Prolonged second stage of labor: Predictors of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in a sub-Saharan setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictors of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among parturients with prolonged second stage of labor. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study of women with prolonged second stage of labor from January 1 to June 30, 2021, in four tertiary hospitals in Ethiopia. Data were collected prospectively using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze baseline characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to determine predictors of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 406 women were included in the study. More than half (25/46, 54%) of the women with a prolonged second stage of 4 h or longer had vaginal delivery, which was lower than the 73% (140/190) of women who had a second stage of 2-3 h and the 63.4% (64/101) of women with a second stage duration of 3-4 h. Duration of second stage of labor was not a predictor of composite adverse maternal outcomes nor was it a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome. Operative vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.41-14.9) and nulliparity (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.58-10.41) were predictors of adverse maternal outcome, but nulliparity (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.05-3.04) and duration of rupture of membranes greater than 18 h (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.21-4.93) were predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Under strict fetal and maternal well-being monitoring, women with a prolonged second stage of labor can labor for an additional 2 h (up to a total of 4 h) without increasing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

External cephalic version success rate and associated factors: Experience from a tertiary center in Sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) and its associated factors in an Ethiopian setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 152 ECVs performed at the St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June 1, 2018, up to March 30, 2019, were analyzed, using a prospective cross-sectional study design. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square test of association was applied for categorical data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of success of ECV. Odds ratio, 95% CI, and P-value<0.05 were used to describe findings' significance. RESULTS: The success rate of ECV was 71.7%. ECV success rate did not differ between multiparous and nulliparous (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.07-2.35), according to abdominal wall thickness status (AOR = 3.5, 95% Cl 0.29-42.40), and between unengaged and engaged presenting part (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.26-4.74). A posterior placenta was associated with ECV success compared to anterior placenta (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-2.60). Likewise, cases that experience no pain was associated with a higher ECV success rate (AOR 14.68, 95% CI 1.65-34.97). Soft uterine tone was also associated with a higher success rate compared to tense uterine tone (AOR = 3.89, 95% CI 0.02-0.39). Eighty-four percent of those mothers who had successful ECV had spontaneous vertex vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: The success rate of ECV in this study is found to be 71.7%, which is higher than reports from previous studies. Absence of pain during the procedure, posterior placenta, and soft uterine tone were associated with successful ECV.

Maternal and perinatal outcome of preeclampsia without severe feature among pregnant women managed at a tertiary referral hospital in urban Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia refers to the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive woman. Pregnant women with preeclampsia are at an increased risk of adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal complications. The objective of the study is, therefore, to determine the maternal and perinatal outcome of preeclampsia without severity feature among women managed at a tertiary referral hospital in urban Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome of pregnant women who were on expectant management with the diagnosis of preeclampsia without severe feature at a referral hospital in urban Ethiopia from August 2018 to January 2019. RESULTS: There were a total of 5400 deliveries during the study period, among which 164 (3%) women were diagnosed with preeclampsia without severe features. Fifty-one (31.1%) patients with preeclampsia without severe features presented at a gestational age between 28 to 33 weeks plus six days, while 113 (68.9%) presented at a gestational age between 34 weeks to 36 weeks. Fifty-two (31.7%) women had maternal complication of which, 32 (19.5%) progressed to preeclampsia with severe feature Those patients with early onset of preeclampsia without severe feature were 5.22 and 25.9 times more likely to develop maternal and perinatal complication respectively compared to late-onset after 34 weeks with P-value of <0.0001, (95% CI 2.01-13.6) and <0.0001(95% CI 5.75-115.6) respectively. CONCLUSION: In a setting where home-based self-care is poor expectant outpatient management of preeclampsia without severe features with a once per week visit is not adequate. It's associated with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Our findings call for special consideration and close surveillance of those women with early-onset diseases.

A Literature Review of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder: The Place of Expectant Management in Ethiopian Setup.

In the last three to four decades, the increasing caesarean delivery rate has contributed to several fold increment in the incidence of placenta accreta spectrum disorders globally. Placenta accreta spectrum with its subtypes (accreta, increta and percreta) is one of the devastating obstetric complications. As a result, it is the commonest indication for peripartum hysterectomy and common cause of severe maternal morbidity. However, in recent years, there is a growing interest in and practice of expectant management either to minimize emergency hysterectomy related maternal complications or to preserve the fertility potential of a woman with an intact uterus. A large body of observational research findings has demonstrated the success rate of expectant management in many of well selected cases. Similarly, the experience on delayed hysterectomy was encouraging in order to have less hemorrhage. For the best success of placenta accreta spectrum management, multidisciplinary team approach, antenatal diagnosis and managing such cases in a hospital with center of excellence has been strongly recommended. This literature review provides a robust synthesis of up-to-date knowledge and practice on the challenges and successes of placenta accreta spectrum disorders management. The currently practiced management options in the high and middle income countries are also summarized under seven categories. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to shed light on the applicability of the PAS disorder management modalities in our setup.