Strategies for obstetricians and gynecologists to advance reproductive autonomy in a post-Roe landscape.

The monumental reversal of Roe vs Wade dramatically impacted the landscape of reproductive healthcare access in the United States. The decision most significantly affects communities that historically have been and continue to be marginalized by systemic racism, classism, and ableism within the medical system. To minimize the harm of restrictive policies that have proliferated since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, it is incumbent on obstetrician-gynecologists to modify practice patterns to meet the pressing reproductive health needs of their patients and communities. Change will require cross-discipline advocacy focused on advancing equity and supporting the framework of reproductive justice. Now, more than ever, obstetrician-gynecologists have a critical responsibility to implement new approaches to service delivery and education that will expand access to evidence-based, respectful, and person-centered family planning and early pregnancy care regardless of their practice location or subspecialty.

Cytomegalovirus and systemic inflammation at time of surgery is associated with worse outcomes in serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection that establishes latency in healthy people. CMV has been associated with alterations of the immune compartment leading to improved responses, while inflammation has been shown to adversely impact outcomes. We investigated whether CMV serostatus predicts outcomes in ovarian cancer in the presence or absence of inflammation. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with serous ovarian cancer from 2006 to 2009 were analyzed. CMV and systemic inflammation was measured using CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C-reactive protein (CRP), respectively, in serum collected prior to cytoreduction. Patients were stratified by CMV IgG (non-reactive, reactive/borderline) and CRP (≤10, >10 mg/L) status. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared by group using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusting for age at surgery. RESULTS: Of 106 eligible patients, 40 (37.7%) were CMV+/CRP+, 24 (22.6%) CMV+/CRP-, 19 (17.9%) CMV-/CRP+, and 23 (21.7%) CMV-/CRP-. CRP+ had higher CA-125 levels (P = 0.05) and higher rates of suboptimal debulking (P = 0.03). There were no other significant differences in demographic, surgical, or pathologic factors between groups. CMV+/CRP+ patients median RFS and OS were 16.9 months (95% CI: 9.0-21.1) and 31.7 months (95% CI: 25.0-48.7), respectively, with a significantly worse RFS (aHR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.05-3.24, P = 0.03) and OS (aHR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.17-3.82, P = 0.01) compared to CMV-/CRP- (RFS = 31.2 months (95% CI: 16.0-56.4) and OS = 63.8 months (95% CI: 50.7-87.0)). CMV+/CRP- group displayed the longest OS (89.3 months). CONCLUSIONS: Previous exposure to CMV and high CRP at surgery portended worse RFS and OS compared to women who tested negative. The CMV+/CRP- group had the longest OS, indicating that CMV status alone, in the absence of inflammation, may be protective.

Pregnancy planning, prevention, and risk evaluation clinics: rethinking the traditional preconception consult.

The preconception consultation has traditionally centered pregnancy as desired and preordained. Separating preconception and contraceptive visits burdens patients and further fragments reproductive healthcare. We argue that the creation of a combined preconception and complex contraception clinic for individuals with significant medical and obstetrical comorbidities is one approach to promoting reproductive autonomy. Pregnancy planning, prevention, and risk evaluation clinics are designed to review pregnancy-related risks in the setting of patients' medical and obstetrical comorbidities, recommend strategies to reduce risks, and, if desired, provide contraceptive methods. Consultations for pregnancy risk evaluation and pregnancy prevention should not be considered mutually exclusive. Combining these visits is crucial for obstetrically and/or medically complex patients. Rethinking the traditional preconception consultation is a change in healthcare delivery that centers comprehensive reproductive healthcare.

Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response as a maternal presentation of mirror syndrome: a case report.

Mirror syndrome is the phenomenon of fetal hydrops causing maternal edema and weight gain. Here, we report a case of arrhythmia as the primary maternal symptom. A 36-year-old woman, G2P1001, at 34.5 weeks of gestation presented with new-onset fetal hydrops combined with maternal weight gain and edema. She developed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response; cardiac workup was unremarkable. Rate control was achieved with diltiazem. She underwent delivery and reverted to normal sinus rhythm on post-operative day 1. Volume overload causes atrial wall stress and neurohormonal changes that may trigger atrial fibrillation. Optimization with rate control facilitated good maternal and fetal outcomes in this case.

HIV knowledge and attitudes among minority pregnant patients and their non-pregnant partners in an urban hospital clinic.

OBJECTIVE: HIV seroconversion during pregnancy disproportionately affects urban, minority pregnant individuals. In order to prevent perinatal HIV transmission, it is essential that individuals are aware of HIV risk factors and effective transmission prevention strategies are employed. Thus, we aimed to examine knowledge about HIV transmission and attitudes about HIV among low-income, minority pregnant individuals and their partners living in a high HIV prevalence area. METHODS: In this qualitative study, pregnant participants were HIV-seronegative individuals receiving publicly-funded prenatal care in an urban academic center in the United States. Pregnant individuals and their partners were recruited to participate in a quality improvement program offering HIV testing to partners of pregnant people. Semi-structured guides were used to conduct individual interviews about participant sources of information about HIV, knowledge about transmission, and attitudes regarding those living with HIV. Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method to determine themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Of 51 participants, 29 were pregnant individuals and 22 were non-pregnant partners. We found that inaccurate knowledge about perinatal HIV transmission was prevalent. Sources of information about HIV included reputable literary information or educational experiences, broadcast media, and word-of-mouth sources. Participants held dichotomous perceptions of people living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Among low-income, minority pregnant people and their partners in a high HIV prevalence area, inaccuracies and lack of knowledge about HIV transmission were common. Efforts to educate pregnant individuals and their partners about HIV and perinatal HIV transmission should address common misconceptions and use popular sources of information.

Short Communication: Communication Between Pregnant Women and Male Partners About HIV Testing in the United States.

Male partner uptake of HIV testing during antenatal care is poor despite women's reported desire for partner testing. This qualitative study of HIV-negative pregnant women and their partners in a high HIV prevalence city in the United States assessed communication between partners about HIV testing. Facilitators and barriers of partner testing were identified. Women are the driving force behind couples' communication; however, male partner uptake is underutilized. A common barrier to male partner uptake is the concept of "negative by proxy," as well as male partner lack of follow-up for testing and nondisclosure of results. Future research is needed to assess specific barriers to male partner HIV testing as an approach to preventing perinatal HIV transmission.

Evaluation of adherence rates following ectopic pregnancy to inform management decisions in a public hospital system.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to follow-up is an important consideration when treating non-emergent ectopic pregnancy. Our aim was to evaluate the management of ectopic pregnancy among patients in a public hospital system and to identify factors related to adherence of medical management in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review to evaluate the management of ectopic pregnancy among women in a public hospital system, including all women undergoing treatment for ectopic pregnancy from 2012 to 2017. Data were abstracted from the medical record. Women who were adherent to follow-up were compared to those who were non-adherent. Log-binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with management type and adherence to follow-up of medical management. RESULTS: Of 283 women diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, 182 (64.3%) were managed surgically and 101 (35.7%) were managed with methotrexate. Among non-emergent cases, presence of fetal cardiac activity, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level ≥5000mIU/mL, ectopic size ≥3.5 cm, and multigravid status was associated with surgical management. Among patients receiving methotrexate, 66 (65.3%) adhered to required lab draws 4 and 7 days following methotrexate administration (+/-1 day). Among those receiving methotrexate 45.5% (n = 46) were lost to follow-up. Lower prevalence of adherence to follow-up (i.e. lab draws completed until pregnancy levels were negative) was observed among non-Hispanic African American (RR=0.64, 95%CI 0.45-0.94) compared to white women and women with multigravid status (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.48-0.95) after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of those treated with methotrexate failed to complete follow-up. African-American women and multigravida women were at higher risk of being lost to follow up.

Prophylactic anticoagulation for preterm premature rupture of membranes: a decision analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current standard of care in the setting of preterm premature rupture of membranes involves antenatal hospitalization until delivery. The reduced physical activity during this time compounds the heightened risk for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy. Prophylactic anticoagulation can decrease this risk of venous thromboembolism; however, this benefit must be balanced against the risks of precluding neuraxial analgesia or increasing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the optimal modality for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis during hospitalization for preterm premature rupture of membranes using a decision analysis model. STUDY DESIGN: A decision-analytical Markov model was constructed using the TreeAge software comparing the use of unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin or no anticoagulation in women with a singleton pregnancy who were hospitalized for preterm premature rupture of membranes after 24 weeks and remained hospitalized until delivery. Maternal outcomes examined included attainment of neuraxial analgesia (vs no analgesia for vaginal delivery or general anesthesia for cesarean delivery), venous thromboembolism, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal death. Probabilities and utilities were derived from existing literature. Sensitivity analyses were performed to interrogate model assumptions, and a Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the robustness of the model. RESULTS: In this decision-analytical model, no prophylactic anticoagulation maximized maternal utilities. Clinical outcomes among a theoretical cohort of 100,000 women are shown in the Table. The 1- and 2-way sensitivity analyses supported this conclusion. Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that no prophylaxis was the preferred choice in 56% of simulations, unfractionated heparin in 34% of simulations, and low-molecular-weight heparin in 10% of simulations. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the routine use of prophylactic anticoagulation in women admitted to the hospital for preterm premature rupture of membranes. These findings can be used to inform clinical decisions when admitting low-risk singleton pregnancies to the hospital in the setting of preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Patient characteristics associated with complications of external cephalic version.

BACKGROUND: Patient characteristics associated with external cephalic version success are well documented; however, the association between patient characteristics and the likelihood of external cephalic version complications is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the frequency of patient characteristics associated with complications that lead to unanticipated delivery during external cephalic version. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included pregnant women aged at least 18 years with singleton gestations who underwent an external cephalic version attempt between 2006 and 2016 at a single quaternary care center. External cephalic version complications were defined as persistent nonreassuring fetal status, placental abruption, labor, spontaneous rupture of membranes, and umbilical cord prolapse. Complications were only considered if they led to unanticipated induction or cesarean delivery within 24 hours of external cephalic version. Patient characteristics including maternal age, height, weight, body mass index, parity, fetal sex, gestational age, estimated fetal weight, the type of fetal malpresentation, and placental location were analyzed for their association with external cephalic version complications using univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Among the 1138 patients included in this analysis, external cephalic version complications occurred in 6.7% (n=76). These complications (not mutually exclusive) included nonreassuring fetal status (4.8%, n=55), placental abruption (1.6%, n=18), labor (1.0%, n=11), spontaneous rupture of membranes (0.6%, n=7), and cord prolapse (0.1%, n=1). Neonatal outcomes for those with complications included intensive care unit admission (10.5%, n=8), 5-minute Apgar scores <5 (1.3%, n=1), cord arterial pH <7 (6.6%, n=5), head cooling (1.3%, n=1), and anemia (6.6%, n=5). There were no perinatal deaths. In multivariable analysis, higher body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90 per kg/m2; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.97) and estimated fetal weight (adjusted odds ratio, 0.998 per gram; 95% confidence interval 0.998-0.999) were associated with decreased likelihood of experiencing external cephalic version complications, whereas greater gestational age at procedure (adjusted odds ratio, 1.95 per week; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.7) and anterior placental location (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.7) were associated with increased likelihood of experiencing external cephalic version complications. CONCLUSION: In this large series, complications that led to delivery during external cephalic version occurred in 6.7% patients and were associated with body mass index, estimated fetal weight, gestational age, and placental location.

A Multivariable Predictive Model for Success of External Cephalic Version.

OBJECTIVE: To create a prediction model for external cephalic version (ECV) success using objective patient characteristics. METHODS: This retrospective study included pregnant individuals of at least 18 years of age with a nonanomalous, singleton gestation who underwent an ECV attempt between 2006 and 2016 at a single quaternary care hospital. Variables assessed included maternal age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, fetal sex, gestational age, estimated fetal weight, type of fetal malpresentation, placental location, and amniotic fluid volume. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of patient characteristics with ECV success. Estimated odds ratios and corresponding 95% CIs were calculated for each variable, and backward elimination and bootstrapping were used to find a parsimonious model for ECV success with the highest discriminatory capacity (as determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]). This model was evaluated with a calibration curve across deciles of success. RESULTS: A total of 1,138 individuals underwent an ECV attempt and were included in this analysis. The overall ECV success frequency was 40.6%. Factors significantly associated with ECV success were maternal age, parity, placental location, estimated fetal weight, and type of fetal malpresentation. A final model with BMI, parity, placental location, and type of fetal malpresentation had the highest AUC (0.667 [95% CI 0.634-0.701]), resulted in good calibration, and is represented by the following equation: 1/[1+e-x] where x=1.1726-0.0314 (BMI)-0.9299 (nulliparity)+1.0218 (transverse or oblique presentation at ECV)-0.5113 (anterior placenta). An interactive version of this equation was created and can be accessed at www.ecvcalculator.com. CONCLUSION: A prediction model that estimates the probability of ECV success was created and internally validated. This model incorporates easily obtainable and objective patient factors known before ECV and may be used in decision making and patient counseling about ECV.

Birth Behind Bars: The Need for Labor Support in the Incarcerated Population.

The population of women within carceral systems is growing rapidly. A portion of these individuals are pregnant and will deliver while incarcerated. Although shackling laws for pregnant persons have improved, incarcerated patients are forced to labor without the support of anyone but a carceral officer and their medical staff. We believe access to continuous labor support is critical for all pregnant persons. Carceral systems and their affiliated hospitals have the opportunity to change policies to reflect that continuous labor support is a basic human right and should be permitted for incarcerated pregnant persons in labor, either through a doula program or a selected person of choice.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women With Female Genital Mutilation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe symptom prevalence and quality of life impact from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women living with female genital mutilation (FGM) in the United States. METHODS: A convenience sample of English-speaking women with FGM were invited to complete an anonymous survey including the Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire to assess symptom prevalence and bother and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 to assess quality of life impact from pelvic floor disorders. Data are reported as median (interquartile range). Correlations were calculated using Spearman ρ. RESULTS: Thirty women with an age of 29 (24-40) years were included. Sixty-seven percent self-identified as black/African and 77% were Muslim. Women reported being circumcised between ages 1 week and 16 years (median, 6 years). Forty percent reported type I circumcision, 23% reported type II, 23% reported type III, and 13% were unsure. Fifty percent were vaginally parous. Seventy-three percent of women reported the presence of LUTS. Twenty-seven percent voided at least 9 times per day, and 60% had nocturia at least 2 times. Bothersome voiding symptoms were commonly reported: urinary hesitancy (40%), strained urine flow (30%), and intermittent urine stream (47%). Fifty-three percent reported urgency urinary incontinence and 43% reported stress urinary incontinence. Symptom prevalence and bother were correlated for all 12 items (ρ = 0.51-0.90, P < 0.001). Median Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 score was 102 (8-144), with 63% reporting urinary symptoms having "moderate" or "quite a bit of" impact on their activities, relationships, or feelings. CONCLUSION: Lower urinary tract symptoms are common and bothersome in women with FGM. Providers caring for patients with FGM should inquire about LUTS.

Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Gynecologic Malignancy: A Review.

Harnessing the immune system has proven an effective therapy in treating malignancies. Since the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, strategies aimed to manipulate and augment their effector function against cancer have been the subject of intense research. Recent progress in the immunobiology of NK cells has led to the development of promising therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in NK cell immunobiology and the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer.