Cost-effectiveness analysis of induction of labour at 41 weeks and expectant management until 42 weeks in low risk women (INDEX trial).

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of elective induction of labour (IOL) at 41 weeks and expectant management (EM) until 42 weeks. Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis from a healthcare perspective alongside a randomised controlled trial (INDEX). Setting: 123 primary care midwifery practices and 45 obstetric departments of hospitals in the Netherlands. Population: We studied 1801 low-risk women with late-term pregnancy, randomised to IOL at 41 weeks (N = 900) or EM until 42 weeks (N = 901). Methods: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed as the ratio of the difference in costs and the difference in main perinatal outcomes. A Cost-Effectiveness Acceptability Curve (CEAC) was constructed to assess whether induction is cost-effective for a range of monetary values as thresholds. We performed subgroup analysis for parity. Main outcome measures: Direct medical costs, composite adverse perinatal outcome (CAPO) (perinatal mortality, NICU admission, Apgar 5 min < 7, plexus brachialis injury and/or meconium aspiration syndrome) and composite severe adverse perinatal outcome (SAPO) (including Apgar 5 min < 4 instead of < 7). Results: The average costs were €3858 in the induction group and €3723 in the expectant group (mean difference €135; 95 % CI -235 to 493). The ICERs of IOL compared to EM to prevent one additional CAPO and SAPO was €9436 and €14,994, respectively. The CEAC showed a 80 % chance of IOL being cost-effective with a willingness-to-pay of €22,000 for prevention of one CAPO and €50,000 for one SAPO. Subgroup analysis showed a willingness-to-pay to prevent one CAPO for nulliparous of €47,000 and for multiparous €190,000. To prevent one SAPO the willingness-to-pay is €62,000 for nulliparous and €970,000 for multiparous women. Conclusions: Induction at 41 weeks has an 80 % chance of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay of €22,000 for prevention of one CAPO and €50,000 for prevention of one SAPO. Subgroup analysis suggests that induction could be cost-effective for nulliparous women while it is unlikely cost-effective for multiparous women.Cost-effectiveness in other settings will depend on baseline characteristics of the population and health system organisation and funding.

Elective induction of labour and expectant management in late-term pregnancy: A prospective cohort study alongside the INDEX randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess adverse perinatal outcomes and caesarean section of low-risk women receiving elective induction of labour at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks according to their preferred and actual management strategy. Design: Multicentre prospective cohort study alongside RCT. Setting: 90 midwifery practices and 12 hospitals in the Netherlands. Population: 3642 low-risk women with uncomplicated singleton late-term pregnancy. Main outcome measures: Composite adverse outcome (perinatal death, Apgar score 5' < 7, NICU admission, meconium aspiration syndrome), composite severe adverse perinatal outcome (all above with Apgar score 5' < 4 instead of < 7) and caesarean section. Results: From 2012-2016, 3642 women out of 6088 eligible women for the INDEX RCT, participated in the cohort study for observational data collection (induction of labour n = 372; expectant management n = 2174; unknown preference/management strategy n = 1096).Adverse perinatal outcome occurred in 1.1 % (4/372) in the induction group versus 1.9 % (42/2174) in the expectant group (adjRR 0.56; 95 %CI: 0.17-1.79), with severe adverse perinatal outcome occurring in 0.3 % (1/372) versus 1.0 % (22/2174), respectively (adjRR 0.39; 95 % CI: 0.05-2.88). There were no stillbirths among all 3642 women; one neonatal death occurred in the unknown preference/management group. Caesarean section rates were 10.5 % (39/372) after induction and 8.9 % (193/2174) after expectant management (adjRR 1.32; 95 % CI: 0.95-1.84).A higher incidence of adverse perinatal outcome was observed in nulliparous compared to multiparous women. Nulliparous 1.8 % (3/170) in the induction group versus 2.6 % (30/1134) in the expectant management group (adjRR 0.58; 95 % CI 0.14-2.41), multiparous 0.5 % (1/201) versus 1.1 % (11/1039) (adjRR 0.54; 95 % CI 0.07-24.19). One maternal death due to amniotic fluid embolism occurred after elective induction at 41 weeks + 6 days. Conclusion: In this cohort study among low-risk women receiving the policy of their preference in late-term pregnancy, a non-significant difference was found between induction of labour at 41 weeks and expectant management until 42 weeks in absolute risks of composite adverse (1.1 % versus 1.9 %) and severe adverse (0.3 % versus 1.0 %) perinatal outcome. The risks in this cohort study were lower than in the trial setting. There were no stillbirths among all 3642 women. Caesarean section rates were comparable.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks: A systematic review and an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: The risk of perinatal death and severe neonatal morbidity increases gradually after 41 weeks of pregnancy. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed if induction of labour (IOL) in uncomplicated pregnancies at 41 weeks will improve perinatal outcomes. We performed an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) on this subject. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (Embase), The Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO on February 21, 2020 for RCTs comparing IOL at 41 weeks with expectant management until 42 weeks in women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Individual participant data (IPD) were sought from eligible RCTs. Primary outcome was a composite of severe adverse perinatal outcomes: mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. Additional outcomes included neonatal admission, mode of delivery, perineal lacerations, and postpartum haemorrhage. Prespecified subgroup analyses were conducted for parity (nulliparous/multiparous), maternal age (<35/≥35 years), and body mass index (BMI) (<30/≥30). Aggregate data meta-analysis (MA) was performed to include data from RCTs for which IPD was not available. From 89 full-text articles, we identified three eligible RCTs (n = 5,161), and two contributed with IPD (n = 4,561). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups regarding age, parity, BMI, and higher level of education. IOL resulted overall in a decrease of severe adverse perinatal outcome (0.4% [10/2,281] versus 1.0% [23/2,280]; relative risk [RR] 0.43 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21 to 0.91], p-value 0.027, risk difference [RD] -57/10,000 [95% CI -106/10,000 to -8/10,000], I2 0%). The number needed to treat (NNT) was 175 (95% CI 94 to 1,267). Perinatal deaths occurred in one (<0.1%) versus eight (0.4%) pregnancies (Peto odds ratio [OR] 0.21 [95% CI 0.06 to 0.78], p-value 0.019, RD -31/10,000, [95% CI -56/10,000 to -5/10,000], I2 0%, NNT 326, [95% CI 177 to 2,014]) and admission to a neonatal care unit ≥4 days occurred in 1.1% (24/2,280) versus 1.9% (46/2,273), (RR 0.52 [95% CI 0.32 to 0.85], p-value 0.009, RD -97/10,000 [95% CI -169/10,000 to -26/10,000], I2 0%, NNT 103 [95% CI 59 to 385]). There was no difference in the rate of cesarean delivery (10.5% versus 10.7%; RR 0.98, [95% CI 0.83 to 1.16], p-value 0.81) nor in other important perinatal, delivery, and maternal outcomes. MA on aggregate data showed similar results. Prespecified subgroup analyses for the primary outcome showed a significant difference in the treatment effect (p = 0.01 for interaction) for parity, but not for maternal age or BMI. The risk of severe adverse perinatal outcome was decreased for nulliparous women in the IOL group (0.3% [4/1,219] versus 1.6% [20/1,264]; RR 0.20 [95% CI 0.07 to 0.60], p-value 0.004, RD -127/10,000, [95% CI -204/10,000 to -50/10,000], I2 0%, NNT 79 [95% CI 49 to 201]) but not for multiparous women (0.6% [6/1,219] versus 0.3% [3/1,264]; RR 1.59 [95% CI 0.15 to 17.30], p-value 0.35, RD 27/10,000, [95% CI -29/10,000 to 84/10,000], I2 55%). A limitation of this IPD-MA was the risk of overestimation of the effect on perinatal mortality due to early stopping of the largest included trial for safety reasons after the advice of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Furthermore, only two RCTs were eligible for the IPD-MA; thus, the possibility to assess severe adverse neonatal outcomes with few events was limited. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that, overall, IOL at 41 weeks improved perinatal outcome compared with expectant management until 42 weeks without increasing the cesarean delivery rate. This benefit is shown only in nulliparous women, whereas for multiparous women, the incidence of mortality and morbidity was too low to demonstrate any effect. The magnitude of risk reduction of perinatal mortality remains uncertain. Women with pregnancies approaching 41 weeks should be informed on the risk differences according to parity so that they are able to make an informed choice for IOL at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks. Study Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020163174.

'She convinced me'- partner involvement in choosing a high risk birth setting against medical advice in the Netherlands: A qualitative analysis.

Home births in high risk pregnancies and unassisted childbirth seem to be increasing in the Netherlands. There is a lack of qualitative data on women's partners' involvement in these choices in the Dutch maternity care system, where integrated midwifery care and home birth are regular options in low risk pregnancies. The majority of available literature focuses on the women's motivations, while the partner's influence on these decisions is much less well understood. We aimed to examine partners' involvement in the decision to birth outside the system, in order to provide medical professionals with insight and recommendations regarding their interactions with these partners in the outpatient clinic. An exploratory qualitative research design with a constructivist approach and a grounded theory method were used. In-depth interviews were performed with twenty-one partners on their involvement in the decision to go against medical advice in choosing a high risk childbirth setting. Open, axial and selective coding of the interview data was done in order to generate themes. Four main themes were found: 1) Talking it through, 2) A shared vision, 3) Defending our views, and 4) Doing it together. One overarching theme emerged that covered all other themes: 'She convinced me'. These data show that the idea to choose a high risk birth setting almost invariably originated with the women, who did most of the research online, filtered the information and convinced the partners of the merit of their plans. Once the partners were convinced, they took a very active and supportive role in defending the plan to the outside world, as well as in preparing for the birth. Maternity care providers can use these findings in cases where there is a discrepancy between the wishes of the woman and the advice of the professional, so they can attempt to involve partners actively during consultations in pregnancy. That will ensure that partners also receive information on all options, risks and benefits of possible birth choices, and that they are truly in support of a final plan.

Risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes of late- and postterm pregnancies in advanced maternal age: A national cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increase in women delivering ≥35 years of age. We analyzed the association between advanced maternal age and pregnancy outcomes in late- and postterm pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A national cohort study was performed on obstetrical low-risk women using data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry from 1999 to 2010. We included women ≥18 years of age with a singleton pregnancy at term. Women with a pregnancy complicated by congenital anomalies, hypertensive disorders or diabetes mellitus were excluded. Composite adverse perinatal outcome was defined as stillbirth, neonatal death, meconium aspiration syndrome, 5-minute Apgar score <7, neonatal intensive care unit admittance and sepsis. Composite adverse maternal outcome was defined as maternal death, placental abruption and postpartum hemorrhage of >1000 mL. RESULTS: We stratified the women into three age groups: 18-34 (n = 1 321 366 [reference]); 35-39 (n = 286 717) and ≥40 (n = 40 909). Composite adverse perinatal outcome occurred in 1.6% in women aged 18-34, 1.7% in women aged 35-39 (relative risk [RR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.03-1.08) and 2.2% in women aged ≥40 (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.29-1.47), with 5-minute Apgar score <7 as the factor contributing most to the outcome. Composite adverse maternal outcome occurred in 4.6% in women aged 18-34, 5.0% in women aged 35-39 (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.10) and 5.2% in women aged ≥40 (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19), with postpartum hemorrhage >1000 mL as the factor contributing most to the outcome. In all age categories, the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes was higher for nulliparous than for multiparous women. The risk of adverse outcomes increased in both nulliparous and parous women with advancing gestational age. When adjusted for parity, onset of labor and gestational age, advanced maternal age is associated with an increase in both composite adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome increases with advancing maternal age. Women aged ≥40 have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and maternal outcome when pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks.

Addressing a need. Holistic midwifery in the Netherlands: A qualitative analysis.

The Netherlands has a maternity care system with integrated midwifery care, including the option of home birth for low risk women. A small group of Dutch (holistic) midwives is willing to assist women in high risk pregnancies during a home birth against medical advice. We examined holistic midwives' motivations and way of practice, in order to provide other maternity care professionals with insight into the way they work and to improve professional relationships between all care providers in the field. An exploratory qualitative research design with a constructivist approach and a grounded theory method were used. We performed in-depth interviews with twenty-four holistic midwives on their motivations for working outside their professional boundaries. Open, axial and selective coding of the interview data was done in order to generate themes. We held a focus group for a member check of the findings. Four main themes were found: 1) The regular system is failing women, 2) The relationship as basis for empowerment, 3) Delivering client centered care in the current system is demanding, and 4) Future directions. One core theme emerged that covered all other themes: Addressing a need. Holistic midwives explained that many of their clients had no other choice than to choose a home birth in a high risk pregnancy because they felt let down by the regular system of maternity care. Holistic midwives appear to deliver an important service. They provide continuity of care and succeed in establishing a relationship with their clients built on trust and mutual respect, truly putting their clients' needs first. Some women feel let down by the regular system, and holistic midwives may be the last resort before those women choose to deliver unattended by any medical professional. Maternity care providers should consider working with holistic midwives in the interest of good patient care.

Management of late-term pregnancy in midwifery- and obstetrician-led care.

Management of late-term pregnancy in midwifery- and obstetrician-led care. BACKGROUND: Since there is no consensus regarding the optimal management in late-term pregnancies (≥41.0 weeks), we explored the variety of management strategies in late-term pregnancy in the Netherlands to identify the magnitude of this variety and the attitude towards late-term pregnancy. METHODS: Two nationwide surveys amongst all midwifery practices (midwifery-led care) and all hospitals with an obstetric unit (obstetrician-led care) were performed with questions on timing, frequency and content of consultations/surveillance in late-term pregnancy and on timing of induction. Propositions about late-term pregnancy were assessed using Likert scale questions. RESULTS: The response rate was 40% (203/511) in midwifery-led care and 92% (80/87) in obstetrician-led care. All obstetric units made regional protocols with their collaborating midwifery practices about management in late-term pregnancy. Most midwifery-led care practices (93%) refer low-risk women at least once for consultation in obstetrician-led care in late-term pregnancy. The content of consultations varies among hospitals. Membrane sweeping is performed more in midwifery-led care compared to obstetrician-led care (90% vs 31%, p < 0.001). Consultation at 41 weeks should be standard care according to 47% of midwifery-led care practices and 83% of obstetrician-led care units (p < 0.001). Induction of labour at 41.0 weeks is offered less often to women in midwifery-led care in comparison to obstetrician-led care (3% vs 21%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial practice variation exists within and between midwifery-and obstetrician-led care in the Netherlands regarding timing, frequency and content of antenatal monitoring in late-term pregnancy and timing of labour induction. An evidence based interdisciplinary guideline will contribute to a higher level of uniformity in the management in late- term pregnancies.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks versus expectant management until 42 weeks (INDEX): multicentre, randomised non-inferiority trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare induction of labour at 41 weeks with expectant management until 42 weeks in low risk women. DESIGN: Open label, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. SETTING: 123 primary care midwifery practices and 45 hospitals (secondary care) in the Netherlands, 2012-16. PARTICIPANTS: 1801 low risk women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy: randomised to induction (n=900) or to expectant management until 42 weeks (n=901). INTERVENTIONS: Induction at 41 weeks or expectant management until 42 weeks with induction if necessary. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was a composite of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity (Apgar score <7 at five minutes, arterial pH <7.05, meconium aspiration syndrome, plexus brachialis injury, intracranial haemorrhage, and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Secondary outcomes included maternal outcomes and mode of delivery. The null hypothesis that expectant management is inferior to induction was tested with a non-inferiority margin of 2%. RESULTS: Median gestational age at delivery was 41 weeks+0 days (interquartile range 41 weeks+0 days-41 weeks+1 day) for the induction group and 41 weeks+2 days (41 weeks+0 days-41 weeks+5 days) for the expectant management group. The primary outcome was analysed for both the intention-to-treat population and the per protocol population. In the induction group, 15/900 (1.7%) women had an adverse perinatal outcome versus 28/901 (3.1%) in the expectant management group (absolute risk difference -1.4%, 95% confidence interval -2.9% to 0.0%, P=0.22 for non-inferiority). 11 (1.2%) infants in the induction group and 23 (2.6%) in the expectant management group had an Apgar score <7 at five minutes (relative risk (RR) 0.48, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.98). No infants in the induction group and three (0.3%) in the expectant management group had an Apgar score <4 at five minutes. One fetal death (0.1%) occurred in the induction group and two (0.2%) in the expectant management group. No neonatal deaths occurred. 3 (0.3%) neonates in the induction group versus 8 (0.9%) in the expectant management group were admitted to an NICU (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.41). No significant difference was found in composite adverse maternal outcomes (induction n=122 (13.6%) v expectant management n=102 (11.3%)) or in caesarean section rate (both groups n=97 (10.8%)). CONCLUSIONS: This study could not show non-inferiority of expectant management compared with induction of labour in women with uncomplicated pregnancies at 41 weeks; instead a significant difference of 1.4% was found for risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in favour of induction, although the chances of a good perinatal outcome were high with both strategies and the incidence of perinatal mortality, Apgar score <4 at five minutes, and NICU admission low. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NTR3431.

Timing induction of labour at 41 or 42 weeks? A closer look at time frames of comparison: A review.

BACKGROUND: Postterm pregnancy is associated with increased perinatal risk. The WHO defines postterm pregnancy as a pregnancy at or beyond 42 weeks + 0 days, though currently labour is induced at 41 weeks in many settings. Guidelines on timing of labour induction are frequently based on the Cochrane systematic review 'Induction of labour for improving birth outcomes for women at or beyond term' in which is concluded that a policy of induction of labour is associated with fewer adverse perinatal outcome and fewer Caesarean sections. However, the included trials differed regarding the timing of induction, ranging from 39 to beyond 42 weeks while the upper limit of expectant management exceeded a gestational age of 42 weeks in most studies. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate perinatal mortality, meconium aspiration syndrome and Caesarean section rate of trials comparing a policy of elective induction of labour and expectant management according to timeframes of comparison with a focus on studies within the 41-42 weeks' timeframe. DESIGN: Review. METHODS: The systematic review of Cochrane was used as a starting point for assessing relevant trials and a search was performed for additional recent trials. We evaluated incidence and causes of perinatal mortality, incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome and Caesarean section according to three time frames of comparison. We pooled estimates and heterogeneity was tested. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantative Studies (EPHPP). FINDINGS: In total 22 trials were included which had all different timeframes of comparison. Only one trial compared induction of labour at 41 weeks + 0-2 days with induction at 42 weeks + 0 days, three other trials compared induction of labour at 41 weeks + 0-6 days with induction at 42 weeks + 0-6 days. In 18 trials the comparison was outside the 41-42 weeks' timeframe: in six trials induction was planned ≤ 40 weeks and in another 12 trials expectant management was beyond 43 weeks. The incidence of potentially gestational age associated perinatal mortality between 41 and 42 weeks was 0/2.444 [0%] (induction) versus 4/2.452 [0.16%] (expectant management), NNT 613; 95%CI 613 - infinite. Two trials in the timeframe of comparison 41-42 weeks were available for evaluation of meconium aspiration syndrome (6/554 (induction) versus 14/554 (expectant management), RR 0.44; 95%CI 0.17-1.16). Three trials in the timeframe 41-42 weeks could be evaluated for Caesarean section, with different inclusion criteria regarding Bishop score. There was no significant difference in the Caesarean section rate 93/629 (induction) versus 106/629 (expectant management), RR 0.88; 95%CI 0.68-1.13. CONCLUSION: Evidence is lacking for the recommendation to induce labour at 41 weeks instead of 42 weeks for the improvement of perinatal outcome. More studies comparing both timeframes with an adequate sample size are needed to establish the optimal timing of induction of labour in late-term pregnancies.

Perinatal death beyond 41 weeks pregnancy: an evaluation of causes and substandard care factors as identified in perinatal audit in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Late- and postterm pregnancy are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, like perinatal death. We evaluated causes of death and substandard care factors (SSFs) in term and postterm perinatal death. METHODS: We used data from the Perinatal Audit Registry of the Netherlands (PARS). Women with a term perinatal death registered in PARS were stratified by gestational age into early-/full-term (37.0-40.6) and late-/postterm (≥41.0 weeks) death. Cause of death and SSFs ≥41 weeks were scored and classified by the local perinatal audit teams. RESULTS: During 2010-2012, 947/479,097 (0.21%) term deaths occurred, from which 707 cases (75%) were registered and could be used for analyses. Five hundred ninety-eight early-/full-term and 109 late-/postterm audited deaths were registered in the PARS database. Of all audited cases of perinatal death in the PARS database, 55.2% in the early-/fullterm group occurred antepartum compared to 42.2% in the late-/postterm group, while intrapartum death occurred in 7.2% in the early-/full-term group compared to 19.3% in the late-/postterm group in the audited cases from the PARS database. According to the local perinatal audit, the most relevant causes of perinatal death ≥41 weeks were antepartum asphyxia (7.3%), intrapartum asphyxia (9.2%), neonatal asphyxia (10.1%) and placental insufficiency (10.1%). In the group with perinatal death ≥41 weeks there was ≥1SSF identified in 68.8%. The most frequent SSFs concerned inadequate cardiotocography (CTG) evaluation and/or classification (10.1%), incomplete registration or documentation in medical files (4.6%) or inadequate action on decreased foetal movements (4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands Perinatal Audit Registry, stillbirth occurred relatively less often antepartum and more often intrapartum in pregnancies ≥41 weeks compared to pregnancies at 37.0-40.6 weeks in the audited cases from the PARS database. Foetal, intrapartum and neonatal asphyxia were identified more frequently as cause of death in pregnancies ≥41 weeks. The most identified SSFs related to death in pregnancies ≥41 weeks concerned inadequate CTG monitoring (evaluation, classification, registration or documentation) and inadequate action on decreased foetal movements.

When the Hospital Is No Longer an Option: A Multiple Case Study of Defining Moments for Women Choosing Home Birth in High-Risk Pregnancies in The Netherlands.

Some women in a high-risk pregnancy go against medical advice and choose to birth at home with a "holistic" midwife. In this exploratory multiple case study, grounded theory and triangulation were employed to examine 10 cases. The women, their partners, and (regular and holistic) health care professionals were interviewed in an attempt to determine whether there was a pattern to their experiences. Two propositions emerged. The dominant one was a trajectory of trauma, self-education, concern about paternalism, and conflict leading to a negative choice for holistic care. The rival proposition was a path of trust and positive choice for holistic care without conflict. We discuss these two propositions and make suggestions for professionals for building a trusting relationship using continuity of care, true shared decision making, and an alternative risk discourse to achieve the goal of making women perceive the hospital as safe again.

Less or more? Maternal requests that go against medical advice.

PROBLEM AND BACKGROUND: This study explores the experiences of Dutch midwives and gynaecologists with pregnant women who request more, less or no care during pregnancy and/or childbirth. METHODS: All Dutch midwives and (trainee) gynaecologists were invited to fill out a questionnaire specifically designed for the purposes of this study. Holistic midwives were analysed separately from regular community midwives. FINDINGS: Most maternity care providers in the Netherlands receive requests for less care than recommended at least once a year. The most frequently maternal requests were declining testing for gestational diabetes (66.3%), opting for a home birth in case of a high risk pregnancy (65.3%), and declining foetal monitoring during labour (39.6%). Holistic midwives are more convinced of an increasing demand for less care than community midwives (73.1% vs. 35.2%, p=<0.001). More community midwives than hospital staff reported to have declined one or more request for less care than recommended (48.6% vs. 27.9%, p=<0.001). The majority of hospital staff also receive at least one request for an elective caesarean section every year. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Requests for more and less care than indicated during pregnancy and childbirth are equally prevalent in this study. However, a request for less care is more likely to be declined than a request for more care. Counselling women who disagree with their care provider demands time. In case of requests for less care, second best care should be considered.

Women's motivations for choosing a high risk birth setting against medical advice in the Netherlands: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Home births in high risk pregnancies and unassisted childbirth seem to be increasing in the Netherlands. Until now there were no qualitative data on women's motivations for these choices in the Dutch maternity care system where integrated midwifery care and home birth are regular options in low risk pregnancies. We aimed to examine women's motivations for birthing outside the system in order to provide medical professionals with insight and recommendations regarding their interactions with women who have birth wishes that go against medical advice. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative research design with a constructivist approach and a grounded theory method were used. In-depth interviews were performed with 28 women on their motivations for going against medical advice in choosing a high risk childbirth setting. Open, axial and selective coding of the interview data was done in order to generate themes. A focus group was held for a member check of the findings. RESULTS: Four main themes were found: 1) Discrepancy in the definition of superior knowledge, 2) Need for autonomy and trust in the birth process, 3) Conflict during negotiation of the birth plan, and 4) Search for different care. One overarching theme emerged that covered all other themes: Fear. This theme refers both to the participants' fear (of interventions and negative consequences of their choices) and to the providers' fear (of a bad outcome). Where for some women it was a positive choice, for the majority of women in this study the choice for a home birth in a high risk pregnancy or an unassisted childbirth was a negative one. Negative choices were due to previous or current negative experiences with maternity care and/or conflict surrounding the birth plan. CONCLUSIONS: The main goal of working with women whose birthing choices do not align with medical advice should not be to coerce them into the framework of protocols and guidelines but to prevent negative choices. Recommendations for maternity caregivers can be summarized as: 1) Rethink risk discourse, 2) Respect a woman's trust in the birth process and her autonomous choice, 3) Have a flexible approach to negotiating the birth plan using the model of shared decision making, 4) Be aware of alternative delivery care providers and other sources of information used by women, and 5) Provide maternity care without spreading or using fear.

Repeated cervical length measurements for the verification of short cervical length.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the verification of short cervical length with a repeated measurement improved the identification of patients with short cervical length at increased risk of preterm delivery. METHODS: The present secondary analysis analyzed prospective cohort study data from patients with singleton pregnancies without a history of preterm delivery who presented for obstetric care in the Netherlands and delivered between November 18, 2009, and January 1, 2013. Cervical length was measured during standard anomaly scan and a second measurement was performed if the cervical length was 30 mm of shorter. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to evaluate associations between cervical length measurements and spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: Cervical length measurements from 12 358 patients were included; 221 (1.8%) had an initial cervical length measurement of 30 mm or shorter. A second cervical length measurement was performed for 167 (75.6%) patients; no differences were identified in the odds of spontaneous preterm delivery when evaluated using the first, second, or a mean of both measurements, regardless of whether cervical length was analyzed as a continuous or dichotomous variable. CONCLUSION: Among patients with singleton pregnancies, verification of short cervical length did not improve the identification of short cervical length.

Women׳s motivations for having unassisted childbirth or high-risk homebirth: An exploration of the literature on 'birthing outside the system'.

OBJECTIVE: to identify and analyze literature exploring women׳s motivations to 'birth outside the system'. DESIGN: scoping review and thematic analysis of (mostly) qualitative studies. FINDINGS: fifteen studies of women choosing an unassisted birth, homebirth in countries where homebirth was not integrated into the maternity care system, or a midwife-attended high-risk homebirth were identified from Sweden, USA, Australia, Canada and Finland. Five main themes emerged as the most important factors: (1) resisting the biomedical model of birth by trusting intuition, (2) challenging the dominant discourse on risk by considering the hospital as a dangerous place, (3) feeling that true autonomous choice is only possible at home, (4) perceiving birth as an intimate or religious experience, and (5) taking responsibility as a reflection of true control over decision-making. KEY CONCLUSIONS: concerns over consent, intervention and loss of the birthing experience may be driving women away from formal healthcare. There is a lack of fit between the health needs of pregnant women and the current system of maternity care. Biomedical and alternative ׳outside the system׳ discourses on authoritative knowledge, risk, autonomy and responsibility must be negotiated to find a common ground wherein a dialogue can take place between client and health professional. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: more research is needed to explore the scope of the phenomenon of women birthing outside the system and the experiences of midwives and obstetricians in the care of such women. This knowledge can be used to improve the maternity care system, so that fewer women will choose to withdraw from it.

Is first trimester vitamin D status in nulliparous women associated with pregnancy related hypertensive disorders?

OBJECTIVES: this study aimed to explore if maternal vitamin D status in early pregnancy was associated with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Relationships between vitamin D status and blood pressure at the start of pregnancy as well as the occurrence of a mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure were also explored. This secondary analysis was completed to investigate a possible mechanism for the association between vitamin D status and pregnancy related hypertensive disorders. DESIGN AND SETTING: data were obtained from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study, a prospective community-based cohort study based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: a total of 2074 nulliparous women without pre-existing hypertension and with a known vitamin D status before 17 weeks gestation were included in the study. Vitamin D status was categorized into four groups: "normal" (≥50nmol/L), "insufficient" (30-49.9nmol/L) "deficient" (20-29.9nmol/L) or "severely deficient" (<20nmol/L). MEASUREMENTS: logistic regression analysis was used to investigate if vitamin D status was related to the odds of experiencing pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Models were corrected for maternal age, ethnicity, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking and socioeconomic status. χ(2) and ANOVA tests were used to investigate relationships between vitamin D status and the blood pressure parameters. FINDINGS: when compared to women with a normal vitamin D status, women who were severely deficient had an increased risk for pre-eclampsia (OR 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05-4.13), but the association was rendered non-significant after correction (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.79-4.48). There were no associations between vitamin D status and pregnancy-induced hypertension, starting blood pressure or the occurrence of a mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure. KEY CONCLUSIONS: no strong evidence was found for an association between first trimester vitamin D status and pregnancy related hypertensive disorders in nulliparous women. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: at this time, vitamin D supplementation is not warranted for the specific purpose of preventing pregnancy related hypertensive disorders.

Calculating Preference Weights for the Labor and Delivery Index: A Discrete Choice Experiment on Women's Birth Experiences.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to calculate preference weights for the Labor and Delivery Index (LADY-X) to make it suitable as a utility measure for perinatal care studies. METHODS: In an online discrete choice experiment, 18 pairs of hypothetical scenarios were presented to respondents, from which they had to choose a preferred option. The scenarios describe the birth experience in terms of the seven LADY-X attributes. A D-efficient discrete choice experiment design with priors based on a small sample (N = 110) was applied. Two samples were gathered, women who had recently given birth and subjects from the general population. Both samples were analyzed separately using a panel mixed logit (MMNL) model. Using the panel mixed multinomial logit (MMNL) model results and accounting for preference heterogeneity, we calculated the average preference weights for LADY-X attribute levels. These were transformed to represent a utility score between 0 and 1, with 0 representing the worst and 1 representing the best birth experience. RESULTS: In total, 1097 women who had recently given birth and 367 subjects from the general population participated. Greater value was placed on differences between bottom and middle attribute levels than on differences between middle and top levels. The attributes that resulted in larger utility increases than the other attributes were "feeling of safety" in the sample of women who had recently given birth and "feeling of safety" and "availability of professionals" in the general population sample. CONCLUSIONS: By using the derived preference weights, LADY-X has the potential to be used as a utility measure for perinatal (cost-) effectiveness studies.

Recurrence rate and outcome of postterm pregnancy, a national cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the recurrence rate of postterm delivery (gestational age at or beyond 42+0 weeks or 294 days) and to describe maternal and perinatal outcomes after previous postterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: From the longitudinal linked Netherlands Perinatal Registry database, we selected all singleton primiparous women who delivered between 37+0 and 42+6 weeks with a subsequent singleton pregnancy from 1999 to 2007. We excluded congenital abnormalities. We compared the recurrence rate of postterm delivery and risk of antenatal fetal death in women with and without a postterm delivery in their first pregnancy. We compared perinatal outcome (composite of perinatal mortality, Apgar score <7 and birth injury) and adverse maternal outcome (composite of maternal death, abruptio placentae, PPH>1000ml and blood transfusions) between women with a recurrent and a de novo postterm second pregnancy. RESULTS: Our study population consisted of 233,327 women of whom 17,874 (7.7%) delivered postterm in the first pregnancy. In the second pregnancy, 2678 (15%) women had a recurrent postterm delivery compared to 8698 (4%) women with a de novo postterm delivery (odds ratio (OR) 4.2 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0-4.4). Subgroup analysis in recurrent and de novo postterm delivery showed no differences in composite perinatal and composite maternal outcome (OR 1.0; CI 0.7-1.5, p=0.90 and OR 1.1, CI 0.9-1.4, p=0.16), adjusted for fetal position and mode of delivery). CONCLUSIONS: Women with a postterm delivery in the first pregnancy have a higher risk of recurrent postterm delivery. Our data suggest that there is no difference in the composite adverse perinatal outcome between recurrent and de novo postterm delivery.

The capacity of mid-pregnancy cervical length to predict preterm birth in low-risk women: a national cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the predictive capacity of mid-trimester cervical length (CL) measurement for spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective observational cohort study in nulliparous women and low-risk multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy between 16(+0) and 21(+6) weeks of gestation. We assessed the prognostic capacity of transvaginally measured mid-trimester CL for spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth (<37 weeks) using likelihood ratios (LR) and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis. We calculated numbers needed to screen to prevent one preterm birth assuming different treatment effects. Main outcome measures were preterm birth <32, <34 and <37 weeks. RESULTS: We studied 11,943 women, of whom 666 (5.6%) delivered preterm: 464 (3.9%) spontaneous and 202 (1.7%) iatrogenic. Mean CL was 44.1 mm (SD 7.8 mm). In nulliparous women, the LRs for spontaneous preterm birth varied between 27 (95% CI 7.7-95) for a CL ≤ 20 mm, and 2.0 (95% CI 1.6-2.5) for a CL between 30 and 35 mm. For low-risk multiparous women, these LRs were 37 (95% CI 7.5-182) and 1.5 (95% CI 0.97-2.2), respectively. Using a cut-off for CL ≤ 30 mm, 28 (6.0%) of 464 women with spontaneous preterm birth were identified. The number needed to screen to prevent one case of preterm birth was 618 in nulliparous women and 1417 for low-risk multiparous women (40% treatment effect, cut-off 30 mm). CONCLUSION: In women at low risk of preterm birth, CL predicts spontaneous preterm birth. However, its isolated use as a screening tool has limited value due to low sensitivity.

Maternal and neonatal consequences of treated and untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a prospective cohort study with an embedded randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Existing approaches for the screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy are based on trials that were done more than 30 years ago. In this study, we reassessed the consequences of treated and untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. METHODS: In this multicentre prospective cohort study with an embedded randomised controlled trial, we screened women (aged ≥18 years) at eight hospitals and five ultrasound centres in the Netherlands with a singleton pregnancy between 16 and 22 weeks' gestation for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Screening was done with a single dipslide and two culture media. Dipslides were judged positive when the colony concentration was at least 1×10(5) colony-forming units (CFU) per mL of a single microorganism or when two different colony types were present but one had a concentration of at least 1×10(5) CFU per mL. Asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women were eligible to participate in the randomised controlled trial comparing nitrofurantoin with placebo treatment. In this trial, participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either nitrofurantoin 100 mg or identical placebo tablets, and were instructed to self-administer these tablets twice daily for 5 consecutive days. Randomisation was done by a web-based application with a computer-generated list with random block sizes of two, four, or six participants rendered by an independent data manager. 1 week after the end of treatment, they provided us with a follow-up dipslide. Women, treating physicians, and researchers all remained unaware of the bacteriuria status and treatment allocation. Women who refused to participate in the randomised controlled trial did not receive any antibiotics, but their outcomes were collected for analysis in the cohort study. We compared untreated and placebo-treated asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women with asymptomatic bacteriuria-negative women and nitrofurantoin-treated asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women. The primary endpoint was a composite of pyelonephritis with or without preterm birth at less than 34 weeks, analysed by intention to treat at 6 weeks post-partum. This trial is registered with the Dutch Trial Registry, number NTR3068. FINDINGS: Between Oct 11, 2011, and June 10, 2013, we enrolled 5621 women into our screening cohort, of whom 5132 were eligible for screening. After exclusions for contaminated dipslides and patients lost to follow-up, in our final cohort of 4283 women, 248 were asymptomatic bacteriuria positive, of whom 40 were randomly assigned to nitrofurantoin and 45 to placebo for the randomised controlled trial, whereas the other 163 asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women were followed without treatment. The proportion of women with pyelonephritis, preterm birth, or both did not differ between untreated or placebo-treated asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women and asymptomatic bacteriuria-negative women (6 [2·9%] of 208 vs 77 [1·9%] of 4035; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·5, 95% CI 0·6-3·5) nor between asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women treated with nitrofurantoin versus those who were untreated or received placebo (1 [2·5%] of 40 vs 6 [2·9%] of 208; risk difference -0·4, 95% CI -3·6 to 9·4). Untreated or placebo-treated asymptomatic bacteriuria-positive women developed pyelonephritis in five [2·4%] of 208 cases, compared with 24 [0·6%] of 4035 asymptomatic bacteriuria-negative women (adjusted OR 3·9, 95% CI 1·4-11·4). INTERPRETATION: In women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, asymptomatic bacteriuria is not associated with preterm birth. Asymptomatic bacteriuria showed a significant association with pyelonephritis, but the absolute risk of pyelonephritis in untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria is low. These findings question a routine screen-treat-policy for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. FUNDING: ZonMw (the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development).