Guidelines for obstetrical practice in Japan: Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2020 edition.

The 2017 clinical guidelines for obstetrical practice by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were revised and published as the 2020 edition (in Japanese). The aim of these guidelines is to present appropriate standard obstetric diagnosis and management procedures that have reached consensus among Japanese obstetricians. The 2020 guidelines include 113 clinical questions and an appendix, followed by answers (CQ&A; originally 112 in the 2017 edition), a discussion, list of references, and some tables and figures presenting common problems and questions encountered in obstetrical practice. Each answer comes with a recommendation level of A, B, or C and has been prepared based principally on evidence or a consensus among Japanese obstetricians in situations where "evidence" is weak or lacking. Answers with a recommendation level of A or B represent current standard care practices in Japan. All 113 CQ&As and the appendix are presented here to promote a better understanding of the current standard care practices for pregnant and lactating women in Japan.

Antimicrobial Resistance for Chlamydia Trachomatis Genital Infection during Pregnancy in Japan / 감염과화학요법

The current study examined the antimicrobial resistance of Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) genital infection during pregnancy in Japan. We requested 2,146 obstetrical facilities that are members of Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to provide information of CT screening tests and antimicrobial resistance in pregnant women between April 2020 and March 2021. The prevalence of CT genital infection in Japan was 2.1%. The antimicrobial resistance was recognized in 2.0 and 2.4% of the cases using azithromycin and clarithromycin, respectively. There were no significant differences in the antimicrobial resistance rate between the 2 analogues (P = 0.28). In Japan, azithromycin and clarithromycin have effectively treated genital CT infections during pregnancy.

Outcomes of ‘one-day trial of vaginal delivery of twins’ at 36–37 weeks' gestation in Japan

OBJECTIVE: The lack of obstetricians in Japan has prevented the implementation of a 24–hour delivery monitoring system for high-risk deliveries such as twin vaginal delivery at many obstetric facilities. To examine the outcomes of a 1-day trial of the vaginal delivery of twins at 36–37 weeks' gestation. METHODS: We induced the vaginal delivery of twins at 36–37 weeks' gestation of 256 women who provided consent between January 2007 and December 2016 using the following protocol: 1) administration of 0.5 mg oral prostaglandin E2 every 1 hour (maximum: 1.5 mg) in the morning; 2) intravenous administration of oxytocin and amniotomy in the afternoon; and 3) selection of caesarean delivery when vaginal delivery was not expected by evening. We examined their perinatal outcomes in a chart review. RESULTS: The completion rates of vaginal delivery in total, nulliparous, and multiparous women were 79%, 72%, and 84%, respectively. There were no cases of neonatal asphyxia. The total incidence of neonatal respiratory disorders was 2.1%, but there were no cases of persistent pulmonary hypertension. The total incidence of postpartum hemorrhage requiring transfusion was 2.7%. CONCLUSION: The 1-day planned vaginal delivery of twins at 36–37 weeks' gestation appears valid and safe, and our findings suggest that it can be an option for the delivery of twins.