Childbirth experiences of women with a history of physical, sexual, and child abuse: a cross-sectional study of 2,575 Russian women.

BACKGROUND: A substantial number of women who subsequently become pregnant and give birth have a history of physical, sexual, and/or child abuse. This study investigated the associations of these types of traumas and their cumulative effect with childbirth experiences, namely, mode of birth, maternal and child complications during pregnancy/childbirth, preterm birth, medical procedures, and obstetric violence during labour. METHODS: A group of Russian women (n = 2,575) who gave birth within the previous 12 months, completed a web-based survey, where they provided demographic information, details about their childbirth experiences, and a history of trauma. RESULTS: Women with any type of past abuse were at higher risk for maternal complications during pregnancy/childbirth (exp(ß) < 0.73, p < 0.010 for all). More specific to the type of trauma were associations of physical abuse with caesarean birth, child abuse with complications during pregnancy/childbirth for the baby, and physical and child abuse with obstetric violence (exp(ß) < 0.54, p < 0.022 for all). There was a cumulative effect of trauma for all the outcomes except for medical procedures during childbirth and preterm birth. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into potential different individual effects of physical, sexual, and/or child abuse as well as their cumulative impact on the childbirth experiences. The robust findings about maternal complications during pregnancy/childbirth and obstetric violence highlight the importance of trauma-informed care, supportive policies, and interventions to create safe and empowering birthing environments that prioritise patient autonomy, dignity, and respectful communication.

Influence of different volumes and frequency of programmed intermittent epidural bolus in labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In labor, programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) can be defined as the bolus administration of epidural solution at scheduled time intervals. Compared to continuous epidural infusion (CEI) with or without patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), PIEB has been associated with decreased pain scores and need for rescue analgesia and increased maternal satisfaction. The optimal volume and dosing interval of PIEB, however, has still not been determined. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022362708). SETTINGS: Labor. PATIENTS: Pregnant patients. INTERVENTIONS: Central, CINAHL, Global Health, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials that examined pregnant patients in labor who received CEI or PIEB with or without a PCEA component. Network meta-analysis was performed with a frequentist method, facilitating the indirect comparison of PIEB with different volumes and dosing intervals through the common comparator of CEI and substituting or supplementing direct comparisons with these indirect ones. Continuous and dichotomous outcomes were presented as mean differences and odds ratios, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. MAIN RESULTS: Overall, 30 trials were included. For the first primary endpoint, need for rescue analgesia, PIEB delivered at a volume of 4 ml and frequency of 45 min (4/45) was inferior to PIEB 8/45 (OR 3.55; 95% CI 1.12-11.33), PIEB 10/60 was superior to PIEB 2.5/15 (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16-0.82), PIEB 4/45 (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.71) and PIEB 5/60 (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08-0.70), and PIEB 5/30 was not inferior to PIEB 10/60 (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.31-1.19). For the second primary endpoint, maternal satisfaction, no differences were present between the various PIEB regimens. The quality of evidence for these multiple primary endpoints was low owing to the presence of serious limitations and imprecision. Importantly, PIEB 5/30 decreased the pain score at 4 h compared to PIEB 2.5/15 (MD 2.45; 95% CI 0.13-4.76), PIEB 5/60 (MD -2.28; 95% CI -4.18--0.38) and PIEB 10/60 (MD 1.73; 95% CI 0.31-3.16). Mean ranking of interventions demonstrated PIEB 10/60 followed by PIEB 5/30 to be best placed to reduce the cumulative dose of local anesthetic, and this resulted in an improved incidence of lower limb motor blockade for PIEB 10/60 in comparison to CEI (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.14-0.67). No differences in neonatal outcomes were found. Some concerns were present for the risk of bias in two thirds of trials and the risk of bias was shown to be high in the remaining one third of trials. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should focus on PIEB 5/30 and PIEB 10/60 and how the method of analgesia initiation, nature and concentration of local anesthetic, design of epidural catheter and rate of administration might influence outcomes related to the mother and neonate.

Scoping Review of Fall Risk Assessment Tools for Women Who Receive Maternity Care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe fall risk assessment tools used for women who receive maternity care. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SciELO, and Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP). STUDY SELECTION: We considered reports published until November 28, 2022, that included women during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period; involved the use of fall risk assessment tools, regardless of context; and were published in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted the following data from the included reports: author(s)/year/country, aim/sample, research design/type of report, tool (i.e., the fall risk assessment tool used), findings, reliability, and validity. DATA SYNTHESIS: We found 13 reports in which the authors addressed nine fall risk assessment tools. Seven of these tools were applied during pregnancy (Kyle's tool, Pregnant Women Information Form and Assessment Scale for Risk of Falling in Pregnant Women, Obstetric Fall Risk Assessment System), labor (Obstetric Fall Risk Assessment System), the postpartum period (Cooksey-Post Obstetric Delivery Fall Risk Assessment, Kyle's tool, Risk of Falling in Post-partum Women (SLOPE), Obstetric Fall Risk Assessment System, Post-epidural Fall Risk Assessment Score, and Maternal Fall Risk Assessment Scale). The Dionne's Egress Test and the Motor Strength Scale do not address the characteristics of the women who receive maternity care. Psychometric characteristics were available for the Pregnant Women Information Form and Assessment Scale for Risk of Falling in Pregnant Women, Post-epidural Fall Risk Assessment Score, Maternal Fall Risk Assessment Scale, and Risk of Falling in Post-partum Women. CONCLUSION: Some fall risk assessment tools are used to assess women who receive maternity care without proper validation in this specific population. The use of fall risk assessment tools that are validated for women who receive maternity care may help nurses make clinical judgments when assessing fall risk and implement measures for fall prevention.

Relations between maternal height, shoe size, and the success of vaginal delivery in birth weight over 4000 g.

OBJECTIVE: Macrosomia is associated with increased risk of fetal and maternal complications such as trauma during birth, cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and shoulder dystocia. Sonographic estimation of fetal weight is imprecise particularly in excessively large fetuses, prompting the need for additional measures to assess the feasibility of vaginal delivery of a macrosomic newborn and thus improve prenatal consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included women who delivered a singleton macrosomic newborn (birth weight>4,000 g), either vaginally (N = 762) or by urgent cesarean delivery during labor (N = 109). Using multivariable analysis, we examined correlations of maternal height≥170 cm and shoe size≥40 with successful vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Women who delivered vaginally had lower mean intrapartum BMI (p < 0.001) and lower rate of gestational diabetes (p = 0.003). Women with a shoe size≥40 were 2.2 times more likely to give birth vaginally. Cesarean section rate was 5.9 % among women with height≥170 cm and shoe size≥40; and 16.5 % among women with height<170 cm and shoe size<40. Multivariable analysis, adjusted for gestational diabetes, parity, and BMI, revealed that shoe size≥40 and maternal height≥170 cm correlated with success in vaginal delivery, OR = 3.1 (95%CI 1.3-7.3, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Shoe size and maternal height may help predict success of vaginal birth of the macrosomic newborns.

Perinatal Outcome in Overweight Women: An Audit.

BACKGROUND: Obesity in pregnancy is associated with a myriad of well-documented complications. However, the outcomes of pregnancy in overweight females, who are not classified as obese, have not been studied. The aim of the study was to assess foeto-maternal outcomes in primigravida who are overweight and compare them to normal-weight patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study and included primigravida with full-term gestation (between 38 and 42 weeks), with a single live foetus in vertex presentation, who were admitted for labour induction. Based on pre-pregnancy weight, patients were divided into normal weight (body mass index, BMI<23kg/m2) and overweight (BMI≥23kg/m2 and<25kg/m2) categories labelled as groups A and B, respectively. Data was collected for gestational age, demographics (age, education, occupation), and obstetric and labour-related parameters per pre-designed proforma. Parameters included were the reason for induction, number of doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel used, duration of labour, induction to delivery interval, and mode of birth- operative/ non-operative. Data was also collected for peri-partum maternal complications, neonatal Apgar score, and need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients were recruited in the study and divided based on weight into two groups- 115 in Group A (normal weight) and 35 in Group B (overweight). Compared to Group A, a higher proportion of patients in Group B needed a third dose of PGE2 gel (n=24, 20.8% vs n=18, 51.4%). Also, more patients in Group B had an induction to delivery time of longer than 30 hours (n=7, 20% vs n=5, 4.3%) and had a higher incidence of failed induction needing caesarean section (n=9, 25.7% vs n=13, 11.3%). Neonates born to overweight mothers had a poor Apgar score at 1 min. However, on reassessment, Apgar improved at 5 minutes, and no statistically significant difference was seen for admission to NICU- 5.7% (n=2) in Group B vs 1.7% (n=2) in Group A Conclusion: Pregnancy in overweight females is associated with prolonged labour, higher instances of failed induction, and poor neonatal outcomes at initial assessment. Thus, perinatal counselling and management should focus on weight control while also planning appropriate strategies for monitoring and treating pregnancy-related complications if weight control measures fail. Although obesity is the main focus of research, we suggest including overweight but non-obese females in such studies as they have similar adverse outcomes and complications.

Cultural Adaptation, Validation and Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of an Obstetric Violence Scale in the Spanish Context.

Obstetric violence refers to dehumanized or derogative treatment of women in their pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum periods and may be manifested in different ways. Currently, there is no tool validated in Spain to measure women's perception of obstetric violence. The objective of this study was to carry out the cultural adaptation and validation of an existing 14-item obstetric violence scale in the Spanish context and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The research was conducted in two phases: first, a methodological study designed to evaluate content validity, through assessments by eight experts (calculating the Aiken V coefficient) and face validity in a sample of 20 women; second, a cross-sectional study to evaluate construct validity (through confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis), divergent validity against a scale of birth satisfaction, known-groups validity and, finally, reliability. In Phase 1, Aiken V values higher than 0.71 were obtained for all items. Phase 2 was conducted on a sample of 256 women and the fit values for the unidimensional model were RMSEA: 0.070 (95% CI: 0.059-0.105) and GFI: 0.982 (95% CI: 0.823-0.990). The Rasch analysis indicated poor performance of item 2, which was removed. The Omega and Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were 0.863 and 0.860, respectively. A final 13-item version of the Obstetric Violence Scale was produced, with a total score ranging from 0 (no obstetric violence perception) to 52 (maximum obstetric violence perception). The Obstetric Violence Scale is a reliable and useful tool to measure women's perception of obstetric violence. This study was not registered.

Sociodemographic determinants and mortality of premature newborns in a medium and low-income population in Colombia, 2017-2019. / Factores determinantes sociodemográficos y de mortalidad en recién nacidos prematuros en población de medianos y bajos ingresos en Colombia, 2017-2019

Introduction: The birth of premature babies is a public health problem with a high impact on infant morbidity and mortality. About 40% of mortality in children under five years occurs in the first month of life. Objective: To identify the association between maternal sociodemographic factors, premature birth, and mortality in newborns under 37 weeks in Santiago de Cali, 2017-2019. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study. We evaluated the records of Cali's Municipal Public Health Office. We calculated the crude and adjusted odd ratios and confidence intervals (95%) using the logistic regression model, data processing in Stata 16, and georeferencing the cases in the QGIS software. Results: From 2017 to 2019, premature babies in Cali corresponded to 11% of births. Poor prenatal care increased 3.13 times the risk of being born before 32 weeks (adjusted OR = 3.13; 95% CI = 2.75 - 3.56) and 1.27 times among mothers from outside the city (adjusted OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.15-1.41). Mortality was 4.29 per 1,000 live births. The mortality risk in newborns weighing less than 1,000 g increased 3.42 times (OR = 3.42; 95% CI = 2.85-4.12), delivery by cesarean section in 1.46 (OR = 1.46; CI 95% = 1.14-1.87) and an Apgar score - five minutes after birth- lower than seven in 1.55 times (OR = 1.55; CI 95% = 1.23-1.96). Conclusions: We found that less than three prenatal controls, mothers living outside Cali, afro-ethnicity, and cesarean birth were associated with prematurity of less than 32 weeks. We obtained higher mortality in newborns weighing less than 1,000 g.

Introducción: El nacimiento de bebés prematuros es un problema de salud pública con gran impacto en la morbimortalidad infantil: cerca del 40 % de las muertes de niños menores de cinco años sucede en el primer mes de vida. Objetivos: Identificar la asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos maternos, el parto prematuro y la mortalidad en recién nacidos menores de 37 semanas en Santiago de Cali, 2017-2019. Materiales y métodos: Se hizo un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se evaluaron los registros de la Secretaría de Salud Pública Municipal de Cali. Se calcularon las razones de probabilidad y los intervalos de confianza (95 %) crudos y ajustados mediante el modelo de regresión logística, en tanto que los datos se procesaron en Stata 16 y los casos se georreferenciaron con el programa QGIS. Resultados: Entre el 2017 y el 2019, los nacimientos de bebés prematuros en Cali correspondieron al 11 %. El control prenatal deficiente aumentó 3,13 veces el riesgo de nacer con menos de 32 semanas (OR ajustado = 3,13; IC95% = 2,75-3,56) y, en madres de municipios fuera de la ciudad, 1,27 veces (OR ajustado = 1,27; IC95% = 1,15-1,41). La mortalidad fue de 4,29 por 1.000 nacidos vivos. Nacer con un peso menor de 1.000 g aumentó el riesgo de mortalidad en 3,42 veces (OR = 3,42; IC95% = 2,85-4,12) y, un puntaje Apgar menor de siete a los cinco minutos del nacimiento, en 1,55 veces (OR=1,55; IC95% = 1,23-1,96). Conclusiones: Se encontró que tener menos de tres controles prenatales, la procedencia de la madre fuera de Cali, ser afrodescendiente y el parto por cesárea, estaban asociados significativamente con la prematuridad de menos de 32 semanas. Hubo mayor mortalidad en los recién nacidos con menos de 1.000 gramos al nacer.

Does a preterm labor-assessment algorithm improve preterm labor-related knowledge, clinical practice confidence, and educational satisfaction?: a quasi-experimental study.

PURPOSE: Preterm birth is increasing, and obstetric nurses should have the competency to provide timely care. Therefore, training is necessary in the maternal nursing practicum. This study aimed to investigate the effects of practice education using a preterm-labor assessment algorithm on preterm labor-related knowledge and clinical practice confidence in senior nursing students. METHODS: A pre-post quasi-experimental design with three groups was used for 61 students. The preterm-labor assessment algorithm was modified into three modules from the preterm-labor assessment algorithm by March of Dimes. We evaluated preterm labor-related knowledge, clinical practice confidence, and educational satisfaction. Data were analyzed with the paired t-test and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The practice education using a preterm-labor assessment algorithm significantly improved both preterm labor-related knowledge and clinical practice confidence (paired t=-7.17, p<.001; paired t=-5.51, p<.001, respectively). The effects of the practice education using a preterm-labor assessment algorithm on knowledge lasted until 8 weeks but decreased significantly at 11 and 13 weeks after the program, while the clinical practice confidence significantly decreased at 8 weeks post-program. CONCLUSION: The practice education using a preterm-labor assessment algorithm was effective in improving preterm labor-related knowledge and clinical practice confidence. The findings suggest that follow-up education should be conducted at 8 weeks, or as soon as possible thereafter, to maintain knowledge and clinical confidence, and the effects should be evaluated.

Providing Emotional Support and Physical Comfort During a Time of Social Distancing: A Thematic Analysis of Doulas' Experiences During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Doulas are trained, non-clinical professionals that provide a continuum of support for mothers. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to explore the professional experiences of doulas (n = 17) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Data were collected using brief intake surveys, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and an online discussion group. After a list of significant statements was created and grouped during emergent themes analysis, the reflections were summarized into three themes, (1) Doula Resilience, (2) Experiencing Vulnerability, and (3) Concern for Client Vulnerability that encapsulate the experiences of doulas during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conclude that as part of the COVID-19 recovery process, policy makers should look to non-clinical interventions for improving maternal health, such as promoting and supporting synergy between doulas and other maternal health service providers.

Long-term trends in the incidence and management of shoulder dystocia in a tertiary obstetric unit in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: Because there have been changes in the management of macrosomic pregnancies and shoulder dystocia in the past decade, this study was conducted to compare the incidences of shoulder dystocia and perinatal outcomes between the periods of 2000-2009 and 2010-2019. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary obstetric unit. All cases of shoulder dystocia were identified using the hospital's electronic database. The incidences, maternal and fetal characteristics, obstetric management methods, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two study periods. RESULTS: The overall incidence of shoulder dystocia decreased from 0.23% (134/58 326) in 2000-2009 to 0.16% (108/65 683) in 2010-2019 (P=0.009), mainly because of the overall decline in the proportion of babies with macrosomia (from 3.3% to 2.3%; P<0.001). The improved success rates of the McRoberts' manoeuvre (from 31.3% to 47.2%; P=0.012) and posterior arm extraction (from 52.9% to 92.3%; P=0.042) allowed a greater proportion of affected babies to be delivered within 2 minutes (from 59.0% to 79.6%; P=0.003). These changes led to a significant reduction in the proportion of fetuses with low Apgar scores: <5 at 1 minute of life (from 13.4% to 5.6%; P=0.042) and <7 at 5 minutes of life (from 11.9% to 4.6%; P=0.045). CONCLUSION: More proactive management of macrosomic pregnancies and enhanced training in the acute management of shoulder dystocia led to significant improvements in shoulder dystocia incidence and perinatal outcomes from 2000-2009 to 2010-2019.

A comparison of neonatal outcomes after taking progesterone pills and progesterone intramuscular injections in preterm labor: An RCT.

Background: Approximately two-thirds of infant mortality within the first year of life are caused by preterm labor (PL). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of progesterone-based compounds to prevent PL. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 146 pregnant women admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afzalipour hospital in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran in June 2019. The participants with PL received Tocolytic and 12 mg Betamethasone in 2 doses over 2 days to mature the fetus's lungs. Stopping PL was considered a 12-hr period without any contractions after finishing the Tocolytic. Following the successful cessation of PL, the participants were monitored for 48 hr. Subsequently, the participants were divided into 2 groups. Participants received 200 mg Lutogel capsules orally per day in group A while group B received a weekly dose of 250 mg Proluton in the form of intramuscular injection, respectively. Treatment in groups continued until the 36th wk of delivery. The participants were followed-up weekly, and if any signs of PL were detected, an obstetrician carried out a vaginal examination. Results: The incidence of PL was the same in both groups. There was no significant difference in the latent phase, average birth weight, and the neonatal intensive care unit admission frequency (p = 0.07, 0.17, 0.58, respectively) between groups. Conclusion: No difference in the results obtained from theneonataloutcomes evaluated in groups. Both medications similarly led to recovering pregnancy and neonatal outcomes caused by PL. Applying the oral form with similar beneficial effects were pointed out in this study, which can be a solution to the issues caused by numerous injections that are inevitable in the injected administration of this medicine.

Sociodemographic determinants and mortality of premature newborns in a medium and low-income population in Colombia, 2017-2019 / Factores determinantes sociodemográficos y de mortalidad en recién nacidos prematuros en población de medianos y bajos ingresos en Colombia, 2017-2019

Introduction. The birth of premature babies is a public health problem with a high impact on infant morbidity and mortality. About 40% of mortality in children under five years occurs in the first month of life. Objective. To identify the association between maternal sociodemographic factors, premature birth, and mortality in newborns under 37 weeks in Santiago de Cali, 2017-2019. Materials and methods. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study. We evaluated the records of Cali's Municipal Public Health Office. We calculated the crude and adjusted odd ratios and confidence intervals (95%) using the logistic regression model, data processing in Stata 16, and georeferencing the cases in the QGIS software. Results. From 2017 to 2019, premature babies in Cali corresponded to 11% of births. Poor prenatal care increased 3.13 times the risk of being born before 32 weeks (adjusted OR = 3.13; 95% CI = 2.75 - 3.56) and 1.27 times among mothers from outside the city (adjusted OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.15-1.41). Mortality was 4.29 per 1,000 live births. The mortality risk in newborns weighing less than 1,000 g increased 3.42 times (OR = 3.42; 95% CI = 2.85-4.12), delivery by cesarean section in 1.46 (OR = 1.46; CI 95% = 1.14-1.87) and an Apgar score - five minutes after birth- lower than seven in 1.55 times (OR = 1.55; CI 95% = 1.23-1.96). Conclusions. We found that less than three prenatal controls, mothers living outside Cali, afro-ethnicity, and cesarean birth were associated with prematurity of less than 32 weeks. We obtained higher mortality in newborns weighing less than 1,000 g.

Introducción. El nacimiento de bebés prematuros es un problema de salud pública con gran impacto en la morbimortalidad infantil: cerca del 40 % de las muertes de niños menores de cinco años sucede en el primer mes de vida. Objetivo. Identificar la asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos maternos, el parto prematuro y la mortalidad en recién nacidos menores de 37 semanas en Santiago de Cali, 2017-2019. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se evaluaron los registros de la Secretaría de Salud Pública Municipal de Cali. Se calcularon las razones de probabilidad y los intervalos de confianza (95 %) crudos y ajustados mediante el modelo de regresión logística, en tanto que los datos se procesaron en Stata 16 y los casos se georreferenciaron con el programa QGIS. Resultados. Entre el 2017 y el 2019, los nacimientos de bebés prematuros en Cali correspondieron al 11 %. El control prenatal deficiente aumentó 3,13 veces el riesgo de nacer con menos de 32 semanas (OR ajustado = 3,13; IC95% = 2,75-3,56) y, en madres de municipios fuera de la ciudad, 1,27 veces (OR ajustado = 1,27; IC95% = 1,15-1,41). La mortalidad fue de 4,29 por 1.000 nacidos vivos. Nacer con un peso menor de 1.000 g aumentó el riesgo de mortalidad en 3,42 veces (OR = 3,42; IC95% = 2,85-4,12) y, un puntaje Apgar menor de siete a los cinco minutos del nacimiento, en 1,55 veces (OR=1,55; IC95% = 1,23-1,96). Conclusiones. Se encontró que tener menos de tres controles prenatales, la procedencia de la madre fuera de Cali, ser afrodescendiente y el parto por cesárea, estaban asociados significativamente con la prematuridad de menos de 32 semanas. Hubo mayor mortalidad en los recién nacidos con menos de 1.000 gramos al nacer.

Pregnancy Outcomes Associated with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Infertile Women.

Objective: To assess the relationship between ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and adverse outcomes using population-based data in the United States. The hypothesis is that patients with OHSS were more likely to deliver preterm and more likely to have hypertensive disorders. Methods: This retrospective cohort study identified 94 patients with OHSS and 183 matched referents in eight counties in Minnesota. Data were collected regarding pregnancy history, infertility treatment, and pregnancy outcomes. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, study subjects were identified from female patients, aged 18 to 49 years, who were diagnosed with infertility from January 2, 1995 to December 1, 2017, and had a pregnancy greater than 20 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome was preterm delivery or hypertensive disorder of pregnancy incidence in the OHSS group when compared with control patients. Chi-squared test, t test, and multivariate logistic models were used where appropriate. Results: Patients with OHSS were more likely to deliver preterm (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-3.65; P < 0.01), and their neonates were more likely to be small for gestational age (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.61-14.19; P < 0.01). No significant differences between the groups were observed in any other outcome. Patients with OHSS are more likely to deliver preterm if they undergo fresh transfer compared with a freeze all and subsequent frozen transfer (odds ratio, 3.03, 95% confidence interval, 1.20-7.66, P = 0.02). Conclusion: OHSS may lead to preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age neonates, which changes patient counseling and leads to arranging specialized obstetrical care for these patients with OHSS.

Maternal Oxygen Administration during Labor: A Controversial Practice.

Oxygen administration to the mother is commonly performed during labor, especially in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate, aiming to increase oxygen diffusion through the placenta to fetal tissues. The benefits and potential risks are controversial, especially when the mother is not hypoxemic. Its impact on placental gas exchange and the fetal acid-base equilibrium is not fully understood and it probably affects the sensible placental oxygen equilibrium causing a time-dependent vasoconstriction of umbilical and placental vessels. Hyperoxia might also cause the generation of radical oxygen species, raising concerns for the developing fetal cells. Moreover, this practice affects the maternal cardiovascular system, causing alterations of the cardiac index, heart rate and vascular resistance, and unclear effects on uterine blood flow. In conclusion, there is no evidence that maternal oxygen administration can provide any benefit in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, while possible collateral effects warn of its utilization. Oxygen administration during labor should be reserved for cases of maternal hypoxia.

Especificidades técnicas no tamponamento uterino com balões e algumas dificuldades técnicas / Technical specificities in uterine tamponade with balloons and some technical difficulties

A mortalidade materna é inaceitavelmente alta. A hemorragia pós-parto encontra- se na primeira posição no mundo, tendo como principal causa específica a atonia uterina. Eventualmente, as medidas iniciais e a terapia farmacológica não são efetivas no controle do sangramento, impondo a necessidade de tratamentos invasivos, cirúrgicos ou não. Entre esses, o tamponamento uterino com balão requer recursos locais mínimos e não exige treinamento extensivo ou equipamento muito complexo. Entretanto, algumas dificuldades podem ocorrer durante a inserção, infusão ou manutenção do balão na cavidade uterina, com especificidades relacionadas à via de parto. Após o parto vaginal, a dificuldade mais prevalente é o prolapso vaginal do balão. Na cesárea, as principais dificuldades são a inserção e o posicionamento do balão na cavidade uterina, principalmente nas cesáreas eletivas. Este artigo revisa e ilustra as principais dificuldades e especificidades relacionadas ao tamponamento uterino com balões.

Maternal mortality is unacceptably high. Postpartum hemorrhage is ranked first in the world, with the main specific cause being uterine atony. Eventually, initial measures and pharmacological therapy are not effective in controlling bleeding, imposing the need for invasive treatments, surgical or not. Among these, uterine balloon tamponade requires minimal local resources and does not require extensive training or very complex equipment. However, some difficulties may occur during insertion, infusion, or maintenance of the balloon in the uterine cavity, with specificities related to the mode of delivery. After vaginal delivery, the most prevalent difficulty is vaginal balloon prolapse. In cesarean section, the main difficulty is the insertion and positioning of the balloon in the uterine cavity, especially in elective cesarean sections. This article reviews and illustrates the main difficulties and specificities related to uterine balloon tamponade.

Obesidad pregestacional y alteraciones del parto

Objetivo . Establecer la asociación entre obesidad pregestacional y el riesgo de alteraciones del parto. Diseño. Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo. Institución. Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela. Métodos . Resultante obstétrica de pacientes según índice de masa pregestacional -obesidad (grupo A), sobrepeso (grupo B) y peso normal (grupo C)- atendidas entre enero y diciembre de 2021. Principales medidas de estudio. Duración del embarazo y duración, tipo y alteraciones del parto. Resultados . Se atendió 2,250 partos durante el periodo de estudio, de los cuales se seleccionó 226 gestantes para el análisis. La mayoría de gestantes (60,5%) fueron asignadas al grupo A, 47 (20,8%) al grupo B y 41 (17,5%) al grupo C. Las gestantes del grupo A presentaron una mayor probabilidad de cesárea (razón de probabilidad (RP) 1,76; intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%), 1,03 a 2,98), de parto prolongado (RP 2,09; IC95%, 1,23 a 3,53) y de embarazo prolongado (RP 2,30; IC95%, 1,32 a 4,01) comparadas con las embarazadas del grupo C. Las gestantes del grupo B no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la frecuencia de las variables obstétricas comparado con las gestantes del grupo C (p = ns). Conclusión . Existió asociación significativa entre la obesidad pregestacional y el riesgo de alteraciones del parto.

Objective : To establish the association between pregestational obesity and the risk of birth alterations. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Institution: Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela. Methods : Obstetric outcome of patients according to pregestational mass index -obese (group A), overweight (group B), and normal weight (group C)- attended between January and December 2021. Main study measures: Duration of pregnancy and duration, type and alterations of delivery. Results : A total of 2,250 deliveries were attended during the study period, of which 226 pregnant women were selected for analysis. The majority of the pregnant women (60.5%) were assigned to group A, 47 (20.8%) to group B, and 41 (17.5%) to group C. Pregnant women in group A had a higher probability of cesarean section (odds ratio (OR) 1.76; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.03 - 2.98), prolonged labor (OR 2.09; 95%CI, 1.23 - 3.53) and prolonged pregnancy (OR 2.30; 95%CI, 1.32 - 4.01) compared to pregnant women in group C. The pregnant women in group B did not show statistically significant differences in the frequency of obstetric variables compared to the pregnant women in group C (p = ns). Conclusion : There was a significant association between pregestational obesity and the risk of birth alterations.

Uterine tamponade in postpartum hemorrhage with handmade balloons: Comparison of manufacturing, infusion, and total times.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the manufacturing, infusion, and total times of handmade balloons for uterine tamponade using the El Hennawy and Alves techniques, given the failure of initial measures and uterotonic therapy to control postpartum hemorrhage. METHODS: An open clinical trial (clinical article) was conducted among 30 physicians, residents, and assistants in an Obstetrics Department. Each participant manufactured and infused one of two different balloons compared in the study, in a randomly predefined sequence. The manufacturing and infusion times were timed by the researchers and their medians were compared using the t test or Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The manufacturing time of the El Hennawy balloon was 72 s lower in relation to the Alves balloon (P < 0.010). Regarding the infusion time, the Alves balloon was filled faster than the El Hennawy balloon (P < 0.010). The total time (manufacturing and infusion) of Alves balloon was also lower than the El Hennawy device (P < 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Although the El Hennawy balloon was manufactured more quickly, the total time of manufacturing and infusing the Alves balloon was much faster, which makes it the most suitable device to be used in critical situations of postpartum hemorrhage.

The effectiveness of interventions in the prevention of perineal trauma in parturients: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent the occurrence of perineal trauma in parturients. METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS via Virtual Health Library (VHL), Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Scielo, Web of Science, and PEDro databases. Randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of any intervention to prevent perineal trauma during pregnancy and/or childbirth were included. There were no temporal or language restrictions. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-bias Tool for Randomized Trials. RESULTS: Fifty studies, with a total of 17,221 participants, were included in this meta-analysis. No intervention during childbirth was effective for the prevention of perineal trauma (RR = 1.07, 95% CI [0.98.1.18], p < 0.01, I2 = 83%) when compared to no intervention. However, a lower risk of perineal laceration was verified with techniques performed during pregnancy, when compared to no intervention (RR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.71, 0.93], p = 0.05, I2 = 47%). Among them, highlight the effects of perineal massage in preventing lacerations (RR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.54, 0.87], p < 0.01) when compared to no intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques performed during pregnancy, especially perineal massage, are associated with a lower risk of perineal laceration.

Management of postpartum hemorrhage by midwives in selected healthcare facilities in Ekiti State: An exploratory qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal mortality continues to pose a critical challenge in obstetric practice, with postpartum haemorrhage as one of the major causes. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of midwives regarding the management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Participants were selected using purposive sampling technique, and 15 participants were recruited for the study. Data collection was done using a semi-structured interview guide for in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, and data analysis was done using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the analysis, including 1) management practices adopted against PPH and 2) hospital protocol for the management of PPH. The major management practices adopted by the midwives were using uterotonics, especially oxytocin, and other management practices such as anti-shock garments, stimulation of contractions by rubbing the uterus, and assessment of the cause of bleeding and suturing of lacerations. It was also deduced that different healthcare facilities had policies for managing postpartum haemorrhage. Barriers affecting the effective management of PPH were understaffing, unavailability of suitable facilities and equipment, restrictions on nurses/midwives in managing PPH, unfavourable hospital policy and lack of communication among the healthcare team. CONCLUSION: The participants' experiences suggest they are somewhat satisfied with PPH management in their facilities. However, barriers such as understaffing, unavailability of equipment, poor communication among healthcare teams and restrictions on nurses in PPH management should be addressed to improve midwives' experiences in PPH management.

The effect of Pilates on pain during pregnancy and labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to reveal the effect of Pilates on pain during pregnancy and labor. METHODS: The PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Ovid, EBSCO, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library databases, and Google Scholar databases were used to access the articles published in international journals, and the Dergipark, Turkish Clinics, and ULAKBİM databases were scanned to access the articles published in national journals between October 30 and November 30, 2022. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4. RESULTS: This study included four articles. According to the meta-analysis results, it was elucidated that Pilates exercise during pregnancy was not statistically effective in reducing pain during pregnancy (Z=0.61, p=0.54), but it was effective in reducing pain intensity during labor (Z=11.20, p<0.00001). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that Pilates exercise was not effective in reducing pain during pregnancy but was effective in reducing labor pain. There is a need for more research on the subject. PROSPERO Registration no: CRD42023387512