Early maternal-newborn contact and positive birth experience.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of early maternal-newborn contact for the health and well-being of the newborn and promotion of breastfeeding. However, little research has investigated the association between early maternal-newborn contact and the mother's birth experience. METHODS: As part of a large-scale prospective, cohort study (the First Baby Study [FBS]), nearly 3000 women who delivered in Pennsylvania (2009-2011) reported how soon after delivery they first saw, held, and fed their newborns. Birth experience was measured via telephone interview 1 month postpartum, using the FBS Birth Experience Scale, a 16-item scale which addresses women's feelings about the delivery. General linear models were used to measure associations between time to first maternal-newborn contact and birth experience, controlling for relevant confounders, including maternal age, race/ethnicity, insurance coverage, delivery mode, gestational age, and pregnancy and delivery complications. RESULTS: The sooner that new mothers first saw, held, and fed their newborns after delivery the more positive their childbirth experiences (all P-values < 0.001). Women who delivered by cesarean were less likely to see, hold and feed their newborns shortly after delivery than those who delivered vaginally (all P-values < 0.001), and reported less positive birth experiences (P < 0.001). However, if they first saw, held, and fed their newborns shortly after delivery, they reported more positive birth experiences than those who delivered vaginally (P = 0.010). DISCUSSION: Early maternal-newborn contact after delivery was associated with positive birth experiences for new mothers, particularly those who delivered by cesarean.

Comparison of healthcare utilization and outcomes by gestational diabetes diagnostic criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To compare healthcare utilization and outcomes using the Carpenter-Coustan (CC) criteria vs. the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Prior to 8/21/2013, patients were classified as "GDM by CC" if they met criteria. After 8/21/2013, patients were classified as "GDM by NDDG" if they met criteria and "Meeting CC non-GDM" if they met CC, but failed to reach NDDG criteria. "Non-GDM" women did not meet any criteria for GDM. Records were reviewed after delivery. RESULTS: There was a 41% reduction in GDM diagnosed using NDDG compared to CC (P=0.01). There was no significant difference in triage visits, ultrasounds for growth or hospital admissions. Women classified as "Meeting CC non-GDM" were more likely to have preeclampsia than "GDM by CC" women [OR 11.11 (2.7, 50.0), P=0.0006]. Newborns of mothers "Meeting CC non-GDM" were more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care units than "GDM by CC" [OR 6.25 (1.7, 33.3), P=0.006], "GDM by NDDG" [OR 5.56 (1.3, 33.3), P=0.018] and "Non-GDM" newborns [OR 6.47 (2.6, 14.8), P=0.0003]. CONCLUSION: Using the NDDG criteria may increase healthcare costs because while it decreases the number of patients being diagnosed with GDM, it may also increase maternal and neonatal complications without changing maternal healthcare utilization.

Labor induction and cesarean delivery: A prospective cohort study of first births in Pennsylvania, USA.

BACKGROUND: Mode of delivery at first childbirth largely determines mode of delivery at subsequent births, so it is particularly important to understand risk factors for cesarean delivery at first childbirth. In this study, we investigated risk factors for cesarean delivery among nulliparous women, with focus on the association between labor induction and cesarean delivery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 2851 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies who attempted vaginal delivery at hospitals in Pennsylvania, 2009-2011, was conducted. We used nested logistic regression models and multiple mediational analyses to investigate the role of three groups of variables in explaining the association between labor induction and unplanned cesarean delivery-the confounders of maternal characteristics and indications for induction, and the mediating (intrapartum) factors-including cervical dilatation, labor augmentation, epidural analgesia, dysfunctional labor, dystocia, fetal intolerance of labor, and maternal request of cesarean during labor. RESULTS: More than a third of the women were induced (34.3%) and 24.8% underwent cesarean delivery. Induced women were more likely to deliver by cesarean (35.9%) than women in spontaneous labor (18.9%), unadjusted OR 2.35 (95% CI 1.97-2.79). The intrapartum factors significantly mediated the association between labor induction and cesarean delivery (explaining 76.7% of this association), particularly cervical dilatation <3 cm at hospital admission, fetal intolerance of labor, and dystocia. The indications for labor induction only explained 6.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction among nulliparous women is attributable mainly to lower cervical dilatation at hospital admission and higher rates of labor complications.

Pitfalls With the New American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy was created to evaluate the existing literature, develop practice guidelines, and identify areas for future research focus. Several issues were identified that may not have been initially obvious during the process of developing this document, including limited practical use, a lack of high quality literature, conflicting recommendations, a potential for high resource utilization, need for continually updated information, and little headway in research that is clinically useful. The purpose of this review was to make suggestions to improving these guidelines' overall usefulness and consistency for the busy clinician.

Mode of first delivery and women's intentions for subsequent childbearing: findings from the First Baby Study.

BACKGROUND: More than a dozen studies have reported a reduced rate of childbearing after caesarean delivery (CD). It has been hypothesised that this is because women who deliver by CD are less likely to intend to have subsequent children than women who deliver vaginally - either before childbirth or as a consequence of CD. Little research has addressed either of these hypotheses. METHODS: As part of an ongoing prospective study, we interviewed 3006 women in their third trimester and 1 month after first childbirth to assess subsequent childbearing intentions. RESULTS: Women who delivered by CD were similar to those who delivered vaginally in intent to have at least one additional child, both before childbirth (90.1% vaginal, 89.9% CD; P = 0.97) and after (87.8% vaginal, 87.1% CD; P = 0.87); however, women who had CD were less likely to intend two or more additional children, both before childbirth (34.7% vaginal, 29.2% CD; P = 0.03) and after (32.2% vaginal, 26.1% CD; P = 0.01). Among women who intended to have at least one additional child before childbirth, 5.0% reported intending to have no additional children 1 month after delivery (5.1% vaginal, 4.6% CD; P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Women whose first delivery is by CD are less likely to intend a relatively large family of three or more children than those who deliver vaginally, but delivery by CD does not decrease women's intentions to have at least one more child any more than does vaginal delivery, at least in the short term.

Management of gestational hypertension - the impact of HYPITATa.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of one trial (the HYPITAT trial) on management of gestational hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of 5077 patients delivered at our institution from 7/1/2008 to 6/15/2011. "Pre-HYPITAT" was defined as 7/1/2008-9/30/2009 and "Post-HYPITAT" as 10/1/2009-6/15/2011. The primary outcome is the rate of delivery intervention for gestational hypertension. Secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed in patients with gestational hypertension only. Statistical analyses included the χ2-test, Fisher's exact test, and the two-sample t-test. RESULTS: The rate of delivery intervention Pre-HYPITAT was 1.9%, compared to 4% Post-HYPITAT (P<0.001). There was no significant change in secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant increase in delivery intervention for gestational hypertension at our institution after the publication of the HYPITAT trial. There was no significant change in immediate maternal or neonatal outcomes for patients with gestational hypertension.

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor heart rate: a potential marker for gestational hypertension in at-risk women.

We prospectively correlated the 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) to conventional sphygmomanometer blood pressure measurements (CSM) in women at risk for gestational hypertensive disorders (GHTNDs) and identified predictive factors from ABPM for GHTND. We analyzed 73 women with ≥ 1 risk factor for developing a GHTND. Using both the CSM and ABPM, the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured for 24 hours during three periods (14 to 24 weeks; 24 to 32 weeks; and 33 weeks to delivery). Correlation between the CSM and ABPM lessened as pregnancy progressed. Seventeen (25%) of women developed a GHTND. MAP variability increased in the GHTND group versus those without a GHTND. The odds of developing a GHTND increased 1.5 times for every 1 beat per minute increase in the ABPM 24-hour HR at visit 1 and reversed by visit 3. In women at risk for a GHTND, CSM and ABPM correlate less well as pregnancy advances. HR changes in at-risk women may be a marker for the development of a GHTND and may reflect increased sympathetic activity and/or decreased baroreceptor sensitivity.

Association Between Mode of First Delivery and Subsequent Fecundity and Fertility.

Importance: More than 20% of births globally are by cesarean delivery, including more than 30% in the US. Prior studies have reported lower rates of childbearing after cesarean delivery, but it is not clear if this is due to maternal choice or lower conception rates. Objective: To investigate the association between mode of first delivery and subsequent conceptions and live births. Design, Setting, and Participants: The First Baby Study was a multicenter prospective cohort study of women aged 18 to 35 years with singleton pregnancies, enrolled and interviewed before first childbirth, who delivered in Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2011 and were followed up for 36 months after delivery (until April 2014). Data analysis for this study took place between May and July 2019 and in January 2020. Exposures: Mode of first delivery (cesarean or vaginal). Main Outcomes and Measures: Rates of subsequent conceptions and live births. Discrete-time Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to compare the rate of subsequent conception (vaginal vs cesarean) among those who completed the 36-month survey, accounting for reported months of unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period and adjusting for relevant covariates. A log binomial regression was used to compare the age-adjusted rate of subsequent live birth (vaginal vs cesarean) among those who completed the 36-month survey. Results: The study population consisted of 2423 women who were retained to the 36-month survey (mean [SD] age at baseline was 27.2 [4.4] years and 712 [29.4%] delivered by cesarean). There were 2046 women who had unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period, 2021 of whom provided data on months of unprotected intercourse. Cesarean delivery was associated with lower rates of conception after unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period (413 of 599 [68.9%]) compared with vaginal delivery (1090 of 1422 [76.7%]) (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96). Cesarean delivery was also associated with reduced likelihood of a subsequent live birth (305 women [42.8%]) compared with vaginal delivery (857 women [50.1%]), with an age-adjusted risk ratio of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92). Conclusions and Relevance: In the 3 years following first childbirth, women who delivered their first child by cesarean had lower rates of conception after unprotected intercourse, and fewer of these women had a second child than those who delivered vaginally.

Mode of Delivery Preference Among Pregnant Nulliparous Women.

Background: Nearly a third of women in the United States deliver by cesarean at first childbirth. The extent to which women's prenatal mode of delivery preference contributes to the cesarean decision is not clear. Little research has measured pregnant nulliparous women's prelabor mode of delivery preference in relation to actual mode of delivery in the United States. Materials and Methods: A total of 3006 pregnant nulliparous women were asked about mode of delivery preference during pregnancy as part of the First Baby Study, a prospective study of women delivering in Pennsylvania hospitals, 2009-2011. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the association between women's preference for cesarean delivery and two decision stages: (1) the decision to have planned prelabor cesarean and (2) the intrapartum decision to have unplanned cesarean among those attempting vaginal delivery, adjusting for confounders. Results: Overall, 3.1% preferred cesarean delivery, 3.0% had no preference, and 93.9% preferred vaginal. Among those who preferred vaginal delivery, 4% had a planned cesarean; among those with no preference, 13.3% did; and among those who preferred cesarean, 33.7% did. In adjusted models, preference for cesarean was strongly associated with having planned prelabor cesarean (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.26-11.12), but was not significantly associated with unplanned cesarean among those who attempted vaginal delivery (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.77-2.38). Conclusions: Although preference for cesarean delivery among nulliparous women was uncommon, women who preferred cesarean were more likely to have planned prelabor cesarean delivery than those who preferred vaginal delivery.

Parent reported outcomes of quality care and satisfaction in the context of a life-limiting fetal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which quality indicators (QI) predict patient satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional design using a validated tool was administered using a Web-based platform. Parents (n = 405) who experienced a life-limiting fetal diagnosis and opted to continue their pregnancy provided feedback on 37 QI and satisfaction with prenatal care. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression identified relationships among variables. RESULTS: Parental satisfaction with care was 75.6%. Statistically significant differences in mean scores were reported with satisfied patients reporting higher agreement with quality indicators. Parents who were satisfied with their care had 1.9 times the odds of reporting that consistent care was provided (CI: 1.4-2.4, p < 0.01), 1.8 times the odds of reporting compassionate care (CI: 1.4-2.5, p < 0.01) and 1.8 times the odds that they received help to cope with their emotions (CI: 1.4-2.3, p < 0.01). The model correctly predicted parent satisfaction 92% of the time. CONCLUSION: Provision of consistent prenatal care is an important quality indicator for this population of parents. The odds of securing satisfied parents increase when families are treated with compassion and given resources to help them cope with the emotionally devastating experiences associated with a life-limiting fetal diagnosis.

Risk Factors for Dyspareunia After First Childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for dyspareunia among primiparous women. METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis using data from the 1- and 6-month postpartum interviews of a prospective study of women who delivered their first neonate in Pennsylvania, 2009-2011. Participants who had resumed sexual intercourse by the 6-month interview (N=2,748) constituted the analytic sample. Women reporting a big or medium problem with painful intercourse at 6 months were categorized as having dyspareunia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of patient characteristics, obstetric and psychosocial factors, and breastfeeding on dyspareunia. RESULTS: There were 583 women (21.2%) who reported dyspareunia at 6 months postpartum. Nearly one third of those breastfeeding at 6 months reported dyspareunia (31.5%) compared with 12.7% of those not breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33-3.59, P<.001); 32.5% of those reporting a big or medium problem with perineal pain at 1 month reported dyspareunia at 6 months compared with 15.9% of those who did not (adjusted OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.93-3.10, P<.001); 28.3% of women who reported fatigue all or most of the time at 1 month reported dyspareunia at 6 months compared with 18.0% of those who reported fatigue less often (adjusted OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.30-1.98, P<.001); and 24.1% of those who scored in the upper third on the stress scale at 1 month reported dyspareunia at 6 months postpartum compared with 15.6% of those who scored in the lowest third (adjusted OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.18-2.02, P=.001). CONCLUSION: In this prospective cohort study, we identified specific risk factors for dyspareunia in primiparous women that can be discussed at the first postpartum visit, including breastfeeding, perineal pain, fatigue, and stress.

Reduction in the Cesarean Delivery Rate After Obstetric Care Consensus Guideline Implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of primary cesarean delivery after adopting labor management guidelines. METHODS: This is a before-after retrospective cohort study at a single academic center. This center adopted guidelines from the Consensus for the Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery. Nulliparous women attempting vaginal delivery with viable, singleton, vertex fetuses were included. For the primary outcome of cesarean delivery rate among induced or augmented patients, 200 consecutive women managed before guideline adoption were compared with 200 similar patients afterward. Secondary outcomes of overall cesarean delivery rate, maternal morbidity, neonatal outcomes, and labor management practices were analyzed with inclusion of intervening spontaneously laboring women. RESULTS: Between September 13, 2013, and September 28, 2014, 275 women preguideline and 292 postguideline were identified to include 200 deliveries after induction or augmentation each. Among women delivering after induction or augmentation, the cesarean delivery rate decreased from 35.5% to 24.5% (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.91). The overall cesarean delivery rate decreased from 26.9% to 18.8% (adjusted OR 0.59, CI 0.38-0.92). Composite maternal morbidity was reduced (adjusted OR 0.66, CI 0.46-0.94). The frequency of cesarean delivery documenting arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm decreased from 7.1% to 1.1% postguideline (n=182 and 176 preguideline and postguideline, respectively, P=.006) with no change in other indications. CONCLUSION: Postguideline, the cesarean delivery rate among nulliparous women attempting vaginal delivery was substantially reduced in association with decreased frequency in the diagnosis of arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm.

Identification of small for gestational age by population-based and customized growth charts in newborns of obese and normal-weight primiparous women.

OBJECTIVE: Our hypothesis was that newborns of obese mothers would be more likely to be classified as small for gestational age (SGA) by their customized growth curves than by the standard growth curves when compared to newborns of normal-weight mothers. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort of primiparous patients delivering between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2012. Normal-weight was defined as BMI ≤25 kg/m(2) and obese as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). Infant birth-weight was characterized as SGA or non-SGA from the Lubchenco curve, the Fenton Preterm Growth Chart, and the customized growth curve. RESULTS: Infants were more likely to be classified as SGA on the customized curve compared with Lubchenco curve. Odds ratio was 2.8 (CI: 1.7-4.4; p = 0.001) for obese women and was 2.9 (CI: 1.7-5.1; p < 0.001) for normal-weight women. Infants were also more likely to be classified as SGA based on the customized curve compared with the Fenton Preterm Growth Curve. The odds ratio was 2.3 (CI: 1.4-3.8; p = 0.001) for obese women and was 1.5 (CI: 1.01-2.33; p = 0.04) for normal-weight women. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based curves may mask SGA in obese women. Our study demonstrates that customized growth curves identify more SGA than population-based growth curves in obese and normal-weight women.

Preeclampsia: Short-term and Long-term Implications.

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that affects 4% of pregnancies and has a high risk of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term cardiovascular risk. Recent updates in the definition, diagnosis, and management guidelines for preeclampsia warrant review by general obstetrician-gynecologists. Screening and prevention algorithms for preeclampsia are available, but ultimately the cure remains delivery of the fetus and placenta. Close monitoring for the development and worsening of preeclampsia during pregnancy is essential to optimize both maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes.

The association of maternal age and symptomatic uterine rupture during a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether maternal age is associated with a symptomatic uterine rupture during a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients undergoing a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery over a 12-year period. We analyzed the labors of women with one prior cesarean and no prior vaginal deliveries. The uterine rupture rate was determined with respect to maternal age. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Overall, 32 (1.1%) uterine ruptures occurred among 3015 women. For women younger than 30 years, the risk of uterine rupture was 0.5%, and for those women aged at least 30 years, the risk of uterine rupture was 1.4% (P =.02). Controlling for birth weight, induction, augmentation, and interdelivery interval, the odds ratio for symptomatic uterine rupture for women aged at least 30 years compared with those less than 30 years was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 1.2, 8.4). CONCLUSION: Women aged 30 years or older have a greater risk of uterine rupture as compared with women younger than 30 years.

Post-cesarean delivery fever and uterine rupture in a subsequent trial of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of uterine rupture during a trial of labor after cesarean with postpartum fever after the prior cesarean delivery. METHODS: We conducted a nested, case-control study in a cohort of all women undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean over a 12-year period in a single tertiary care institution. The current study was limited to all women undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean at term with a symptomatic uterine rupture and who also had their prior cesarean at the same institution. Four controls, who all had their prior cesarean at the same institution, were matched to each case by year of delivery, number of prior cesareans, prior vaginal delivery, and induction in the index pregnancy. Medical records were reviewed for maximum postpartum temperature for the previous cesarean. Fever was defined as a temperature above 38C. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed taking into account potential confounding factors. RESULTS: There were 21 cases of uterine rupture included in the analysis. The rate of fever following the prior cesarean was 38% (8/21) among the cases, and 15% (13/84) in the controls, P =.03. Multiple logistic regression analysis examining the association of uterine rupture and postpartum fever adjusting for confounders revealed an odds ratio of 4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0, 15.5. CONCLUSION: Postpartum fever after cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture during a subsequent trial of labor.

Intrapartum management of multifetal pregnancies.

Over the past several decades advances in assisted-reproductive technologies have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of multifetal gestations. Concomitant with this increase there has been a gradual rise in the overall preterm birth rate, as well as other pregnancy complications related to these pregnancies. Twin, triplet, and other high-order multifetal gestation pregnancies pose a number of important issues related to antepartum and intrapartum management. Antepartum issues include ultrasound determination of zygosity, management and prevention of preterm labor, maternal/fetal surveillance for complications, and specific interventions focused on prevention of adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Intrapartum issues include those related to timing of delivery, labor management, anesthesia options, and determination of an optimal delivery modality. Clearly, these issues related to the management of multifetal pregnancies are of paramount importance to optimize pregnancy outcome. As many of the issues related to antepartum care for women with multifetal gestations have been reviewed elsewhere, we have restricted the focus of this article to intrapartum management. Thus, this article reviews salient issues related to the intrapartum management of multifetal gestations, including twins, triplets, and other high-order pregnancies.

Hypertension in pregnancy and preeclampsia. Knowledge and clinical practice among obstetrician-gynecologists.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the knowledge and practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists concerning management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Surveys were mailed to 1,116 fellows of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 416 of them constituted the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network. Seven hundred more were chosen at random. The survey contained questions on physician and patient demography and on knowledge and practice patterns concerning management of various hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 401 completed surveys were analyzed. There was no difference between respondents and nonrespondents in either sex ratio (P = .410) or age (46.9 +/- 0.4 versus 48.1 +/- 0.4 years, P = .131). Most respondents (84.5%) would manage mild preeclampsia on an outpatient basis, and most (58.6%) usually managed preeclampsia independently. There was considerable variation in clinical practice. For example, about one of four respondents (27.4%) do not use seizure prophylaxis during labor in mild preeclampsia. Among physicians who do utilize magnesium sulfate for seizure prophylaxis, the mean standard loading dose was 4.5 +/- .1 g intravenously. More than half the respondents (54.9%) would employ preeclampsia prevention procedures. Most respondents (74.6%) said that there is a role for management of severe preeclampsia remote from term. Intrauterine growth restriction would be used as an indication for immediate delivery by 60.6% of respondents; female physicians were more likely to use intrauterine growth retardation as an indication for immediate delivery (chi 2 = 5.7, P = .017).

What is new in labor management? Best articles from the past year.

This month we focus on current research in labor management. Dr. Repke discusses five recent publications, and each is concluded with a "bottom line" that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can be found in on this page, along with direct links to the abstracts.