No Baby to Bring Home: Perinatal Loss, Infertility, and Mental Illness-Overview and Recommendations for Care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Update readers on the state of the research on mental health, perinatal loss, and infertility with a focus on providing a comprehensive overview to empower clinicians in treating this population. RECENT FINDINGS: Rates of psychiatric illness are increased in people that experience perinatal loss and infertility. The research remains largely below the clear need for focused screening, prevention, and treatment. Clinicians and researchers need to remain attuned to the impact of perinatal loss and infertility on the mental health of patients and families. Screening, referral, and expanded therapeutic and psychiatric resources are imperative to improving the well-being of these patients and families.

Twin chorionicity and zygosity both vary with maternal age.

Objective: To determine the ratio of dichorionic (DC) to monochorionic (MC) twins by maternal age. Methods: We reviewed all twin pregnancies undergoing first trimester screening (FTS) with nuchal translucency from April 2009 to December 2012 with sonographic determination of chorionicity. Cases were linked to newborn screening (NBS) results and zygosity estimated based on rates of fetal sex discordance. The ratio of DC to MC placentation by maternal age was calculated. Results: We identified 11,351 twin pregnancies with FTS and documented chorionicity. Among these, 7,861 (64.2%) had linked data on FTS and NBS to allow estimation of zygosity based on neonatal sex. Of these, 1,464 (18.6%) were MC and 6,406 (81.4%) DC. The MC twin rate remained constant while the DC twin rate increased with maternal age until 40y. At < 20y, 55% of twin pregnancies were monozygotic (MZ), as compared to 29% at ≥ 40y. Of MZ twins, 38% were DC at < 20y, while 53% were DC at ≥ 40y. Conclusions: Our data suggest a relationship of both zygosity and chorionicity with maternal age. DZ twinning increased with maternal age, while among MZ twins, the proportion that were DC also increased with maternal age.

Recognizing maternal mental health disorders: beyond postpartum depression.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Maternal mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are one of the most common obstetric complications, presenting in pregnancy and postpartum. RECENT FINDINGS: Maternal mental health disorders are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Screening women in pregnancy and postpartum for mental health disorders is key to early identification and treatment of anxiety and depression in the perinatal population. Although universal screening is now recommended by numerous professional organizations, rates of screening are low and often not performed with a validated screening instrument. Although clinical assessment is important, it is insufficient to identify maternal mental health disorders. As symptoms may change throughout pregnancy, screening for anxiety and depression should be done at multiple time points in pregnancy, including intake and postpartum. In addition, it is important to complete a mental health history on intake to identify women who are either at risk for, or experiencing, anxiety and depression. All screening programmes must be accompanied by a protocol to respond to a positive screen to ensure appropriate follow-up and treatment. SUMMARY: Identification and treatment of maternal mental health disorders has important implications for maternal and child health. Obstetric providers should screen all women using a validated screening instrument and have systems in place to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Antenatal Management of Placenta Accreta.

Predelivery diagnosis of placenta accreta, increta, and percreta (from here referred to as placenta accreta, unless otherwise noted) has increasingly created opportunities to optimize antenatal management. Despite the increased frequency of placenta accreta today, occurring in as many as 1 in 533 to 1 in 272 deliveries, high-quality data are lacking for many aspects of antenatal management. This chapter will discuss antenatal management of, and risks faced by, women with suspected placenta accreta, a condition that most frequently requires a potentially morbid cesarean hysterectomy.

A Standardized Approach for Transfusion Medicine Support in Patients With Morbidly Adherent Placenta.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of placenta accreta (PA) has increased from 0.8 to 3.0 in 1000 pregnancies, driven by increased rates of cesarean deliveries (32.2% in 2014) of births in the United States. The average blood loss for a delivery complicated by PA ranges from 2000 to 5000 mL, frequently requiring substantial transfusion medicine support. We report our own institutional multidisciplinary approach for managing such patients, along with transfusion medicine outcomes, in this setting over a 5-year period. METHODS: We reviewed records for patients referred to our program in placental disorders from July 1, 2009, to July 1, 2014. A placental disorders preoperative checklist was implemented to ensure optimal management of patients with peripartum hemorrhage. RESULTS: Of 136 patients whose placentas were reviewed postpartum, 21 had PA, 39 had microscopic PA, 17 had increta, 17 had percreta, and 42 had no accreta (of which 11 had placenta previa). For each subtype, the percentage of patients receiving blood products were 71% (PA), 28% (microscopic PA), 82% (increta), 82% (percreta), and 19% (no accreta). Among patients with PA or variants, 89% of patients with PA or variants underwent postpartum hysterectomy, compared to only 5% of patients with no or microscopic PA. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience and on the findings of our retrospective analysis, patients presenting with either antepartum radiological evidence or clinical suspicion of morbidly adherent placenta will benefit from a standardized protocol for clinical management, including transfusion medicine support. We found that massive hemorrhage is predictable when abnormal placentation is identified predelivery and that blood product support is substantial regardless of the degree of placental invasiveness. The protocol at our institution provides immediate access to sufficient volumes and types of blood products at delivery for patients at highest risk for life-threatening obstetric hemorrhage. Therefore, for patients with a diagnosis of morbidly adherent placenta scheduled for planned cesarean delivery with possible hysterectomy, a programmatic checklist that mobilizes a multidisciplinary team, including proactive transfusion medicine support, represents best practices.

Labor outcome at extremely advanced maternal age.

BACKGROUND: Women of advanced maternal age (AMA) are at increased risk for cesarean delivery compared to non-AMA women. However, it is unclear whether this association is altered by parity and the presence or absence of a trial of labor. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine modes of delivery and maternal outcomes among AMA women stratified by parity and the presence or absence of a trial of labor. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of all women delivering singletons births at ≥20 weeks' gestation in the state of California from 2007 through 2011. Data were extracted from maternal discharge data linked to infant birth certificate records. We compared non-AMA women (age 20-34 years, reference group) to AMA women who were classified as follows: age 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and ≥50 years). The primary outcome was route of delivery (cesarean vs vaginal) stratified by parity and whether a trial of labor occurred (prelabor vs intrapartum cesarean delivery). The association between a trial of labor and perinatal morbidity was also studied. RESULTS: There were 1,346,889 women who met inclusion criteria, which included 181 (0.01%) women who were age ≥50 years at the time of delivery. Overall, 34.7% underwent a cesarean delivery and this risk differed significantly by age group (30.5%, 20-34 years; 40.5%, 35-39 years; 47.3%, 40-44 years; 55.6%, 45-49 years; 62.4%, >50 years). Nulliparous women age ≥50 years were significantly less likely to undergo a trial of labor compared to the reference group (relative risk [RR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.62). Furthermore, nulliparous women age ≥50 years were significantly more likely to experience an intrapartum cesarean delivery (RR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.31-5.20), however the majority (74%) who underwent a trial of labor experienced a vaginal delivery. Compared to the reference group, women age ≥50 years were 5 times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity (1.7% vs 0.3%; RR, 5.08; 95% CI, 1.65-15.61) and their infants 3 times more likely to require neonatal intensive care unit admission (14.9% vs 5.2%; RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.2-4.4), however these outcomes were not associated significantly with having undergone a trial of labor, a cesarean delivery following labor, or a prelabor cesarean delivery. Similar trends were observed among multiparous women. CONCLUSION: Compared to non-AMA women, women age ≥50 years with a singleton pregnancy experience significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery. However the majority of those who undergo a trial of labor will have a vaginal delivery. Neither a trial of labor nor a prelabor cesarean delivery is significantly associated with maternal or neonatal morbidity. These data support either approach in women of extremely AMA.

How do maternal views of delivery outcomes vary by demographics and preferred mode of delivery?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how maternal views of delivery outcomes vary by demographic characteristics and preference toward mode of delivery (MOD). STUDY DESIGN: Survey of 719 pregnant women in outpatient clinics at an academic institution during their third trimester. Women ranked outcomes such as vaginal delivery (VD), cesarean delivery (CD), urinary incontinence, perineal lacerations, and induction of labor (IOL) on a visual analog scale (VAS) in order of worst imaginable (0) to best possible (100) outcomes. RESULTS: Women of all ages ranked VD as more desirable than CD. However, women ≥ 35 years of age had greater valuations of both MOD compared with women <35 years, with mean VAS scores of 88.4 versus 86.4 for VD (p < 0.001) and 61.5 versus 51.9 for CD (p < 0.001). Women with a college education or higher also rated both MOD as more desirable than women with less than a college education. Additionally, women who preferred VD rather than CD had greater valuations of perineal laceration (43.3 vs. 31.5, p = 0.001) and urinary incontinence (40.7 vs. 30.1, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Significant differences exist in women's views toward MOD and peripartum outcomes, by demographics and preferred MOD. Understanding delivery preferences better enables clinicians to counsel women about labor and management options.

Cultivating mental health education in obstetrics and gynecology: a call to action.

Mental health disorders are common and have a significantly negative impact on the health and well-being of women. For example, perinatal mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are widely understood to be the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Untreated mental health disorders are associated with significant obstetrical and psychiatric sequelae and have a long-lasting impact on neonatal and childhood outcomes. As front-line providers for women during times of elevated risk of psychiatric morbidity, such as pregnancy and postpartum, obstetricians and gynecologists are compelled to have familiarity with such disorders. Yet, a wide gap exists between the level of education in mental health disorders that obstetrician and gynecologist providers receive and the clinical need thereof. The objectives of this commentary are to describe the urgent need for mental health education for obstetricians and gynecologists providers and to introduce our vision for a concise, evidence-based and accessible set of digital educational materials designed to convey core concepts in women's reproductive mental health.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes by Degree of Maternal Serum Analyte Elevation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate rates of preterm birth (PTB) and obstetric complication with maternal serum analytes > 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM) by degree of elevation. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of singleton live-births participating in the California Prenatal Screening Program (2005-2011) examining PTB and obstetric complication for α-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin A (INH) by analyte subgroup (2.5 to < 6.0, 6.0 to < 10.0, and ≥ 10.0 MoM vs. < 2.5 MoM). Results The risk of obstetric complication increased with increasing hCG, AFP, and INH MoM, and were greatest for AFP and INH of 6.0 to <10.0 MoM. The greatest risk of any adverse outcome was seen for hCG MoM ≥ 10.0, with relative risk (RR) of PTB < 34 weeks of 40.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.7-77.0) and 13.8 (95% CI: 8.2-23.1) for obstetric complication. Conclusions In euploid, structurally normal fetuses, all analyte elevations > 2.5 MoM confer an increased risk of PTB and, except for uE3, obstetric complication, and risks for each are not uniformly linear. These data can help guide patient counseling and antenatal management.

Vasa previa and extreme prematurity: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine population-based risks of preterm birth associated with vasa previa. STUDY DESIGN: Included were 945,950 singleton, live birth cesarean deliveries with and without vasa previa (gestational ages 24-41 weeks) in California between 2007 and 2012. Odds ratios (ORs) of preterm birth were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 586 were complicated by vasa previa (0.06%). In total, 369 (63%) of those with vasa previa were delivered <37 weeks, compared with 91,662 (10%) of those without. Odds of extreme and very preterm birth were substantially higher for pregnancies with vasa previa even after controlling for comorbidities known to contribute to prematurity, with ORs of 4.6 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.7-12.5) and 16.0 (95% CI: 10.3-24.8), respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on these population-based data, most patients with vasa previa are delivered between 32 and 36 weeks gestation; however, a clinically significant portion occur before 32 weeks. These data are helpful in counseling patients with vasa previa regarding prematurity risk.

Risk factors for classical hysterotomy in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the rate of classical hysterotomy in twin pregnancies across gestational age and examine risk factors that increase its occurrence. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the Cesarean Registry, a cohort study of women who underwent a cesarean delivery or a trial of labor after cesarean delivery at 19 academic centers between 1999 and 2002. Our study included all women with twin pregnancies and a recorded hysterotomy type who underwent cesarean delivery between 23 0/7 and 41 6/7 weeks of gestation. Primary exposures were gestational age at delivery and combined birth weight of twin A and twin B. Multivariate logistic regression was used to study factors thought to influence hysterotomy type including maternal age, body mass index (BMI) at delivery, obesity (BMI 30 or higher), nulliparity, labor, prior cesarean delivery, emergent delivery, and fetal presentation at delivery. RESULTS: Of 1,820 women meeting inclusion criteria, 125 (7%) underwent a classical hysterotomy. The risk of classical hysterotomy was greatest at 25 weeks of gestation (41%) and declined thereafter. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for cesarean delivery declined as gestation age advanced (OR 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.78-0.98). African American race and emergent delivery were associated risk factors for classical hysterotomy at 32 weeks of gestation or greater. CONCLUSION: Among women with twin pregnancies who deliver by cesarean, the incidence of classical hysterotomy is inversely related to gestational age but does not exceed 50% at any week; African American race and emergent delivery are associated risk factors at 32 weeks of gestation or greater. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Racial/ethnic variations in perineal length and association with perineal lacerations: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between race/ethnicity, perineal length and the risk of perineal laceration. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of a diverse group of women with singleton gestations in the third trimester of pregnancy. Perineal length was measured and mean values calculated for several racial/ethnic groups. Chi-squared analyses were used to examine rates of severe perineal laceration (third or fourth degree laceration) by race/ethnicity among women considered to have a short perineal length. Further, subgroup analyses were performed comparing nulliparas to multiparas. RESULTS: Among 344 study participants, there was no statistically significant difference in mean perineal length by race/ethnicity (White 4.0 ± 1.1 cm, African-American 3.7 ± 1.0 cm, Latina 4.1 ± 1.1 cm, Asian 3.8 ± 1.0 cm, and other/unknown 4.0 ± 0.9 cm). Considering parity, more multiparous Asian and African-American women had a short perineal length (20.7 and 23.5%, respectively, p = 0.05). Finally, the rate of severe perineal lacerations in our cohort was 2.6% overall, but was 8.2% among Asian women (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a relationship between short perineal length and risk of severe perineal laceration with vaginal delivery, or a difference in mean perineal length by maternal race/ethnicity. However, we did find that women of different racial/ethnic groups have varying rates of severe perineal laceration, with Asian women comprising the highest proportion.

Preference toward future mode of delivery: how do antepartum preferences and prior delivery experience contribute?

OBJECTIVE: Examine postpartum preferences toward future mode of delivery (MOD), considering recent MOD, antepartum preferences, and demographics. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study where a survey was distributed in outpatient obstetrics clinics to pregnant women over 18 years at 28 weeks gestation or later. Surveys gathered demographics, obstetric history, and preference toward vaginal delivery (VD) versus cesarean delivery (CD). Women were again surveyed at 6-8 weeks postpartum. Chi-square test compared proportions, and logistic regression controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 299 women returned postpartum surveys and expressed preferences. Comparing women who experienced VD versus CD, the majority who had a VD (92.1%) would choose this again, while only 1.9% preferred CD. Among the CD group, preferences were mixed: 29.4% desired repeat CD, 34.1% preferred VD, and 36.5% were undecided (p < 0.001). Adjusted odds were 34.4 (95% CI 9.4-126.1) for preferring VD over CD among women who experienced a recent VD, adjusting for parity, age, ethnicity, education, possible depression, and type of provider. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women preferred VD postpartum. Of the minority who desired CD, antenatal preference for cesarean and prior experience with CD were important factors. This highlights the impact of individual desires and experience, and underscores importance of antenatal counseling.

Uterine rupture after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic leiomyomas.

BACKGROUND: There are few data regarding safety of pregnancy after uterine artery embolization. However, numerous women desire future fertility after this procedure. Uterine rupture without a history of cesarean delivery or uterine scarring is an exceedingly rare complication in pregnancy. CASE: We report a case of uterine rupture in a primigravid woman after uterine artery embolization. Her pregnancy was also complicated by placenta previa with placenta increta, resulting in a favorable neonatal outcome in an otherwise life-threatening situation for mother and fetus. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization is a risk factor for abnormal placentation and uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies.

Maternal bladder cancer diagnosed at routine first-trimester obstetric ultrasound examination.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is exceedingly rare in pregnancy and most commonly presents with gross hematuria. CASES: We describe two patients with the incidental finding of maternal bladder masses identified during routine first-trimester obstetric ultrasonographic evaluation and an ultimate diagnosis of carcinoma. After referral for urology evaluation and biopsy confirmation of bladder cancer, patients underwent surgical resection during their pregnancies without the need for further treatment and had uncomplicated pregnancy courses. CONCLUSION: The distended maternal urinary bladder at the time of first-trimester ultrasonographic evaluation offers a unique opportunity for examination and early diagnosis of incidental maternal bladder carcinoma.

Asian ethnicity and fecundability in women with spontaneous conceptions.

Asian women do not have decreased fecundability compared with Caucasian women when assessing time to pregnancy in spontaneous conceptions.

Late-occurring neurologic sequelae in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

PURPOSE: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are often cured, but the therapies they receive may be neurotoxic. Little is known about the incidence and severity of late-occurring neurologic sequelae in ALL survivors. Data were analyzed to determine the incidence of adverse long-term neurologic outcomes and treatment-related risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed adverse neurologic outcomes that occurred after diagnosis in 4,151 adult survivors of childhood ALL who participated in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), a retrospective cohort of 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986. A randomly selected cohort of the survivors' siblings served as a comparison group. Self-reported auditory-vestibular-visual sensory deficits, focal neurologic dysfunction, seizures, and serious headaches were assessed. RESULTS: The median age at outcome assessment was 20.2 years for survivors. The median follow-up time to death or last survey since ALL diagnosis was 14.1 years. Of the survivors, 64.5% received cranial radiation and 94% received intrathecal chemotherapy. Compared with the sibling cohort, survivors were at elevated risk for late-onset auditory-vestibular-visual sensory deficits (rate ratio [RR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5 to 2.2), coordination problems (RR, 4.1; 95% CI, 3.1 to 5.3), motor problems (RR, 5.0; 95% CI, 3.8 to 6.7), seizures (RR, 4.6; 95% CI, 3.4 to 6.2), and headaches (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 1.7). In multivariable analysis, relapse was the most influential factor that increased risk of late neurologic complications. CONCLUSION: Children treated with regimens that include cranial radiation for ALL and those who suffer a relapse are at increased risk for late-onset neurologic sequelae.