Population-based study of eclampsia: Lessons learnt to improve maternity care.

BACKGROUND: Among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), eclampsia is a rare but serious event, often considered avoidable. Detailed assessment of the adequacy of care for the women who have eclampsia can help identify opportunities for improvement and for prevention of the associated adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: 1/ To estimate the incidence and describe the characteristics of women with eclampsia and to compare them with those of women with non-eclamptic hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)-related severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and of control women without SMM 2/ To analyse the quality of management in women who had eclampsia, at various stages of their care pathway. METHODS: It was a planned ancillary analysis of the EPIMOMS population-based study, conducted in six French regions in 2012-2013. Among the 182,309 maternities of the source population, all women with eclampsia (n = 51), with non-eclamptic HDP-related SMM (n = 351) and a 2% representative sample of women without SMM (n = 3,651) were included. Main outcome was the quality of care for eclampsia assessed by an independent expert panel at three different stages of management: antenatal care, care for pre-eclampsia and care for eclampsia. RESULTS: The eclampsia incidence was 2.8 per 10,000 (95%CI 2.0-4.0). Antenatal care was considered completely inadequate or substandard in 39% of women, as was pre-eclampsia care in 76%. Care for eclampsia was judged completely inadequate or substandard in 50% (21/42), mainly due to inadequate use of magnesium sulphate. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of inadequate quality of care underlines the need for an evidence-based standardisation of care for HDP.

[Preeclampsia: Guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]. / La pré-éclampsie : recommandations pour la pratique clinique du Collège national des gynécologues obstétriciens français.

OBJECTIVE: To identify strategies to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity related to preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The quality of evidence of the literature was assessed following the GRADE® method with questions formulated in the PICO format (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) and outcomes defined a priori and classified according to their importance. An extensive bibliographic search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the evidence was assessed (high, moderate, low, very low) and recommendations were formulated as a (i) strong, (ii) weak or (iii) no recommendation. The recommendations were reviewed in two rounds with external reviewers (Delphi survey) to select the consensus recommendations. RESULTS: Preeclampsia is defined by the association of gestational hypertension (systolic blood pressure≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90mmHg) and proteinuria≥0.3g/24h or a Proteinuria/Creatininuria ratio≥30mg/mmol occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. Data from the literature do not show any benefit in terms of maternal or perinatal health from implementing a broader definition of preeclampsia. Of the 31 questions, there was agreement between the working group and the external reviewers on 31 (100%). In general population, physical activity during pregnancy should be encouraged to reduce the risk of preeclampsia (Strong recommendation, Quality of the evidence low) but an early screening based on algorithms (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence low) or aspirin administration (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence very low) is not recommended to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity related to preeclampsia. In women with preexisting diabetes or hypertension or renal disease, or multiple pregnancy, the level of evidence is insufficient to determine whether aspirin administration during pregnancy is useful to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity (No recommendation, Quality of the evidence low). In women with a history of vasculo-placental disease, low dose of aspirin (Strong recommendation, Quality of the evidence moderate) at a dosage of 100-160mg per day (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence low), ideally before 16 weeks of gestation and not after 20 weeks of gestation (Strong recommendation, Quality of the evidence low) until 36 weeks of gestation (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence very low) is recommended. In a high-risk population, additional administration of low molecular weight heparin is not recommended (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence moderate). In case of preeclampsia (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence low) or suspicion of preeclampsia (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence moderate, the assessment of PlGF concentration or sFLT-1/PlGF ratio is not routinely recommended) in the only goal to reduce maternal or perinatal morbidity. In women with non-severe preeclampsia antihypertensive agent should be administered orally when the systolic blood pressure is measured between 140 and 159mmHg or diastolic blood pressure is measured between 90 and 109mmHg (Weak recommendation, Quality of the evidence low). In women with non-severe preeclampsia, delivery between 34 and 36+6 weeks of gestation reduces severe maternal hypertension but increases the incidence of moderate prematurity. Taking into account the benefit/risk balance for the mother and the child, it is recommended not to systematically induce birth in women with non-severe preeclampsia between 34 and 36+6 weeks of gestation (Strong recommendation, Quality of evidence high). In women with non-severe preeclampsia diagnosed between 37+0 and 41 weeks of gestation, it is recommended to induce birth to reduce maternal morbidity (Strong recommendation, Low quality of evidence), and to perform a trial of labor in the absence of contraindication (Strong recommendation, Very low quality of evidence). In women with a history of preeclampsia, screening maternal thrombophilia is not recommended (Strong recommendation, Quality of the evidence moderate). Because women with a history of a preeclampsia have an increased lifelong risk of chronic hypertension and cardiovascular complications, they should be informed of the need for medical follow-up to monitor blood pressure and to manage other possible cardiovascular risk factors (Strong recommendation, Quality of the evidence moderate). CONCLUSION: The purpose of these recommendations was to reassess the definition of preeclampsia, and to determine the strategies to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity related to preeclampsia, during pregnancy but also after childbirth. They aim to help health professionals in their daily clinical practice to inform or care for patients who have had or have preeclampsia. Synthetic information documents are also offered for professionals and patients.

Early formative objective structured clinical examinations for students in the pre-clinical years of medical education: A non-randomized controlled prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The value of formative objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) during the pre-clinical years of medical education remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a formative OSCE program for medical students in their pre-clinical years on subsequent performance in summative OSCE. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized controlled prospective pilot study that included all medical students from the last year of the pre-clinical cycle of the Université Paris-Cité Medical School, France, in 2021. The intervention group received the formative OSCE program, which consisted of four OSCE sessions, followed by debriefing and feedback, whereas the control group received the standard teaching program. The main objective of this formative OSCE program was to develop skills in taking a structured medical history and communication. All participants took a final summative OSCE. The primary endpoint was the summative OSCE mark in each group. A questionnaire was also administered to the intervention-group students to collect their feedback. A qualitative analysis, using a convenience sample, was conducted by gathering data pertaining to the process through on-site participative observation of the formative OSCE program. RESULTS: Twenty students were included in the intervention group; 776 in the control group. We observed a significant improvement with each successive formative OSCE session in communication skills and in taking a structured medical history (p<0.0001 for both skills). Students from the intervention group performed better in a summative OSCE that assessed the structuring of a medical history (median mark 16/20, IQR [15; 17] versus 14/20, [13; 16], respectively, p = 0.012). Adjusted analyses gave similar results. The students from the intervention group reported a feeling of improved competence and a reduced level of stress at the time of the evaluation, supported by the qualitative data showing the benefits of the formative sessions. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an early formative OSCE program is suitable for the pre-clinical years of medical education and is associated with improved student performance in domains targeted by the program.

Impact of discontinuing oxytocin in active labour on neonatal morbidity: an open-label, multicentre, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is effective in reducing labour duration but can be associated with fetal and maternal complications that could potentially be reduced by discontinuing the treatment during labour. We aimed to assess the impact of discontinuing oxytocin during active labour on neonatal morbidity. METHODS: STOPOXY was a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled, superiority trial conducted in 21 maternity units in France. Participants who received oxytocin before 4 cm dilation were randomly assigned 1:1 to either discontinuous oxytocin (oxytocin infusion stopped beyond a cervical dilation equal to or greater than 6 cm) or continuous oxytocin (administration of oxytocin continued until delivery). Randomisation was stratified by centre and parity. The primary outcome, neonatal morbidity, was assessed at birth using a composite variable defined by an umbilical arterial pH at birth less than 7·10, a base excess greater than 10 mmol/L, umbilical arterial lactates greater than 7 mmol/L, a 5-min Apgar score less than 7, or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Efficacy and safety was assessed in participants who were randomly assigned (excluding those who withdrew consent or were deemed ineligible after randomisation) and had reached a cervical dilation of at least 6 cm. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03991091. FINDINGS: Of 2459 participants randomly assigned between Jan 13, 2020, and Jan 24, 2022, 2170 were eligible to receive the intervention and were included in the final modified intention-to-treat analysis. The primary outcome occurred for 102 (9·6%) of 1067 participants (95% CI 7·9 to 11·5) in the discontinuous oxytocin group and for 101 (9·2%) of 1103 participants (7·6 to 11·0) in the continuous oxytocin group; absolute difference 0·4% (95% CI -2·1 to 2·9); relative risk 1·0 (95% CI 0·8 to 1·4). There were no clinically significant differences in adverse events between the two groups of the safety population. INTERPRETATION: Among participants receiving oxytocin in early labour, discontinuing oxytocin when the active phase is reached does not clinically or statistically significantly reduce neonatal morbidity compared with continuous oxytocin. FUNDING: French Ministry of Health and the Département de la Recherche Clinique et du Développement de l'Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity in nulliparous patients with prolonged pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to study the strength of the association between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and severe morbidity among neonates of nulliparas with prolonged pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the NOCETER randomized trial that took place between 2009 and 2012 in which 11 French maternity units included 1373 nulliparas at 41+0 weeks of gestation onwards with a single live fetus in cephalic presentation. This analysis excluded patients with a cesarean delivery before labor and those with bloody amniotic fluid or of unreported consistency. The principal end point was a composite criterion of severe neonatal morbidity (neonatal death, 5-minute Apgar <7, convulsions in the first 24 h, meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation ≥24 h, or neonatal intensive care unit admission for 5 days or more). The neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with thin or thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid were compared with those with normal amniotic fluid. The association between the consistency of the amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity was tested by univariate and then multivariate analysis adjusted for gestational age at birth, duration of labor, and country of birth. RESULTS: This study included 1274 patients: 803 (63%) in the group with normal amniotic fluid, 196 (15.4%) in the thin amniotic fluid group, and 275 (21.6%) in the thick amniotic fluid group. The neonates of patients with thick amniotic fluid had higher rates of neonatal morbidity than those of patients with normal amniotic fluid (7.3% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-6.3), but those of patients with thin amniotic fluid did not (3.1% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.50; aRR 1.0, 95% CI, 0.4-2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Among nulliparas at 41+0 weeks onwards, only thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with a higher rate of severe neonatal morbidity.

Mother-child separation after twin birth in a maternity unit with an appropriate level of neonatal care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mother-child separation rate in twin pregnancies delivered in maternity units offering an appropriate level of neonatal care. METHODS: JUMODA is a French, prospective, population-based cohort study of twin deliveries, including 7998 women who gave birth in maternity units with appropriate levels of neonatal care based on thresholds for weeks of gestational age (wGA) and birth weight according to French guidelines: level I (≥36 wGA), IIA (≥34 wGA), IIB (≥32 wGA and ≥ 1500 g), and IIII (<32 wGA or < 1500 g). The primary outcome was mother-child separation, defined as the transfer of at least one twin or the mother to another hospital. RESULTS: Mother-child separation occurred in 2.1% of pregnancies. This rate was significantly higher in level I (4.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-12.5) and IIA (3.4%, 95% CI 2.4-4.7) compared with level IIB (1.6%, 95% CI 1.1-2.3) and level III maternity units (2.1%, 95% CI 1.9-2.8). In level IIA units, the rate of mother-child separation was higher for babies born between 34 and 36 wGA (8.3%) than for those born at 36 wGA or beyond (1.7%). In level IIb, the rate of mother-child separation for babies born between 32 and 34 wGA (7.5%) was higher than for those born between 34 and 36 wGA (2.1%) and at 36 wGA or beyond (0.9%). CONCLUSION: Mother-child separation rates were low but differed by level of care. By using specific thresholds for twins to define levels of care, rather than data from singleton births, one-fifth of mother-child separations could have been avoided.

Effectiveness of prophylactic carbetocin versus oxytocin following vaginal delivery for preventing severe postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of prophylactic carbetocin with prophylactic oxytocin for preventing severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) following vaginal delivery. METHODS: This before and after cohort study took place between 2020 and 2021 in a university maternity hospital. In 2021, the protocol for PPH prevention immediately after vaginal delivery changed: intravenous oxytocin (5 IU) was replaced by intravenous carbetocin (100 µg). All patients with vaginal births were included, with two groups compared: patients who received prophylactic oxytocin in 2020 and those who received prophylactic carbetocin in 2021. The primary outcome was severe PPH, defined as one or more of the following: estimated blood loss ≥1500 mL, transfusion ≥4 units of red blood cells, Bakri balloon use, embolization, vascular ligation, hysterectomy, and maternal death. RESULTS: Among 4832 women included, 2417 received oxytocin and 2415 received carbetocin. The rate of severe PPH was similar in both groups (0.5% vs. 0.6%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 0.8 [95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.8]). The rate of PPH ≥500 mL was lower in the carbetocin group (4% vs. 5.8%; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Although prophylactic carbetocin was associated with a reduction in the rate of PPH ≥500 mL, carbetocin is no different to oxytocin in preventing severe PPH caused by atony after vaginal delivery.

Effectiveness of episiotomy to prevent OASIS in nulliparous women at term.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between episiotomy and severe obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) in nulliparous women at term according to the use of an instrument for delivery with control confounding by indication. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective cohort study including 12 346 women from 2004 to 2020. All nulliparous women with a cephalic singleton pregnancy were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of OASIS. Association between episiotomy and OASIS was assessed by multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for confounding factors and stratification on the use of an instrument at delivery. Propensity score matching was used to account for indication bias. RESULTS: Among 12 346 women included, 7803 (63.2%) had an episiotomy and 4543 (36.8%) did not have an episiotomy; the rate of OASIS was similar in both groups (0.7%). After stratification on use of instrument, an association between episiotomy and OASIS was shown in the case of instrumental delivery (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-0.80) but not if the delivery was spontaneous (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.29-1.98). The result was similar after matching on propensity score (in the case of operative vaginal delivery: OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10-0.75). CONCLUSION: Episiotomy seems to be a protective factor for OASIS in nulliparous woman at term only in the case of operative vaginal delivery.

Postpartum severe acute maternal morbidity according to gestational age at delivery in twin pregnancies: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between gestational age at delivery and postpartum severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) in twin pregnancies. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the JUMODA cohort, a national, prospective, population-based study of twin pregnancies in France. We excluded women with delivery before 32 weeks of pregnancy, with a fetal death or medical termination, with antepartum SAMM, or with antepartum conditions responsible for postpartum SAMM. The primary outcome was a composite of postpartum SAMM. We assessed the association between gestational age at delivery and SAMM by using multivariable multilevel modified Poisson regression modeling. RESULTS: Among the 7713 women included, 410 (5.3%) developed postpartum SAMM. Compared with the reference category of 37 weeks of pregnancy, the risk of postpartum SAMM was significantly lower for all categories of earlier gestational age at delivery (from an adjusted relative risk [RR] of 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.68 at 32 weeks to an adjusted RR of 0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.94 at 36 weeks), and did not differ for later gestational ages. CONCLUSION: In twin pregnancies, compared with delivery at 37 weeks of pregnancy, delivery at earlier gestational ages was associated with a lower risk of postpartum SAMM. Continuing pregnancy beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of postpartum SAMM.

Gestational weight gain adequacy among twin pregnancies in France.

The objective of this paper is to describe gestational weight gain (GWG), to assess the applicability of the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, and to derive a GWG adequacy classification within a French cohort. We included twins from the national, prospective, population-based JUmeaux MODe d'Accouchement (JUMODA) cohort study (2014-2015). Following the IOM approach, we selected a 'standard' population of term pregnancies with 'optimal' birthweight (≥2500 g; n = 2562). GWG adequacy (insufficient; adequate; excessive) was defined using IOM recommendations (normal body mass index [BMI]: 16.8-24.5 kg [also utilized for underweight BMI]; overweight: 14.1-22.7 kg; obese: 11.4-19.1 kg). Additionally, using the IOM approach, we determined the 25th and 75th percentiles of GWG in our standard population to create a JUMODA-derived GWG adequacy classification. GWG and GWG adequacy were described, overall and by BMI and parity. In the JUMODA standard population of term twin livebirths with optimal birthweight, mean GWG was 16.1 kg (standard deviation 6.3). Using IOM recommendations, almost half (46.5%) of the women had insufficient and few (10.0%) had excessive GWG, with similar results regardless of BMI or parity. The 25th and 75th percentiles of GWG in the JUMODA standard population (underweight: 13-21 kg; normal weight: 13-20 kg; overweight: 11-19 kg; obese: 7-16 kg) were lower than the IOM recommendations. The IOM recommendations classified a relatively high percentage of French women as having insufficient and a low percentage as having excessive GWG. Additional research to evaluate recommendations in relation to adverse perinatal outcomes is needed to determine whether the IOM recommendations or the JUMODA-derived classification is more appropriate for French twin gestations.

Risk of Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage in Twin Pregnancies According to the Sum of Birth Weights.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the strength and patterns of association between birth weights and severe postpartum hemorrhage in twin pregnancies. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the JUMODA (JUmeaux Mode d'Accouchement) cohort, a national, prospective, population-based study of twin deliveries, conducted from February 2014 to March 2015 in France. We excluded patients with a fetal death, medically indicated termination of pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, placenta previa, placental abruption, or missing birth weight. The primary outcome was severe postpartum hemorrhage , defined as a postpartum hemorrhage requiring at least one of the following: transfusion of 4 or more units of red blood cells, uterine artery embolization, uterine balloon tamponade, vascular ligation, uterine suture, emergency hysterectomy, admission to an intensive care unit, or postpartum hemorrhage considered severe by the obstetrician or leading to maternal death. The exposure was the sum of the birth weights of the two twins. To assess the association between the sum of twins' birth weights and severe postpartum hemorrhage, we used multilevel multivariable modified Poisson regression modeling. Analyses were conducted for the overall population and by planned and actual mode of delivery. RESULTS: A total of 8,373 patients were analyzed. Severe postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 4.5% (379/8,372, 95% CI 4.1-5.0), from 2.1% (15/722) for a sum of twins' birth weights less than 3,000 g up to 8.8% (12/136) for a sum exceeding 6,500 g. In the multivariable analysis, the association between the sum of the twins' birth weights and severe postpartum hemorrhage was linear, with an adjusted relative risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage of 1.36 (95% CI 1.24-1.49) for each 500-g increase in the sum of twins' birth weights. CONCLUSION: In twin pregnancies, the risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage increased linearly with the sum of the twins' birth weights.

Tranexamic acid for the prevention of blood loss after cesarean among women with twins: a secondary analysis of the TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although prophylactic tranexamic acid administration after cesarean delivery resulted in a lower incidence of calculated estimated blood loss of >1000 mL or red cell transfusion by day 2, its failure to reduce the incidence of hemorrhage-related secondary clinical outcomes (TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery trial) makes its use questionable. The magnitude of its effect may differ in women at higher risk of blood loss, including those with multiple pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of tranexamic acid vs placebo to prevent blood loss after cesarean delivery among women with multiple pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of the TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery trial data, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial from March 2018 to January 2020 in 27 French maternity hospitals, that included 319 women with multiple pregnancies. Women with a cesarean delivery before or during labor at ≥34 weeks of gestation were randomized to receive intravenously 1 g of tranexamic acid (n=160) or placebo (n=159), both with prophylactic uterotonics. The primary outcome was a calculated estimated blood loss of >1000 mL or a red blood cell transfusion by 2 days after delivery. The secondary outcomes included clinical and laboratory blood loss measurements. RESULTS: Of the 4551 women randomized in this trial, 319 had a multiple pregnancy and cesarean delivery, and 298 (93.4%) had primary outcome data available. This outcome occurred in 62 of 147 women (42.2%) in the tranexamic acid group and 67 of 152 (44.1%) receiving placebo (adjusted risk ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.38; P=.86). No significant between-group differences occurred for any hemorrhage-related clinical outcomes: gravimetrically estimated blood loss, provider-assessed clinically significant hemorrhage, additional uterotonics, postpartum blood transfusion, arterial embolization, and emergency surgery (P>.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: Among women with a multiple pregnancy and cesarean delivery, prophylactic tranexamic acid did not reduce the incidence of any blood loss-related outcomes.

Survival Without Severe Neonatal Morbidity in Very Preterm Twins According to Planned Mode of Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess survival to discharge without severe neonatal morbidity by planned mode of delivery for twins born before 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS: The JUMODA (JUmeaux MODe d'Accouchement) study was a French national prospective, population-based, cohort study of twin deliveries conducted from February 2014 to March 2015. This planned secondary analysis included diamniotic twin pregnancies from 26 0/7 through 31 6/7 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria included contraindications to vaginal delivery and situations for which planned cesarean delivery is favored, and neonatal prognosis depends largely on the underlying pathology rather than the planned mode of delivery. The primary outcome was survival to discharge without severe neonatal morbidity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade 3 or grade 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, stage 2 or stage 3 necrotizing enterocolitis). The association between planned mode of delivery and primary outcome was assessed by multivariate Poisson regression model. A propensity-score approach with inverse probability of treatment weighting also was performed to control for indication bias. Subgroup analyses according to birth order and sensitivity analyses limited to spontaneous preterm births only were performed. RESULTS: Among 424 very preterm twin pregnancies, 192 (45.3%) had a planned cesarean delivery and 232 (54.7%) had a planned vaginal delivery. Survival to discharge without severe morbidity did not differ in the two groups: 308 of 384 (80.2%) after planned cesarean and 375 of 464 (80.8%) after planned vaginal delivery (crude relative risk 0.99; 95% CI 0.91-1.15; adjusted relative risk 1.02; 95% CI 0.93-1.11). After applying inverse probability of treatment weighting, planned cesarean delivery still was not associated with higher survival to discharge without severe neonatal morbidity than planned vaginal birth (relative risk 1.11; 95% CI 0.84-1.46). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed similar results. CONCLUSION: Planned cesarean delivery for very preterm twins is not associated with higher survival to discharge without severe neonatal morbidity than planned vaginal delivery. These results suggest that very preterm delivery should not be considered a per se indication for planned cesarean in twin pregnancies.

Classification and evaluation of episiotomy practices from 2004 to 2020 and association with OASIS.

OBJECTIVE: To apply a new classification based on seven clinically relevant subgroups to accurately describe episiotomy practices and evaluate the association between episiotomy and obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASIS) rates according to the classification's subgroups. METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study based on a population comprising 39 487 women from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2020 in a level III university maternity unit. The primary outcome was the overall episiotomy rate in the institution and its trend over time as well as in each subgroup of obstetrical population classification. Secondary outcome was the rate of third- and fourth-degree OASIS, and its association with episiotomy practice. RESULTS: The episiotomy rate decreased significantly from 43.2% to 20% in the total population. The overall OASIS rate was 0.34%; it remained significantly the same during the study period, although the association between OASIS and episiotomy was significant only in group 2 (nulliparous women with instrumental delivery) with a decrease of OASIS rate if using episiotomy (odds ratio 0.5; 95% confidence interval 0.3-0.8). CONCLUSION: The episiotomy rate can be decreased without exposing women to an increased risk of OASIS. This encourages restrictive practice of episiotomy, but episiotomy should be considered in nulliparous women with instrumental delivery.

Cervical ripening for a singleton fetus in breech prensentation at term: Comparison between mechanical and pharmaceutical methods.

Although various international professional societies currently recommend trial of vaginal delivery of term fetuses in breech presentation, the question of the method of cervical ripening, when necessary, remains open. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two methods of cervical ripening for delivery of a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term: a mechanical method (balloon catheter) and a pharmaceutical method (prostaglandins). STUDY DESIGN: This two-center retrospective study reviewed records from 2014 through 2019 in two French maternity units with two different cervical ripening methods for fetuses in breech presentation. The study included all women with cervical ripening for a medical indication with a live singleton fetus in breech presentation ≥ 37 weeks, with an unfavorable cervix. The group treated with a mechanical method was compared with the group receiving a pharmaceutical method. The cesarean delivery rate was the principal outcome, and maternal and neonatal morbidity the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: We included 74 women, 19 with mechanical cervical ripening, and 55 with pharmaceutical treatment. The cesarean rate was 57.9% in the balloon catheter group and 40% in the prostaglandin group (P = 0.097) (crude OR =2.06, 95% CI [0.72 - 5.94]; adjusted OR = 2.88, 95% confidence interval [0.52-15.96]), and the postpartum hemorrhage rates 21.1% and 1.8% respectively (P = 0.008). Neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Although the cesarean rate and neonatal morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between these two methods of cervical ripening, our study lacked power.

Impact of precipitous labor on the onset of transient tachypnea in vaginal deliveries at term.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present research was to study the association between precipitous labor (less than 3 h) and the onset of transient tachypnea in singleton fetuses in cephalic presentation with term vaginal deliveries. METHODS: This cohort study included women delivered from 2013 through 2017 in our French tertiary university hospital maternity unit. Inclusion criteria were vaginal delivery of liveborn singleton fetus in cephalic presentation and at term. We compared women with precipitous labor and those with longer labor. The principal endpoint was the rate of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). We investigated risk factors for TTN besides duration of labor. RESULTS: Comparison of 2644 women with precipitous labor and 7571 with longer labor showed a lower TTN rate in the precipitous labor group (1.6 vs 2.7%; P = 0.003). The association was no longer significant after adjustment for the risk factors identified in the univariate analysis (adjusted OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.64-1.54). Risk factors identified for TTN were non-clear amniotic fluid, shoulder dystocia, umbilical cord encirclement, birth weight less than 2500 g, use of cervical ripening and operative vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Precipitous labor, lasting less than 3 h, is not associated with a higher risk of transient tachypnea in term newborns after vaginal delivery.

Factors associated with a latency < 7 days after preterm premature rupture of membranes between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors at admission associated with a latency < 7 days after Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of all women with singleton pregnancies admitted for PPROM to an academic tertiary center during the 5-year period of 2015-2019. Women who gave birth < 7 days and ≥ 7 day after PPROM were compared. We determined risk at admission associated with a latency < 7 days after PPROM by logistic regression and identified high-risk subgroups by classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. RESULTS: Among 174 eligible births, 76 (44%) women gave birth < 7 days after PPROM and 98 (56%) later. The two groups had similar maternal baseline and obstetric characteristics. In multivariate analysis, the following variables reported at admission were independently associated with a latency < 7 days: painful uterine contractions (aOR 3.9, 95%CI 1.1-7.4), cervical length < 20 mm (aOR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-4.8), and C reactive protein ≥ 10 mg/L (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.8). Women with painful uterine contractions and cervical length at admission < 20 mm were at highest risk of latency < 7 days (rate: 91%). Conversely, the women at lowest risk were those without uterine contractions, with a cervical length ≥ 20 mm, and C-reactive protein < 10 mg/L at admission (rate: 22%). CONCLUSION: Our results may be helpful in determining criteria at admission for selecting women eligible for outpatient care after an initial hospitalization.