Luteal Phase Defects and Progesterone Supplementation.

Importance: Luteal phase defects (LPDs), or an insufficiency of progesterone production during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, have been identified as a potential cause of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), but its exact contribution to RPL is not well-defined. In addition, the role of exogenous progesterone supplementation during pregnancy remains controversial. Objective: The goal of this review is to provide an updated, evidence-based summary of LPD, including prevalence and potential pathophysiologic mechanisms, and to explore the current controversies regarding progesterone supplementation for management and treatment of RPL. Evidence Acquisition: A literature review identified relevant research using a PubMed search, Cochrane summaries, review articles, textbook chapters, databases, and society guidelines. Results: Endogenous progesterone plays a crucial role in the first trimester of pregnancy, and therefore, insufficiency may contribute to RPL. However, the precise relationship between LPD and RPL remains unclear. Luteal phase defect is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on a luteal phase less than 10 days. Although there may be a possibility of incorporating a combined clinical and biochemical approach in defining LPD, the current lack of validated diagnostic criteria creates a challenge for its routine incorporation in the workup of infertility. Moreover, no treatment modality has demonstrated efficacy in improving fertility outcomes for LPD patients, including progesterone supplementation, whose inconsistent data do not sufficiently support its routine use, despite its minimal risk. It is imperative that women diagnosed with LPD should be worked up for other potential conditions that may contribute to a shortened luteal phase. Future work needs to focus on identifying a reproducible diagnostic test for LPD to guide treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: Currently, the perceived relationship between LPD and RPL is challenged by conflicting data. Therefore, patients with an abnormal luteal phase should undergo a thorough workup to address any other potential etiologies. Although supplemental progesterone is commonly utilized for treatment of LPD and RPL, inconsistent supporting data call for exogenous hormone therapy to be only used in a research setting or after a thorough discussion of its shortcomings.

A Rational and Standardized Prenatal Examination.

Importance: As prenatal care is in transition after the COVID-19 pandemic, reviewing fundamental physical examination approaches is necessary for providers examining obstetrical patients. Objective: The objective of this review is 3-fold: (1) convey why the age of telemedicine necessitates reconsideration of the standardized physical examination in routine prenatal care; (2) identify the screening efficacy of examination maneuvers used within a standard prenatal examination of the neck, heart, lungs, abdomen, breasts, skin, lower extremities, pelvis, and fetal growth; and (3) propose an evidence-based prenatal physical examination. Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive literature review identified relevant research, review articles, textbook chapters, databases, and societal guidelines. Results: We conclude that an evidence-based prenatal examination for asymptomatic patients includes the following maneuvers: inspection and palpation for thyromegaly and cervical lymphadenopathy, cardiac auscultation, fundal height measurement, and a pelvic examination for purposes including testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, assessing pelvimetry, and assessing cervical dilation later in the pregnancy, intrapartum, or in the setting of ultrasonogram-detected prelabor preterm cervical shortening. Conclusions and Relevance: Although not true of all physical examination maneuvers, this article demonstrates that there are maneuvers that continue to play important screening roles in asymptomatic patients. With the increase in virtual visits and fewer in-person prenatal appointments, the rational basis for maneuvers recommended in this review should inform decision making around the prenatal examination performed.

Validation of a sonographic checklist for the detection of histologic placenta accreta spectrum.

BACKGROUND: To standardize research terminology and to reduce unanticipated placenta accreta spectrum, the European Working Group for Abnormally Invasive Placenta developed a consensus checklist for reporting suspected placenta accreta spectrum observed during an antenatal ultrasound. The diagnostic accuracy of the European Working Group for Abnormally Invasive Placenta checklist has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the performance of the European Working Group for Abnormally Invasive Placenta sonographic checklist in predicting histologic placenta accreta spectrum. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multisite, blinded, retrospective review of transabdominal ultrasound studies performed between 26 to 32 weeks' gestation for subjects with histologic placenta accreta spectrum between 2016 and 2020. We matched a control cohort of subjects without histologic placenta accreta spectrum in a 1:1 ratio. To reduce reader bias, we matched the control cohort for known risk factors including previa, number of previous cesarean deliveries, previous dilation and curettage, in vitro fertilization, and clinical factors affecting image quality including multiple gestation, body mass index, and gestational age at the ultrasound. Nine sonologists from 5 referral centers, blinded to the histologic outcomes, interpreted the randomized ultrasound studies using the European Working Group for Abnormally Invasive Placenta checklist. The primary outcome was the sensitivity and specificity of the checklist to predict placenta accreta spectrum. Two separate sensitivity analyses were performed. First, we excluded subjects with mild disease (ie, only assessed subjects with histologic increta and percreta). Second, we excluded interpretations from the 2 most junior sonologists. RESULTS: A total of 78 subjects were included (39 placenta accreta spectrum, 39 matched control). Clinical risk factors and image quality markers were statistically similar between the cohorts. The checklist sensitivity (95% confidence interval) was 76.6% (63.4-90.6) and the specificity (95% confidence interval) was 92.0% (63.4-99.9) with a positive and negative likelihood ratio of 9.6 and 0.3, respectively. When we excluded subjects with mild placenta accreta spectrum disease, the sensitivity (95% confidence interval) increased to 84.7% (73.6-96.4) and the specificity was unchanged at 92.0% (83.2-99.9). Sensitivity and specificity were unchanged when the interpretations from the 2 most junior sonologists were excluded. CONCLUSION: The 2016 European Working Group for Abnormally Invasive Placenta checklist for interpreting placenta accreta spectrum has a reasonable performance in detecting histologic placenta accreta spectrum and excluding cases without placenta accreta spectum.

Risk Factors for Adverse Maternal Outcomes among Patients with Severe Preeclampsia Before 34 Weeks.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize rates of maternal morbidity associated with early (<34 wk) preeclampsia with severe features and to determine factors associated with developing these morbidities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of patients with early preeclampsia with severe features at a single institution from 2013 to 2019. Inclusion criteria were admission between 23 and 34 weeks and diagnosis of preeclampsia with severe features. Maternal morbidity defined as death, sepsis, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, acute renal insufficiency (acute kidney injury [AKI]), postpartum (PP) dilation and curettage, PP hysterectomy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), PP hemorrhage (PPH), PP wound infection, PP endometritis, pelvic abscess, PP pneumonia, readmission, and/or need for blood transfusion. Death, ICU admission, VTE, AKI, PP hysterectomy, sepsis, and/or transfusion of >2 units were considered severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Simple statistics used to compare characteristics among patients experiencing any morbidity and those not. Poisson regression used to assess relative risks. RESULTS: Of 260 patients included, 77 (29.6%) experienced maternal morbidity and 16 (6.2%) experienced severe morbidity. PPH (n = 46, 17.7%) was the most common morbidity, although 15 (5.8%) patients were readmitted, 16 (6.2%) needed a blood transfusion, and 14 (5.4%) had AKI. Patients who experienced maternal morbidity were more likely to be advanced maternal age, have preexisting diabetes, have multiples, and deliver nonvaginally (all ps < 0.05). Diagnosis of preeclampsia < 28 weeks or longer latency from diagnosis to delivery were not associated with increased maternal morbidity. In regression models, the relative risk of maternal morbidity remained significant for twins (adjusted odds ration [aOR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67, 3.96) and preexisting diabetes (aOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.58), whereas attempted vaginal delivery was protective (aOR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.92). CONCLUSION: In this cohort, more than 1 in 4 patients diagnosed with early preeclampsia with severe features experienced maternal morbidity, whereas 1 in 16 patients experienced SMM. Twins and pregestational diabetes were associated with higher risk of morbidity, whereas attempted vaginal delivery was protective. These data may be helpful in promoting risk reduction and counseling patients diagnosed with early preeclampsia with severe features. KEY POINTS: · One in four patients diagnosed with preeclampsia w/ severe features experienced maternal morbidity.. · One in 16 patients with preeclampsia w/ severe features experienced severe maternal morbidity.. · Factors most associated with morbidity/severe morbidity were twins and pregestational diabetes.. · Patients who attempted vaginal delivery appeared to have a lower rate of morbidity..

A Qualitative Assessment of Patient Experience following Systematic Implementation of Goals of Care Conversations in the Ambulatory Gynecologic Oncology Setting.

Objective: Although skilled goals of care (GOC) conversations are known to reduce aggressive futile end-of-life care, they have not been widely implemented nor standardized in the care of gynecologic malignancies. Clinicians express concern regarding patient readiness and willingness to participate in these conversations, which may be a barrier to GOC discussions. Methods: This is a qualitative study, conducted at an academic institution in the United States, of patients with gynecologic malignancies at high risk of death within six months and who had recently completed a GOC discussion with their oncology clinician during an ambulatory visit. Within 10 days of this conversation, patients were approached for potential participation in an hour-long semistructured interview. Patients enrolled in hospice or who were non-English speaking were excluded. Participants were enrolled until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed and coded using the five-stage thematic approach. Results: Ten women were consented and participated in semistructured interviews, which occurred a median of 4 (range 1-18) days after the index GOC discussion. The median age was 64 (range 37-78), and the most common diagnosis (50%) was recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Four themes were identified: (1) delivery of the GOC conversation, (2) importance of prioritizing individual values, (3) involving family in decision making, and (4) openness to discussing discontinuation of anticancer treatment and hospice. Patients generally felt these GOC conversations were useful, providing a space to express their values and did not compromise the patient-clinician relationship. Conclusions: Patients seemed willing to engage in GOC conversations and were appreciative of their clinicians' communication skills. Often, they used this conversation as an opportunity to convey personal values affecting their care.

Transfusion Requirements with Hybrid Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Incorporating Targeted Embolization and a Selective Use of Delayed Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the number of units of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) treated with or without a multidisciplinary algorithm that includes placental uterine arterial embolization (P-UAE) and selective use of either immediate or delayed hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of deliveries conducted at a tertiary care hospital from 2001 to 2018 with pathology-confirmed PAS. Those with previable pregnancies or microinvasive histology were excluded. To improve the equity of comparison, analyses were made separately among scheduled and unscheduled cases, therefore patients were assigned to one of four cohorts as follows: (1) scheduled/per-algorithm, (2) scheduled/off-algorithm, (3) unscheduled/per-algorithm, or (4) unscheduled/off-algorithm. Primary outcomes included RBCs transfused and estimated blood loss (EBL). Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and disposition. RESULTS: Overall, 95 patients were identified, with 87 patients meeting inclusion criteria: 36 treated per-algorithm (30 scheduled and 6 unscheduled) and 51 off-algorithm patients (24 scheduled and 27 unscheduled). Among scheduled deliveries, 9 (30.0%) patients treated per-algorithm received RBCs compared with 20 (83.3%) patients treated off-algorithm (p < 0.01), with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) and 6.0 (2.5, 7.5) units transfused (p = 0.13), respectively. Among unscheduled deliveries, 5 (83.3%) per-algorithm patients were transfused RBCs compared with 25 (92.6%) off-algorithm patients (p = 0.47) with a median (IQR) of 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) and 8.0 (3.0, 10.0) units transfused (p = 0.47), respectively. Perioperative complications were similar between cohorts. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary algorithm including P-UAE and selective use of delayed hysterectomy is associated with a lower rate of blood transfusion in scheduled but not unscheduled cases. KEY POINTS: · An algorithm with delayed hysterectomy had less transfusion in scheduled, but not unscheduled, cases.. · Over time, more cases were managed per algorithm; among scheduled cases, the transfusion rate and volume transfused decreased.. · There were similar transfusion outcomes among off-algorithm cases, regardless if delivery was scheduled..

Gestational weight gain and patterns of breastfeeding among patients with class III obesity.

BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity is associated with delayed lactogenesis and shorter duration of breastfeeding compared to patients with a normal BMI. RESEARCH AIM/QUESTION: We investigated the impact of excessive gestational weight gain, defined as greater than the Institute of Medicine guidelines (>9.1 kg), on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding in patients with class III obesity. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients with body mass index ≥40 in first trimester, delivering a singleton term infant at a tertiary care center between July 2013 and December 2017. Primary outcome was exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and at postpartum visit. Secondary outcomes included any breastfeeding at discharge and postpartum visit, and cessation of breastfeeding by the postpartum visit. Descriptive statistics were used to compare those whose gestational weight gain exceeded (eIOM) versus met (mIOM) Institute of Medicine guidelines. Regression models were performed to adjust for baseline confounding factors. RESULTS: Of 294 women included, 117(39.8%) were in the eIOM group. These women were more likely to be primigravida, have a higher delivery BMI, greater delivery blood loss, and have a neonate admitted to the intensive care unit. Exclusive breastfeeding at discharge was not different between eIOM and mIOM (66.7% vs 70.9%, p = .44), nor did eIOM impact likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding at postpartum visit (40.1% vs 34.2%, p = .31). When controlling for confounding factors, breastfeeding at discharge (aOR 1.54 95% CI [0.68-3.49]) or postpartum visit (aOR 0.67[0.31-1.47]) did not differ between eIOM compared to mIOM. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with class III obesity, excessive gestational weight gain did not impact the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge or postpartum visit.

Quality of Labor Analgesia with Dural Puncture Epidural versus Standard Epidural Technique in Obese Parturients: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: The dural puncture epidural technique may improve analgesia quality by confirming midline placement and increasing intrathecal translocation of epidural medications. This would be advantageous in obese parturients with increased risk of block failure. This study hypothesizes that quality of labor analgesia will be improved with dural puncture epidural compared to standard epidural technique in obese parturients. METHODS: Term parturients with body mass index greater than or equal to 35 kg · m-2, cervical dilation of 2 to 7 cm, and pain score of greater than 4 (where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable) were randomized to dural puncture epidural (using 25-gauge Whitacre needle) or standard epidural techniques. Analgesia was initiated with 15 ml of 0.1% ropivacaine with 2 µg · ml-1 fentanyl, followed by programed intermittent boluses (6 ml every 45 min), with patient-controlled epidural analgesia. Parturients were blinded to group allocation. The data were collected by blinded investigators every 3 min for 30 min and then every 2 h until delivery. The primary outcome was a composite of (1) asymmetrical block, (2) epidural top-ups, (3) catheter adjustments, (4) catheter replacement, and (5) failed conversion to regional anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included time to a pain score of 1 or less, sensory levels at 30 min, motor block, maximum pain score, patient-controlled epidural analgesia use, epidural medication consumption, duration of second stage of labor, delivery mode, fetal heart tones changes, Apgar scores, maternal adverse events, and satisfaction with analgesia. RESULTS: Of 141 parturients randomized, 66 per group were included in the analysis. There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between the dural puncture epidural and standard epidural groups in the primary composite outcome (34 of 66, 52% vs. 32 of 66, 49%; odds ratio, 1.1 [0.5 to 2.4]; P = 0.766), its individual components, or any of the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A lack of differences in quality of labor analgesia between the two techniques in this study does not support routine use of the dural puncture epidural technique in obese parturients.

Clinical factors associated with cytomegalovirus shedding among seropositive pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Both neighborhood disadvantage and close contact with children have been associated with seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus in pregnancy. However, it is unknown which individual factors influence whether seropositive women are likely to have ongoing viral shedding. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to define the frequency of and risk factors for ongoing maternal cytomegalovirus shedding across gestation among seropositive pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study of women who were cytomegalovirus seropositive at a single tertiary care hospital between September 1, 2018, and September 1, 2020. The participants were eligible if positive for cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G during the first trimester of pregnancy. Urine samples were planned to be collected from each trimester. DNA was isolated in urine samples to detect and quantitate cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 gene. Participants were classified as "ever shedder" if cytomegalovirus was detected in any urine sample and "never shedder" if cytomegalovirus was never detected. Patient demographics and characteristics were compared between groups. Stochastic search variable selection (with a posterior probability of inclusion of >0.5) was used to identify predictors of cytomegalovirus shedding at any time point. Forward selection modeling was used as a sensitivity check for independent risks. RESULTS: A total of 240 participants who were cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G seropositive were enrolled, with 567 urine samples analyzed across gestation. Fifty-eight participants (24.2%) were "never shedders", and 182 participants (75.8%) were "ever shedders." The characteristics and demographics were similar between cohorts. With stochastic search variable selection, nulliparity was the only variable selected (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% credible interval, 1.00-4.09; Bayes factor, 2.22). Furthermore, nulliparity was selected with standard logistic regression, with an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of 1.89 (1.00-3.58). Sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, race, education level, occupation, children at home, children in daycare, housing type, insurance type, income, and concurrent infections, were not associated with shedding. The only positive neonatal sample (0.42%) was detected from a participant who had cytomegalovirus detected in all 3 time points. CONCLUSION: Approximately 75% of women who were positive for cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G shed virus at some point during gestation. Nulliparity was the only variable selected that was associated with shedding.

Anesthetic management of placenta accreta spectrum at an academic center and a comparison of the combined spinal epidural with the double catheter technique: A retrospective study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe the anesthetic management and outcomes of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases at our institution over a 19 year period and to compare outcomes associated with the lumbar combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique versus the double catheter technique (lumbar CSE with thoracic epidural catheter). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Labor and delivery unit at a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: 113 female patients who had histologically confirmed PAS on the final pathology report after cesarean delivery or cesarean hysterectomy. INTERVENTION: Neuraxial anesthesia, including CSE and the double catheter technique, and general anesthesia for PAS cases (including scheduled and unscheduled cases and those known or unknown as PAS preoperatively). MEASUREMENTS: The medical records were reviewed for demographic information, intraoperative management, anesthetic technique, and outcomes. We describe anesthetic management and outcomes of cases classified as scheduled vs. unscheduled and known vs. unknown PAS. We also compare the CSE and double catheter techniques with the primary outcome being conversion to general anesthesia (GA). MAIN RESULTS: We included 113 cases: 60 (53.1%) scheduled/known cases, 12 (10.6%), scheduled/unknown cases, 22 (19.5%) unscheduled/known, and 19 (16.8%) unscheduled/unknown cases. All scheduled cases except two were started with a neuraxial technique. General anesthesia (GA) was used to start 18/41 (44%) of unscheduled cases. The double catheter technique (n = 35) was associated with a lower GA conversion rate (5.7% vs. 29.7%, P = 0.036) compared to the CSE technique (n = 37). CONCLUSIONS: Neuraxial anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for PAS cases in our practice. The double catheter technique was associated with lower GA conversion rates compared to the CSE technique in our cohort.

Placental uterine artery embolization followed by delayed hysterectomy for placenta percreta: A case series.

We describe outcomes of patients with suspected placenta percreta treated with placental uterine artery embolization (P-UAE) followed by delayed hysterectomy. This is a prospective case series of subjects from 2005 to 2018 with suspected placenta percreta who underwent P-UAE at the time of cesarean delivery followed by delayed hysterectomy. Both scheduled and unscheduled surgical cases were included. Maternal characteristics, surgical approaches, intra- and postoperative outcomes were abstracted from medical records. In total, twenty-two subjects were included. Median (interquartile range, IQR) delivery gestational age was 34.6 (31.9, 35.7) weeks, occurring as scheduled in 17 (77.3%) subjects and unscheduled in 5 (22.7%). Delayed hysterectomy was performed as scheduled in 17 (77.3%) subjects at a median (IQR) 40.5 (38.0, 44.0) days after delivery, and 5 (22.7%) subjects had a hysterectomy prior to scheduled date, median (IQR) 27.0 (17.0, 35.0) days after delivery. Indications for the 5 unscheduled hysterectomies included bleeding (n = 3) and suspected endometritis (n = 2). Three subjects (13.6%) received a blood transfusion (1, 3, 3 units) during delivery, and 7 (31.8%) were transfused during delayed hysterectomy (median [IQR] 2 [1,3] units). Three (13.6%) subjects had bladder resection at the time of hysterectomy; 1 (4.5%) had an unintentional cystotomy and 1 (4.5%) had a ureteral injury. P-UAE followed by delayed hysterectomy appears to be a safe and feasible, although appropriate patient selection and close surveillance are imperative, as 22.7% of patients underwent unscheduled hysterectomy.

Premature Rupture of Membranes with Concurrent Viral Infection.

Treatment of viral infections is geared toward ameliorating maternal symptoms and minimizing perinatal transmission. Multidisciplinary teams often are required to manage sequelae due to viral diseases in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). although data are scarce regarding the antepartum management of common viruses in PPROM, essential principles may be extrapolated from national guidelines and studies in gravid patients. The well-established risks of prematurity are weighed against the often unclear risks of vertical transmission.

Gestational Weight Gain and Postpartum Depression in Women with Class III Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum depression (PPD) in women with class III obesity. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort of women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 at entry to care, first prenatal visit ≤14 weeks gestation, with singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies who delivered at term from July 2013 to December 2017. Women missing data regarding PPD were excluded. Primary outcome was PPD; classified as Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score >13/30 or provider's report of depression. Participants were classified, according to Institute of Medicine GWG guidelines (11-20 pounds), as either less than 11 pounds (LT11) or at/more than 11 pounds (GT11). Bivariate statistics compared demographics and pregnancy characteristics. Logistic regression used to estimate odds of primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 275 women, 96 (34.9%) gained LT11 and 179 (65.1%) gained GT11 during pregnancy. The rate of PPD was 8.7% (n = 24), 9 (9.4%) in the LT11 group and 15 (8.4%) in the GT11 group (p = 0.82, odds ratio: 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48, 2.69). When controlling for entry BMI and multiparity, adjusted odds of PPD was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.44, 2.63). No correlation was found between GWG and EPDS. CONCLUSION: A relationship between GWG and PPD in class III obese women was not found in this cohort.

Artificial Intelligence in Health Care: Insights From an Educational Forum.

Discussions surrounding the future of artificial intelligenc (AI) in healthcare often cause consternation among healthcare professionals. These feelings may stem from a lack of formal education on AI and how to be a leader of AI implementation in medical systems. To address this, our academic medical center hosted an educational summit exploring how to become a leader of AI in healthcare. This article presents three lessons learned from hosting this summit, thus providing guidance for developing medical curriculum on the topic of AI in healthcare.

Blood Products in the Management of Abnormal Placentation.

A critical tool in the successful management of patients with abnormal placentation is an established massive transfusion protocol designed to rapidly deliver blood products in obstetrical and surgical hemorrhage. Spurred by trauma research and an understanding of consumptive coagulopathy, the past 2 decades have seen a shift in volume resuscitation from an empiric, crystalloid-based method to balanced, targeted transfusion therapy. The present article reviews patient blood management in abnormal placentation, beginning with optimizing the patient's status in the antenatal period to the laboratory assessment and transfusion strategy for blood products at the time of hemorrhage.

Pregnancy Outcomes Following Cervical Conization or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Conservative excisional measures used to manage cervical dysplasia are often cited as risk factors for preterm labor in subsequent pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: We performed an evidence-based review of the obstetric complications following excisional procedures for cervical dysplasia in women of reproductive age. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Between 1993 and 2016, there were 7 published meta-analyses of cohort studies that consistently demonstrated an association between excisional cervical procedures and preterm labor. However, controversy remains as to whether the increased risk is due to the cervical amputation or to the risk factors that underlie the dysplasia. RESULTS: Although data suggest an association between excisional procedures and preterm labor, the choice of the control group may either overestimate or underestimate the relative risk. In addition, recent data suggest that depth of excision greater than 10 to 12 mm is associated with increases in risk of preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: Women with cervical dysplasia are at an increased baseline risk of preterm birth, and surgical excision confers additional risk. Pregnant patients with advanced cervical dysplasia or a history of surgical excision should be considered high-risk pregnancies.

Conscience in the public square: The pivoting positions of the USCCB and ACLU around the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The debate on the meaning of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is rapidly developing. Taking three snapshots in the bill's history (in 1993 at its origin, in 2014 during Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, and in 2015 after Obergefell v. Hodges), this essay evaluates the stances taken on the RFRA by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Although the ACLU initially supported the bill, it now campaigns against it. In contrast the USCCB, once hesitant to endorse the RFRA, fervently defends it today. Evaluating these pivoting positions, this essay suggests that at the heart of the debate on RFRA lies a difference in understanding the right to follow one's conscience in the public square. Lay Summary: This essay evaluates how the ACLU and the USCCB differ in their understanding of conscience. Next, the essay demonstrates that this difference leads to opposing viewpoints on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act today. Although both initially supported the Religious Freedom Restoration Act at its signing in 1993, the ACLU has now disavowed the bill after it had been used to permit following religious-based conscience in the public square.