Pregnancy planning and neonatal outcome - a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Unplanned pregnancy is common, and although some research indicates adverse outcomes for the neonate, such as death, low birth weight, and preterm birth, results are inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to investigate associated neonatal outcomes of an unplanned pregnancy in a Swedish setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in which data from 2953 women were retrieved from the Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study, covering ten Swedish counties from September 2012 through July 2013. Pregnancy intention was measured using the London Measurement of Unplanned Pregnancy. Women with unplanned pregnancies and pregnancies of ambivalent intention were combined and referred to as unplanned. Data on neonatal outcomes: small for gestational age, low birth weight, preterm birth, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, and severe adverse neonatal outcome defined as death or need for resuscitation at birth, were retrieved from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. RESULTS: The prevalence of unplanned pregnancies was 30.4%. Compared with women who had planned pregnancies, those with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to give birth to neonates small for gestational age: 3.6% vs. 1.7% (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.7). There were no significant differences in preterm birth, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, or severe adverse neonatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In a Swedish setting, an unplanned pregnancy might increase the risk for birth of an infant small for gestational age.

Plasma levels of arginines at term pregnancy in relation to mode of onset of labor and mode of childbirth.

PROBLEM: The exact biochemical mechanisms that initiate labor are not yet fully understood. Nitric oxide is a potent relaxant of uterine smooth muscles until labor starts, and its precursor is L-arginine. Asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric (SDMA) dimethylarginines, are potent NO-inhibitors. However, arginines (dimethylarginines and L-arginine) are scarcely studied in relation to labor and childbirth. We aimed to investigate arginines in women with spontaneous (SLVB) and induced (ILVB) term labor with vaginal birth and in women undergoing elective caesarean section (ECS). METHOD OF STUDY: Women at gestational week 16-18 were recruited to the population-based prospective cohort study BASIC at the Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Plasma samples taken at start of labor were analyzed for arginines, from SLVB (n = 45), ILVB (n = 45), and ECS (n = 45), using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Between-group differences were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Women with SLVB and ILVB had higher levels of ADMA (p < .0001), SDMA (p < .05) and lower L-arginines (p < .01), L-arginine/ADMA (p < .0001), and L-arginine/SDMA (p < .01, respectively <.001) compared to ECS. However, ILVB had higher ADMA (p < .0001) and lower L-arginine (p < .01), L-arginine/ADMA (p < .0001), and L-arginine/SDMA (p < .01) compared to SLVB. Results are adjusted for gestational length at birth and cervical dilatation at sampling. CONCLUSION: Our novel findings of higher levels of dimethylarginines in term vaginal births compared to ECS give insights into the biochemical mechanisms of labor. These findings might also serve as a basis for further studies of arginines in complicated pregnancies and labor.

Unplanned pregnancy and the association with maternal health and pregnancy outcomes: A Swedish cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Unplanned pregnancies are common and associated with late initiation and inadequate antenatal care attendance, which may pose health risks to mother and child. How pregnancy planning relates to maternal health and delivery in Sweden, a country with free antenatal care and free abortion, has not been studied previously. Our aims were to study whether pregnancy planning was associated with antenatal care utilization and pregnancy outcomes in a Swedish setting. METHODS: Data for 2953 women, who answered a questionnaire when recruited at antenatal clinics in Sweden and later gave birth, was linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The degree of pregnancy planning was estimated using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Unplanned (comprising unplanned and ambivalent intention to pregnancy) was compared to planned pregnancy. Differences between women with unplanned and planned pregnancy intention and associated pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 31% unplanned (2% unplanned and 29% ambivalent) pregnancies, whereas most woman (69%) reported their pregnancy to be planned. Women with an unplanned pregnancy enrolled later to antenatal care, but there was no difference in number of visits compared with planned pregnancy. Women with an unplanned pregnancy had higher odds to have induced labor (17% versus 13%; aOR 1.33 95% CI 1.06-1.67) and a longer hospital stay (41% versus 37%; aOR 1.21 95% CI 1.02-1.44). No associations were found between pregnancy planning and pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, epidural analgesia use, vacuum extraction delivery, Caesarean section or sphincter rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned pregnancy was associated with delayed initiation of antenatal care, higher odds for induction of labor and longer hospital stay, but not with any severe pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that women with an unplanned pregnancy cope well in a setting with free abortion and free health care.

Experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences before, under, and after a guided internet-based intervention for vulvodynia. METHODS: The design was qualitative, based on content analysis. Participants were women who had undergone guided internet-based treatment for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles (n = 13). Data were collected through in-depth interviews approximately-one month after participants completed treatment. RESULTS: The analysis revealed the women's experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia. Three themes emerged: "dealing with pain alone," which was related to experiences of living with vulvodynia before internet-based treatment; "finding new ways," which described the experiences of undergoing an internet-based treatment for vulvodynia and "feeling empowered to take control," referring to the experiences of living with vulvodynia after the internet-based treatment. The women described a long search for a diagnosis, revealing a negative experience of healthcare. The internet-based treatment helped them find new ways to manage vulvodynia, but difficulties with the treatment were also experienced. After the intervention, the women reported improvements in wellbeing and having better strategies to manage pain, but also stated that the treatment was insufficient to perceive changes in vulvar pain. CONCLUSIONS: The guided internet-based treatment program for vulvodynia based on acceptance and commitment therapy principles was perceived as credible, helpful to manage vulvodynia, and could serve as a complement to regular care. Questions regarding the need for more support and optimal length of treatment need to be further evaluated.

Internet-based Treatment for Vulvodynia (EMBLA) - A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Internet-based ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy) treatment may improve accessibility and reduce stigma related to seeking health care, but there are a lack of studies investigating internet-based treatment using ACT principles for women with vulvodynia. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an internet-based treatment of pain during intercourse for women with provoked vulvodynia compared with no intervention during the waiting period before clinical treatment. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted during 2016 to 2020, in which 99 participants were included. Participants were randomized to either a 6 week guided internet-based treatment using ACT principles or usual care. Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, and approximately 10 months after baseline. OUTCOMES: Pain-related (pain during intercourse, tampon test, impact of pain on sexual function) and pain behavior-related outcomes (attempts at intercourse, sexual activities besides intercourse, willingness to perform the tampon test, chronic pain acceptance questionnaire) were used as outcomes. RESULTS: Treatment was efficacious in what concerns pain during intercourse and pain acceptance. Less pain during intercourse among women in the intervention group was observed at both post-treatment (primary endpoint, P = .01, Cohen's d = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.33, 2.4), and follow-up (P = .04). Absolut mean difference between groups for pain during intercourse at post-treatment was -2.84, (95 % CI = -4.91, -0.78), and -1.58 at follow-up, (95 % CI = -3.17, 0.02), where the intervention group rated less pain than controls. No differences between groups over time were found for tampon test measures or impact of pain on sexual function. There was a significant difference between groups at all timepoints indicating fewer attempts at intercourse among participants in the intervention group. At post-treatment, women who underwent internet-based treatment reported higher pain acceptance and a rise in activity engagement compared with the control group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There is an indication that internet-based treatment could be incorporated into clinical practice as a complement to clinical treatment. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Study strengths included using several forms of recruitment and an intervention built by different professions with long experience of treating patients with vulvodynia. High dropout rate was a limitation of this study. CONCLUSION: Internet-based treatment may have an impact on pain during intercourse and positive effects on pain acceptance. However, conclusions must be drawn with caution due to the small sample size. Engström AH, Bohm-Starke N, Kullinger M, et al. Internet-based Treatment for Vulvodynia (EMBLA) - A Randomized Controlled Study. J Sex Med 2022;19:319-330.

Internet-based treatment for vulvodynia (EMBLA) - Study protocol for a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Vulvodynia is defined as vulvar pain for at least 3 months without a clear cause. To the best of our knowledge, there are no trials investigating the effects of internet treatment using CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) treatment with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) components for women with vulvodynia. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of such a guided internet-based intervention on provoked vulvar pain during the waiting period before clinical treatment. METHODS: We will randomise 52 patients to either guided internet-based intervention with CBT with (ACT) components or no intervention during the waiting period for treatment as usual. Online assessments are conducted at baseline, posttreatment, and at follow-up after 9 months. The primary outcome measure is provoked vulvar pain. Secondary outcomes are depression, anxiety, sexual function, and quality of life. Linear-mixed effect models will be used to assess the effect of the internet-based intervention on vulvar pain, pain acceptance, depression, anxiety, sexual function, and quality of life over time, by applying the intention-to-treat approach. Continuous data will be analysed with general linear models using intention-to-treat and also per protocol approaches to assess the effects of the intervention at different time points. Ordinal and binary data will be analysed with Mann Whitney's test, Fischer's exact test and multivariate logistic regression, respectively. DISCUSSION: As a randomised controlled trial with short- and long-term follow-up points, the EMBLA study intends to provide a novel and better understanding regarding the treatment of vulvodynia and the role of internet-based treatment as a complement to standard care for women suffering from vulvodynia. The effects of vulvodynia on pain, sexual function, quality of life, depression, and anxiety are investigated. The study's results are expected to be of value in the planning of clinical care in the medical area. High dropout rates and technical difficulties associated with using the platform are common in similar studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02809612.

Adherence to Swedish national pregnancy dating guidelines and management of discrepancies between pregnancy dating methods: a survey study.

BACKGROUND: Swedish national guidelines for pregnancy dating were published in 2010. Follow-up is needed to assess adherence and to identify whether any clinical topics are not covered in the guidelines. METHODS: All units in Sweden that performed ultrasound-based pregnancy dating were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire comprising multiple-response questions and commentary fields. Information was collected regarding baseline information, current and previous clinical practice, and management of discrepancies between last-menstrual-period- and ultrasound-based methods for pregnancy dating. RESULTS: The response rate was 79%. Half of the units offered first-trimester ultrasound to all pregnant women. However, contrary to the guidelines, the crown-rump length was not used for ultrasound-based pregnancy dating in most units. Instead, ultrasound-based pregnancy dating was performed only if the biparietal diameter was between 21 and 55 mm. Management of discrepancies between methods for pregnancy dating varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: The units reported high adherence to national guidelines, except for early pregnancy dating, for which many units followed unwritten or informal guidelines. The management of discrepancies between last-menstrual-period-based and ultrasound-based estimated day of delivery varied widely. These findings emphasize the need for regular updating of national written guidelines and efforts to improve their implementation in all units.

Discrepancy between pregnancy dating methods affects obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a population-based register cohort study.

To assess associations between discrepancy of pregnancy dating methods and adverse pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for discrepancy categories among all singleton births from the Medical Birth Register (1995-2010) with estimated date of delivery (EDD) by last menstrual period (LMP) minus EDD by ultrasound (US) -20 to +20 days. Negative/positive discrepancy was a fetus smaller/larger than expected when dated by US (EDD postponed/changed to an earlier date). Large discrepancy was <10th or >90th percentile. Reference was median discrepancy ±2 days. Odds for diabetes and preeclampsia were higher in pregnancies with negative discrepancy, and for most delivery outcomes in case of large positive discrepancy (+9 to +20 days): shoulder dystocia [OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.01-1.33)] and sphincter injuries [OR 1.13 (95% CI 1.09-1.17)]. Odds for adverse neonatal outcomes were higher in large negative discrepancy (-4 to -20 days): low Apgar score [OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.09-1.27)], asphyxia [OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.11-1.25)], fetal death [OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.32-1.64)], and neonatal death [OR 2.19 (95% CI 1.91-2.50)]. In conclusion, especially, large negative discrepancy was associated with increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Systematic misclassification of gestational age by ultrasound biometry: implications for clinical practice and research methodology in the Nordic countries.

Historically, pregnancy dating has been based on self-reported information on the first day of the last menstrual period. In the 1970s, ultrasound biometry was introduced as an alternative for pregnancy dating and is now the leading method in Nordic countries. The use of ultrasound led to a reduction of post-term births and fewer inductions, and is considered more precise than last menstrual period-based methods for pregnancy dating. Nevertheless, differences in early growth and specific situations, such as maternal obesity, can render its estimates less precise, leading to gestational age misclassification. Clinical implications of ultrasound dating include effect on timely induction in case of post-term pregnancies, treatment with corticosteroids in cases of anticipated preterm delivery and decision on viability in cases of extreme prematurity. Furthermore, gestational age misclassification may influence the numbers and the magnitude of some adverse perinatal outcomes, closely related to gestational age, which are recorded in the Nordic birth registers.

Maternal and fetal characteristics affect discrepancies between pregnancy-dating methods: a population-based cross-sectional register study.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational age is estimated by ultrasound using fetal size as a proxy for age, although variance in early growth affects reliability. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics associated with discrepancies between last menstrual period-based (EDD-LMP) and ultrasound-based (EDD-US) estimated delivery dates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified all singleton births (n = 1 201 679) recorded in the Swedish Medical Birth Register in 1995-2010, to assess the association between maternal/fetal characteristics and large negative and large positive discrepancies (EDD-LMP earlier than EDD-US and 10th percentile in the discrepancy distribution vs. EDD-LMP later than EDD-US and 90th percentile). Analyses were adjusted for age, parity, height, body mass index, smoking, and employment status. RESULTS: Women with a body mass index >40 kg/m2 had the highest odds for large negative discrepancies (-9 to -20 days) [odds ratio (OR) 2.16, 95% CI 2.01-2.33]. Other factors associated with large negative discrepancies were: diabetes, young maternal age, multiparity, body mass index between 30 and 39.9 kg/m2 or <18.5 kg/m2 , a history of gestational diabetes, female fetus, shorter stature (<-1 SD), a history of preeclampsia, smoking or snuff use, and unemployment. Large positive discrepancies (+4 to +20 days) were associated with male fetus (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.77-1.83), age ≥30 years, multiparity, not living with a partner, taller stature (>+1 SD), and unemployment. CONCLUSIONS: Several maternal and fetal characteristics were associated with discrepancies between dating methods. Systematic associations of discrepancies with maternal height, fetal sex, and partly obesity, may reflect an influence on the precision of the ultrasound estimate due to variance in early growth.

Effects of ultrasound pregnancy dating on neonatal morbidity in late preterm and early term male infants: a register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Assessing gestational age by ultrasound can introduce a systematic bias due to sex differences in early growth. METHODS: This cohort study included data on 1,314,602 births recorded in the Swedish Medical Birth Register. We compared rates of prematurity-related adverse outcomes in male infants born early term (gestational week 37-38) or late preterm (gestational week 35-36), in relation to female infants, between a time period when pregnancy dating was based on the last menstrual period (1973-1978), and a time period when ultrasound was used for pregnancy dating (1995-2010), in order to assess the method's influence on outcome by fetal sex. RESULTS: As expected, adverse outcomes were lower in the later time period, but the reduction in prematurity-related morbidity was less marked for male than for female infants. After changing the pregnancy dating method, male infants born early term had, in relation to female infants, higher odds for pneumothorax (Cohort ratio [CR] 2.05; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.16), respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn (CR 1.99; 95 % CI 1.33-2.98), low Apgar score (CR 1.26; 5 % CI 1.08-1.47), and hyperbilirubinemia (CR 1.12; 95 % CI 1.06-1.19), when outcome was compared between the two time periods. A similar trend was seen for late preterm male infants. CONCLUSION: Misclassification of gestational age by ultrasound, due to size differences, can partially explain currently reported sex differences in early term and late preterm infants' adverse neonatal outcomes, and should be taken into account in clinical decisions and when interpreting study results related to fetal sex.