Management of Postabortion Complications for the Emergency Medicine Clinician.

Although induced abortion is generally a safe outpatient procedure, many patients subsequently present to the emergency department, concerned about a postabortion complication. It is helpful for emergency physicians to understand the medications and procedures used in abortion care in the United States to effectively and efficiently triage and treat women presenting with potential complications from an abortion. Furthermore, because many states are experiencing increased abortion restrictions that limit access to care, emergency medicine physicians may encounter more patients presenting after self-managed abortions, which presents additional challenges. This article reviews the epidemiology and background of abortion care, including the range of symptoms and adverse effects that are within the scope of an uncomplicated procedure. This review also offers a comprehensive overview of management of abortion complications, including algorithms for more common complications and descriptions of less common but more severe adverse events. The article concludes with a recognition of the social stigma and legal regulations unique to abortion care.

Preserving and advocating for essential care for women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has redefined "essential care," and reproductive healthcare has become a frequently targeted and debated topic. As obstetricians and gynecologists, we stand with our patients and others as advocates for women's reproductive health. With the medical and surgical training to provide all aspects of reproductive healthcare, obstetricians and gynecologists are indispensable and uniquely positioned to advocate for the full spectrum of care that our patients need right now. All patients have a right to these services. Contraception and abortion care remain essential, and we need to work at the local, state, and federal levels on policies that preserve these critical services. We must also support policies that will promote expansion of care, including lengthening Medicaid pregnancy and postpartum coverage. Although we continue to see patients, this is the time to engage outside clinical encounters by participating in lobbying and other advocacy efforts to preserve essential services, protecting the health, life, and welfare of our patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Prenatal Contraceptive Counseling by Video.

OBJECTIVE: Effective postpartum contraception can improve interpregnancy intervals. Opportunities exist for counseling and education during prenatal care. Few studies have assessed the use of multimedia as a tool to improve long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use postpartum. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether LARC-focused video counseling during prenatal care increases uptake of postpartum LARC and overall contraception use. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, women receiving their prenatal care at a university-based resident clinic were randomized to receive LARC FIRST video contraceptive counseling along with routine prenatal care or routine prenatal care alone. All of the participants received information regarding access to free LARC methods in the postpartum period. The primary outcome was LARC uptake by 12 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included overall contraception use at 12 weeks postpartum, postpartum visit attendance, and acceptability of video counseling. RESULTS: LARC use at 12 weeks postpartum rose from an estimated 6% preintervention to 39.4% (13/33) in the video group compared with 29.4% (10/34) of the control group. The difference between groups was not statistically significant. Although overall contraceptive use (72.7% vs 54.8%) and postpartum visit attendance (91% vs. 76.5%) were higher in the video group relative to the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. Participants overwhelmingly liked the video (95.2%, 41/42) and believed viewing it was a good use of their appointment time (92%, 38/42). CONCLUSIONS: LARC use increased 32% across the entire study cohort; however, video-based contraceptive counseling did not increase LARC uptake at 12 weeks postpartum compared with routine prenatal care alone. Patients viewing the video reported high levels of acceptability and improved contraceptive knowledge. Video counseling may be a useful adjunct in many clinical settings.

SMFM Special Report: Putting the "M" back in MFM: Addressing education about disparities in maternal outcomes and care.

At the 36th Annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), leaders in the field of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) convened to address maternal outcome and care inequities from 3 perspectives: (1) education, (2) clinical care, and (3) research. Meeting attendees identified knowledge gaps regarding disparities within the provider community; reviewed possible frameworks to address these knowledge gaps; and identified models with which to address key clinical issues. Collaboration and communication between all stakeholders will be needed to gain a better understanding of these prevailing disparities and formulate strategies to eliminate them.

Risk-Reducing Salpingectomy Versus Standard Tubal Sterilization: Lessons From Offering Women Options for Interval Sterilization.

OBJECTIVES: In women receiving sterilization, the removal of the entire fallopian tube, a procedure referred to as a risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS), reduces subsequent ovarian cancer risk compared with standard tubal sterilization procedures. There are limited data on which surgical procedure women will choose when educated about the benefits of an RRS. Our objective was to study the proportion of women desiring sterilization that would choose an RRS. METHODS: This cohort study included women 30 years of age and older with a living biological child who requested laparoscopic sterilization at a tertiary academic hospital. Participants were given a decision aid and offered an RRS or a standard tubal sterilization procedure with titanium clips. The primary outcome was to determine the proportion of women who would choose an RRS. Other outcomes included estimated blood loss and operative time, which was compared between groups, along with complications. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 18 (78%) women who participated in our study chose RRS. Estimated blood loss and operating time were similar among women who underwent RRS and standard tubal sterilizations. There were no significant complications in either group. The study was ended early based on emerging data and a change in national practice patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the elective nature of sterilization and the complexities of cancer risk reduction, a patient-centered approach is beneficial for sterilization counseling. Our results support offering RRS as an alternative to standard tubal sterilization.

Addressing Unmet Maternal Health Needs at a Pediatric Specialty Infant Care Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this intervention was to evaluate the feasibility of screening mothers of medically fragile infants in the domains of 1) depression, 2) tobacco exposure, and 3) family planning at a post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developmental pediatric visit. Additionally, we sought to estimate the percentage who met criteria for further evaluation in the three domains assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 100 caregivers of medically fragile infants at a specialty, post-NICU clinic visit. Participants' responses in three domains were evaluated and appropriate referrals were provided. Analysis was then restricted to the 87 biological mothers who completed the screening. Study staff contacted the mothers 2 months later to determine whether services had been accessed and to assess overall satisfaction with the screening within the pediatric visit. Qualitative interviews were conducted with pediatric clinic staff. RESULTS: Screening questionnaires were completed by 87 biological mothers. Twenty-two mothers (25%) met referral criteria. Pediatric clinic staff and providers were comfortable administering the screening instrument, and there was minimal disruption to clinic flow. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of medically fragile infants are likely to have unmet health care needs that can be identified at a specialty pediatric clinic visit. A screening and referral intervention can be implemented with minimal interruption in pediatric clinic flow and is acceptable to mothers and pediatric providers.

Two-week postpartum intrauterine contraception insertion: a study of feasibility, patient acceptability and short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of inserting the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, LNG 52 mg IUS (LNG IUS), at 2 weeks postpartum. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study of feasibility and patient acceptability recruited women interested in a postpartum LNG IUS and placed the LNG IUS under ultrasound guidance on days 14-20 postpartum. We determined feasibility by our ability to recruit and insert the LNG IUS in our predetermined sample size of 50 women. We measured our primary acceptability outcome at 6 months postpartum with the question: "Would you recommend Mirena placement at 2 weeks postpartum to a friend?" Other outcomes included expulsion and pain. The three study visits consisted of (1) insertion visit (14-20 days postpartum), (2) standard postpartum visit with a string check (6 weeks postpartum) and (3) research visit with sonography and assessment of the primary outcome (6 months postpartum). RESULTS: We enrolled 50 women over 8 months, all of whom received LNG IUS. Forty-three of the 50 (86%) provided follow-up data for the primary outcome. Of those, 93% (40/43) would recommend 2-week LNG IUS insertion to a friend, and 86% (37/43) continued using their LNG IUS at the conclusion of the 6-month visit. There were two partial expulsions; one was symptomatic. There were no uterine perforations. CONCLUSIONS: LNG IUS inserted at 2 weeks postpartum is feasible and acceptable to patients. These results offer evidence to support intrauterine contraception insertion prior to the onset of ovulation and at a potentially more convenient time point in the postpartum period. IMPLICATIONS: This study supports offering the LNG IUS beginning on the 14th postpartum day. The 4% expulsion rate is consistent with the rate of interval insertion and lower than immediate postplacental insertion. Additional research is needed to ensure a low risk of adverse events with other brands of intrauterine contraception.

Etonogestrel-Releasing Contraceptive Implant for Postpartum Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare immediate postpartum insertion of the contraceptive implant to placement at the 6-week postpartum visit among adolescent and young women. DESIGN: Non-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Postpartum adolescents and young women ages 14-24 years who delivered at an academic tertiary care hospital serving rural and urban populations in North Carolina. INTERVENTIONS: Placement of an etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant before leaving the hospital postpartum, or at the 4-6 week postpartum visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contraceptive implant use at 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: Ninety-six participants were randomized into the trial. Data regarding use at 12 months were available for 64 participants, 37 in the immediate group and 27 in the 6-week group. There was no difference in use at 12 months between the immediate group and the 6-week group (30 of 37, 81% vs 21 of 27, 78%; P = .75). At 3 months, the immediate group was more likely to have the implant in place (34 of 37, 92% vs 19 of 27, 70%; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Placing the contraceptive implant in the immediate postpartum period results in a higher rate of use at 3 months postpartum and appears to have similar use rates at 12 months compared with 6-week postpartum placement. Providing contraceptive implants to adolescents before hospital discharge takes advantage of access to care, increases the likelihood of effective contraception in the early postpartum period, appears to have no adverse effects on breastfeeding, and might lead to increased utilization at 1 year postpartum.

Abnormally elevated serum hCG in a patient with end-stage renal disease seeking abortion: to be expected or a cause for concern? A case report.

A patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis was referred to our abortion clinic with a concern for molar pregnancy. By 12 weeks, her human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level was over 500,000. A review of the literature demonstrates that elevated hCG should be expected in this population and should not alter care.

Intrauterine Device Placement During Cesarean Delivery and Continued Use 6 Months Postpartum: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intrauterine device (IUD) use at 6 months postpartum among women who underwent intracesarean delivery (during cesarean delivery) IUD placement compared with women who planned for interval IUD placement 6 or more weeks postpartum. METHODS: In this nonblinded randomized trial, women who were undergoing a cesarean delivery and desired an IUD were randomized to intracesarean delivery or interval IUD placement. The primary outcome was IUD use at 6 months postpartum. A sample size of 112 (56 in each group) was planned to detect a 15% difference in IUD use at 6 months postpartum between groups. RESULTS: From March 2012 to June 2014, 172 women were screened and 112 women were randomized into the trial. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Data regarding IUD use at 6 months postpartum were available for 98 women, 48 and 50 women in the intracesarean delivery and interval groups, respectively. A larger proportion of the women in the intracesarean delivery group were using an IUD at 6 months postpartum (40/48 [83%]) compared with those in the interval group (32/50 [64%], relative risk 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.66). Among the 56 women randomized to interval IUD insertion, 22 (39%) of them never received an IUD; 14 (25%) never returned for IUD placement, five (9%) women declined an IUD, and three (5%) had a failed IUD placement. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine device placement at the time of cesarean delivery leads to a higher proportion of IUD use at 6 months postpartum when compared with interval IUD placement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Barriers to Receiving Long-acting Reversible Contraception in the Postpartum Period.

OBJECTIVE: To assess why postpartum women who desired long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) did not receive it in the postpartum period and to assess which contraceptive methods they were using instead. STUDY DESIGN: This was a subgroup analysis of 324 women enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial to receive or not receive an educational LARC script during their postpartum hospitalization. Participants in this subgroup analysis stated that they were either using LARC (n = 114) or interested in using LARC (n = 210) during a follow-up survey completed after their scheduled 6-week postpartum visit. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to assess for characteristics associated with using LARC by the time of the follow-up survey. RESULTS: Women who were interested in LARC but not using it were more likely to be multiparous (relative risk [RR], 1.59; 95% CI, 1.19-2.11) and to have missed their postpartum visit (RR, 25.88; 95% CI, 3.75-178.44) compared with those using LARC. Among the interested 210 who were not using LARC, the most common reasons provided for non-use were that they were told to come back for another insertion visit (45%), missed the postpartum visit (26%), and could not afford LARC (11%). The most common contraceptive methods used instead of LARC were barrier methods (42%) and abstinence (19%); 18% used no contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds (65%) of postpartum women who desired to use LARC did not receive it in the postpartum period and used less effective contraceptive methods. Increasing access to immediate postpartum LARC and eliminating two-visit protocols for LARC insertion may increase postpartum LARC use. As the Affordable Care Act moves toward full implementation, it is necessary to understand the barriers that prevent interested patients from receiving LARC.

Pregnancy success after hysteroscopic sterilization reversal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of hysteroscopic sterilization reversal by assessing pregnancy rates and identifying surgical complications. METHODS: All patients at a single center undergoing elective reversal of hysteroscopic sterilization for fertility were followed from January 2009 to May 2014. Eligible patients met prespecified criteria for outpatient surgery. Patients underwent outpatient reversal using a transverse suprapubic abdominal incision with tubouterine implantation performed with either bilateral cornual or single transverse posterior-fundal uterine incisions. Patients were evaluated on postoperative day 1, called the following day, and e-mailed at 2 weeks and 12 months. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed through a 12-month questionnaire and self-reporting using an Internet-based patient portal. Univariate analysis of patient and operative characteristics was performed. RESULTS: Seventy patients underwent bilateral tubouterine implantation and completed at least 12 months of follow-up. All surgeries were outpatient without any immediate operative complications. Four patients had complications between 2 and 30 days, none requiring extended hospitalization. Women who became pregnant were younger (mean age 34 years) than those who did not become pregnant (mean age 38 years). Twenty-five patients (36%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25-47%) reported a total of 31 naturally conceived pregnancies. Twenty-seven percent (19/70, 95% CI 17-37%) of those undergoing surgery subsequently reported live births. A single pregnancy complication of postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery requiring transfusion was reported; no ectopic pregnancies were reported. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic sterilization can be reversed using tubouterine implantation and both pregnancy and live birth rates are promising.

Effect of an educational script on postpartum contraceptive use: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Short interpregnancy intervals are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Increased postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) could reduce short interpregnancy intervals. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to evaluate if a postpartum educational script about LARC (LARC script) could increase postpartum LARC utilization at the 6-week postpartum visit. STUDY DESIGN: We completed a randomized controlled trial (1:1) of 800 postpartum women in Raleigh, North Carolina. Women were recruited from the postpartum unit and randomized to receive (intervention) or not receive (control) the LARC script prior to hospital discharge. We conducted follow-up phone interviews to assess LARC use after their 6-week postpartum visit. We used Pearson's chi-squared test to compare LARC use between arms. RESULTS: Between May 2011 and January 2012, 400 women were randomized to each arm. Three hundred sixty-nine women (92.3%) in each arm were successfully contacted after their 6-week postpartum visit. LARC use was reported by 17.6% and 13.3% of women in the intervention and control arms, respectively (p=.103). CONCLUSIONS: The LARC script did not increase LARC utilization at the 6-week postpartum visit. Future studies should evaluate interventions that address both educational and systematic barriers to postpartum LARC uptake. IMPLICATIONS: Use of a postpartum educational script focused on the intrauterine device and contraceptive implant did not increase their utilization after the 6-week postpartum visit. Future studies should evaluate interventions that address both educational and systematic barriers to postpartum contraceptive uptake.

Family planning intentions: a qualitative exploration of postpartum women of Mexican descent in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: North Carolina has one of the fastest growing Mexican-American populations, yet health care providers have minimal information on how to address the family planning needs of this population. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted semistructured interviews with postpartum Mexican-American women, aged 18-35 years, within 1 month of delivery. Salient themes were identified, coded and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty women were interviewed. The majority had firmly held family size intentions: most desired to have 2 to 4 children with 2 to 5 years between births. Partners' preferences and the family size in which the participant was raised were factors that most influenced their family size preference. First-generation Mexican-American participants were more likely to have a partner whose intentions are influenced by the gender(s) of their children compared with participants born in Mexico. Participants desired longer intrapartum intervals for optimal infant development, with financial considerations cited less frequently. CONCLUSION: Postpartum women of Mexican descent articulate consistent family planning intentions. Partners' desires may challenge the achievement of these intentions. Providers can encourage the most effective forms of contraception to promote ideal and intended family size.

Intrauterine anesthesia for gynecologic procedures: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of intrauterine local anesthesia in reducing pain associated with outpatient gynecologic procedures. DATA SOURCES: We searched online databases PubMed or MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov and hand-searched reference lists from reviews evaluating pain-control methods for gynecologic office procedures. We identified randomized controlled trials using intrauterine local anesthetic in gynecologic procedures. METHODS: Titles and abstracts were screened for 1,236 articles. We identified 45 potential articles for inclusion. We excluded 22 of these studies because: 1) they were not randomized controlled trials; 2) they did not describe a quantifiable dose of medication used in the study; 3) they did not investigate an intrauterine anesthetic; 4) they did not study a potentially awake, outpatient procedure; and 5) they did not clearly report results or represented duplicate publication. Twenty-three articles were ultimately included for review. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Two authors independently reviewed full search results and assessed eligibility for inclusion and independently abstracted data from all articles that met criteria for inclusion. Disagreements regarding eligibility or abstraction data were adjudicated by a third independent person. Our primary end point was the reported effect of intrauterine local anesthesia on patient-reported pain scores. As a result of heterogeneity in study methods, outcome measures, and reporting of outcomes, results could not be combined in a meta-analysis. Good evidence supports use of intrauterine anesthesia in endometrial biopsy and curettage, because five good-quality studies reported reduced pain scores, whereas only one good-quality study reported negative results. We found moderate evidence to support intrauterine anesthesia in hysteroscopy, because one good-quality study and two fair or poor quality studies reported reduced pain scores, whereas two good-quality studies had negative results. Good evidence suggests that intrauterine anesthesia is not effective in hysterosalpingography; three good-quality studies reported that pain scores were not reduced, and no good quality studies showed a beneficial effect in that procedure. Evidence was insufficient concerning first-trimester abortion, saline-infusion ultrasonogram, tubal sterilization, and intrauterine device insertion. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine local anesthesia can reduce pain in several gynecologic procedures including endometrial biopsy, curettage, and hysteroscopy and may be effective in other procedures as well.