Advanced maternal age increases the risk of very preterm birth, irrespective of parity: a population-based register study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether advanced maternal age is associated with preterm birth, irrespective of parity. DESIGN: Population-based registry study. SETTING: Swedish Medical Birth Register. POPULATION: First, second, and third live singleton births to women aged 20 years or older in Sweden, from 1990 to 2011 (n = 2 009 068). METHODS: Logistic regression analysis was used in each parity group to estimate risks of very and moderately preterm births to women at 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, and 40 years or older, using 25-29 years as the reference group. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for year of birth, education, country of birth, smoking, body mass index, and history of preterm birth. Age-related risks of spontaneous and medically indicated preterm births were also investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Very preterm (22-31 weeks of gestation) and moderately preterm (32-36 weeks) births. RESULTS: Risks of very preterm birth increased with maternal age, irrespective of parity: adjusted ORs in first, second, and third births ranged from 1.18 to 1.28 at 30-34 years, from 1.59 to 1.70 at 35-39 years, and from 1.97 to 2.40 at ≥40 years. In moderately preterm births, age-related associations were weaker, but were statistically significant from 35-39 years in all parity groups. Advanced maternal age increased the risks of both spontaneous and medically indicated preterm births. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced maternal age is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, irrespective of parity, especially very preterm birth. Women aged 35 years and older, expecting their first, second, or third births, should be regarded as a risk group for very preterm birth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Women aged 35 years and older should be regarded as a risk group for very preterm birth, irrespective of parity.

The effect of primary midwife-led care on women's experience of childbirth: results from the COSMOS randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of primary midwife-led care ('caseload midwifery') on women's experiences of childbirth. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary care women's hospital in Melbourne, Australia. POPULATION: A total of 2314 low-risk pregnant women. METHODS: Women randomised to caseload care received antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care from a primary midwife, with some care provided by a 'back-up' midwife. Women in standard care received midwifery-led care with varying levels of continuity, junior obstetric care or community-based medical care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of the study was caesarean section. This paper presents a secondary outcome, women's experience of childbirth. Women's views and experiences were sought using seven-point rating scales via postal questionnaires 2 months after the birth. RESULTS: A total of 2314 women were randomised between September 2007 and June 2010; 1156 to caseload and 1158 to standard care. Response rates to the follow-up questionnaire were 88 and 74%, respectively. Women in the caseload group were more positive about their overall birth experience than women in the standard care group (adjusted odds ratio 1.50, 95% CI 1.22-1.84). They also felt more in control during labour, were more proud of themselves, less anxious, and more likely to have a positive experience of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with standard maternity care, caseload midwifery may improve women's experiences of childbirth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Primary midwife-led care ('caseload midwifery') improves women's experiences of childbirth.

Caesarean section in nulliparous women of advanced maternal age has been reduced in Sweden and Norway since the 1970s: a register-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate rates of caesarean delivery in Sweden and Norway from 1973 to 2008 in relation to advanced and very advanced maternal age. DESIGN: Register study. SETTING: Sweden and Norway. SAMPLE: All nulliparous women aged over 30 years with a singleton pregnancy, with the fetus in a cephalic presentation, and delivering at term between 1973 and 2008 were evaluated. The study population comprised 329 824 women in Sweden and 127 810 women in Norway. METHODS: Data from the national Medical Birth Registers were used to describe caesarean section rates in three age groups: 30-34 years (reference group); 35-39 years (advanced age group); and ≥ 40 years (very advanced age group). Logistic regression analyses estimated the risk in each age group over four decades, in each of the two national samples. RESULTS: Caesarean delivery decreased from 1973-1979 to 2000-2008 in the two oldest age groups in Sweden (35-39 years, OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.50-0.58; ≥ 40 years, OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.30-0.43) and Norway (35-39 years, OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.54-0.68; ≥ 40 years, OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.34-0.58), but increased in women aged 30-34 years. The caesarean delivery rate in the two oldest groups peaked in the second half of the 1970s. Regardless of time point, the caesarean delivery rate was always highest in women aged ≥ 40 years, followed by women aged 35-39 years and lowest in women aged 30-34 years. CONCLUSIONS: Caesarean delivery in nulliparous women of advanced and very advanced age peaked by end of the 1970s in Sweden and Norway. The subsequent reduction was contemporaneous with the introduction of electronic fetal monitoring and a more consistent use of the partogram, suggesting that more effective surveillance of labour increased the chance of a vaginal birth in these high-risk women.

Effects of continuity of care by a primary midwife (caseload midwifery) on caesarean section rates in women of low obstetric risk: the COSMOS randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether primary midwife care (caseload midwifery) decreases the caesarean section rate compared with standard maternity care. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary-care women's hospital in Melbourne, Australia. POPULATION: A total of 2314 low-risk pregnant women. METHODS: Women randomised to caseload received antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care from a primary midwife with some care by 'back-up' midwives. Women randomised to standard care received either midwifery or obstetric-trainee care with varying levels of continuity, or community-based general practitioner care. PRIMARY OUTCOME: caesarean birth. Secondary outcomes included instrumental vaginal births, analgesia, perineal trauma, induction of labour, infant admission to special/neonatal intensive care, gestational age, Apgar scores and birthweight. RESULTS: In total 2314 women were randomised-1156 to caseload and 1158 to standard care. Women allocated to caseload were less likely to have a caesarean section (19.4% versus 24.9%; risk ratio [RR] 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.91; P = 0.001); more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth (63.0% versus 55.7%; RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.06-1.21; P < 0.001); less likely to have epidural analgesia (30.5% versus 34.6%; RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.79-0.996; P = 0.04) and less likely to have an episiotomy (23.1% versus 29.4%; RR 0.79; 95% CI 0.67-0.92; P = 0.003). Infants of women allocated to caseload were less likely to be admitted to special or neonatal intensive care (4.0% versus 6.4%; RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.44-0.90; P = 0.01). No infant outcomes favoured standard care. CONCLUSION: In settings with a relatively high baseline caesarean section rate, caseload midwifery for women at low obstetric risk in early pregnancy shows promise for reducing caesarean births.

Associations between advanced maternal age and psychological distress in primiparous women, from early pregnancy to 18 months postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if advanced maternal age at first birth increases the risk of psychological distress during pregnancy at 17 and 30 weeks of gestation and at 6 and 18 months after birth. DESIGN: National cohort study. SETTING: Norway. SAMPLE: A total of 19 291 nulliparous women recruited between 1999 and 2008 from hospitals and maternity units. METHODS: Questionnaire data were obtained from the longitudinal Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, and register data from the national Medical Birth Register. Advanced maternal age was defined as ≥ 32 years and a reference group of women aged 25-31 years was used for comparisons. The distribution of psychological distress from 20 to ≥ 40 years was investigated, and the prevalence of psychological distress at the four time-points was estimated. Logistic regression analyses based on generalised estimation equations were used to investigate associations between advanced maternal age and psychological distress. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychological distress measured by SCL-5. RESULTS: Women of advanced age had slightly higher scores of psychological distress over the period than the reference group, also after controlling for obstetric and infant variables. The youngest women had the highest scores. A history of depression increased the risk of distress in all women. With no history of depression, women of advanced age were not at higher risk. Changes over time were similar between groups and lowest at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Women of 32 years and beyond had slightly increased risk of psychological distress during pregnancy and the first 18 months of motherhood compared with women aged 25-31 years.

Effect of first-trimester ultrasound screening for Down syndrome on maternal-fetal attachment--a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate how ultrasound screening for Down syndrome (DS) in the first trimester, compared with a routine ultrasound examination in the second trimester, affected Maternal-Fetal Attachment (MFA) in mid-pregnancy. METHOD: This study of 2026 pregnant women was a sub-study of a larger RCT aiming at evaluating the effect of fetal screening for Down syndrome (DS) by means of an ultrasound scan, including measuring fetal nuchal translucency in gestational weeks 12-14. Women were randomly allocated either to the intervention or to a control group where routine care with an ultrasound scan in gestational week 17-20 was offered. Data were collected by questionnaires before randomization and in gestational week 24. MFA was measured by a modified version of the Cranley Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (CMFAS). RESULTS: The mean score of MFA was 3.50 in the intervention group and 3.44 in the control group (p=0.04). The mean scores on all subscales were slightly higher in the intervention group, but only statistically significant regarding "Differentiation of self from fetus" (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound screening for DS in the first trimester may have a modest positive effect on MFA in mid-pregnancy, compared with a ultrasound scan in the second trimester.

Effects of natural childbirth preparation versus standard antenatal education on epidural rates, experience of childbirth and parental stress in mothers and fathers: a randomised controlled multicentre trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of antenatal education focussing on natural childbirth preparation with psychoprophylactic training versus standard antenatal education on the use of epidural analgesia, experience of childbirth and parental stress in first-time mothers and fathers. DESIGN: Randomised controlled multicentre trial. SETTING: Fifteen antenatal clinics in Sweden between January 2006 and May 2007. SAMPLE: A total of 1087 nulliparous women and 1064 of their partners. METHODS: Natural group: Antenatal education focussing on natural childbirth preparation with training in breathing and relaxation techniques (psychoprophylaxis). Standard care group: Standard antenatal education focussing on both childbirth and parenthood, without psychoprophylactic training. Both groups: Four 2-hour sessions in groups of 12 participants during third trimester of pregnancy and one follow-up after delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Epidural analgesia during labour, experience of childbirth as measured by the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (B), and parental stress measured by the Swedish Parenthood Stress Questionnaire. RESULTS: The epidural rate was 52% in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the experience of childbirth or parental stress between the randomised groups, either in women or men. Seventy percent of the women in the Natural group reported having used psychoprophylaxis during labour. A minority in the Standard care group (37%) had also used this method, but subgroup analysis where these women were excluded did not change the principal findings. CONCLUSION: Natural childbirth preparation including training in breathing and relaxation did not decrease the use of epidural analgesia during labour, nor did it improve the birth experience or affect parental stress in early parenthood in nulliparous women and men, compared with a standard form of antenatal education.

A longitudinal study of women's memory of labour pain--from 2 months to 5 years after the birth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the memory of labour pain at 2 months, 1 year and 5 years after childbirth and its association with the use of epidural analgesia and overall evaluation of childbirth. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational. SETTING: All hospitals in Sweden. POPULATION: One thousand three hundred eighty-three women, who were recruited at their first antenatal visit and who provided complete data up to 5 years after the birth. METHODS: Postal questionnaires in the second trimester and 2 months, 1 year and 5 years after the birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Memory of labour pain measured by a seven-point rating scale (1 = no pain at all, 7 = worst imaginable pain). RESULTS: Memory of labour pain declined during the observation period but not in women with a negative overall experience of childbirth. Women who had epidural analgesia reported higher pain scores at all time points, suggesting that these women remember 'peak pain'. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant individual variation in recollection of labour pain. In the small group of women who are dissatisfied with childbirth overall, memory of pain seems to play an important role many years after the event. These findings challenge the view that labour pain has little influence on subsequent satisfaction with childbirth. In-labour pain and long-term memory of pain are discussed as two separate outcomes involving different memory systems.

Second-trimester routine ultrasound screening: expectations and experiences in a nationwide Swedish sample.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, in a large nationwide Swedish sample, pregnant women's expectations of the routine second-trimester ultrasound examination, with participants expressing themselves in their own words, and to determine whether they had been given sufficient information about why and how the examination was performed, and about possible risks. We focused specifically on reasons for women not having a positive experience. METHOD: Of 4600 eligible Swedish-speaking women, 3061 were recruited to the study in early pregnancy, during three 1-week periods spread evenly over 1 year (1999-2000), and these women completed a questionnaire at a mean of 16 weeks' gestation. A follow-up questionnaire at 2 months after delivery was completed by 2730 women. The representativeness of the sample was assessed by comparison with the total Swedish birth cohort of 1999. RESULTS: The most prominent expectation about the up-coming scan was confirmation that the baby was well, followed by confirmation that the pregnancy was real. Detailed information, such as date of delivery and sex of the baby, was mentioned less often, and very few wrote about the examination as an exciting and joyful experience. After the birth, a large majority was satisfied with information about why (88%) and how (87%) the examination was performed, but only 58% said they had received sufficient information about possible risks. 94% had a positive experience of the scan, and those who had not had more ambivalent feelings about their pregnancy. Women with negative feelings about the scan were more often single and of non-Swedish background, and emotional problems were more common in this group. CONCLUSION: Women's expectations of the routine second-trimester scan differ from those of caregivers, focusing on general reassurance rather than specific information. Level of satisfaction with the scan was high, but information given about risks could be improved. Women with ambivalent or negative feelings about pregnancy may have difficulties enjoying the examination.

Antenatal fear of childbirth and its association with subsequent caesarean section and experience of childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of fear of childbirth in a nationwide sample and its association with subsequent rates of caesarean section and overall experience of childbirth. DESIGN: A prospective study using between-group comparisons. SETTING: About 600 antenatal clinics in Sweden. SAMPLE: A total of 2,662 women recruited at their first visit to an antenatal clinic during three predetermined weeks spread over 1 year. METHODS: Postal questionnaires at 16 weeks of gestation (mean) and 2 months postpartum. Women with fear of childbirth, defined as 'very negative' feelings when thinking about the delivery in second trimester and/or having undergone counselling because of fear of childbirth later in pregnancy, were compared with those in the reference group without these characteristics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Elective and emergency caesarean section and overall childbirth experience. RESULTS: In total 97 women (3.6%) had very negative feelings and about half of them subsequently underwent counselling. In addition, 193 women (7.2%) who initially had more positive feelings underwent counselling later in pregnancy. In women who underwent counselling, fear of childbirth was associated with a three to six times higher rate of elective caesarean sections but not with higher rates of emergency caesarean section or negative childbirth experience. Very negative feelings without counselling were not associated with an increased caesarean section rate but were associated with a negative birth experience. CONCLUSIONS: At least 10% of pregnant women in Sweden suffer from fear of childbirth. Fear of childbirth in combination with counselling may increase the rate of elective caesarean sections, whereas fear without treatment may have a negative impact on the subsequent experience of childbirth.

Duration of breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems in relation to length of postpartum stay: a longitudinal cohort study of a national Swedish sample.

AIM: To investigate the association between length of postpartum stay and duration of breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems, with special focus on early hospital discharge. METHODS: Swedish-speaking women were recruited from all antenatal clinics in Sweden during 3 wk evenly spread over 1 y in 1999 to 2000. In total, 3293 women (71% of those who were eligible) consented to participate in the study. Data were collected by questionnaires in early pregnancy, 2 mo and 1 y postpartum, and from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. For the purpose of this study, only data from the 2709 women (82%) who filled in the question about length of stay in the 2-mo questionnaire were analysed. Women were divided into six groups according to length of postpartum stay (day 1: < 24 h to day 6: > or = 120 h). RESULTS: The median duration of any breastfeeding was 7 mo in women discharged on day 1, and 8 mo in women discharged on any of the following days; a non-significant difference (p = 0.66). Besides hospital policies regarding length of stay (residential area) and number of domiciliary visits, early discharge was associated with the following maternal characteristics, which could be divided into three categories: (1) older, multipara, many children; (2) positive experience of the first breastfeeding after birth; (3) low education, economic problems, smoking, lack of support from partner. Late discharge was associated with operative delivery, preterm birth and low infant birthweight. When these factors were controlled for by Cox regression analysis, no statistical differences were found between the six groups in the relative risk of discontinuing to breastfeed. Breastfeeding problems, such as engorgement and mastitis, did not differ, but women discharged on day 6 or later had fewer problems with sore or cracked nipples during the first week and more problems 4-8 wk postpartum. CONCLUSION: Maternal characteristics may be more important predictors of the duration of breastfeeding than length of stay in hospital after the birth. The effect of domiciliary support needs further research.

Early discharge of preterm infants followed by domiciliary nursing care: parents' anxiety, assessment of infant health and breastfeeding.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early discharge of preterm infants, followed by domiciliary nursing care, on the parents' anxiety, their assessment of infant health and breastfeeding. Seventy-five families including 88 preterm infants who were physiologically stable but in need of further special care, such as gavage feeding, were allocated to an early discharge group (EDG) that was offered home visits (n = 40), or to a control group offered standard neonatal care (CG) (n = 35). Seventy families (37 in the EDG and 33 in the CG) completed the study to the 1-y follow-up. Data were collected by means of questionnaires on three occasions: in the EDG, at hospital discharge, on completion of the domiciliary care programme and after 1 y, and in the CG at the corresponding points in time, which were during hospitalization, at hospital discharge and after 1 y. No statistical differences were observed between the groups in emotional well-being, except that mothers in the EDG had a lower level of situational anxiety at the time of hospital discharge compared with CG mothers whose infants remained in hospital. One year after the birth, the EDG mothers said they had felt better prepared to take responsibility for the care of their babies after completion of the domiciliary care programme, in contrast to CG mothers. However, no statistical differences were observed in the recollection of anxiety, confidence in handling the baby and periods of mental imbalance. No statistical difference was observed in breastfeeding rates between the groups. Fathers in the EDG group tended to perceive their babies as being healthier, compared with CG fathers. CONCLUSION: Early discharge of preterm infants followed by domiciliary nursing care did not seem to have any major effect on the parents' anxiety and their assessment of infant health.

Hydrosalpinx and IVF outcome: cumulative results after salpingectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial of salpingectomy prior to IVF in patients with hydrosalpinges has been conducted in Scandinavia. The results from the first transfer cycle have been published and clearly demonstrated an improved pregnancy outcome after salpingectomy had been performed in patients with hydrosalpinges large enough to be visible on ultrasound. The present article is aimed at analysing the effect of salpingectomy on cumulative birth rate, including all individual transfer cycles. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 186 women underwent 452 cycles. Among the 77 women randomized to no surgical intervention, 24 underwent salpingectomy after one or two failed cycles. Cumulative results were analysed by Cox regression, taking into account the number of cycles per patient and the presence of a salpingectomy after a previous transfer. Salpingectomy implied a significant increase in birth rate (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-3.6, P = 0.014). Within the subgroup of patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges, the birth rate was even higher (hazard ratio 3.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.2, P = 0.004). Implantation rate was significantly higher in patients who had undergone salpingectomy (27.2% versus 20.2, P = 0.03) and, in the subgroup of patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges, the difference was even larger (30.3% versus 17.1%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the cumulative cycles strengthen the recommendation for a laparoscopic salpingectomy prior to IVF in patients with ultrasound-visible hydrosalpinges.

Team midwife care: maternal and infant outcomes.

The aim of this study was to add additional information on intervention rates and maternal and infant outcomes of team midwife care to previous reports which have suggested this model of care can be associated with a reduction in medical interventions during labour and birth with no statistically significant influence on maternal and infant outcomes. The study was designed as a randomised controlled trial, with 495 women randomised to team midwife care being compared to 505 women randomsed to standard care. The study revealed no statistical differences between team midwife care and standard care in medical interventions, maternal health and infant health. These findings suggest that team midwifery as it is practised in this study is a safe alternative for women.

Prophylactic salpingectomy does not impair the ovarian response in IVF treatment.

To examine the effect of prophylactic salpingectomy in patients with hydrosalpinges on the ovarian response to stimulation prior to IVF, 26 patients were included in a study in which they acted as their own controls. They were all part of a randomized controlled study, in which they had been randomized to no surgical intervention prior to IVF. After one or two failed cycles, they underwent laparoscopic uni- or bilateral salpingectomy of their diseased tubes. The cycles before and after surgery were compared and the ovarian response was assessed as the dose and duration of gonadotrophins and the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes. There were no significant differences in any of the measured outcomes. The increasing age between cycles did not influence the ovarian response, assessed by a comparison with two matched control groups from the same original study; 46 patients salpingectomized before IVF and 25 patients without surgery. It is concluded that removal of hydrosalpinx as a prophylactic laparoscopic procedure does not compromise ovarian function.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on corticotropin-releasing factor in rats with experimentally-induced polycystic ovaries.

The aims of the present study were to investigate corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) concentrations in the brain, the adrenal glands, and the ovaries in rats with estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO). The effect of 12 electro-acupuncture (EA) treatments on CRF concentrations was also investigated. The CRF concentrations in the median eminence (ME) were significantly increased in rats with PCO (both the PCO control group and the PCO group receiving EA) compared with the healthy control group (veichle control group), indicating increased activity in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. The CRF concentrations in the ovaries were significantly reduced in the PCO group receiving EA compared with the PCO control group. Also, there was a decrease in comparison withthe healthy control group but the decrease was not as significant. This finding indicates that repeated EA treatments change the neuroendocrinological state in the ovaries, which may play an important role in reproductive failure.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on nerve growth factor and ovarian morphology in rats with experimentally induced polycystic ovaries.

Despite extensive research on the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is still disagreement on the underlying mechanisms. The rat model for experimentally induced polycystic ovaries (PCO)-produced by a single injection of estradiol valerate-has similarities with human PCOS, and both are associated with hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known to serve as a neurotrophin for both the sympathetic and the sensory nervous systems and to enhance the activity of catecholaminergic and possibly other neuron types. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is known to reduce hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. For these reasons, the model was used in the present study to investigate the effects of EA (12 treatments, approximately 25 min each, over 30 days) by analyzing NGF in the central nervous system and the endocrine organs, including the ovaries. The main findings in the present study were first, that significantly higher concentrations of NGF were found in the ovaries and the adrenal glands in the rats in the PCO model than in the control rats that were only injected with the vehicle (oil or NaCl). Second, that repeated EA treatments in PCO rats resulted in concentrations of NGF in the ovaries that were significantly lower than those in non-EA-treated PCO rats but were within a normal range that did not differ from those in the untreated oil and NaCl control groups. The results in the present study provide support for the theory that EA inhibits hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system.