Cardiotocography combined with ST analysis versus cardiotocography combined with fetal blood sampling in deliveries with abnormal CTG: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate if intrapartum monitoring with cardiotocography (CTG) in combination with ST analysis (STAN) results in an improved perinatal outcome. METHODS: We performed a two-center randomized trial. 1013 women with term fetuses in cephalic presentation entered the trial. If a CTG showed intermediate or pathological abnormalities, they were offered fetal blood sampling (FBS) and inclusion if the pH value was above 7.25. They were randomized to either CTG + FBS or CTG + STAN. The primary outcome was neonatal metabolic acidosis, defined as umbilical cord arterial blood pH below 7.05, and base excess equal to or below -10. The secondary outcomes included operative vaginal delivery for fetal distress. RESULTS: The rate of metabolic acidosis was 0.8% in the CTG + FBS group and 1.5% in women in the CTG + STAN (P = 0.338). More women in the CTG + STAN group delivered by operative vaginal delivery (25.6% vs 33.5%, P = 0.006). Significantly fewer women in the CTG + STAN group had three to five (28.8% vs 11.0%, P = < 0.001) and six to ten fetal blood samples taken (3.4% vs 0.4%, P = < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CTG + STAN did not reduce the incidence of neonatal metabolic acidosis compared to CTG + FBS. CTG + STAN was, however, associated with an increased risk of operative vaginal delivery and a reduced use of FBS. If STAN is used for fetal surveillance, we recommend that it is combined with other methods, such as FBS, for confirmation of the need for operative delivery. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID: NCT01699646. Date of registration: October 4, 2012 (retrospectively registered). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01699646?id=NCT01699646&draw=2&rank=1.

Lactate versus pH levels in fetal scalp blood during labor--using the Lactate Scout System.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if lactate measured with the Scout Lactate System is a reliable alternative to pH in intrapartum monitoring of the fetus. METHODS: A prospective study analyzing (1) the correlation between scalp lactate measured by the Scout Lactate System and the Automatic Blood Laboratory (ABL), (2) the correlation between lactate and pH measured in scalp blood and (3) the correlation between fetal scalp lactate and umbilical cord SBE. The sensitivity/specificity and positive/negative predictive values of lactate in predicting low pH were analyzed and expressed as Receiver Operating Curves (ROC). RESULTS: Lactate measured by the Scout Lactate System and the ABL correlated well (r(2)=0.85). Both lactate and pH were measured in 1009 scalp blood samples. The sensitivity and specificity of lactate ≥ 4.8 mmol/l in predicting a pH <7.20 were 0.63 and 0.85, respectively. The correlation between scalp lactate measured within 15 min prior to delivery and the umbilical cord SBE was low. CONCLUSION: Monitoring non-reassuring deliveries with scalp lactate instead of pH would have resulted in more (155 instead of 56) instrumental deliveries with no decrease in newborns with severe metabolic acidosis.

Anal incontinence in women with recurrent obstetric anal sphincter rupture: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of recurrent anal sphincter rupture (ASR), and compare the risk of anal incontinence (AI) after recurrent ASR, with that seen in women with previous ASR who deliver by caesarean section or vaginally without sustaining a recurrent ASR. METHODS: Women with recurrent ASR between January 2000 and June 2011 were identified at two delivery wards in Copenhagen. The women answered a questionnaire with a validated scoring system for AI (St. Mark`s score), and the results were compared with those obtained in two control groups: women with subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery or caesarean section. RESULTS: There were 93 437 vaginal deliveries. ASR occurred in 5.5% (n = 2851) of the nulliparous and 1.5% (n = 608) of the multiparous women. Recurrent ASR occurred in 8% (n = 49) of whom 50% reported symptoms of AI. We found no difference in the occurrence of AI between women with recurrent ASR, and those who delivered vaginally without repeat ASR (p = 0.37; OR = 2.0) or by caesarean section (p = 0.77; OR = 1.3). CONCLUSION: Women with a past history of ASR have an 8% risk of recurrence. AI affects half of the women with recurrent ASR. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings.

The effect of chorionicity and twin-to-twin delivery time interval on short-term outcome of the second twin.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of chorionicity and twin-to-twin delivery time interval on short-term outcome in the second twin as well as to investigate the predictors of adverse outcome in both twins. METHODS: Data included vaginally delivered twins (≥36 weeks) from Copenhagen University Hospitals (2001-2009). The association between delivery interval and adverse outcome parameters was compared for monochorionic (MC) and dichorionic (DC) twins by multiple linear regression. Predictors were studied by logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 554 twin pairs, of which 57 were MC and 485 DC. We found no difference in the decrease of pH (p = 0.912) and Apgar (p = 0.609) in relation to increasing time interval. Neonatal unit (NICU) admissions did not differ (p = 0.167). Apgar ≤7 (p < 0.001) and pH ≤ 7.20 (p = 0.002) increased first twin risk of NICU admission, whereas first (p = 0.001) or second (p < 0.001) twin Apgar ≤7 and second twin pH ≤7.00 (p = 0.003) increased second twin risk of NICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing delivery interval was associated with a significant decrease in pH and Apgar, but there was no difference between MC and DC twins. Low Apgar of the first twin increased the risk of second twin NICU admission.

Cervical dilation at the time of cesarean section for dystocia -- effect on subsequent trial of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cervical dilation at the time of cesarean section due to dystocia and success in a subsequent pregnancy of attempted vaginal delivery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital in Copenhagen capital area. POPULATION: All women with a prior cesarean section due to dystocia who had undergone a subsequent pregnancy with a singleton delivery during 2006-2010. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for prior vaginal birth, cervical dilation reached before cesarean section and induction of labor, gestational age, use of oxytocin, epidural anesthesia and mode of birth was collected. RESULTS: A total of 889 women were included; 373 had had a trial of labor. The success rate for vaginal birth among women with prior cesarean section for dystocia at 4-8 cm dilation was 39%, but 59% for women in whom prior cesarean section had been done at a fully or almost fully dilated cervix (9-10 cm) (p < 0.001). Among the women with a previous vaginal delivery prior to their cesarean section, the success rate for vaginal birth was 76.2%, in contrast to 48.9% in the group without a previous vaginal delivery (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Women who had a trial of labor after a prior cesarean section for dystocia done late in labor and women with a vaginal delivery prior to their cesarean section had a greater chance of a successful vaginal birth during a subsequent delivery.

Maternal and perinatal complications by day of gestation after spontaneous labor at 40-42 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcome after spontaneous labor by day of gestation between 40(+0) and 41(+6) weeks of gestation. DESIGN: Evaluation of prospectively collected labor ward data. SETTING: University Hospital, Denmark. POPULATION: Unselected consecutive cohort of 14 678 spontaneously starting deliveries between 280 and 293 days of gestation during the years 2000-2006. METHODS: Data were registered in a computer program after each delivery by a midwife and the entries further evaluated by a specialist in obstetrics. Complication rates were compared using Fisher's exact test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal complication rates for each gestation day, including cesarean delivery, maternal blood transfusion, episiotomy, operative vaginal delivery, third and fourth degree perineal lacerations and perinatal morbidity. RESULTS: The cesarean delivery rate increased from 6% on day 280 to 11% on day 293. Cesarean delivery increased from 40 to 41 weeks gestation (7.3 vs. 9.5%, p<0.005), as did maternal transfusion (0.5 vs. 1.2%, p<0.001) and cesarean section on the indication fetal distress (1.5 versus 2.4%, p<0.005), but perineal lacerations did not. Likewise, there was an increase in episiotomy rates (3.0 vs. 3.5%, p=0.08), operative vaginal delivery (5.8 vs. 6.5%, p=0.07) and admission to neonatal intensive care (1.4 versus 2.0%, p=0.009), but no increase in 5 minute Apgar scores <7 or low umbilical artery acid-base values. CONCLUSIONS: Deliveries starting spontaneously in an unselected cohort showed an increase in maternal complications, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Umbilical cord blood lactate: a valuable tool in the assessment of fetal metabolic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was (1) to evaluate the relationship between umbilical cord arterial blood lactate and pH, standard base excess (SBE), and actual base excess (ABE) at delivery and (2) to suggest a cut-off level of umbilical cord arterial blood lactate in predicting fetal asphyxia using ROC-curves, where an ABE value less than -12 was used as "gold standard" for significant intrapartum asphyxia. STUDY DESIGN: This is a descriptive study of umbilical cord arterial blood samples from 2554 singleton deliveries. The deliveries took place at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark where umbilical cord blood sampling and blood gas analysis is part of the routine assessment of all newborns. RESULTS: We found significant correlations between lactate and pH (r=-0.73), lactate and SBE (r=-0.76), and lactate and ABE (r=-0.83). ROC-curves suggested a lactate cut-off level of 8mmol/l for indicating intrapartum asphyxia. CONCLUSION: Lactate in arterial umbilical cord blood might be a more direct and accordingly more correct indicator of fetal asphyxia at delivery than pH and SBE (or ABE). Its potential as a predictor of neonatal outcome needs to be evaluated in future studies.

Peripartum hysterectomy in Denmark 1995-2004.

BACKGROUND: Severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a potentially life-threatening situation that sometimes requires a hysterectomy. We examined the national incidence, risk factors, indications, outcomes and complications of peripartum hysterectomy following vaginal and caesarean delivery. METHODS: Peripartum hysterectomy was defined as a hysterectomy after birth until 1 month after delivery using the codes for hysterectomy from the NOMESCO classification (1995). National data from the period 1995-2004 were extracted from the Danish Medical Birth Register and linked to the Danish National Hospital Register followed by registration of relevant data from the medical records of all the patients. RESULTS: We found 152 hysterectomies corresponding to an incidence of 0.24/1,000 deliveries. The risk of peripartum hysterectomy increased 11-fold following caesarean compared to vaginal delivery. Placenta accrete was present in 37% of the cases and 68%. CONCLUSION: Peripartum hysterectomy has increased significantly during the last 20 years. Optimizing treatment of PPH may decrease the incidence of peripartum hysterectomy in the future.

Can the reproducibility of fetal heart rate baseline estimation be improved?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline estimation according to an objective and detailed definition presented in this article, by comparison with the FIGO guidelines' definition. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred consecutively acquired FHR tracings, 150 from antepartum high-risk pregnancies and 150 from unselected intrapartum cases, were presented to nine experienced clinicians included in three different groups, for an estimation of the FHR baseline. The first group consisted of clinicians using the proposed definition, without previous training in its use. The second group consisted of clinicians using the proposed definition, where a previous training session was promoted. The third group consisted of clinicians using the FIGO guidelines' definition. Agreement in baseline estimation was evaluated using the kappa statistic, the proportions of agreement and the intra-class correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Using the baseline definition proposed in this article, agreement was significantly higher in the group with prior training in its use. This group also showed a trend towards a higher agreement than the one using the FIGO guidelines. CONCLUSION: The FHR baseline definition proposed in this article provides an extremely reproducible estimation when associated with prior training in its use.