The effect of screening-to-labor interval on the sensitivity of late-pregnancy culture in the prediction of group B streptococcus colonization at labor: A prospective multicenter cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing screening-to-labor interval on the performance of group B streptococcus (GBS) screening by late-pregnancy enriched culture compared with intrapartum real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Group B streptococcus colonization was determined in 2624 women with singleton pregnancies by culture at 35-37 weeks of gestation and at the beginning of labor by culture and RT-PCR from recto-vaginal swab samples. RESULTS: Group B streptococcus colonization rates were 29.0% in late-pregnancy culture, 29.7% in intrapartum culture and 28.2% in intrapartum PCR. Intrapartum culture was used as a reference, the late-pregnancy culture had an overall sensitivity of 89.2% (95% CI 88.0%-90.4%) and specificity of 96.5% (95% CI 95.8%-97.2%), and intrapartum PCR had sensitivity of 91.5% (95% CI 90.4%-92.6%) and specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 98.0%-99.0%). However, up to 4 weeks after screening, the sensitivity of late-pregnancy culture was equivalent to or higher than that of RT-PCR. The RT-PCR was invalid in 0.9% of the women. Between late-pregnancy screening and labor, GBS colonization changed from negative to positive in 3.2% and from positive to negative in 2.5% of the women. CONCLUSIONS: The late-pregnancy enriched culture and intrapartum RT-PCR have comparable sensitivities in the detection of GBS when culture screening is conducted no more than 4 weeks before labor. Late-pregnancy culture sampling should be postponed to at least 37 weeks of gestation.

Pregnancy and delivery after a cesarean section.

One out of seven of all parturients and one out of five primigravid women deliver by caesarean section. Of four women having undergone caesarean section, three will give birth vaginally, provided that the indication for surgery has been temporary by nature. Spontaneous beginning of labor and a previous vaginal delivery improve the chances of succesful of vaginal delivery. Rupture of the uterus in subsequent pregnancies is the most feared sequel to a caesarean section, with an occurrence of 0.2 to 1.5%. Delivery by caesarean is indicated in case of previous rupture of the uterus, hysterotomy through vertical incision, and more than two previous caesarean sections.

Foley Catheter or Oral Misoprostol for Induction of Labor in Women with Term Premature Rupture of Membranes: A Randomized Multicenter Trial.

Objectives To compare the Foley catheter and misoprostol for induction of labor in term women with premature rupture of membranes. Study Design A randomized controlled trial was performed in three university hospitals in Finland between March 2012 and September 2014. A total of 202 term women with ruptured membranes >18 hours, singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation, unfavorable cervix, and no prior cesarean section were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated to induction of labor by Foley catheter or oral misoprostol in a 1:1 ratio. All women received prophylactic antibiotics. The main outcomes were cesarean section and maternal and neonatal infections. Results Labor induction by Foley catheter or misoprostol showed no difference in cesarean delivery rates (23.6 vs. 18.2%; odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-2.82; p = 0.36), maternal intrapartum infections (2.2 vs. 2%; OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.15-8.9; p = 1.00), postpartum infections (1.1 vs. 2.0%; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.05-6.18; p = 1.00), or neonatal infections (1.1 vs. 5.1%; OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.24-1.87; p = 0.22). The total time from induction to delivery was similar (1,311 vs. 1,435 minutes; p = 0.31) in the two groups. Conclusions Foley catheter or misoprostol can both be used for induction of labor in women with term premature rupture of membranes.

Diagnosis and treatment of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: a 10-year nationwide retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Outcome after intrauterine transfusions due to severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. DESIGN: Nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING: All women treated with intrauterine transfusions for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in Finland in 2003-2012. POPULATION: 339 intrauterine transfusions, performed in 104 pregnancies of 84 women. METHODS: Information on antenatal screening of red cell antibodies and red cell units issued for intrauterine transfusion was obtained from the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service database, and obstetric and neonatal data from hospital records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Procedure-related complications, perinatal mortality, neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: Overall survival was 94.2% (95% confidence interval 89.7-98.7). There were four fetal and two neonatal deaths. Procedure-related fetal loss rate was 1.2% (95% confidence interval 0.04-2.4) per procedure and 3.8% (95% confidence interval 0.1-7.5) per pregnancy. Of the four procedure-related losses, three were due to technically difficult intrauterine transfusions causing infection and preterm birth. Of the live born infants, 19% (95% confidence interval 11.3-26.7) were born before 32 weeks' gestation. The incidence of severe neonatal morbidity (respiratory distress syndrome, severe cerebral injury, sepsis) was 22.2% (95% confidence interval 13.4-30.2). Poor outcome (death, severe neonatal morbidity) was negatively associated with gestational age at first transfusion (p = 0.001) and at birth (p = 0.00006). Follow-up of the infants was too incomplete to assess the neurodevelopmental outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Although overall survival is comparable with previous studies, our concern is procedure-related infections and preterm births. Close collaboration between the university hospitals is needed to ensure timely treatment, operator skills and systematic follow-up of the children.

[Obstetric characteristics of a grand multipara]. / Monisynnyttäjän obstetriset erityispiirteet.

Finnish grand multiparae (4 to 7 previous childbirths) use maternal care services to the same extent, weigh more and smoke less compared with primigravidae and multiparae (1 to 3 previous childbirths). Problems in pregnancy and delivery are least common in multiparae. Frequency of the hypertension problem in grand grand multiparae (8 or more previous childbirths) is 1.3-fold and the risk of ablation in all grand multiparae approximately 1.5-fold higher in comparison with multiparae. Compared with primigravidae and multiparae, childbirths by grand multiparae proceed in a more regular manner, although the number of induced labors is higher with the latter.

Variation in cesarean section rates is not related to maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the rate of cesarean sections in 12 delivery units in Finland, and to assess possible associations between cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal complications. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter cohort study. SETTING: The 12 largest delivery units in Finland. POPULATION: Total obstetric population between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2005 (n = 19 764). METHODS: Prospectively collected data on 2496 cesarean sections and data derived from the Finnish Birth Register on all deliveries in these units were compared. Cesarean section rates and maternal complication rates were adjusted for known risk factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cesarean section rate, maternal complications related to cesarean section, and neonatal asphyxia. RESULTS: The cesarean section rates varied significantly between the hospitals (12.9-25.1%, p < 0.0001), as did the maternal complication rates related to cesarean section (13.0-36.5%, p < 0.0001). There was no relation between maternal complications and the cesarean section rate. The differences remained after adjusting for risk factors. Neonatal asphyxia rates varied between 0.14 and 2.8% (p < 0.0001) and were not related to the cesarean section rates. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of cesarean section, maternal complications and neonatal asphyxia vary markedly between different delivery units. Good maternal and neonatal outcomes can be achieved with cesarean section rates <15%.

Cesarean delivery in Finland: maternal complications and obstetric risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of maternal complications related to cesarean section (CS) and to compare morbidity between elective, emergency and crash-emergency CS. To establish risk factors associated with maternal CS morbidity. DESIGN: A prospective multicenter cohort study. SETTING: Twelve delivery units in Finland. POPULATION: Women delivering by CS (n = 2,496) during a 6 months period in the study hospitals. METHODS: Data on pregnant women, CS, and maternal recovery during the hospital stay was collected prospectively on report forms. The complication rates by different CSs were calculated, and factors associated with morbidity were analyzed by odds ratios (OR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal complication rates in different types of CS. The association of risk factors with morbidity. RESULTS: About 27% of women delivering by CS had complications; 10% had severe complications. The complication rate was higher in emergency CS than in elective CS, and highest in crash-emergency CS. Significant independent risk factors for maternal morbidity were emergency CS and crash-emergency CS compared to elective CS (OR 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-2.2), pre-eclampsia (OR 1.5; CI 1.1-2.0), maternal obesity (OR 1.4; CI 1.1-1.8) and maternal increasing age (OR 1.1; CI 1.03-1.2 per each 5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal complications are frequent in CS, and although performing CS electively reduces the occurrence of complications, the frequency is still high. The complication rate depends on the degree of emergency, and increases with maternal obesity, older age and pre-eclampsia.

[Abdominal pregnancy]. / Vatsaonteloraskaus on diagnostinen haaste.

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy with potentially life-threatening complications both to mother and the fetus. Due to infrequency of abdominal pregnancy, it is often unsuspected and remains a diagnostic challenge despite improvements in imaging techniques. We report a case of advanced abdominal pregnancy after in vitro-fertilization. The diagnosis was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 30 weeks' gestation, and a healthy baby was successfully delivered by laparotomy. The mother and the baby survived without any long-term complications.

Independent and concomitant associations of gestational diabetes and maternal obesity to perinatal outcome: A register-based study.

AIMS: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is often accompanied by maternal overweight. Our aim was to evaluate the separate and concomitant effects of GDM and maternal overweight/obesity on perinatal outcomes. METHODS: We used the Finnish Medical Birth Register to identify all 24,577 women with a singleton pregnancy who delivered in 2009 in Finland and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Women were divided into groups according to the result of OGTT (GDM/no GDM) and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI): normal weight (≤24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Primary outcomes included macrosomia, caesarean delivery, and treatment at neonatal ward. Normal weight women without GDM constituted the reference group. RESULTS: Compared to reference group, overweight or obese women without GDM had an increased risk of macrosomia [odds ratio adjusted for age, parity, smoking and socio-economic status (aOR)1.18 (95% CI 1.09-1.28) and 1.50 (95% CI 1.19-1.88)], and caesarean delivery [aORs 1.17 (95% CI 1.07-1.28) and 1.52 (95% CI 1.37-1.69)], respectively. In normal weight GDM women the risk of macrosomia [aOR 1.17 (95% CI 0.85-1.62)] and caesarean delivery [aOR 1.10 (95% CI 0.96-1.27)] was not significantly increased as compared to normal weight women without GDM. GDM increased the risk of treatment at neonatal ward in all BMI categories and maternal obesity without GDM was also a risk factor for treatment at neonatal ward. Interaction p values between BMI and GDM on these outcomes were <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal overweight and obesity without GDM increased the risk of macrosomia and caesarean delivery when compared to the reference group. These risks were amplified when overweight/obesity was accompanied by GDM. Obesity without GDM was a risk factor for treatment at neonatal ward; GDM increased this risk in all BMI categories. Our results suggest that especially maternal obesity should be considered as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and GDM further amplifies this risk.

Arterial embolization and prophylactic catheterization for the treatment for severe obstetric hemorrhage*.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate indications, efficacy, and complications associated with arterial embolization and prophylactic balloon catheterization in the management of obstetric hemorrhage at a university hospital. METHODS: Twenty-two women underwent arterial embolization between February 2001 and November 2003 for the treatment for primary postpartum hemorrhage resulting from abnormal placentation (n=11), uterine atony (n=7), paravaginal laceration (n=3), and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (n=1). Blood loss was between 3.2 and 15 l. In seven patients, abnormal placentation was diagnosed prenatally and in these patients balloon catheterization was performed prophylactically before elective cesarean section. RESULTS: Of the seven patients, who underwent prophylactic catheterization, embolization was successful in five resulting in adequate hemostasis. Hysterectomy was performed in three, in two patients for uncontrolled hemorrhage and in one patient for placental invasion to bladder. There were no complications associated with prophylactic catheterization and embolization. The other 15 patients were treated in an emergency setting. In eight patients, embolization was performed as a primary surgery, and it was successful in six. In the other seven patients, hysterectomy was performed as an emergency surgery, but bleeding continued. Of these, in six patients, hemostasis was achieved with embolization. Complications associated with emergency embolization were observed in three patients. These were thrombosis of left popliteal artery, vaginal necrosis, and paresthesia of the right leg. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial embolization is of significant value in treating obstetric hemorrhage. Prophylactic insertion of balloon catheters before cesarean section seems to be a safe and effective method in controlling anticipated bleeding. In patients with persistent bleeding following cesarean section and hysterectomy, embolization could be a primary procedure before re-surgery.

Does pain relief during delivery decrease the risk of postnatal depression?

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis that sufficient pain relief during delivery decreases the risk of postnatal depression. METHODS: As part of a prospective follow-up study of the risk factors for postnatal depression and its impact on the mother-infant interaction and child development, 185 parturients filled in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), first during the first postpartum week and again (n = 162) 4 months later. The incidence and the risk of high EPDS scores was calculated according to the mode of delivery and the mode of pain relief during vaginal delivery, also after adjusting for the length of labor. RESULTS: Mothers who received epidural/paracervical blockade during their delivery spent less time in the delivery room than mothers in the nitrous oxide/acupuncture group (p = 0.033) or mothers with no pain relief (p = 0.026) and had shorter length of labor than mothers without pain relief (p = 0.04). The adjusted risk of depressive scores at the first postnatal week was decreased in the epidural/paracervical group when compared with no analgesia group (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09-0.72). This difference was not shown at 4 months postpartum. Elective or emergency cesarean section did not increase the risk of high EPDS scores at the first week or at 4 months postpartum. CONCLUSION: The mode of pain relief during vaginal delivery seems to be associated with the incidence of postpartum depression, especially immediately after delivery.

Remifentanil in obstetric analgesia: a dose-finding study.

UNLABELLED: IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with remifentanil is a new approach in systemic opioid analgesia during labor. We determined the minimum effective dose of IV remifentanil by increasing the PCA bolus from 0.2 microg/kg with 0.2 microg/kg increments during a 60-min study period until the analgesia was considered adequate by the parturient. Twenty healthy parturients with singleton pregnancies participated in the study during the first stage of labor. Remifentanil hydrochloride was given IV via PCA over 1 min with a lockout time of 1 min. The parturient started the PCA bolus at the first subjective sign of uterine contraction. All 17 patients who completed the study reached adequate pain relief. The median effective PCA bolus was 0.4 microg/kg and consumption was 0.066 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), with wide individual variation (0.2-0.8 microg/kg and 0.027-0.207 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively). The pain scores were reduced by a median of 4.2 (25th-75th percentiles, 3.1-5.2; P < 0.001) on an 11-point numeric scale. Although there was a wide individual variation in the dose required, remifentanil seems effective for labor analgesia. However, maternal oxygen desaturation, sedation, and reduced fetal heart rate beat-to-beat variability were observed frequently. There was wide individual variation in the dose required for effective labor analgesia. Potentially serious side effects, which were observed frequently during remifentanil analgesia, may limit remifentanil's use in obstetrics. IMPLICATIONS: We determined the minimum effective dose of patient-controlled IV remifentanil for labor analgesia. There was wide individual variation in the dose required for effective labor analgesia. Potentially serious side effects, which were observed frequently during remifentanil analgesia, may limit its use in obstetrics.