Respectful Maternity Care in the United States-Characterizing Inequities Experienced by Birthing People.

OBJECTIVE:  The purpose of this study is to understand experiences of respectful maternity care (RMC) from the perspective of birthing people in the United States from 2013 to 2018. METHODS:  We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of United States birthing people ages 18-50 in April 2018 using SurveyMonkey Audience. Quantitative survey data consisted of demographics and responses to RMC indicators. Qualitative data consisted of comments from individuals regarding their birth experiences. RESULTS:  1036 birthing people participated in the survey. Most births (95%) occurred in hospitals. 16.3% of Black or African American participants reported discrimination compared to 5.5% of participants who did not identify as Black or African American (p < 0.001). Participants who speak a language other than English were also more likely to report discrimination. 19.5% of all respondents felt neglected during their birth experience. Most prevalent experiences of disrespect and mistreatment were related to neglect (most commonly in postpartum phase of care), poor interpersonal communication, lack of respect for patient wishes, negative experience with breastfeeding services, peripartum complications, and discrimination. CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE: Birthing people in the United States experience many forms of mistreatment, particularly those who identify as Black or African American or speak a language other than English. Patients described experiencing neglect most commonly after birth-an opportunity to improve the provision of RMC postpartum. Strategies to improve quality of maternal health care in the United States should include the provision of RMC as part of a larger effort to reduce inequities in maternal health experiences and outcomes.

Human Papillomavirus Inpatient Postpartum Vaccination: Clinical Guideline Implementation.

OBJECTIVE: The nine-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV) vaccine is highly effective at preventing cervical cancer, yet U.S. vaccination rates remain low. The objective of this study was to evaluate integration of 9vHPV inpatient vaccination into routine postpartum care. METHODS: Obstetrics professionals at an academic urban referral center received an emailed protocol outlining a novel 9vHPV vaccination program of postpartum inpatients aged 26 years or younger. A retrospective evaluation from March 2021 to March 2022 was conducted to evaluate implementation. Characteristics of patients vaccinated before pregnancy compared with vaccine-eligible patients (none, unknown, or partially vaccinated status) were compared by the use of χ2, analysis of variance, and multivariable logistic regression. Similarly, analyses were performed comparing vaccine-eligible patients who did with those who did not receive an inpatient 9vHPV vaccination. RESULTS: Of 569 postpartum inpatients, 370 (65.0%) were already vaccinated, 70 (34.2%) were never vaccinated, 49 (24.6%) were partially vaccinated, and 80 (14.1%) had unknown status. Of vaccine-eligible patients, 46 (23.1%) received 9vHPV vaccination as an inpatient. In multivariable analysis, race and ethnicity, marital status, and primary language were significant predictors of vaccination before pregnancy. Among vaccine-eligible patients, inpatient vaccination recipients were primarily Hispanic, Spanish speaking, and publicly insured. In multivariable analysis of vaccine-eligible patients, receiving care from the certified nurse midwifery practice was the only independent predictor of vaccination (odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.02-5.74, P=.04). CONCLUSION: Non-Hispanic White, Spanish-speaking, and married patients were disproportionally undervaccinated in our baseline population, but about one quarter of vaccine-eligible patients received 9vHPV vaccination postpartum. Inpatient postpartum 9vHPV vaccination may help narrow disparities in vaccination.

An assessment of postpartum contraception rates with evolving care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic presented new care delivery obstacles in the form of scheduling procedures and safe presentation to in-person visits. Contraception provision is an indispensable component of postpartum care that was not immune to these challenges. Given the barriers to care during the initial months of the pandemic, we sought to examine how postpartum contraception, sterilization, and visit attendance were affected during this period. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart review to examine contraception initiation, sterilization, and postpartum virtual and in-person visit attendance rates during the first six months (March 15 to September 7, 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the rates in the same period in the year prior at a single tertiary academic care center. We abstracted data from the first prenatal visit through twelve weeks postpartum. RESULTS: With the initiation of virtual appointments, postpartum visit attendance significantly increased (94.6 % vs 88.4 %, p < 0.001) during the pandemic with no difference in overall contraception uptake (51 % vs 54.1 %, p = 0.2) or sterilization (11.0 % vs 11.5 %, p = 0.88). During the pandemic, contraception prescribed differed significantly with a trend towards patient-administered methods including pills, patches, and rings (21 % vs 16 %, p = 0.02). In both periods, there was a significantly younger mean age (p < 0.001), higher proportion of non-White and non-Asian race (p < 0.001), public insurance (p = 0.003, 0.004), and an established contraceptive plan prenatally (p < 0.001) in the group that received contraception. CONCLUSION: As virtual postpartum visits were instituted, contraception initiation and sterilization were maintained at pre-pandemic rates and visit attendance rose despite the obstacles to care presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provision of virtual postpartum visits may be a driver to maintain contraception and sterilization rates at a time, such as early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when patient care is at risk to be disrupted by social distancing, isolation, and avoidance of medical campuses.

Abortion as Essential Health Care and the Critical Role Your Practice Can Play in Protecting Abortion Access.

Few obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) provide abortion care, resulting in abortion being separated from other reproductive health care. This segregation of services disrupts the ob-gyn patient-clinician relationship, generates needless costs, delays access to abortion care, and contributes to stigma. General ob-gyns have both the skills and the knowledge to incorporate abortion into their clinical practices. In this way, they can actively contribute to the protection of abortion access now with the loss of federal protection for abortion under Roe v Wade . For those who live where abortion remains legal, now is the time to start providing abortions and enhancing your abortion-referral process. For all, regardless of state legislation, ob-gyns must be leaders in advocacy by facilitating abortion care-across state lines, using telehealth, or with self-managed abortion-and avoiding any contribution to the criminalization of those who seek or obtain essential abortion care. Our patients deserve a specialty-wide concerted effort to deliver comprehensive reproductive health care to the fullest extent.

Perceptions and Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize attitudes toward novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and to evaluate factors associated with vaccine uptake among pregnant individuals. STUDY DESIGN: An anonymous survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pregnant individuals receiving prenatal care at two large urban academic hospitals in a single health care network in Massachusetts. Individual demographic variables were included in the survey along with questions assessing attitudes toward COVID-19 and vaccination in pregnancy. Data were analyzed using parametric or nonparametric tests when appropriate, and associated odds ratios (OR) were calculated via univariable logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 684 surveys distributed, and 477 pregnant and postpartum individuals completed the survey, for a response rate of 69.7%. Overall, 233 (49.3%) had received or were scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Age, White race, non-Hispanic or Latinx ethnicity, working from home, and typical receipt of the influenza vaccine were associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Further, 276 respondents (58.4%) reported that their provider recommended the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy; these participants were more likely to have received a vaccine (OR = 5.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.68-9.26, p < 0.005). Vaccinated individuals were less likely to be worried about the effects of the vaccine on themselves (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.12-0.27, p < 0.005) or their developing babies (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.11-0.26, p < 0.005). Unvaccinated individuals were less likely to report that it is easy to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.93, p = 0.02), to travel to receive a vaccine (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10-0.36, p < 0.005), and to miss work to receive a vaccine (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.18-0.48, p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Strategies are needed to improve patient education regarding vaccine side effects and safety in pregnancy. Policy changes should focus on making it feasible for patients to schedule a vaccine and miss work without loss of pay to get vaccinated. KEY POINTS: · There were racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination.. · Unvaccinated respondents were more likely to be concerned about vaccine effects for themselves or their growing babies.. · Unvaccinated respondents cited work and scheduling-related barriers to vaccination, indicating areas for advocacy..

Hyponatremia Among Parturients Transferred to the Hospital After Prolonged Labor During an Attempted Home Birth.

BACKGROUND: Hypovolemic hyponatremia has not been widely reported in the obstetric literature. Anecdotally, we noticed severe hyponatremia in several of our patients who presented as home birth transfers, leading to a review of home birth cases and hyponatremia. Given the morbidity associated with hyponatremia, it is important to be aware of its potential occurrence. CASE: We present the cases of two patients transferred to our hospital with hyponatremia after prolonged labor. These women presented with altered mental status, somnolence, and decreased urine output. Both were admitted to the intensive care unit but made a full recovery. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia is a serious potential complication of prolonged labor. We propose mechanisms for this condition and recommendations for surveillance and prevention.

Impact of funded global health electives on career development of residents in a U.S. obstetrics and gynecology program: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to identify factors influencing participation in global health electives during residency and to understand the career impact of global health electives on alumni of an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) residency program. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, web-based survey of alumni of a residency program in the United States. RESULTS: The response rate was 49%. Out of 73 respondents, 29 (39.7%) had completed a global health elective. Availability of funds and flexibility of elective time were the main enabling factors for participating in global health electives. Most participants of global health electives in residency reported a positive impact on their competence in domestic and global women's health and on their career choices. Completing a global health elective in residency was associated with career work in global health and/or local health disparities (OR 4.62 (95% CI: 1.20-17.87)). CONCLUSION: Global health electives are important in the career development of residents. To foster OB/GYNs that continue global health and health disparities work, OB/GYN programs should give trainees the opportunity to participate in funded global health electives.

Striving for Respectful Maternity Care Everywhere.

Purpose The mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities is a growing area of research and public attention. Description In many countries, disrespect and abuse from maternal health providers discourage women from seeking childbirth with a skilled birth attendant, which can lead to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. This commentary highlights examples from three countries-Kenya, Mexico and the United States-and presents different forms of mistreatment during childbirth, which range from physical abuse to non-consented care to discriminatory practices. Assessment Building on the momentum from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Global and Maternal Neonatal Health Conference, the global community has placed respectful maternity care at the forefront of the maternal and neonatal health agenda. Conclusion Research efforts must focus on context-specific patient satisfaction during childbirth to identify areas for quality improvement.

Comparing an Interferon Gamma Release Assay with the Tuberculin Skin Test During Pregnancy: Implications for Tuberculosis Screening During Prenatal Care.

UNLABELLED: Background Currently there are no guidelines regarding optimal screening for latent tuberculosis infection during pregnancy. Objective This study measures completion rates and the concordance between the TSPOT.TB, a commercially available interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), and the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST) in a predominantly urban minority obstetrics practice. Design This is an observational cohort study of 141 pregnant women enrolled from an obstetrics practice with a large immigrant population. Women with a history of a positive TST result were excluded. Demographic and clinical risk factors for tuberculosis were assessed. Enrolled women underwent a T-SPOT.TB test and placement of TST, and returned in 48-72 h for TST interpretation. We calculated the completion rate and frequency of a positive result for each test, as well as the concordance between the T-SPOT.TB and TST. Results Among the 141 women enrolled, 75 % were either Latina or African-American, 44 % were born in a country with a high TB prevalence, and 52 % had received the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. Seven women (5 %) had a positive screening test, a total of 3 positive T-SPOT.TB results and 6 positive TST results, and all were from countries with a high TB prevalence. The concordance of the two tests was 96.3 %. The completion rate for the T-SPOT.TB was 98 %, while the completion rate for the TST was 63 %. CONCLUSION: The IGRA test had a markedly higher completion rate in addition to maintaining high concordance with the two-step TST in this population of pregnant women with a high prevalence of prior TB exposure. Targeted screening of women from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis may be warranted during prenatal care.

The use of blood in obstetrics and gynecology in the developing world.

Access to safe blood is critical in comprehensive emergency obstetric care and for reducing maternal mortality. Many countries have inadequate blood supplies, and this disproportionately affects women and children in need of life-saving blood transfusions. Although preventative measures aimed at reducing postpartum hemorrhage by treating underlying anemia and infectious diseases are critical, they are insufficient for obstetric hemorrhage. In the developing world, efforts should focus on alternative means of providing safe blood in cases of hemorrhage, with particular focus on rapid testing, donation of warm whole blood, and autologous blood transfusion.

WITHDRAWN: Uterine malformation: diagnosis and results after hysteroscopic metroplasty.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Malaria and pregnancy: a global health perspective.

Malaria, a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the most devastating infectious diseases, killing more than 1 million people annually. Pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised individuals have the highest morbidity and mortality, and Africa bears the heaviest burden. The World Health Organization defines malaria as a disease of poverty caused by poverty. Pregnant women infected with malaria usually have more severe symptoms and outcomes, with higher rates of miscarriage, intrauterine demise, premature delivery, low-birth-weight neonates, and neonatal death. They are also at a higher risk for severe anemia and maternal death. Malaria can be prevented with appropriate drugs, bed nets treated with insecticide, and effective educational outreach programs.

Intrauterine adhesions as a risk factor for failed first-trimester pregnancy termination.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for failed first-trimester surgical abortion include endometrial distortion caused by leiomyomas, uterine anomalies and malposition and cervical stenosis. This report introduces intrauterine adhesions as an additional risk factor. CASE: A multiparous woman presented for pregnancy termination at 6 weeks' gestation. Three suction-curettage attempts failed to remove what appeared to be an intrauterine pregnancy. Rising beta-hCG levels and concern for an interstitial ectopic pregnancy prompted a diagnostic laparoscopy and exploratory laparotomy without the identification of an ectopic pregnancy. After methotrexate treatment failed, the patient underwent ultrasound-guided hysteroscopy and suction curettage using a cannula with a whistle-cut aperture for the successful removal of a pregnancy implanted behind intrauterine adhesions. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine adhesions are a cause of failed surgical abortion. Ultrasound-guided hysteroscopy may be required for diagnosis.

The role of gene-environment interaction in predicting adverse pregnancy outcome.

This article focuses on the influence of gene-environment interaction on pregnancy outcome. In particular, we focus on those adverse outcomes related to subclinical infection and the resultant inflammation of gestational tissues. We identify genetic association studies on pregnancy-related disorders with an infectious/inflammatory etiology. All studies in this field have focused on spontaneous preterm delivery and/or preterm and premature rupture of membranes. We discuss those articles where an environmental (infectious) exposure was studied in relation to genetic variability. In these studies, infectious exposure was defined as altered vaginal flora or bacterial vaginosis (BV). Maternal genomic variations influence both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta response to BV-related organisms (anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria and Gardnerella vaginalis in particular) in the vagina and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Further studies are warranted to confirm these associations, stratify disease risk, and delineate interventions for achieving population health benefits.