Moderate or intensive management of the active phase of second-stage labor and risk of urinary and anal incontinence: results of the PASST randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Incontinence occurs frequently in the postpartum period. Several theoretical pathophysiological models may underlie the hypothesis that different types of management of the active phase of the second stage of labor have different effects on pelvic floor muscles and thus perhaps affect urinary and anal continence. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of "moderate pushing" on the occurrence of urinary or anal incontinence compared with "intensive pushing," and to determine the factors associated with incontinence at 6 months postpartum. STUDY DESIGN: This was a planned analysis of secondary objectives of the PASST (Phase Active du Second STade) trial, a multicenter randomized controlled trial. PASST included nulliparous women with singleton term pregnancies and epidural analgesia, who were randomly assigned at 8 cm of dilatation to either the intervention group that used "moderate" pushing (pushing only twice during each contraction, resting regularly for 1 contraction in 5 without pushing, and no time limit on pushing) or the control group following the usual management of "intensive" pushing (pushing 3 times during each contraction, with no contractions without pushing, with an obstetrician called to discuss operative delivery after 30 minutes of pushing). Data about continence were collected with validated self-assessment questionnaires at 6 months postpartum. Urinary incontinence was defined by an ICIQ-UI SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form) score ≥1 and anal incontinence by a Wexner score ≥2. A separate analysis was also performed among the more severely affected women (ICIQ-UI SF ≥6 and Wexner ≥5). Factors associated with incontinence were assessed with univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Among 1618 women initially randomized, 890 (55%) returned the complete questionnaire at 6 months. The rate of urinary incontinence was 36.6% in the "moderate" pushing group vs 38.5% in the "intensive" pushing group (relative risk, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.13), whereas the rate of anal incontinence was 32.2% vs 34.6% (relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.12). None of the obstetrical factors studied related to the second stage of labor influenced the occurrence of urinary or anal incontinence, except operative vaginal delivery, which increased the risk of anal incontinence (adjusted odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.15). CONCLUSION: The results of the PASST trial indicate that neither moderate nor intensive pushing efforts affect the risk of urinary or anal incontinence at 6 months postpartum among women who gave birth under epidural analgesia.

Efficacy of early intrauterine balloon tamponade for immediate postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Many questions remain about the appropriate use of intrauterine balloon devices in postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery refractory to first-line uterotonics. Available data suggest that early use of intrauterine balloon tamponade might be beneficial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of intrauterine balloon tamponade used in combination with second-line uterotonics vs intrauterine balloon tamponade used after the failure of second-line uterotonic treatment on the rate of severe postpartum hemorrhage in women with postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery refractory to first-line uterotonics. STUDY DESIGN: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, nonblinded trial was conducted at 18 hospitals and enrolled 403 women who had just given birth vaginally at 35 to 42 weeks of gestation. The inclusion criteria were a postpartum hemorrhage refractory to first-line uterotonics (oxytocin) and requiring a second-line uterotonic treatment with sulprostone (E1 prostaglandin). In the study group, the sulprostone infusion was combined with intrauterine tamponade by an ebb balloon performed within 15 minutes of randomization. In the control group, the sulprostone infusion was started alone within 15 minutes of randomization, and if bleeding persisted 30 minutes after the start of sulprostone infusion, intrauterine tamponade using the ebb balloon was performed. In both groups, if the bleeding persisted 30 minutes after the insertion of the balloon, an emergency radiological or surgical invasive procedure was performed. The primary outcome was the proportion of women who either received ≥3 units of packed red blood cells or had a calculated peripartum blood loss of >1000 mL. The prespecified secondary outcomes were the proportions of women who had a calculated blood loss of ≥1500 mL, any transfusion, an invasive procedure and women who were transferred to the intensive care unit. The analysis of the primary outcome with the triangular test was performed sequentially throughout the trial period. RESULTS: At the eighth interim analysis, the independent data monitoring committee concluded that the incidence of the primary outcome did not differ between the 2 groups and stopped inclusions. After 11 women were excluded because they met an exclusion criterion or withdrew their consent, 199 and 193 women remained in the study and control groups, respectively, for the intention-to-treat analysis. The women's baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Peripartum hematocrit level change, which was needed for the calculation of the primary outcome, was missing for 4 women in the study group and 2 women in the control group. The primary outcome occurred in 131 of 195 women (67.2%) in the study group and 142 of 191 women (74.3%) in the control group (risk ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.03). The groups did not differ substantially for rates of calculated peripartum blood loss pf ≥1500 mL, any transfusion, invasive procedure, and admission to an intensive care unit. Endometritis occurred in 5 women (2.7%) in the study group and none in the control group (P=.06). CONCLUSION: The early use of intrauterine balloon tamponade did not reduce the incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage compared with its use after the failure of second-line uterotonic treatment and before recourse to invasive procedures.

Incidence and risk factors for severe postpartum haemorrhage in women with anterior low-lying or praevia placenta and prior caesarean: Prospective population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and risk factors for severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in women with an anterior low-lying or praevia placenta, prior caesarean and no prenatal suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). DESIGN: Population-based study in 176 maternity units in France. POPULATION: All women with anterior low-lying (0-19 mm from the cervical internal os) or praevia placenta, diagnosed prospectively before birth, prior caesarean and no prenatal suspicion of PAS. METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for severe PPH in the main population and after exclusion of women with PAS diagnosed only at birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severe PPH defined by a composite criterion either estimated blood loss of ≥1500 ml, transfusion of ≥4 or more units of packed red blood cells, embolisation or surgical treatment. RESULTS: Of the 520 114 women constituting the source population, 230 (0.44/1000 women; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.50) met the inclusion criteria. Severe PPH rate was 24.8% (95% CI 19.2-30.4) overall, 27.5% (95% CI 21.8-33.3) in women with placenta praevia and 15.4% (95% CI 10.7-20.0) in women with low-lying placenta. PAS was diagnosed at birth in 22 women (9.9%; 95% CI 5.8-13.4), although previously unsuspected. After their exclusion, severe PPH incidence was 17.3% (95% CI 12.4-22.2). In multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with a higher severe PPH risk was placenta previa (aOR, 3.65; 95%CI, 1.20-15.8). CONCLUSION: Severe PPH is frequent among women with anterior low-lying or praevia placenta and prior caesarean, even after exclusion of women with PAS. The risk of severe PPH for those with praevia is nearly twice that with low-lying placenta.

Alternative to intensive management of the active phase of the second stage of labor: a multicenter randomized trial (Phase Active du Second STade trial) among nulliparous women with an epidural.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on an optimal strategy for managing the active phase of the second stage of labor. Intensive pushing could not only reduce pushing duration, but also increase abnormal fetal heart rate because of cord compression and reduced placental perfusion and oxygenation resulting from the combination of uterine contractions and maternal expulsive forces. Therefore, it may increase the risk of neonatal acidosis and the need for operative vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of the management encouraging "moderate" pushing vs "intensive" pushing on neonatal morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial, including nulliparas in the second stage of labor with an epidural and a singleton cephalic fetus at term and with a normal fetal heart rate. Of note, 2 groups were defined: (1) the moderate pushing group, in which women had no time limit on pushing, pushed only twice during each contraction, and observed regular periods without pushing, and (2) the intensive pushing group, in which women pushed 3 times during each contraction and the midwife called an obstetrician after 30 minutes of pushing to discuss operative delivery (standard care). The primary outcome was a composite neonatal morbidity criterion, including umbilical arterial pH of <7.15, base excess of >10 mmol/L, lactate levels of >6 mmol/L, 5-minute Apgar score of <7, and severe neonatal trauma. The secondary outcomes were mode of delivery, episiotomy, obstetrical anal sphincter injuries, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal satisfaction. RESULTS: The study included 1710 nulliparous women. The neonatal morbidity rate was 18.9% in the moderate pushing group and 20.6% in the intensive pushing group (P=.38). Pushing duration was longer in the moderate group than in the intensive group (38.8±26.4 vs 28.6±17.0 minutes; P<.001), and its rate of operative delivery was 21.1% in the moderate group compared with 24.8% in the intensive group (P=.08). The episiotomy rate was significantly lower in the moderate pushing group than in the intensive pushing group (13.5% vs 17.8%; P=.02). We found no significant difference for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries, postpartum hemorrhage, or maternal satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Moderate pushing has no effect on neonatal morbidity, but it may nonetheless have benefits, as it was associated with a lower episiotomy rate.

Conservative management or cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: the PACCRETA prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum is a life-threatening condition that has increased dramatically in recent decades along with cesarean rates worldwide. Cesarean hysterectomy is widely practiced in women with placenta accreta spectrum; however, the maternal outcomes after cesarean hysterectomy have not been thoroughly compared with the maternal outcomes after alternative approaches, such as conservative management. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the severe maternal outcomes between women with placenta accreta spectrum treated with cesarean hysterectomy and those treated with conservative management (leaving the placenta in situ). STUDY DESIGN: From a source population of 520,114 deliveries in 176 hospitals (PACCRETA study), we designed an observational cohort of women with placenta accreta spectrum who had either a cesarean hysterectomy or a conservative management (the placenta left in situ) during cesarean delivery. Clinicians prospectively identified women meeting the inclusion criteria and included them at delivery. Data collection started only after the women had received information and agreed to participate in the study in the immediate postpartum period. The primary outcome was the transfusion of >4 units of packed red blood cells within 6 months after delivery. Secondary outcomes were other maternal complications within 6 months. We used propensity score weighting to account for potential indication bias. RESULTS: Here, 86 women had conservative management and 62 women had cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum during cesarean delivery. The primary outcome occurred in 14 of 86 women in the conservative management group (16.3%) and 36 of 61 (59.0%) in the cesarean hysterectomy group (risk ratio in propensity score weighted model, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.45). The rates of hysterectomy, total estimated blood loss exceeding 3000 mL, any blood product transfusion, adjacent organ injury, and nonpostpartum hemorrhage-related severe maternal morbidity were lower with conservative management than with cesarean hysterectomy (all adjusted, P≤.02); but, the rates of arterial embolization, endometritis, and readmission within 6 months of discharge were higher with conservative management than with cesarean hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Among women with placenta accreta spectrum who underwent cesarean delivery, conservative management was associated with a lower risk of transfusion of >4 units of packed red blood cells within 6 months than cesarean hysterectomy.

Antepartum severe maternal morbidity: A population-based study of risk factors and delivery outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a key indicator of maternal health. Generally explored without distinction by the timing of the event, it mainly reflects postpartum SMM. Although antepartum (pre-labour) SMM presents specific challenges in its need to optimise the risk-benefit balance for both mother and foetus, its features remain inadequately explored. OBJECTIVES: We explored risk factors of antepartum SMM and described adverse delivery and neonatal outcomes associated with antepartum SMM. METHODS: We designed a population-based nested case-control study based on data from the EPIMOMS study (119 maternity hospitals of 6 French regions, 2012-2013, N = 182,309 deliveries in the source cohort). This study included all women with antepartum SMM (cases, n = 601) compared to a randomly selected sample of women who gave birth without SMM in the same hospitals (controls, n = 3651). Antepartum SMM risk factors were identified with multivariable logistic regression following imputations for missing data. RESULTS: Antepartum SMM complicated 0.33% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.36) of pregnancies. Antepartum SMM risk factors were maternal age ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% CI 1.22, 1.97), increased body mass index (OR for 5 kg/m2 increase, 1.24, 95% CI 1.14, 1.36), maternal birth in sub-Saharan Africa (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.29, 2.53), pre-existing medical condition (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.99, 3.30), nulliparity (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.83, 2.80), previous pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders (OR 4.94, 95% CI 3.36, 7.26), multiple pregnancy (OR 5.79, 95% CI 3.75, 7.26), irregular prenatal care (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.27, 2.72). For women with antepartum SMM, preterm delivery, neonatal mortality and transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit were 10 times more frequent than for controls. Emergency caesarean and general anaesthesia were more frequent in women with antepartum SMM. CONCLUSIONS: Antepartum SMM is rare but associated with increased rates of adverse delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Placenta accreta spectrum - variations in clinical practice and maternal morbidity between the UK and France: a population-based comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the management and outcomes of women with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in France and the UK. DESIGN: Two population-based cohorts. SETTING: All obstetrician-led hospitals in the UK and maternity hospitals in eight French regions. POPULATION: A cohort of 219 women with PAS in France and a cohort of 154 women with PAS in the UK. METHODS: The management and outcomes of women with PAS were compared between the UK and France. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Median blood loss, severe postpartum haemorrhage (≥3 l), postpartum infection and damage to surrounding organs. RESULTS: The management of PAS differed between the two countries: a larger proportion of women with PAS in the UK had a caesarean hysterectomy compared with France (43% vs 26%, p < 0.001), whereas in France a larger proportion of women with PAS received a uterus-preserving approach compared with the UK (36% vs 19%, p < 0.001). The total median blood loss in the UK was 3 l (IQR 1.7-6.5 l), compared with 1 l (IQR 0.5-2.5 l) in France; more women with PAS had a severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in the UK compared with women with PAS in France (58% vs 21%, p < 0.001) [Correction added on 06 May 2022, after first online publication: '24 hour' has been changed to 'total' in the preceding sentence]. There was no difference between the UK and French populations for postpartum infection or organ damage. CONCLUSIONS: The UK and France have very different approaches to managing PAS, with more women in France receiving a uterine-conserving approach and more women in the UK undergoing caesarean hysterectomy. A life-threatening haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France, which may be the result of differential management and/or the organisation of the healthcare systems. In women with placenta accreta spectrum, severe haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: In women with placenta accreta spectrum, severe haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France.

Maternal Intensive Care Unit Admission as an Indicator of Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) accounts for any life-threatening complication during pregnancy or after delivery. Measuring and monitoring SAMM seem critical to assessing the quality of maternal health care. The objectives were to explore the validity of intensive care unit (ICU) admission as an indicator of SAMM by characterizing the profile of women admitted to an ICU and of their ICU stay, according to the association with other SAMM criterion. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the 2540 women with SAMM included in the epidemiology of severe acute maternal morbidity (EPIMOMS) multiregional prospective population-based study (2012-2013, n = 182,309 deliveries). The EPIMOMS definition of SAMM, based on national experts' consensus, is a combination of diagnosis, organ dysfunctions, and intervention criteria, including ICU admission. Among women with SAMM, we identified characteristics associated with maternal ICU admission with or with no other SAMM criterion compared with ICU admission, by using multivariable multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 511 women were admitted to an ICU during or up to 42 days after pregnancy, for a population-based rate of 2.8 of 1000 deliveries (511/182,309; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-3.1); 15.5% of them (79/511; 95% CI, 12.4-18.9) had no other SAMM criterion compared with ICU admission. Among women with SAMM, the odds of ICU admission with no other morbidity criterion were increased in women with preexisting medical conditions (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.13; 95% CI, 1.17-3.86) and cesarean before labor (aOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.47-6.64). Women admitted to ICU with no other SAMM criterion had more often decompensation of a preexisting condition, no interventions for organ support, and a shorter length of stay than women admitted with other SAMM criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with SAMM, 1 in 5 is admitted to an ICU; 15.5% of those admitted in ICU have no other SAMM criterion and a less acute condition. These results challenge the use of ICU admission as a criterion of SAMM.

Tranexamic Acid for the Prevention of Blood Loss after Vaginal Delivery.

BACKGROUND: The use of tranexamic acid reduces mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage. We investigated whether the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid in addition to prophylactic oxytocin in women with vaginal delivery would decrease the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage. METHODS: In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we randomly assigned women in labor who had a planned vaginal delivery of a singleton live fetus at 35 or more weeks of gestation to receive 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo, administered intravenously, in addition to prophylactic oxytocin after delivery. The primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage, defined as blood loss of at least 500 ml, measured with a collector bag. RESULTS: Of the 4079 women who underwent randomization, 3891 had a vaginal delivery. The primary outcome occurred in 156 of 1921 women (8.1%) in the tranexamic acid group and in 188 of 1918 (9.8%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68 to 1.01; P=0.07). Women in the tranexamic acid group had a lower rate of provider-assessed clinically significant postpartum hemorrhage than those in the placebo group (7.8% vs. 10.4%; relative risk, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.91; P=0.004; P=0.04 after adjustment for multiple comparisons post hoc) and also received additional uterotonic agents less often (7.2% vs. 9.7%; relative risk, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.92; P=0.006; adjusted P=0.04). Other secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. The incidence of thromboembolic events in the 3 months after delivery did not differ significantly between the tranexamic acid group and the placebo group (0.1% and 0.2%, respectively; relative risk, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.03 to 2.24). CONCLUSIONS: Among women with vaginal delivery who received prophylactic oxytocin, the use of tranexamic acid did not result in a rate of postpartum hemorrhage of at least 500 ml that was significantly lower than the rate with placebo. (Funded by the French Ministry of Health; TRAAP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02302456 .).

Increased risk of severe maternal morbidity in women with twin pregnancies resulting from oocyte donation.

STUDY QUESTION: Is there a difference in the risk of serious maternal complications during pregnancy and the postpartum in twin pregnancies according to mode of conception: natural conception, non-IVF fertility treatment, IVF, ICSI or oocyte donation? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women with twin pregnancies after medically assisted reproduction (MAR) had an overall risk of serious maternal complications 30% higher compared with women with natural twin pregnancies, and this association varied according to the MAR procedure; the risk was increased by 50% with IVF using autologous oocytes and by 270% with oocyte donation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: IVF has been reported as a risk factor for serious maternal complications in several concordant studies of singleton pregnancies. For twin pregnancies, this association is less well documented with imprecise categorisation of the mode of conception, and results are contradictory. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is a secondary analysis of the national, observational, prospective, population-based cohort study of twin pregnancies (JUmeaux Mode d'Accouchement), which took place in France from 10 February 2014 through 1 March 2015. All French maternity units performing more than 1500 annual deliveries were invited to participate, regardless of their academic, public or private status or level of care. Of the 191 eligible units, 176 (92%) participated. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Women with a twin pregnancy who gave birth at or after 22 weeks of gestation were eligible (N = 8823 women included). We excluded women whose mode of conception was unknown (n = 75). Serious maternal complications were regrouped within the recently emerged concept of severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM), as a binary composite outcome. The exposure of interest was the mode of conception, studied in five classes: natural conception (reference group), non-IVF fertility treatment including insemination and ovarian stimulation, IVF with autologous oocyte, ICSI with autologous oocyte and oocyte donation. To assess the association between the mode of conception and SAMM, we used multivariate logistic regression to adjust for confounders. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to explore the contribution to this association of potential intermediate factors, i.e. factors possibly caused by the mode of conception and responsible for SAMM: non-severe pre-eclampsia, placenta praevia and planned mode of delivery. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Among the 8748 women of the study population, 5890 (67.3%) conceived naturally, 854 (9.8%) had non-IVF fertility treatment, 1307 (14.9%) had IVF with autologous oocytes, 368 (4.2%) had ICSI with autologous oocytes and 329 (3.8%) used oocyte donation. Overall, 538 (6.1%) developed SAMM. Women with twin pregnancy after any type of MAR had a higher risk of SAMM than those with a natural twin pregnancy, after adjustment for confounders (7.9% (227/2858) compared to 5.3% (311/5890), adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6). This association varied according to the MAR procedure. The risk of SAMM was higher among women with IVF using either autologous oocytes (8.3%; 108/1307) or oocyte donation (14.0%; 46/329) compared with the reference group (respectively aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-1.9 and aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-4.1) and higher after oocyte donation compared with autologous oocytes (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6). Conversely, the risk of SAMM for women with non-IVF fertility treatment (6.2%; 53/854) and with ICSI using autologous oocytes (5.4%; 20/368) did not differ from that of the reference group (5.3%; 311/5890) (respectively aOR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.5 and aOR 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.5). The tested intermediate factors poorly explained these increased risks. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Beyond the confounders and intermediate factors considered in our analysis, specific causes of infertility and specific aspects of infertility treatments may explain the differences in the risk of SAMM by mode of conception. However, these data were not available. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study showed an increased risk of SAMM in women with twin pregnancies after MAR, notably after IVF using autologous oocytes and particularly after oocyte donation. To avoid unnecessary exposure to the high-risk combination of MAR and multiple pregnancies, transfer of a single embryo should be encouraged whenever possible. Knowledge of these differential risks may inform discussions between clinicians and women about the mode of conception and help to optimise obstetric care for women in subgroups at higher risk. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by a grant from the French Ministry of Health (Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, AOM2012). There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Risk Factors for Infant Colonization by Hypervirulent CC17 Group B Streptococcus: Toward the Understanding of Late-onset Disease.

BACKGROUND: In infants, the mode of acquisition of CC17 group B Streptococcus (GBS), the hypervirulent clone responsible for late-onset disease (LOD), remains elusive. METHODS: In a prospective multicenter study in France, we evaluated GBS colonization in mother-baby pairs with 2 months of follow-up between 2012 and 2015. Criteria included positivity for GBS colonization at antenatal screening or at delivery. Maternal vaginal samples and infant oral cavity and stool samples were analyzed at delivery, 21 ± 7 days (D21), and 60 ± 7 days (D60) post-delivery. RESULTS: A total of 890 mother-baby pairs were analyzed. GBS colonized 7%, 21%, and 23% of the infants at birth, D21, and D60, respectively, of which 10%, 11%, and 13% were identified as CC17 GBS. Concordance between maternal and infant GBS type was 96%. At D21, the main risk factors for infant colonization by GBS were simultaneous maternal colonization of the vagina (odds ratio [OR], 4.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-15.61) and breast milk (OR, 7.93; 95% CI, 3.81-17.14). Importantly, 38% (95% CI, 23%-56%) of infants colonized by CC17 GBS appeared colonized for the first time at D60 vs 18% (95% CI, 14%-24%; P < .049) of infants colonized by non-CC17 GBS. Multivariate analysis showed a higher risk for de novo infant colonization by CC17 at D60 than by other GBS (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.02-5.88). CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of CC17 GBS in LOD is likely due to an enhanced post-delivery mother-to-infant transmission.

Risk of severe maternal morbidity associated with cesarean delivery and the role of maternal age: a population-based propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Short-term maternal complications of cesarean delivery remain uncertain because of confounding by indication. Our objective was to assess whether cesarean delivery is associated with severe acute intra- or postpartum maternal morbidity compared with vaginal delivery, overall and according to the timing of the cesarean. METHODS: We performed a case-control analysis using data from EPIMOMS, a prospective population-based study of deliveries at 22 gestation weeks or later from 6 regions of France in 2012-2013. Cases of intra- or postpartum severe acute maternal morbidity that were not a result of a condition present before delivery were compared with controls randomly selected in a 1/50 ratio. Associations between delivery modes and severe acute maternal morbidity were estimated in a propensity score-matched sample. RESULTS: Among 182 300 deliveries, we identified 1444 cases and 3464 controls. The proportion of cesarean delivery was significantly higher among cases than controls (36.0% v. 18.2%). In the propensity score-matched analysis, cesarean deliveries were significantly associated with a higher risk of severe acute maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-2.2). This association increased with maternal age and was particularly marked for women aged 35 years or older (adjusted OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.4). This increased risk was significant for cesarean deliveries during labour in women of all age groups and for those before labour only in women aged 35 years or older (adjusted OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.3-11.0). INTERPRETATION: Cesarean delivery is associated with a higher risk of severe acute maternal morbidity than vaginal delivery, particularly in women aged 35 years and older. Clinical decisions regarding delivery mode should account for this excess risk accordingly.

The Oxytocin Product Correlates with Total Oxytocin Received during Labor: A Research Methods Study.

OBJECTIVE: Total dose of oxytocin received during labor is an important variable in studies of human labor but is difficult to calculate. We sought to identify a surrogate measure for total dose of oxytocin received. STUDY DESIGN: For each subject receiving oxytocin during labor, the oxytocin total dose received in labor was calculated as the area under the curve. Maximal oxytocin infusion rate, total duration of oxytocin infusion, and the product of both, defined as the oxytocin product, were then each correlated with the total dose of oxytocin received using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Oxytocin dosing data were available from 402 women at Duke and 6,907 women from Pithagore6. The two variables alone, or combined as the oxytocin product, demonstrated a high correlation with the oxytocin total dose (r > 0.7), with the oxytocin product demonstrating the highest (r > 0.9). This was true whether labor was induced or augmented and whether delivery was vaginal or cesarean. CONCLUSION: The oxytocin product, composed of two easily obtained variables, demonstrated a very high correlation with total oxytocin dose received in labor and represents a simple and accurate surrogate for total dose of oxytocin received during labor. The oxytocin product can be used in clinical studies in which oxytocin dose is an important variable.

Induction of labor and risk of postpartum hemorrhage in women with vaginal delivery: A propensity score analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between induction of labor (IOL) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery. METHODS: We included women from the merged database of three randomized prospective trials (TRACOR, CYTOCINON, and TRAAP) that measured postpartum blood loss precisely, with standardized methods. IOL was considered overall and according to its method. The association between IOL and PPH was tested by multivariate logistic regression modeling, adjusted for confounders, and by propensity score matching. The role of potential intermediate factors, i.e. estimated quantity of oxytocin administered during labor and operative vaginal delivery, was assessed with structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Labor was induced for 1809 of the 9209 (19.6%) women. IOL was associated with a significantly higher risk of PPH of 500 mL or more (adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.42-1.70) and PPH of 1000 mL or more (adjusted odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.16-1.96). The risk of PPH increased similarly regardless of the method of induction. The results were similar after propensity score matching (odds ratio for PPH ≥500 mL 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.33-1.87, odds ratio for PPH ≥1000 mL 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.07). Structural equation modeling showed that 34% of this association was mediated by the quantity of oxytocin administered during labor and 1.3% by women who underwent operative vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Among women with vaginal delivery, the risk of PPH is higher in those with IOL, regardless of its method, and after accounting for indication bias. The quantity of oxytocin administered during labor may explain one third of this association.

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.

Risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorders in women with any prior cesarean and a placenta previa or low lying: a prospective population-based study.

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women who had at least one previous cesarean delivery and a placenta previa or low-lying. The PACCRETA prospective population-based study took place in 12 regional perinatal networks from 2013 through 2015. All women with one or more prior cesareans and a placenta previa or low lying were included. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) was diagnosed at delivery according to standardized clinical and histological criteria. Of the 520,114 deliveries, 396 fulfilled inclusion criteria; 108 were classified with PAS at delivery. Combining the number of prior cesareans and the placental location yielded a rate ranging from 5% for one prior cesarean combined with a posterior low-lying placenta to 63% for three or more prior cesareans combined with placenta previa. The factors independently associated with PAS disorders were BMI ≥ 30, previous uterine surgery, previous postpartum hemorrhage, a higher number of prior cesareans, and a placenta previa. Finally, in this high-risk population, the rate of PAS disorders varies greatly, not only with the number of prior cesareans but also with the exact placental location and some of the women's individual characteristics. Risk stratification is thus possible in this population.

Risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation in postpartum hemorrhage associated with intrauterine infection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) associated with intrauterine infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of pregnancies complicated by PPH performed at a tertiary academic center in France from 2017 through 2021. Patients giving birth after 22 weeks of gestation with PPH were eligible. Patients with a PPH associated with an intrauterine infection were compared to patients with a PPH without intrauterine infection. Intrauterine infection was defined by a composite criterion available at delivery. DIC was defined by a specific pregnancy DIC score. The association between DIC and intrauterine infection was assessed by logistic regression. The causal effect of intrauterine infection on DIC was estimated by mediation analysis. RESULTS: Of 2,093 patients with PPH, 49 exposed to a clinical intrauterine infection were compared to 49 unexposed patients. The rate of DIC was higher in patients with than without infection (22 (45.8%) vs. 7 (14.6%), P = .001), and coagulation anomalies occurred sooner in patients with than without infection (7, 2-11 h vs. 14, 9-19 h, P < .001). In the multivariate analysis, intrauterine infection was the only factor independently associated with DIC (adjusted odds ratio 5.01, 95% CI 1.83-13.73). Mediation analysis showed that 14% (95% CI, 0-50%) of this association between intrauterine infection and DIC was mediated by severe PPH, and 86% resulted from the direct effect of intrauterine infection on DIC. CONCLUSION: In PPH, intrauterine infection had a major direct effect on the occurrence, timing, and severity of DIC.

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.