Birth plans: definitions, content, effects, and best practices.

The first written guide for birth plans was introduced in 1980 as a means for birthing people to document their choices in the child birthing experience. The birth plan offers an opportunity for the patient and the provider to discuss the birthing process and determine how to safely accommodate patient preferences. Patient satisfaction with birthing plans is variable and may depend on how many requests they have, how many of their plans are accomplished, route of delivery, and whether complications arise during or after delivery. Unmet expectations may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder, but following a birth plan may also be protective against it. Birthing people who use a birth plan may be less likely to use epidural anesthesia, have early amniotomy, or use oxytocin. The first stage of labor may be longer when a birth plan is used; however, there does not seem to be a decrease in the length of the second stage of labor among patients with a birth plan. Some providers believe that a disadvantage of birth plans is disappointment when birth plans are not able to be followed, and others consider that birth plans interfere with professional autonomy.

Identification of racial/ethnic disparities associated with severe maternal morbidity using the Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database (2013-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of maternal characteristics on the odds of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) through 42 days postpartum. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 77 172 births using birth certificate and insurance claims data from the Arkansas All Payers Claims Database, years 2013-2017, to identify racial disparities associated with SMM for births between April 1, 2014, and November 19, 2017. METHODS: Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors and clinical comorbidities on the odds of SMM among non-Hispanic white ("white"), non-Hispanic Black ("Black"), and Hispanic women. RESULTS: The rate of SMM was 227.41 per 10 000 births, with Black women (330 per 10 000 births; 95% CI: 296.16-366.38), having a significantly higher rates than white women (197; 95% CI: 171.72-225.84) and Hispanic women (180; 95% CI: 155.86-207.54). After adjusting for maternal demographics, birth-related clinical variables, and comorbidities, SMM remained higher among Black women (aOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.11-1.70) relative to white women. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, socioeconomic factors, and other factors did not fully explain the Black-white disparities in SMM. Persistent disparities in the rates of SMM throughout 42 days postpartum among Black women relative to white women points to the need for higher quality, more equitable care for women of color in the fist months postpartum.

Detection of Fetal Anomalies by Remotely Directed and Interpreted Ultrasound (Teleultrasound): A Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and reliability of remotely directed and interpreted ultrasound (teleultrasound) as compared with standard in-person ultrasound for the detection of fetal anomalies, and to determine participants' satisfaction with teleultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center, randomized (1:1) noninferiority study. Individuals referred to the maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) ultrasound clinic were randomized to standard in-person ultrasound and counseling or teleultrasound and telemedicine counseling. The primary outcome was major fetal anomaly detection rate (sensitivity). All ultrasounds were performed by registered diagnostic medical sonographers and interpretations were done by a group of five MFM physicians. After teleultrasound was completed, the teleultrasound patients filled out a satisfaction survey using a Likert scale. Newborn data were obtained from the newborn record and statewide birth defect databases. RESULTS: Of 300 individuals randomized in each group, 294 were analyzed in the remotely interpreted teleultrasound group and 291 were analyzed in the in-person ultrasound group. The sensitivity of sonographic detection of 28 anomalies was 82.14% in the control group and of 20 anomalies in the telemedicine group, it was 85.0%. The observed difference in sensitivity was 0.0286, much smaller than the proposed noninferiority limit of 0.05. Specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy were more than 94% for both groups. Patient satisfaction was more than 95% on all measures, and there were no significant differences in patient satisfaction based on maternal characteristics. CONCLUSION: Teleultrasound is not inferior to standard in-person ultrasound for the detection of fetal anomalies. Teleultrasound was uniformly well received by patients, regardless of demographics. These key findings support the continued expansion of telemedicine services. KEY POINTS: · For detection of major anomalies, teleultrasound is comparable to standard ultrasound.. · Teleultrasound was well accepted by patients.. · Teleultrasound use should be expanded..

Management of Critically Ill Pregnant Patients with COVID-19 Infection in a Rural State.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited data on the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy. Arkansas saw an increase in COVID-19 cases in June 2020. The first critically ill pregnant patient was admitted to our institution on May 21st, 2020. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes in critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 at a single tertiary care center who received remdesivir and convalescent plasma (CCP). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational review of critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 who received remdesivir and CCP. This study was approved by the institutional review board (#261354). RESULTS: Seven pregnant patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). All received remdesivir and CCP. Six received dexamethasone. The median ICU length of stay (LOS) was 8 days (range 3-17). Patient 1 had multi-organ failure requiring vasopressors, renal dialysis, and had an intrauterine fetal demise. Patients 4 and 6 required mechanical ventilation, were delivered for respiratory distress and were extubated at 2 and 1 days postpartum, respectively. The only common risk factor was obesity. There were no adverse events noted with remdesivir or CCP. CONCLUSION: There is little data regarding the use of remdesivir or CCP for the treatment of COVID-19 in pregnant women. In our cohort, these were well tolerated with no adverse events. Previously reported median ICU LOS in critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 was 8 days (range 4-15).1 Our study found a similar ICU LOS (8 days; range 3-17). Patient 1 did not receive remdesivir or CCP until transport to our facility on hospital day 3. Excluding patient 1, median ICU LOS was 6.5 days (range 3-9). Our institution's treatment of pregnant women with critical illness with remdesivir, CCP and dexamethasone combined with delivery in select cases has thus far had good outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Combined therapy: remdesivir, CCP, dexamethasone.. · Remdesivir, CCP and dexamethasone was effective in treating critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19.. · No adverse events were associated with combined therapy.. · Delivery improved respiratory status..

Peripartum Hypertensive Crisis Simulation and Education Initiative among Rural Emergency Departments.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the introduction of hypertensive bundles through simulation and education would result in the timely assessment and treatment of a simulated patient in a peripartum hypertensive crisis. METHODS: This prospective observational pilot study evaluates the use of simulation and education on hypertension bundled care for peripartum patients in eight rural hospitals. Unannounced simulation exercises were conducted at each hospital. Emergency department staff response was assessed with a checklist. Primary outcomes included time to first antihypertensive medication administered, time to registered nurse assessment, and time to physician assessment. After the initial simulation, nurse educators conducted an in-person didactic on the management of peripartum hypertensive crisis, providing each hospital with materials for local bundle initiation and implementation for hypertensive emergency. The nurse educators conducted the same simulation at the individual sites 3 to 4 months later. Time of intervention improvement pre- and posteducation training scores were analyzed for each of these using a paired t test followed by a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The average time of intervention improvement among delivering hospitals versus nondelivering hospitals was compared. RESULTS: Eight training simulation and training sessions were conducted at four delivering and four nondelivering hospitals. Seventy-three healthcare workers attended training. The average time decreased from pre- to postsimulation at all of the hospitals (this was not statistically significant, however). The average reduction in time for first nurse assessment was 1.25 ± 10.05 minutes (P = 0.99). The average reduction in time to physician assessment was 4.88 ± 14.74 minutes (P = 0.45). The average reduction of time to administration of first hypertensive medication was 12.0 ± 25.79 minutes (P = 0.15). The average times for nurse or physician assessment and time to first hypertension medication administration were similar between delivering and nondelivering hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a trend toward improved treatment of a peripartum hypertensive emergency through bundled care and simulation. The training reduced the time to first medication given and improved the selection process for the preferred hypertensive medication. The time from nurse care to physician assessment also was reduced. Education in bundled peripartum hypertension care may improve patient outcomes by decreasing hypertension-related maternal morbidity and mortality.

Examination of a Stillbirth Workup: A Rural Statewide Experience.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine whether recommended assessments were conducted on stillbirths delivered in our predominantly rural state. METHODS: This was a descriptive study of stillbirths delivered in a rural state and included in one site of the Birth Defects Study to Evaluate Pregnancy Exposures stillbirth study. Hospital and fetal death records were examined to determine whether the following areas were evaluated: genetic testing (noninvasive perinatal testing, quad screen, amniocentesis/chorionic villus sampling with karyotype, microarrays, fetal tissue specimen), placenta/membrane/cord sent for pathologic examination, examination of the stillbirth after delivery by the healthcare provider, and fetal autopsy was performed. RESULTS: From July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020, there were 1108 stillbirths delivered in Arkansas. The most frequent assessments undertaken were placental pathology (72%), genetic testing (67%), fetal inspection (31%), and autopsy (13%). All four assessments were done in 2% of stillbirth cases, three assessments in 27%, two assessments in 47%, one assessment in 14%, and no assessment in 15%. There was no association between stillbirth assessment evaluation by gestational age (<28 weeks and > 28 weeks; P = 0.221); however, there was an overall association between hospital delivery volume with number of components completed (P < 0.0001). Hospitals with >2000 deliveries had a higher proportion of three or four completions compared with those hospitals with <1000 deliveries or 1000 to 2000 deliveries (P = 0.021 and P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal stillbirth assessment is suboptimal in our rural state, with 15% of stillbirths having no assessment and only 2% having all four assessments. There is no association between stillbirth assessment and gestational age (<28 weeks vs >28 weeks), but there is a correlation between delivery volume and stillbirth assessment.

Placental location site and adverse antepartum pregnancy complications: a meta-analysis and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose to the study was to determine the relationship, if any, between the placental location site and antepartum complications of pregnancy. METHODS: A University research librarian conducted a comprehensive literature search using the search engines PubMed and Web of Science. The search terms were "placental location" AND "pregnancy complications" OR "perinatal complications. There were no limits put on the years of the search. RESULTS: The search identified 110 articles. After reviewing all the abstracts, relevant full articles, and references of full articles, there were 22 articles identified specific to antepartum complications. Central + fundal locations compared to all lateral were associated with a lower risk of hypertension during pregnancy RR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31-0.71]. Central location compared to all lateral was also associated with lower risk of hypertension during pregnancy [RR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.26-0.59]. Placenta locations in the lower uterine segment were associated with greater risk of antepartum hemorrhage (APH) [RR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.16-7.75] compared to above the lower uterine segment. No differences were observed in placental locations and gestational diabetes (GDM), preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), preterm delivery (PTD) or on a placental abruption. CONCLUSION: Central and fundal location sites and central location alone decreased the risk of hypertension during pregnancy. Low uterine segment location sites increased the risk for APH. There were no effects of placenta location sites on the development of GDM, PPROM, PTD or abruption.

Use of Telemedicine and Smart Technology in Obstetrics: Barriers and Privacy Issues.

While telemedicine had been utilized in varying ways over the last several years, it has dramatically accelerated in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article we describe the privacy issues, in relation to the barriers to care for health care providers and barriers to the obstetric patient, licensing and payments for telehealth services, technological issues and language barriers. While there may be barriers to the use of telehealth services this type of care is feasible and the barriers are surmountable.

Accuracy and Completion Rate of the Fetal Anatomic Survey in the Super Obese Parturient.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the completion rate of ultrasound in with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 to women with BMI 18.5 to 29.9. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective cohort study. Women with a singleton pregnancy, age 18 to 45 with a BMI ≥50 that delivered between 2013-2016 were compared to women with a BMI 18.5 to 29.9 during that same time period to assess the accuracy and, as a second aim, the completion rate of the fetal anatomic survey. Data were analyzed using two-sample t test, chi-square test, or logistic regression as appropriate. RESULTS: Eighty-one cases with a BMI ≥50 were compared with 81 patients with a BMI 18.5 to 29.9. Maternal demographics and timing (gestational age) at the time of the ultrasound were similar between groups. In women with a BMI 18.5 to 29.9, completion of anatomy was 58% of the time with the first ultrasound, 81% with second ultrasound, and 84% with the third ultrasound. In women with BMI ≥50, completion of anatomy was 10% of the time with the first ultrasound, 33% with the second ultrasound, and 42% with the third ultrasound. Each time frame was statistically significant. Agreement level on the accuracy to detect fetal anomalies between groups were not statistically significant between the groups. CONCLUSION: In women with a BMI ≥50 compared to women with BMI of 18.8 to 29.9, more ultrasounds are needed to complete the anatomic survey although overall accuracy in fetal anomaly detection is similar.

Cesarean Delivery Management of Stillbirth: In-Depth Analysis of 75 Cases in a Rural State.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics surrounding women who underwent cesarean delivery for stillbirth management in the rural, southern US state of Arkansas. METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis of a retrospective descriptive study evaluating mode of delivery following the stillbirth of singleton pregnancies without anomalies or aneuploidy delivered in our state between July 2015 and June 2019. Data were extracted from a statewide reproductive health monitoring system and reviewed by the first three authors. Summary statistics were presented as means and standard deviations for continuous measures and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. RESULTS: There were 861 patients diagnosed as having stillbirth between July 2015 and June 2019 in 44 hospitals in Arkansas. Seventy-five of those patients (8.7%) underwent cesarean delivery and are the basis for this analysis. Common indications for cesarean delivery were prior cesarean delivery (41%), malpresentation (18.7%), and abruption or hemorrhage (13.1%). Sixty-five percent of patients had a prior cesarean delivery. The most common complications were infection and hemorrhage, which accounted for 64.3% of known complications. The overall complication rate was 18.7% among stillbirths delivered via cesarean. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that cesarean delivery remains a common mode of delivery for management of stillbirth and that there is maternal morbidity associated with an abdominal delivery because 22.7% of the women undergoing a cesarean had an operative complication. It also highlights that prior cesarean delivery remains a common indication for a repeat abdominal delivery following a stillbirth despite the lack of fetal benefit.

Evidence for Prophylactic Transfusion during Pregnancy for Women with Sickle Cell Disease.

The objective of this study was to examine prior studies on maternal and neonatal outcomes with prophylactic compared with emergent blood transfusion in pregnant women with sickle cell disease. A review of the literature was performed. Twenty-one articles were identified and included in the analysis. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the outcomes. Pregnancy outcomes assessed were preeclampsia, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, pain crises, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal death, perinatal death, and maternal mortality. Women who underwent emergent transfusion were more likely than women who underwent prophylactic transfusion to have the following adverse perinatal outcomes: preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR 2.04], 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-3.63), pneumonia (aOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.44-6.15), pain crises (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18-2.38), and perinatal death (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.06-3.07). Prophylactic transfusion should be reexamined as a potentially beneficial approach to the management of sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of Recombinant Antithrombin Versus Placebo in Preterm Preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Despite expectant management, preeclampsia remote from term usually results in preterm delivery. Antithrombin, which displays antiinflammatory and anticoagulant properties, may have a therapeutic role in treating preterm preeclampsia, a disorder characterized by endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and activation of the coagulation system. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate whether intravenous recombinant human antithrombin could prolong gestation and therefore improve maternal and fetal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 23 hospitals. Women were eligible if they had a singleton pregnancy, early-onset or superimposed preeclampsia at 23 0/7 to 30 0/7 weeks' gestation, and planned expectant management. In addition to standard therapy, patients were randomized to receive either recombinant human antithrombin 250 mg loading dose followed by a continuous infusion of 2000 mg per 24 hours or an identical saline infusion until delivery. The primary outcome was days gained from randomization until delivery. The secondary outcome was composite neonatal morbidity score. A total of 120 women were randomized. RESULTS: There was no difference in median gestational age at enrollment (27.3 weeks' gestation for the recombinant human antithrombin group [range, 23.1-30.0] and 27.6 weeks' gestation for the placebo group [range, 23.0-30.0]; P=.67). There were no differences in median increase in days gained (5.0 in the recombinant human antithrombin group [range, 0-75] and 6.0 for the placebo group [range, 0-85]; P=.95). There were no differences between groups in composite neonatal morbidity scores or in maternal complications. No safety issues related to recombinant human antithrombin were noted in this study, despite the achievement of supraphysiological antithrombin concentrations. CONCLUSION: The administration of recombinant human antithrombin in preterm preeclampsia neither prolonged pregnancy nor improved neonatal or maternal outcomes.

Accuracy of the Ultrasound Estimate of the Amniotic Fluid Volume (Amniotic Fluid Index and Single Deepest Pocket) to Identify Actual Low, Normal, and High Amniotic Fluid Volumes as Determined by Quantile Regression.

OBJECTIVES: To identify abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (AFVs), normal volumes must be determined. Multiple statistical methods are used to define normal amniotic fluid curves; however, quantile regression (QR) is gaining favor. We reanalyzed ultrasound estimates in identifying oligohydramnios, normal fluid, and polyhydramnios using normal volumes calculated by QR. METHODS: Data from 506 dye-determined or directly measured AFVs along with ultrasound estimates were analyzed. Each was classified as low, normal, or high for both the single deepest pocket (SDP) and amniotic fluid index (AFI). A weighted κ statistic was used to assess the level of agreement between the AFI and SDP compared to actual AFVs by QR. RESULTS: The overall level of agreement for the AFI was fair (κ = 0.26), and that for the SDP was slight (κ = 0.19). Although not statistically significant (P = .792), the positive predictive value to classify a low volume using the AFI was lower compared to the SDP (35% vs 43%). The positive predictive value for a high volume was higher using the AFI compared to the SDP (55% versus 31%) but not statistically significant. The missed-call rate for high-volume identification by the SDP versus AFI was statistically significant (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.04-14.97). The missed-call rate for low-volume identification by the AFI versus SDP was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-11.53). CONCLUSIONS: Both the AFI and SDP identify actual normal AFVs by QR, with sensitivity higher than 90%. The SDP is superior for identification of oligohydramnios, and the AFI superior for identification of polyhydramnios.

Hospital Annual Delivery Volume and Presence of Graduate Medical Education Influence Mode of Delivery after Stillbirth.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the statewide experience in mode of delivery for pregnancies complicated by stillbirth by annual delivery volume and presence of graduate medical education programs. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of all stillbirths without known congenital anomalies or aneuploidy born in our state from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2019. Stillbirths were ascertained by the State Reproductive Health Monitoring System, a population-based surveillance system. Stillbirths were identified by the State Reproductive Health Monitoring System from medical facilities and fetal death certificates; trained staff abstracted records. All of the stillbirths with a gestational age of >20 weeks or a birth weight of >500 g if birth weight was unknown and without congenital anomalies or aneuploidy were eligible for this study. RESULTS: There were 861 stillbirths from July 2015 through June 2019, 75 (8.7%) of which were delivered by cesarean section. Low-volume hospitals (<1000 deliveries) experienced a higher proportion of their stillbirths delivered by cesarean compared with high-volume hospitals (>1000 deliveries; 13.4% vs 5.5%; P < 0.0001). Before adjusting for maternal characteristics, stillbirths delivered at high-volume hospitals had a 59% lower risk of delivery by cesarean section compared with those delivered at low-volume hospitals (relative risk [RR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.20-0.86, P = 0.02). The cesarean cohort had a higher proportion of Black mothers (44% vs 31.3%, P = 0.025), greater parity (P < 0.0001), and greater gravidity (P < 0.0001) compared with the vaginal group. The gestational age at delivery for stillbirths delivered by cesarean was much higher compared with those who were delivered vaginally (34.8 weeks vs 28.6 weeks; P < 0.0001). The RR of the cesarean delivery of a stillbirth at teaching institutions compared with nonteaching institutions was significantly reduced (RR 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.73, P = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Annual hospital delivery volumes and residency teaching programs in obstetrics influence the mode of delivery in the management of stillbirth. Advancing gestational age, Black race, and parity are associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery after stillbirth.

Is There a Difference in Sonographic Estimation of Amniotic Fluid Volume When Measuring With the Probe Perpendicular to the Floor Compared With Perpendicular to the Uterine Contour?

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether there is a significant difference in amniotic fluid measurements when measuring perpendicular to the floor compared with perpendicular to the uterine contour using both amniotic fluid index and single deepest pocket. METHODS: This was a single-centre, prospective study of women with singleton gestation who were undergoing fetal ultrasound examination. A total of 240 women were enrolled, and single deepest pocket and amniotic fluid index were measured with both techniques. Correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to assess the agreement between the values using the two methods of measurement (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between amniotic fluid index measurements (correlation coefficient 0.82; intraclass correlation coefficient 0.7). A strong correlation also was found between single deepest pocket measurements (correlation coefficient 0.7; intraclass correlation coefficient 0.6). CONCLUSION: The measurement of amniotic fluid index and single deepest pocket can be performed either perpendicular to the floor or perpendicular to the uterine contour. There is no significant difference between these measurements and they correlate well.

The Third Stage of Labour in the Extremely Obese Parturient.

BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity has been associated with an increased risk for an abnormal progression of labour; however, less is known about the length of the third stage of labour and its relation to maternal obesity. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the length of the third stage of labour is increased in extremely obese women and its possible correlation with an increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of deliveries from January 2008 to December 2015 at our university hospital. Women with a BMI ≥40 and a vaginal delivery were compared with the next vaginal delivery of a woman with a BMI <30. There were 147 women with a BMI ≥40 compared with 157 with a BMI <30. Outcomes evaluated the length of the third stage of labour and the risk for postpartum hemorrhage and included antepartum, intrapartum, and perinatal complications. RESULTS: Subjects in the extreme obese group were more likely to be African American, older, diabetic (pregestational and gestational), hypertensive, pre-eclamptic, had a preterm delivery, and underwent an induction of labour. The overall length of the third stage of labour was significantly longer in the extreme obese group, 5 minutes (3, 8 [25th and 75th percentiles]) compared with 4 minutes (3,7) (P = 0.0374) in the non-obese group. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred more often in the extreme obese group (N = 16/147; 11%) compared with the non-obese group (N = 5/157; 3%) (P = 0.01). There were no differences between groups in respect to the following: gravidity, parity, length of the second stage of labour, birth weight, GA at delivery, Apgar score, cord blood gases, hematocrit change, need for postpartum transfusion, operative delivery, and development of chorioamnionitis. After an adjustment for ethnicity, maternal age, diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labour, hypertension, and induction/augmentation, the analysis failed to show a significant difference in estimated blood loss and postpartum hemorrhage between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The length of the third stage of labour is longer in the extreme obese parturient. Postpartum hemorrhage also occurs more often, but after adjustments for confounding variables, it is no longer significant.

Association of the Length of the Third Stage of Labor and Blood Loss Following Vaginal Delivery.

OBJECTIVES: The length of the third stage of labor is correlated with blood loss following a vaginal delivery. We aimed to accurately measure blood loss following a vaginal delivery and examine the relation between blood loss and length of the third stage of labor. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of singleton pregnancies ≥24 weeks undergoing a vaginal delivery. Blood loss was meticulously measured and the length of the third stage of labor was recorded. RESULTS: The median blood loss of the 600 women was 125 mL (interquartile range 175) and the median length of the third stage of labor was 5 minutes (interquartile range 4). Total blood loss (P = 0.0263) and length of the third stage of labor (P = 0.0120) were greater in pregnancies ≥37 weeks versus <37 weeks. Women with a third stage of labor ≥15 minutes had a significantly greater risk of blood loss >500 mL (relative risk 5.8, 95% confidence interval 8.36-29.88). CONCLUSIONS: The median blood loss following a vaginal delivery is 125 mL and the median length of the third stage of labor is 5 minutes. Total blood loss and the length of the third stage of labor are greater in pregnancies >37 weeks. Women with a third stage of labor >15 minutes are 15.8 times more likely to have total blood loss ≥500 mL. As such, it is prudent to consider manual extraction of the placenta at 15 minutes rather than 30 minutes to minimize the risk of excessive blood loss.

Maternal/Perinatal Outcome in Women with Sickle Cell Disease: A Comparison of Two Time Periods.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy outcomes in women with sickle cell disease from recent deliveries with a similar group delivered earlier. METHODS: During a 12-year period (2005-2016), data from pregnant women with hemoglobin SS or SC were collected from three university medical centers and compared with earlier studies (1979-2003) involving similar patients. The primary endpoints were maternal complications during pregnancy and newborn outcomes. RESULTS: There were 278 patients in the control group (1979-2003) compared with 150 patients in the study group (2005-2016). Women in the study group were older (P < 0.0001) and of less parity (P =0.0001), and complications of preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and having a transfusion were similar between the two groups (P = 0.45, 0.95, and 0.49, respectively). Pain crises were more common in the study group (P = 0.02) as was cesarean section (P < 0.0001), but there was a reduction in pulmonary complications (P = 0.0002). Maternal mortality was uncommon (control group [N=4] vs study group [N=3], P = 0.40). Newborn statistics revealed a similar gestational age at delivery (37 weeks), and the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, as well as 5-minute Apgar score <7 did not differ by group (P = 0. 91, 0.85, and 0.16, respectively). Infants in the study group were heavier on average by approximately 220 g (P = 0.02), whereas the neonatal death rate was low (control group [N=1], study group [N=2] P = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Recent pregnancy outcome statistics in women with sickle cell disease have not changed through the years. Innovative strategies to improve maternal and newborn outcomes among such patients are needed.

Use of antenatal corticosteroids in special circumstances: a comprehensive review.

The aim of this study was to determine, in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), hypertension, intrauterine growth restriction, multi-fetal gestations and pregnancies 23-26 weeks and ≥34 weeks' gestation, whether antenatal corticosteroids benefit the fetus. Literature review using PubMed, Web of Science, Clinical trials.gov, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1990-2015). Search terms linked special circumstances with corticosteroids. Randomized clinical trials, retrospective and prospective cohort studies, and case control studies were reviewed. In all, 468 abstracts were identified and 84 added from selected article bibliographies; of these, 503 abstracts were excluded, leaving 49 articles as the basis of review. The literature supports corticosteroids for PPROM up to 32-34 weeks without chorioamnionitis. Antenatal corticosteroids are beneficial for preterm infants of women with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome/severe preeclampsia. Postpartum corticosteroid treatment of HELLP patients results in more rapid correction of liver enzymes, platelet counts, and urinary output, which can reduce maternal morbidity. Corticosteroids in twin pregnancies decrease respiratory distress syndrome but the effect is less than in singleton pregnancies. Corticosteroid effects on intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies are conflicting and steroid use should be individualized. Corticosteroid use for 23-26 weeks reduces neonatal mortality but not morbidity. In pregnancies of 34 weeks to 366/7  weeks, corticosteroids reduce respiratory distress syndrome, but follow-up studies are unavailable. No long-term adverse child developmental effects have been observed with one or two courses of corticosteroids, but three or more steroid courses lowers birthweight and organ weight, and there may be an increase in neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Longer follow up of corticosteroid-treated fetuses is required.