performance of cesarean deliveries is essential in obstetrics and gynecology residency. A computer-enhanced visual learning module (CEVL Cesarean) was developed to teach cesarean deliveries. METHODS: An online module presented cesarean deliveries as a series of components using text, audio, video and animation. First-year residents used CEVL Cesarean and were evaluated intra-operatively by trained raters, then provided feedback about surgical performance. Clinical outcomes were collected for approximately 50 cesarean deliveries for each resident. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2011, 12 first-year residents participated in the study. About 406 unique observed cesarean deliveries were analyzed. Procedures up to each resident's 70th case were analyzed by grouping cases in 10 s (cases 1-10 and 11-20), or deciles. Resident performance significantly improved by decile [χ(2)(6) = 47.56, p < 0.001]. When examining each resident's performance, surgical skill acquisition plateaued by cases 21-30. Procedural performance, independent of resident, also improved significantly by decile [χ(2)(6) = 186.95, p < 0.001], plateauing by decile 4 (cases 31-40). Throughout the observation period, operative time decreased by 3.84 min (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-clinical teaching using computer-based modules for cesarean sections is feasible to develop. Novice surgeons required at least 30 procedures before performing the procedure competently. When residents performed competently, operative time and complications decreased.

Factors associated with wound complications in women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine factors associated with perineal wound complications in women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of women who sustained an OASIS from Nov. 2, 2005, through March 1, 2010, was performed. RESULTS: In all, 1629 women sustained an OASIS; 909 had follow-up data. Wound complications (infection, breakdown, packing, operative intervention, secondary repair) occurred in 7.3% (n = 66) of patients. Smoking (odds ratio [OR], 4.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-12.2; P = .01), increasing body mass index (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12; P = .04), fourth-degree laceration (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.99-3.61; P = .05), operative vaginal delivery (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.15-2.68; P = .009), and use of postpartum antibiotics (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.11-5.63; P = .03) were associated with complications; intrapartum antibiotics were protective (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.59; P = .001). In all, 44% of patients with a complication (n = 29) required hospital readmission; most (72%) were in the first 2 postpartum weeks. CONCLUSION: Wound complications after OASIS are associated with modifiable factors and often require hospital readmission.

Surgeon volume and outcomes in benign hysterectomy.

Annual surgeon case volume has been linked to patient outcome in a variety of surgical fields, although limited data focus on gynecologic surgery performed by general gynecologists. Herein we review the literature addressing the associations between intraoperative injury, postoperative morbidity, and resource use among surgeons performing a low vs high volume of hysterectomies. Although study design and populations differ, individual and composite morbidity outcomes consistently favored high-volume surgeons. Given the growing emphasis on competency-based evaluation in surgery, gynecology departments may soon consider volume requirements a component of privileging.

What do healthy women know about the consequences of delayed childbearing?

Female fertility declines dramatically with age, and childbearing at older maternal ages has significant medical consequences for mother and infant that are well-known to health professionals. Despite this, the average maternal age in the United States continues to rise. Many factors likely contribute to this secular trend; to date, no research has examined whether American women are aware of the complications of deferring conception and how this correlates with health literacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate women's knowledge of the implications of delaying pregnancy. A structured, in-person interview was administered to 300 women between 20 and 50 years of age attending 1 of 2 gynecologic clinics at a single institution. Demographic information, medical history, and gynecologic history were obtained; and participants answered questions about the implications of aging for fertility and pregnancy outcome. Health literacy and numeracy were assessed. Participants demonstrated knowledge deficits about the implications of aging on fertility and pregnancy, and many were unfamiliar with success rates of infertility treatments. Several demographic factors correlated with knowledge; health literacy and numeracy were both important predictive variables. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study of women's knowledge about fertility, aging, and their health literacy. Awareness of the importance of health literacy and numeracy should inform future educational efforts about fertility.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms during the postpartum period. A prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms and to ascertain risk factors for this condition. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort of postpartum women carried out from June to September 2009. A total of 461 women were recruited after delivery at a tertiary care institution. Demographic, psychiatric, and obstetric information were collected from each participant. Patients were contacted at 2 weeks and at 6 months postpartum and completed screening tests for depression, anxiety, and OCD. RESULTS: Eleven percent of women screened positive for OCD symptoms at 2 weeks postpartum. At 6 months postpartum almost half of those women had persistent symptoms, and an additional 5.4% had developed new OCD symptoms. Concomitant positive screens for anxiety and depression were predictive factors for the development of OCD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prior population-based studies estimate the prevalence of OCD to be approximately 2-3%. We found much higher rates among women in the postpartum period. The postpartum period is a high-risk time for the development of OCD symptoms. When such symptoms develop, they have a high likelihood of persisting for at least 6 months.

Ugandan Health Care Professionals' Response to Sexual Violence Survivors: Exploring Local Strategy and International Guidelines.

This survey-based study gathered information on health professionals' attitudes and behaviors regarding victims of sexual assault, focusing on the applicability and utility of best practices put forth by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. This cross-sectional study involved a self-administered, 84-question survey to health care professionals affiliated with Mulago National Referral and Kayunga Hospitals in Uganda. The survey included demographic questions as well as questions about participants' attitudes toward sexual violence and the role of HPs in addressing sexual violence. The remainder of the survey transformed two sets of international guidelines into a series of statements with which participants could agree or disagree using a Likert-type scale. In total, 75 partially or fully completed surveys were collected, 45 from Mulago, and 30 from Kayunga. A minority of participants indicated that the guidelines were unrealistic (4.1%) or culturally inappropriate (14.1%). Most HPs agreed (91.8%) with the key components of recommended care. However, many respondents highlighted the need for additional training (68%). Nearly half of participants were uncertain or disagreed that there was a clear protocol for care of survivors of sexual violence (48%). Targets for improvement identified by participants included enhanced support of staff, access to resources, and relationships with community partners. Ugandan HPs have been receptive to the World Health Organization and United Nations guidelines. The majority of participants felt that the guidelines were realistic and culturally appropriate. Furthermore, many of these guidelines have been implemented. However, additional steps identified by Ugandan health workers could be undertaken to further improve the care received by survivors of sexual violence.

Existing models fail to predict sepsis in an obstetric population with intrauterine infection.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple scoring systems exist to identify inpatients who are at risk for clinical deterioration. None of these systems have been evaluated in an obstetric population. We examined the Systemic Inflammatory Response syndrome (SIRS) and Modified Early Warning score (MEWS) criteria in pregnant women with chorioamnionitis. STUDY DESIGN: This was an 18-month retrospective analysis of patients with chorioamnionitis. SIRS and MEWS scores were calculated; clinical outcomes were ascertained, and test characteristics were calculated for the primary outcome of sepsis, intensive care unit transfer, or death. RESULTS: Nine hundred thirteen women with chorioamnionitis were identified. Five women experienced sepsis; there was 1 death. Five hundred seventy-five of the 913 women (63%) met SIRS criteria (95% confidence interval, 59.8-66.2%; positive predictive value, 0.9%). Ninety-two of the 913 women (10.3%) had a MEWS score of ≥ 5 (95% confidence interval, 8.3-12.2%; positive predictive value, 0.05%). CONCLUSION: SIRS and MEWS criteria do not identify accurately patients who are at risk for intensive care unit transfer, sepsis, or death among pregnant women with intrauterine infection and should not be used in an obstetric setting.