Prolongation of active second stage of labor: Associated factors and perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Current data does not allow to define a reasonable threshold of duration of active second stage (ASS) of labor beyond which a medical intervention should be considered. Primary objective was to analyse perinatal outcomes associated with prolonged ASS beyond 45 min. Secondarily, we analysed associated maternal, gestational, labor and delivery characteristics associated with prolonged ASS. METHODS: We performed a monocentric retrospective study among women with vaginal delivery, a term singleton cephalic fetus, without history of cesarean section. We compared women with active second stage of labor longer than 45 min (ASS ≥45 min, group A) and women with instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD) only for failure to progress (FtP) before 45 min of pushing (group B). Primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with ASS ≥ 45 min were assessed with multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prolonged ASS ≥45 min (group A, N=177) was associated with lower rate of persistent occiput posterior position (1.7 vs 9.5%, p<0.01) and of non-engaged presentation when expulsive efforts started (10.7 vs 27.4%, p<0.01), compared to IVD for FtP <45 min (group B, N=84). In group A, 52% of women had instrumental delivery. Prolonged active second stage was independently associated with lower odds of episiotomy (38.4 vs 61.9%, AOR(95%CI)=0.43[0.24-0.78]) and was not associated with PPH (5.1 vs 5.9%, AOR=1.01[0.28-3.68]), pH<7.20, 5-min Apgar score < 7 (20.2 vs 15.9%, AOR=2.00[0.89-4.48]), lactates > 6 (23.0 vs 24.3, AOR=1.45[0.68-3.07]) or transfer to neonatal intensive care unit (6.2 vs 2.4%, AOR=4.71[0.76-29.08]. DISCUSSION: Extending the duration of active second stage of labor beyond 45 min seems reasonable under rigorous surveillance of maternal and fetal wellbeing.

Carbetocin versus Oxytocin for the Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Cesarean Deliveries: A Retrospective Study of Two Consecutive Periods.

Objective The aim of the study is to investigate whether carbetocin prevents postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) more effectively than oxytocin Methods This historical retrospective single-center cohort study compares women who underwent cesarean deliveries during two periods. During period A, oxytocin was used as a 10-unit bolus immediately after delivery, with 20 units thereafter infused for 24 hours. During period B, carbetocin in a single 100-µg injection replaced this protocol. The main outcome was PPH, defined as a decline in hemoglobin of more than 2 g/dL after the cesarean. The analysis was performed on the overall population and then stratified by the timing of the cesareans (before or during labor). A logistic regression analysis was performed. Results This study included 1,796 women, 52% of whom had a cesarean before labor; 15% had a PPH. The crude PPH rate was lower in period B than in period A (13 vs. 17%, respectively, odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.98). The difference was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio: 0.81, 95% CI 0.61-1.06). Results were similar when stratified by the timing of the cesareans (before or during labor). Conclusion Carbetocin is not superior to oxytocin in preventing PPH. However, it does provide the advantage of requiring a single injection.

Evaluation of a policy of restrictive episiotomy on the incidence of perineal tears among women with spontaneous vaginal delivery: A ten-year retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Routine episiotomy is no longer recommended to limit obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIs). We aimed to evaluate the effect of a restrictive policy of episiotomy on the risk of OASIs during spontaneous vaginal deliveries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center observational study among women with a term singleton cephalic fetus, with spontaneous vaginal delivery. The occurrence of episiotomy, intact perineum, first, second, third or fourth-degree (OASIs) perineal tears were compared before (period A, from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2008) and after (period B, from 01/01/2012 to 12/31/2016) implementation of the restrictive policy. Odds of perineal tear were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models, stratified by parity. RESULTS: From 2006-2016, the rate of episiotomy decreased, from 14.9 % (n/N=200/1141) to 4.7 % (94/1912). In period B (N=8984) vs A (N=8984), the rates of episiotomy were, 12.9 vs 26.6 % for nulliparas (p<0.01) and 2.3 vs 6.8 % for multiparas (p<0.01). Odds of OASIs were not different in period B vs A, both for nulliparas (0.9 vs 0.8 %, AOR=0.88(0.38-2.05)) and multiparas (0.4 vs 0.2 %, AOR=2.28(0.63-8.29). Odds of second-degree tear were higher in period B vs A, both for nulliparas (39.8 vs 17.4 %, AOR=2.55(2.11-3.08) and multiparas (26.2 vs 12.8 %, AOR=2.26(1.95-2.66)); and odds of intact perineum were lower (for nulliparas, 15.8 vs 24.9 %, AOR=0.61(0.42-0.90) and for multiparas, 47.1 vs 56.0 %, AOR=0.61(0.49-0.76)). No difference was observed for first-degree tears. CONCLUSION: The progressive implementation of a restrictive policy of episiotomy during spontaneous vaginal delivery was not associated with an increased risk of OASIs over a ten-year period.

Evaluation of the implementation of a protocol for the restrictive use of oxytocin during spontaneous labor.

INTRODUCTION: Use of oxytocin is associated with uterine hyperstimulation and postpartum hemorrhage with a dose-dependent effect. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the implementation of a protocol for the restrictive use of oxytocin during spontaneous labor on obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed an observational before-and-after study among 2174 women in spontaneous labor with a term singleton cephalic fetus. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared according to the period, before (period A) and after (period B) the implementation of a protocol for the restrictive use of oxytocin. RESULTS: 1235 women were included in period A and 939 in period B. Compared to period A, the use of oxytocin during period B was significantly lower (45.5 vs. 35.1%, p<0.001) in both nulliparous (61.2 vs 54.6%, p=0.04) and multiparous women (34.0 vs. 21.1%, p<0.001). Labor was significantly longer in period B, both in nulliparous (6.7 vs. 7.9 h, p<0.01) and multiparous women (4.1 vs. 4.5 h, p<0.01). A lower frequency of uterine hyperstimulation (6.6 vs. 2.7%, p=0.01) was observed in period B. The odds of instrumental and cesarean delivery were not different between the periods (respectively adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1(0.8-1.4); 1.2(0.8-1.8)) including for nulliparous women (respectively, 1.3(0.9-1.7); 1.3(0.8-1.9)). DISCUSSION: Reducing the use of oxytocin during spontaneous labor through the implementation of a protocol may reduce the iatrogenic effects without increasing the risk of caesarean section but this implies longer duration of labor.