Mode of delivery after a previous cesarean birth, and associated maternal and neonatal morbidity.

BACKGROUND: The mode of delivery for women with a previous cesarean delivery remains contentious. We conducted a study comparing maternal and infant outcomes after attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery versus elective repeat cesarean delivery. METHODS: We used data from the Discharge Abstract Database that includes all hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec). In our analysis, we included singleton deliveries to women between 37 and 43 weeks gestation who had a single prior cesarean delivery between April 2003 and March 2015. The primary outcomes were severe maternal morbidity and mortality, and serious neonatal morbidity and mortality. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Absolute rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality were low but significantly higher after attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery (10.7 v. 5.65 per 1000 deliveries, respectively; adjusted RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.76 to 2.19). Adjusted rate differences in severe maternal morbidity and mortality, and serious neonatal morbidity and mortality were small (5.42 and 7.09 per 1000 deliveries, respectively; number needed to treat 184 and 141, respectively). The association between vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, and serious neonatal morbidity and mortality showed a temporal worsening (adjusted RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.15 in 2003-2005; adjusted RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.83 to 2.35 in 2012-2014). INTERPRETATION: Although absolute rates of adverse outcomes are low, attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery continues to be associated with higher relative rates of severe morbidity and mortality in mothers and infants. Temporal worsening of infant outcomes after attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery highlights the need for greater care in selecting candidates, and more careful monitoring of labour and delivery.

No. 197b-Fetal Health Surveillance: Intrapartum Consensus Guideline.

OBJECTIVE: This guideline provides new recommendations pertaining to the application and documentation of fetal surveillance in the intrapartum period that will decrease the incidence of birth asphyxia while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetrical intervention. Pregnancies with and without risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes are considered. This guideline presents an alternative classification system for antenatal fetal non-stress testing and intrapartum electronic fetal surveillance to what has been used previously. This guideline is intended for use by all health professionals who provide intrapartum care in Canada. OPTIONS: Consideration has been given to all methods of fetal surveillance currently available in Canada. OUTCOMES: Short- and long-term outcomes that may indicate the presence of birth asphyxia were considered. The associated rates of operative and other labour interventions were also considered. EVIDENCE: A comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials published between January 1996 and March 2007 was undertaken, and MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database were used to search the literature for all new studies on fetal surveillance antepartum. The level of evidence has been determined using the criteria and classifications of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). SPONSOR: This consensus guideline was jointly developed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the British Columbia Perinatal Health Program (formerly the British Columbia Reproductive Care Program or BCRCP) and was partly supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the British Columbia Perinatal Health Program. RECOMMENDATION 1: LABOUR SUPPORT DURING ACTIVE LABOUR: RECOMMENDATION 2: PROFESSIONAL ONE-TO ONE CARE AND INTRAPARTUM FETAL SURVEILLANCE: RECOMMENDATION 3: INTERMITTENT AUSCULTATION IN LABOUR: RECOMMENDATION 4: ADMISSION FETAL HEART TEST: RECOMMENDATION 5: INTRAPARTUM FETAL SURVEILLANCE FOR WOMEN WITH RISK FACTORS FOR ADVERSE PERINATAL OUTCOME: When a normal tracing is identified, it may be appropriate to interrupt the electronic fetal monitoring tracing for up to 30 minutes to facilitate periods of ambulation, bathing, or position change, providing that (1) the maternal-fetal condition is stable and (2) if oxytocin is being administered, the infusion rate is not increased (III-B). RECOMMENDATION 6: DIGITAL FETAL SCALP STIMULATION: RECOMMENDATION 7: FETAL SCALP BLOOD SAMPLING: RECOMMENDATION 8: UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD GASES: RECOMMENDATION 9: FETAL PULSE OXIMETRY: RECOMMENDATION 10: ST WAVEFORM ANALYSIS: RECOMMENDATION 11: INTRAPARTUM FETAL SCALP LACTATE TESTING.

No. 197a-Fetal Health Surveillance: Antepartum Consensus Guideline.

OBJECTIVE: This guideline provides new recommendations pertaining to the application and documentation of fetal surveillance in the antepartum period that will decrease the incidence of birth asphyxia while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetrical intervention. Pregnancies with and without risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes are considered. This guideline presents an alternative classification system for antenatal fetal non-stress testing to what has been used previously. This guideline is intended for use by all health professionals who provide antepartum care in Canada. OPTIONS: Consideration has been given to all methods of fetal surveillance currently available in Canada. OUTCOMES: Short- and long-term outcomes that may indicate the presence of birth asphyxia were considered. The associated rates of operative and other labour interventions were also considered. EVIDENCE: A comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials published between January 1996 and March 2007 was undertaken, and MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database were used to search the literature for all new studies on fetal surveillance antepartum. The level of evidence has been determined using the criteria and classifications of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). SPONSOR: This consensus guideline was jointly developed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the British Columbia Perinatal Health Program (formerly the British Columbia Reproductive Care Program or BCRCP) and was partly supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the British Columbia Perinatal Health Program. RECOMMENDATION 1: FETAL MOVEMENT COUNTING: RECOMMENDATION 2: NON-STRESS TEST: RECOMMENDATION 3: CONTRACTION STRESS TEST: RECOMMENDATION 4: BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE: RECOMMENDATION 5: UTERINE ARTERY DOPPLER: RECOMMENDATION 6: UMBILICAL ARTERY DOPPLER.

Evidence of Stage Shift in Women Diagnosed With Ovarian Cancer During Phase II of the United Kingdom Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study.

Purpose To establish the performance of screening with serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), interpreted using the risk of ovarian cancer algorithm (ROCA), and transvaginal sonography (TVS) for women at high risk of ovarian cancer (OC) or fallopian tube cancer (FTC). Patients and Methods Women whose estimated lifetime risk of OC/FTC was ≥ 10% were recruited at 42 centers in the United Kingdom and underwent ROCA screening every 4 months. TVS occurred annually if ROCA results were normal or within 2 months of an abnormal ROCA result. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) was encouraged throughout the study. Participants were observed via cancer registries, questionnaires, and notification by centers. Performance was calculated after censoring 365 days after prior screen, with modeling of occult cancers detected at RRSO. Results Between June 14, 2007, and May 15, 2012, 4,348 women underwent 13,728 women-years of screening. The median follow-up time was 4.8 years. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with invasive OC/FTC within 1 year of prior screening (13 diagnoses were screen-detected and six were occult at RRSO). No symptomatic interval cancers occurred. Ten (52.6%) of the total 19 diagnoses were stage I to II OC/FTC (CI, 28.9% to 75.6%). Of the 13 screen-detected cancers, five (38.5%) were stage I to II (CI, 13.9% to 68.4%). Of the six occult cancers, five (83.3%) were stage I to II (CI, 35.9% to 99.6%). Modeled sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for OC/FTC detection within 1 year were 94.7% (CI, 74.0% to 99.9%), 10.8% (6.5% to 16.5%), and 100% (CI, 100% to 100%), respectively. Seven (36.8%) of the 19 cancers diagnosed < 1 year after prior screen were stage IIIb to IV (CI, 16.3% to 61.6%) compared with 17 (94.4%) of 18 cancers diagnosed > 1 year after screening ended (CI, 72.7% to 99.9%; P < .001). Eighteen (94.8%) of 19 cancers diagnosed < 1 year after prior screen had zero residual disease (with lower surgical complexity, P = .16) (CI, 74.0% to 99.9%) compared with 13 (72.2%) of 18 cancers subsequently diagnosed (CI, 46.5% to 90.3%; P = .09). Conclusion ROCA-based screening is an option for women at high risk of OC/FTC who defer or decline RRSO, given its high sensitivity and significant stage shift. However, it remains unknown whether this strategy would improve survival in screened high-risk women.

Fetal, Infant and Maternal Outcomes among Women with Prolapsed Membranes Admitted before 29 Weeks Gestation.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined fetal, infant and maternal mortality and morbidity among pregnant women at very early gestation with an open cervix and prolapsed membranes. We carried out a study describing the outcomes of women hospitalized with prolapsed membranes at 22-28 weeks' gestation. METHODS: We prospectively recruited women with singleton pregnancies admitted at 22-28 weeks' gestation to tertiary hospitals of the Canadian Perinatal Network between 2005 and 2009. Time-to-delivery, perinatal death, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, severe neonatal morbidity and severe maternal morbidity were compared between women admitted at 22-25 vs. 26-28 weeks gestation. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 129 women at 22-25 weeks gestation and 65 women at 26-28 weeks gestation were admitted to hospital and the median time-to-delivery was 4 days in both groups. Stillbirth rates were 12.4% vs 4.6% among women admitted at earlier vs later gestation (AOR 2.8, 95% CI 0.5-14.8), while perinatal death rates were 38.0% vs 6.1% (AOR 14.1, 95% CI 3.5-59.0), respectively. There were no significant differences in NICU admission and severe morbidity among live-born infants; 89.4% and 82.3% died or were admitted to NICU, (P value 0.18), and 53.9% vs 44.0% of NICU infants had severe neonatal morbidity (P value 0.28). Antibiotics, tocolysis and cerclage did not have a significant effect on perinatal death. Maternal death or severe maternal morbidity occurred in 8.5% and 6.2% of women admitted at 22-25 vs 26-28 weeks (AOR 1.2, 95% CI 0.4-4.2). CONCLUSION: Perinatal mortality among women with prolapsed membranes at very early gestation is high, although significantly lower among those admitted at a relatively later gestational age. Rates of adverse maternal outcomes are also high. This information can be used to counsel women with prolapsed membranes at 22 to 28 weeks gestation.

Magnesium Sulphate for Eclampsia and Fetal Neuroprotection: A Comparative Analysis of Protocols Across Canadian Tertiary Perinatal Centres.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) has been recommended for fetal neuroprotection to prevent cerebral palsy, with national societies adopting new guidelines for its use. A knowledge translation project to implement Canadian guidelines is ongoing. Discussion about MgSO4 for fetal neuroprotection could not occur distinct from MgSO4 for eclampsia prophylaxis and treatment. Thus, in order to explore standardization of MgSO4 use in Canada, we sought to compare local protocols for eclampsia and fetal neuroprotection across tertiary perinatal centres. METHODS: Twenty-five Canadian tertiary perinatal centres were asked to submit their protocols for use of MgSO4 for eclampsia prophylaxis/treatment and fetal neuroprotection. Information abstracted included date of protocol, definitions of indications for treatment, details of MgSO4 administration, maternal and fetal monitoring, antidote for toxicity, and abnormal signs requiring physician attention. Descriptive analyses were used to compare site protocols with known definitions of preeclampsia. Data from the Canadian Perinatal Network (CPN) were used to verify what was done in clinical practice. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 25 centres submitted protocols for eclampsia prevention/treatment. Eleven of these provided a definition of preeclampsia that warranted treatment; five of the 22 advised treatment of severe preeclampsia only. Criteria for treatment and monitoring procedures varied across centres. Sixteen of the 22 sites with protocols had data from the CPN. Of 635 women with pre-eclampsia, 422 (66.5%) received MgSO4. Twenty of 25 centres provided protocols for fetal neuroprotection. Definitions of indications were consistent across sites, except for gestational age cut-off. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that local protocols are often inconsistent with published evidence. While this may be related to local institutional practices, relevant processes must be put in place to maximize uniformity of practice and improve patient care.

Contexte : L'utilisation de sulfate de magnésium (MgSO4) a été recommandée à des fins de neuroprotection fœtale dans le but de prévenir l'infirmité motrice cérébrale; des sociétés nationales adoptent d'ailleurs de nouvelles lignes directrices quant à son utilisation. Un projet de transfert des connaissances visant la mise en œuvre des lignes directrices canadiennes est en cours. Le rôle du MgSO4 en ce qui concerne la neuroprotection fœtale ne peut être abordé sans que l'on mentionne son utilisation dans le cadre de la prophylaxie et de la prise en charge de l'éclampsie. Ainsi, pour explorer la standardisation de l'utilisation de MgSO4 au Canada, nous avons cherché à comparer les protocoles locaux qui en régissent l'utilisation en matière d'éclampsie et de neuroprotection fœtale dans les centres périnataux tertiaires. Méthodes : Nous avons demandé à 25 centres périnataux tertiaires canadiens de nous soumettre leurs protocoles quant à l'utilisation du MgSO4 aux fins de la neuroprotection fœtale et de la prophylaxie / prise en charge de l'éclampsie. Les renseignements que nous avons tirés de ces protocoles comprenaient la date du protocole, les définitions des indications de traitement, les détails de l'administration du MgSO4, le monitorage maternel et fœtal, l'antidote pour contrer la toxicité et les symptômes anormaux nécessitant l'offre de soins médicaux. Des analyses descriptives ont été utilisées pour comparer les protocoles de ces centres aux définitions connues de la prééclampsie. Des données issues du Réseau périnatal canadien (RPC) ont été utilisées pour vérifier ce qui se faisait dans le cadre de la pratique clinique. Résultats : Vingt-deux des 25 centres nous ont soumis leurs protocoles de prévention / prise en charge de l'éclampsie. Onze de ces centres nous ont fourni une définition de ce qui était considéré comme une prééclampsie justifiant une prise en charge; cinq des 22 centres ne préconisaient que la prise en charge de la prééclampsie grave. Les critères des interventions de traitement et de monitorage variaient d'un centre à l'autre. Seize des 22 sites comptant des protocoles présentaient des données issues du RPC. Au sein d'un groupe de 635 femmes connaissant une prééclampsie, 422 (66,5 %) ont reçu du MgSO4. Vingt des 25 centres nous ont fourni leurs protocoles de neuroprotection fœtale. Les définitions des indications étaient uniformes d'un site à l'autre, sauf en ce qui concerne le seuil en matière d'âge gestationnel. Conclusion : Cette étude avance que les protocoles locaux ne concordent souvent pas avec les données probantes publiées. Bien que cela puisse être attribuable aux pratiques institutionnelles locales, des processus pertinents doivent être mis en place pour maximiser l'uniformité de la pratique et améliorer les soins offerts aux patientes.

Magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection: benefits and challenges of a systematic knowledge translation project in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Administration of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) to women with imminent preterm birth at <34 weeks is an evidence-based antenatal neuroprotective strategy to prevent cerebral palsy. Although a Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) national guideline with practice recommendations based on relevant clinical evidence exists, ongoing controversies about aspects of this treatment remain. Given this, we anticipated managed knowledge translation (KT) would be needed to facilitate uptake of the guidelines into practice. As part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded MAG-CP (MAGnesium sulphate to prevent Cerebral Palsy) project, we aimed to compare three KT methods designed to impact both individual health care providers and the organizational systems in which they work. METHODS: The KT methods undertaken were an interactive online e-learning module available to all SOGC members, and at MAG-CP participating sites, on-site educational rounds and focus group discussions, and circulation of an anonymous 'Barriers and Facilitators' survey for the systematic identification of facilitators and barriers for uptake of practice change. We compared these strategies according to: (i) breadth of respondents reached; (ii) rates and richness of identified barriers, facilitators, and knowledge needed; and (iii) cost. RESULTS: No individual KT method was superior to the others by all criteria, and in combination, they provided richer information than any individual method. The e-learning module reached the most diverse audience of health care providers, the site visits provided opportunity for iterative dialogue, and the survey was the least expensive. Although the site visits provided the most detailed information around individual and organizational barriers, the 'Barriers and Facilitators' survey provided more detail regarding social-level barriers. The facilitators identified varied by KT method. The type of knowledge needed was further defined by the e-learning module and surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a multifaceted approach to KT is optimal for translating national obstetric guidelines into clinical practice. As audit and feedback are essential parts of the process by which evidence to practice gaps are closed, MAG-CP is continuing the iterative KT process described in this paper concurrent with tracking of MgSO4 use for fetal neuroprotection and maternal and child outcomes until September 2015; results are anticipated in 2016.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies delivered at 23 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies delivered at 23+0 to 23+6 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included women in the Canadian Perinatal Network who were admitted to one of 16 Canadian tertiary perinatal units between August 1, 2005, and March 31, 2011, and who delivered at 23+0 to 23+6 weeks' gestation. Women were included in the network if they were admitted with spontaneous preterm labour with contractions, a short cervix without contractions, prolapsing membranes with membranes at or beyond the external os or a dilated cervix, preterm premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational hypertension, or antepartum hemorrhage. Maternal outcomes included Caesarean section, placental abruption, and serious complication. Perinatal outcomes were mortality and serious morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 248 women and 287 infants were included in the study. The rate of Caesarean section was 10.5% (26/248) and 40.3% of women (100/248) had a serious complication, the most common being chorioamnionitis (38.6%), followed by blood transfusion (4.5%). Of infants with known outcomes, perinatal mortality was 89.9% (223/248) (stillbirth 23.3% [67/287] and neonatal death 62.9% [156/248]). Of live born neonates with known outcomes (n = 181), 38.1% (69/181) were admitted to NICU. Of those admitted to NICU, neonatal death occurred in 63.8% (44/69). Among survivors at discharge, the rate of severe brain injury was 44.0% (11/25), of retinopathy of prematurity 58.3% (14/24), and of any serious neonatal morbidity 100% (25/25). Two subgroup analyses were performed: in one, antepartum stillbirths were excluded, and in the other only centres that indicated they offered fetal monitoring at 23 weeks' gestation were included and antepartum stillbirths were excluded. In each of these, perinatal outcomes similar to the overall group were found. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women delivering at 23 weeks' gestation are at risk of morbidity. Their infants have high rates of serious morbidity and mortality. Further research is needed to identify strategies and forms of management that not only increase perinatal survival but also reduce morbidities in these extremely low gestational age infants and reduce maternal morbidity.

Objectif : Évaluer les issues maternelles et périnatales des grossesses donnant lieu à un accouchement entre 23+0 et 23+6 semaines de gestation. Méthodes : Cette étude de cohorte prospective portait sur des femmes du Réseau périnatal canadien qui ont été admises à l'une des 16 unités périnatales tertiaires canadiennes participantes entre le 1er août 2005 et le 31 mars 2011, et qui ont accouché entre 23+0 et 23+6 semaines de gestation. Les femmes ont été admises dans le réseau si elles avaient été hospitalisées en raison d'un travail préterme spontané (s'accompagnant de contractions), d'un col court (sans contractions), d'un prolapsus des membranes (s'accompagnant d'une dilatation du col ou dans le cadre duquel les membranes se situaient au niveau de l'orifice externe ou faisaient saillie au-delà de ce dernier), d'une rupture prématurée des membranes préterme, d'un retard de croissance intra-utérin, d'une hypertension gestationnelle ou d'une hémorragie antepartum. Parmi les issues maternelles, on trouvait la césarienne, le décollement placentaire et la manifestation d'une complication grave. La morbidité grave et la mortalité constituaient les issues périnatales. Résultats : En tout, 248 femmes et 287 nouveau-nés ont été inclus dans l'étude. Le taux de césarienne était de 10,5 % (26/248) et 40,3 % des femmes (100/248) ont connu une complication grave (la plus courante étant la chorioamnionite [38,6 %], suivie de la transfusion sanguine [4,5 %]). Parmi les nouveau-nés pour lesquels les issues étaient connues, le taux de mortalité périnatale était de 89,9 % (223/248) (taux de mortinaissance : 23,3 % [67/287] et taux de décès néonatal : 62,9 % [156/248]). Une admission à l'UNSI a été requise pour 38,1 % (69/181) des enfants nés vivants pour lesquels les issues étaient connues (n = 181). Parmi ces enfants ayant dû être admis à l'UNSI, un décès néonatal a été constaté dans 63,8 % (44/69) des cas. Chez les survivants (au moment de l'obtention de leur congé de l'UNSI), le taux de lésion cérébrale grave était de 44,0 % (11/25), le taux de rétinopathie des prématurés était de 58,3 % (14/24) et le taux de quelque morbidité néonatale grave que ce soit était de 100 % (25/25). Deux analyses de sous-groupe ont été menées : dans le cadre de l'une d'entre elles, les mortinaissances pendant la période antepartum ont été exclues; dans le cadre de l'autre, seuls les centres ayant indiqué qu'ils offraient le monitorage fœtal à 23 semaines de gestation ont été inclus et les mortinaissances pendant la période antepartum ont également été exclues. Des issues périnatales semblables à celles du groupe général ont été constatées dans chacune de ces analyses. Conclusion : Les femmes enceintes qui accouchent à 23 semaines de gestation sont exposées à des risques de morbidité. Leurs nouveau-nés présentent des taux élevés de morbidité grave et de mortalité. La poursuite de la recherche s'avère requise pour permettre l'identification de stratégies et de formes de prise en charge qui entraînent non seulement une amélioration du taux de survie périnatale, mais également une baisse des taux de morbidité que connaissent ces nouveau-nés d'âge gestationnel extrêmement faible et les mères.

Delivery of breech presentation at term gestation in Canada, 2003-2011.

OBJECTIVE: To examine neonatal mortality and morbidity rates by mode of delivery among women with breech presentation at term gestation. METHODS: We carried out a population-based cohort study examining neonatal outcomes among term, nonanomalous singletons in breech presentation among all hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec) between 2003 and 2011. Mode of delivery was categorized into vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery in labor, and cesarean delivery without labor. Composite neonatal mortality and morbidity (death, assisted ventilation, convulsions, or specific birth injury) was the primary outcome. Logistic regression was used to estimate the independent effects of mode of delivery. RESULTS: The study population included 52,671 breech deliveries; vaginal deliveries increased from 2.7% in 2003 to 3.9% in 2011, and cesarean deliveries in labor increased from 8.7% to 9.8%. Composite neonatal mortality and morbidity rates at 37 weeks of gestation or greater after vaginal delivery were significantly higher than those after cesarean without labor (adjusted rate ratio 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.50-5.15; adjusted rate difference 15.8/1,000 deliveries, 95% CI 9.2-25.2). Among women at 40 weeks of gestation or greater, neonatal mortality and morbidity rates after vaginal delivery were significantly higher than those after cesarean delivery without labor (adjusted rate ratio 5.39, 95% CI 2.68-10.8; adjusted rate difference 24.1/1,000 deliveries, 95% CI 9.2-53.8). Neonatal mortality and morbidity rates were also higher after caesarean delivery in labor. CONCLUSION: Among term, nonanomalous singletons in breech presentation at term, composite neonatal mortality and morbidity rates were significantly higher after vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor compared with cesarean delivery without labor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Once more unto the breech: planned vaginal delivery compared with planned cesarean delivery.

This article provides a knowledge-based assessment of planned cesarean delivery compared with planned vaginal delivery for breech presentation at term gestation. The most critical evidence on this issue is the intention-to-treat analysis from the Term Breech Trial, which showed that planned cesarean delivery reduced composite perinatal death and serious neonatal morbidity. Although there was no difference in composite death or neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years of age, this finding was based on only 44% of randomized patients and was not an analysis by intention to treat. On the other hand, the design of the nonexperimental Presentation et Mode d'Accouchement: presentation and mode of delivery (PREMODA) study (which showed no difference in composite perinatal mortality or morbidity after planned cesarean delivery compared with planned vaginal delivery), likely favored the planned vaginal delivery group; lack of exclusion criteria led to higher risk women (with contraindications to vaginal delivery) being included in the planned cesarean delivery group. Such selection bias notwithstanding, both the Term Breech Trial and the PREMODA study showed significantly higher rates of 5-minute Apgar score less than 4, 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, intubation, and birth trauma in the planned vaginal delivery group. Finally, studies from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Canada have shown that increases in planned cesarean delivery after the Term Breech Trial led to improved neonatal outcomes. Nevertheless, planned vaginal delivery continues to be associated with higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes in these countries. The totality of the evidence therefore unequivocally shows the relatively greater safety of planned cesarean delivery for breech presentation at term gestation.

Contribution of placenta accreta to the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the contribution of placenta accreta to the rate of postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage. METHODS: All hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec) for the years 2009 and 2010 (N=570,637) were included in a retrospective cohort study using data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Placenta accreta included placental adhesion to the uterine wall, musculature, and surrounding organs (accreta, increta, or percreta). Severe postpartum hemorrhage included postpartum hemorrhage with blood transfusion, hysterectomy, or other procedures to control bleeding (including uterine suturing and ligation or embolization of pelvic arteries). Rates, rate ratios, population-attributable fractions (ie, incidence of postpartum hemorrhage attributable to placenta accreta), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between placenta accreta and risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of placenta accreta was 14.4 (95% CI 13.4-15.4) per 10,000 deliveries (819 cases among 570,637 deliveries), whereas the incidence of placenta accreta with postpartum hemorrhage was 7.2 (95% CI 6.5-8.0) per 10,000 deliveries. Postpartum hemorrhage among women with placenta accreta was predominantly third-stage hemorrhage (41% of all cases). Although placenta accreta was strongly associated with postpartum hemorrhage (rate ratio 8.3, 95% CI 7.7-8.9), its low frequency resulted in a small population-attributable fraction (1.0%, 95% CI 0.93-1.16). However, the strong association between placenta accreta and postpartum hemorrhage with hysterectomy (rate ratio 286, 95% CI 226-361) resulted in a population-attributable fraction of 29.0% (95% CI 24.3-34.3). CONCLUSION: Placenta accreta is too infrequent to account for the recent temporal increase in postpartum hemorrhage but contributes substantially to the proportion of postpartum hemorrhage with hysterectomy.

The Canadian birth place study: examining maternity care provider attitudes and interprofessional conflict around planned home birth.

BACKGROUND: Available birth settings have diversified in Canada since the integration of regulated midwifery. Midwives are required to offer eligible women choice of birth place; and 25-30% of midwifery clients plan home births. Canadian provincial health ministries have instituted reimbursement schema and regulatory guidelines to ensure access to midwives in all settings. Evidence from well-designed Canadian cohort studies demonstrate the safety and efficacy of midwife-attended home birth. However, national rates of planned home birth remain low, and many maternity providers do not support choice of birth place. METHODS: In this national, mixed-methods study, our team administered a cross-sectional survey, and developed a 17 item Provider Attitudes to Planned Home Birth Scale (PAPHB-m) to assess attitudes towards home birth among maternity providers. We entered care provider type into a linear regression model, with the PAPHB-m score as the outcome variable. Using Students' t tests and ANOVA for categorical variables and correlational analysis (Pearson's r) for continuous variables, we conducted provider-specific bivariate analyses of all socio-demographic, education, and practice variables (n=90) that were in both the midwife and physician surveys. RESULTS: Median favourability scores on the PAPHB-m scale were very low among obstetricians (33.0), moderately low for family physicians (38.0) and very high for midwives (80.0), and 84% of the variance in attitudes could be accounted for by care provider type. Amount of exposure to planned home birth during midwifery or medical education and practice was significantly associated with favourability scores. Concerns about perinatal loss and lawsuits, discomfort with inter-professional consultations, and preference for the familiarity of the hospital correlated with less favourable attitudes to home birth. Among all providers, favourability scores were linked to beliefs about the evidence on safety of home birth, and confidence in their own ability to manage obstetric emergencies at a home birth. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the knowledge base among all maternity providers about planned home birth may increase favourability. Key learning competencies include criteria for birth site selection, management of obstetric emergencies at planned home births, critical appraisal of literature on safety of home birth, and inter-professional communication and collaboration when women are transferred from home to hospital.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the recent increase in obstetric acute renal failure in Canada: population based retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether changes in postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or other risk factors explain the increase in obstetric acute renal failure in Canada. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Canada (excluding the province of Quebec). PARTICIPANTS: All hospital deliveries from 2003 to 2010 (n=2,193,425). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Obstetric acute renal failure identified by ICD-10 diagnostic codes. METHODS: Information on all hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec) between 2003 and 2010 (n=2,193,425) was obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Temporal trends in obstetric acute renal failure were assessed among women with and without postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or other risk factors. Logistic regression was used to determine if changes in risk factors explained the temporal increase in obstetric acute renal failure. RESULTS: Rates of obstetric acute renal failure rose from 1.66 to 2.68 per 10,000 deliveries between 2003-04 and 2009-10 (61% increase, 95% confidence interval 24% to 110%). Adjustment for postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and other factors did not attenuate the increase. The temporal increase in acute renal failure was restricted to deliveries with hypertensive disorders (adjusted increase 95%, 95% confidence interval 38% to 176%), and was especially pronounced among women with gestational hypertension with significant proteinuria (adjusted increase 171%, 71% to 329%). No significant increase occurred among women without hypertensive disorders (adjusted increase 12%, -28 to 72%). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in obstetric acute renal failure in Canada between 2003 and 2010 was restricted to women with hypertensive disorders and was especially pronounced among women with pre-eclampsia. Further study is required to determine the cause of the increase among women with pre-eclampsia.

Effects of socioeconomic position and clinical risk factors on spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: The literature shows a variable and inconsistent relationship between socioeconomic position and preterm birth. We examined risk factors for spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth, with a focus on socioeconomic position and clinical risk factors, in order to explain the observed inconsistency. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective population-based cohort study of all singleton deliveries in Nova Scotia from 1988 to 2003. Data were obtained from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database and the federal income tax T1 Family Files. Separate logistic models were used to quantify the association between socioeconomic position, clinical risk factors and spontaneous preterm birth and iatrogenic preterm birth. RESULTS: The study population included 132,714 singleton deliveries and the rate of preterm birth was 5.5%. Preterm birth rates were significantly higher among the women in the lowest (versus the highest) family income group for spontaneous (rate ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.25) but not iatrogenic preterm birth (rate ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.75, 1.19). Adjustment for maternal characteristics attenuated the family income-spontaneous preterm birth relationship but strengthened the relationship with iatrogenic preterm birth. Clinical risk factors such as hypertension were differentially associated with spontaneous (rate ratio 3.92, 95% CI 3.47, 4.44) and iatrogenic preterm (rate ratio 14.1, 95% CI 11.4, 17.4) but factors such as diabetes mellitus were not (rate ratio 4.38, 95% CI 3.21, 5.99 for spontaneous and 4.02, 95% CI 2.07, 7.80 for iatrogenic preterm birth). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic position and clinical risk factors have different effects on spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm. Recent temporal increases in iatrogenic preterm birth appear to be responsible for the inconsistent relationship between socioeconomic position and preterm birth.

Temporal trends in postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage in Canada from 2003 to 2010.

OBJECTIVE: Increases in postpartum hemorrhage have been reported from several countries. We assessed temporal trends in postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage in Canada between 2003 and 2010. METHODS: We carried out a population-based cohort study of all hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec) from 2003 to 2010 (n = 2 193 425), using data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Postpartum hemorrhage was defined as a blood loss of ≥ 500 mL following vaginal delivery or ≥ 1000 mL following Caesarean section, or as noted by the care provider. Severe postpartum hemorrhage was defined as postpartum hemorrhage plus blood transfusion, hysterectomy, or other procedures to control bleeding (including uterine suturing or ligation/embolization of pelvic arteries). Temporal trends were assessed using the chi-square test for trend, relative risks, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Postpartum hemorrhage increased by 22% (95% CI 20% to 25%) from 5.1% in 2003 to 6.2% in 2010 (P < 0.001), driven by a 29% increase (95% CI 26% to 33%) in atonic postpartum hemorrhage (3.9% in 2003 vs. 5.0% in 2010, P < 0.001). Postpartum hemorrhage with blood transfusion increased from 36.7 to 50.4 per 10 000 deliveries (P < 0.001), while postpartum hemorrhage with hysterectomy increased from 4.9 to 5.8 per 10 000 deliveries (P < 0.01). Postpartum hemorrhage with uterine suturing, or ligation/embolization of pelvic arteries, increased from 4.1 to 10.7 per 10 000 deliveries (P < 0.001). These increases occurred in most provinces and territories, and could not be explained by changes in maternal, fetal, and obstetric factors. CONCLUSION: Rates of postpartum hemorrhage and severe postpartum hemorrhage continued to increase in Canada between 2003 and 2010.

Objectif : Une hausse des taux d'hémorragie postpartum a été signalée dans plusieurs pays. Nous avons évalué les tendances temporelles en matière d'hémorragie postpartum et d'hémorragie postpartum grave au Canada pour la période se situant entre 2003 et 2010. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte en population générale ayant porté sur tous les accouchements hospitaliers au Canada (exception faite du Québec) pour la période se situant entre 2003 et 2010 (n = 2 193 425), au moyen des données issues de l'Institut canadien d'information sur la santé. L'hémorragie postpartum a été définie comme étant une perte sanguine ≥ 500 ml à la suite d'un accouchement vaginal ou ≥ 1 000 ml à la suite d'une césarienne, ou encore conformément aux notes du fournisseur de soins. L'hémorragie postpartum grave a été définie comme étant une hémorragie postpartum s'accompagnant d'une transfusion sanguine, d'une hystérectomie ou d'autres interventions visant à juguler les saignements (y compris les sutures utérines ou la ligature / l'embolisation des artères pelviennes). Les tendances temporelles ont été évaluées au moyen d'un test du chi carré (pour ce qui est de l'évolution), des risques relatifs et d'une régression logistique. Résultats : Le taux d'hémorragie postpartum a connu une hausse de 22 % (IC à 95 %, 20 % - 25 %), soit de 5,1 % en 2003 à 6,2 % en 2010 (P < 0,001), déterminée par une hausse de 29 % (IC à 95 %, 26 % - 33 %) du taux d'hémorragie postpartum par atonie utérine (3,9 % en 2003 vs 5,0 % en 2010, P < 0,001). Le taux d'hémorragie postpartum s'accompagnant d'une transfusion sanguine est passé de 36,7 à 50,4 par 10 000 accouchements (P < 0,001), tandis que le taux d'hémorragie postpartum s'accompagnant d'une hystérectomie est passé de 4,9 à 5,8 par 10 000 accouchements (P < 0,01). Le taux d'hémorragie postpartum s'accompagnant de sutures utérines ou d'une ligature / embolisation des artères pelviennes est passé de 4,1 à 10,7 par 10 000 accouchements (P < 0,001). Ces hausses se sont manifestées dans la plupart des provinces et des territoires, et ne pouvaient être expliquées par des modifications affectant des facteurs maternels, fœtaux ou obstétricaux. Conclusion : Les taux d'hémorragie postpartum et d'hémorragie postpartum grave ont poursuivi leur croissance au Canada entre 2003 et 2010.