Parto y puerperio durante la pandemia por COVID-19: experiencia de las pacientes y frecuencia de prematuridad / Childbirth and puerperium during the COVID-19 pandemic: patient experience and frequency of prematurity

Objetivo: Evaluar la percepción de las madres que tuvieron su parto durante la pandemia COVID en relación a la obligación de no recibir visitas en su puerperio, y cuantificar la frecuencia de prematuridad que otros centros del mundo mostraron que se redujo durante la pandemia. Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo con encuestas realizadas entre el 1 de septiembre y el 31 diciembre 2020, y análisis de estadísticas locales de la Unidad de Maternidad y Neonatología. Resultados: Sobre el 90% de las madres que contestaron la encuesta afirmó haber descansado mejor y preferir un retorno a las visitas con horarios reducidos. La frecuencia de prematuridad se redujo significativamente en nuestra institución (8,08% entre 2014 y 2019 vs. 1,6% en 2020). Conclusiones: La mayoría de las puérperas prefiere un horario reducido para visitas en el posparto. Este hallazgo y la caída en la frecuencia de prematuridad obligan a reflexionar sobre nuestro cuidado prenatal actual.

Objective: To evaluate the perception of mothers who gave birth during the COVID pandemic in relation to the obligation not to receive visits during the puerperium, and to quantify the frequency of prematurity that other centers in the world showed decreased during the pandemic. Method: Retrospective observational study with surveys conducted between September 1st and December 31, 2020, and analysis of local statistics from the Maternity and Neonatal Unit. Results: Over 90% of the mothers who answered the survey stated that they had rested better and preferred a return to visits with reduced hours. The frequency of prematurity was signficantly reduced in our institution ((8.08% between 2014 and 2019 vs 1.6% in 2020). Conclusions: Most postpartum women prefer a reduced schedule for pospartum visits. This finding and the drop in the frequency of prematurity force us to reflect on our current prenatal care.

Supresión de la visita de tercer trimestre en embarazo de bajo riesgo en la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 / Third trimester suppression in low-risk pregnancy in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Resumen Objetivo: La pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 ha obligado a una reorganización de las visitas presenciales, y por ese motivo se han minimizado hasta el punto de reconsiderar la realización de la visita del tercer trimestre. Nuestro centro suprimió dicha visita obstétrica y obtuvo datos propios para comparar los resultados perinatales logrados con dicho manejo. Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo, en marzo de 2020, con una cohorte con visita presencial única en la semana 40 de gestación (122 gestantes) frente a una cohorte con seguimiento convencional con visita presencial en la semana 36 de gestación (162 gestantes). Se evaluaron la restricción del crecimiento fetal, la edad gestacional al nacimiento, el peso neonatal y las tasas de inducciones, partos eutócicos y cesáreas urgentes en trabajo de parto. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias leves en la tasa de nuliparidad (p < 0,04), sin hallarlas en el resto de las variables maternas. No hubo diferencias entre las dos cohortes en los resultados neonatales. Conclusiones: No hay diferencias entre los resultados materno-fetales obtenidos en gestantes con seguimiento gestacional con restricción de la visita del tercer trimestre respecto del seguimiento tradicional, excepto en el diagnóstico de las alteraciones de la estática fetal al término de la gestación.

Abstract Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced a reorganization of face-to-face visits, for this reason they have been minimized to the point of reconsidering the completion of the third trimester visit. Our center eliminated the performance of this obstetric visit and obtained its own data to compare the perinatal results obtained with such management. Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in March 2020, with a cohort with a single face-to-face visit at 40th week of gestation (122 pregnant women), versus a cohort with conventional follow-up with face-to-face visit at 36th week of gestation (162 pregnant women). The following were evaluated fetal growth restriction, gestational age at birth, neonatal weight, rate of inductions, of eutocic deliveries, and of urgent cesarean sections in labor. Results: Slight differences were found in the nulliparity rate (p < 0.04), without finding them in the rest of the maternal variables. There were no differences between the two cohorts in neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: There were no differences between the maternal-fetal results obtained in pregnant women with gestational follow-up with restriction of the third trimester visit compared to traditional follow-up, except in the diagnosis of alterations in fetal statics at the end of pregnancy.

Cervical ripening for a singleton fetus in breech prensentation at term: Comparison between mechanical and pharmaceutical methods.

Although various international professional societies currently recommend trial of vaginal delivery of term fetuses in breech presentation, the question of the method of cervical ripening, when necessary, remains open. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two methods of cervical ripening for delivery of a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term: a mechanical method (balloon catheter) and a pharmaceutical method (prostaglandins). STUDY DESIGN: This two-center retrospective study reviewed records from 2014 through 2019 in two French maternity units with two different cervical ripening methods for fetuses in breech presentation. The study included all women with cervical ripening for a medical indication with a live singleton fetus in breech presentation ≥ 37 weeks, with an unfavorable cervix. The group treated with a mechanical method was compared with the group receiving a pharmaceutical method. The cesarean delivery rate was the principal outcome, and maternal and neonatal morbidity the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: We included 74 women, 19 with mechanical cervical ripening, and 55 with pharmaceutical treatment. The cesarean rate was 57.9% in the balloon catheter group and 40% in the prostaglandin group (P = 0.097) (crude OR =2.06, 95% CI [0.72 - 5.94]; adjusted OR = 2.88, 95% confidence interval [0.52-15.96]), and the postpartum hemorrhage rates 21.1% and 1.8% respectively (P = 0.008). Neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Although the cesarean rate and neonatal morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between these two methods of cervical ripening, our study lacked power.

Management of external cephalic version in France: A national practice survey.

INTRODUCTION: The breech presentation represents 4,7% of deliveries at term. There is a method of external cephalic version (ECV) performed from 36 weeks of gestation. French guidelines for the clinical practice of ECV were published in 2020. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the national practices of ECV in French maternity units, especially on the use of tocolysis, 1 year after publication of the French clinical recommendations guidelines by the French national college of obstetricians and gynecologists (CNGOF). METHODS: Data self-reported for this national descriptive study were collected from March to May 2021 by an online questionnaire distributed to all French maternities. The 25 items of the questionnaire collected information of maternity units, the general practice of ECV, use or not of tocolysis for ECV attempt and the relevance of a prospective study. RESULTS: Of the 517 French maternity units, 150 (29%) responded to the online survey.  95,3% systematically performed ECV. A Kleihauer test was routinely performed in 71 units (49.7%). A tocolysis was associated with ECV attempt in 52.4% of cases. The drugs used were intravenous atosiban (30,7%), mainly in levels 2b and 3 maternity units, intravenous salbutamol (24%), other mode of administration of salbutamol (14,7%) and oral nifedipine (22,6%) mainly in levels 1 and 2a maternity units. Adverse effects were described in 20%, mainly with the use of salbutamol (73,3%). CONCLUSIONS: 52.4% of the French maternity units surveyed used tocolysis for the ECV attempt, although it is systematically recommended. The choice of tocolytic drug differed according to the maternity units.

Categorización de las urgencias gineco-obstétricas en un hospital público de Chile / Categorization of the gyneco-obstetric emergencies in a public hospital in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: La red de atención de urgencia es fundamental en la salud de cualquier país. En Chile, los servicios de urgencia periódicamente están saturados por usuarios con patologías de carácter leve; lo mismo ocurre en las atenciones de urgencias gineco-obstétricas (UGO) en los centros de mediana y alta complejidad. OBJETIVO: Describir la categorización de las consultas de urgencias gineco-obstétricas en un hospital público de Chile, atendidas durante el año 2018. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo y transversal que abarcó 3.077 consultas obtenidas de datos estadísticos anonimizados. RESULTADOS: De las UGO, el 58,3% fueron consultas obstétricas, el 36,9% ginecológicas y 4.8% neonatológicas; el 96% fueron consultantes mujeres; el 80,3% eran adultos y el 11,6% adolescentes; el 92,5% eran usuarios pertenecientes a la comuna de Penco; el mes más consultado fue mayo con 292 atenciones y el 71,5% de las consultas fueron atendidas en horario diurno. Los principales motivos de consulta obstétrica y ginecológica fueron el dolor y el sangramiento genital; en las urgencias neonatológicas, la ictericia fue el principal motivo de consulta. El diagnóstico más frecuente en las consultas obstétricas según clasificación CIE _10 fue la supervisión de embarazo normal, en las ginecológicas fue el dolor abdomino-pélvico y en las consultas neonatológicas, la ictericia; del total de consultas UGO un 91,1% fueron resueltas a nivel local. El 0,1% de las UGO fueron categorizadas como c1 y el 0,3% como c2, siendo la gran mayoría, consultas de baja complejidad. CONCLUSIONES: Existe un gran porcentaje de consultas de baja complejidad que sobrecargan el servicio de urgencia, afectando la calidad de la atención del hospital.

INTRODUCTION: the urgent care network is fundamental in the health of any country. In Chile, the emergency services are periodically saturated with users with mild pathologies; the same occurs in gynecological-obstetric emergency care (UGO) in more complex centers. OBJECTIVE: to describe the categorization of gynecological-obstetric emergency consultations in a public hospital in Chile, attended in 2018. METHODOLOGY: descriptive and cross-sectional study; covered 3,077 queries of anonymized statistical data. RESULTS: of the UGO, 58.3% were obstetric consultations, 36.9% gynecological and 4.8% neonatological; 96% were women; 80.3% were adults and 11.6% adolescents; 92.5% were from Penco; the month most consulted was may with 292 visits and 71.5% of the consultations were during daytime hours. The main reasons for obstetric and gynecological consultation were pain and genital bleeding; in neonatal emergencies, jaundice was the main reason for consultation. The most repeated diagnosis in obstetric consultations was the supervision of normal pregnancy; in gynecological cases, it was abdominal-pelvic pain and in neonatological consultations, jaundice; there was 91.1% local resolution. 0.1% of the UGO were categorized as c1 and 0.3% as c2, the vast majority being low complexity queries. CONCLUSIONS: there is a large percentage of low complexity consultations that overload the emergency service, affecting the quality of hospital care.

The Laborist trend: its implications.

PURPOSE: To offer obstetrical practitioners a current perspective about an important contemporary practice model which has implications that may not have been adequately recognized. METHODS: A description of individual past professional experience. RESULTS: A resultant perspective from decades of professional obstetric practice. CONCLUSION: A description of potential clinical impact on patients and practitioners alike.

Understanding staff views and experiences of a clinical practice change to reduce stillbirth in South Asian women: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: In July 2017, Victoria's largest maternity service implemented a new clinical practice guideline to reduce the rates of term stillbirth in women of South Asian background. AIM: To capture the views and experiences of clinical staff following the implementation of the new clinical guideline. METHODS: Cross sectional survey of clinical staff providing maternity care in August 2018, 12 months post implementation. Staff were asked to provide their agreement with ten statements assessing: perceived need for the guideline, implementation processes, guideline clarity, and clinical application. Open-ended questions provided opportunities to express concerns and offer suggestions for improvement. The frequency of responses to each question were tabulated. Open ended responses were grouped together to identify themes. FINDINGS: A total of 120 staff completed the survey, most (n=89, 74%) of whom were midwives. Most staff thought the rationale (n=95, 79%), the criteria for whom they applied (83%, n=99), and the procedures and instructions within the guideline were clear (74%, n=89). Staff reported an increase in workload (72%, n=86) and expressed concerns related to rationale and evaluation of the guidelines, lack of education for both staff and pregnant South Asian women, increased workload and insufficient resources, patient safety and access to care. Challenges relating to shared decision making and communicating with women whose first language is not English were also identified. DISCUSSION: This study has identified key barriers to and opportunities for improving implementation and highlighted additional challenges relating to new clinical guidelines which focus on culturally and linguistically diverse women.

Barreras en mujeres indígenas para acceder a servicios obstétricos en el marco de redes integradas de servicios de salud / Barriers for indigenous women to access obstetric services within the framework of integrated health services networks

OBJETIVO: Analizar las barreras que enfrentan las mujeres indígenas para acceder a la red de servicios obstétricos en el marco de Redes Integradas de Servicios de Salud. MÉTODO: Se diseñó un estudio transversal descriptivo que integró métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos. La muestra fue intencionada, no probabilística. La recolección de datos se hizo en Oaxaca, México, durante 2017 y 2018. Se encuestó a 149 mujeres indígenas usuarias de servicios obstétricos para caracterizarlas sociodemográficamente y se seleccionaron 30 que tuvieron complicaciones durante el proceso de embarazo y parto para realizarles una entrevista semiestructurada. Se realizó observación no participante. RESULTADOS: La red de servicios obstétricos agrupa la atención de cuatro instituciones con diferentes modelos de atención, y por ello diversos tipos de establecimientos y recursos humanos para atender a las mujeres indígenas. Casi el 20% de las mujeres no iniciaron control prenatal en el primer trimestre del embarazo y el 27,2% tuvieron complicaciones durante el periodo gestacional. Las principales barreras fueron de disponibilidad (horarios de atención, aspectos geográficos), accesibilidad (carencia de recursos financieros), aceptabilidad (prácticas ancestrales vs. recomendaciones médicas) y continuidad del servicio (dificultades para ingresar al segundo nivel de atención y a especialidades médicas). CONCLUSIONES: El modelo de atención en redes posibilita el acceso a los servicios obstétricos, pero no garantiza la atención. Para ello, es necesario mejorar tanto la infraestructura de las instituciones prestadoras de servicios obstétricos como los procesos de atención. Hay que ampliar la visión del modelo considerando la perspectiva de derechos humanos y de equidad en salud

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the barriers that indigenous women face in access to the network of obstetric services in the context of the implementation of integrated healthcare networks (IHN). METHOD: We designed a cross-sectional descriptive study including quantitative and qualitative methods. Sampling was intentional, no probabilistic. Data collection was carried out in Oaxaca, Mexico, during 2017-2018. A total of 149 indigenous women who used obstetrical services were surveyed and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained. Later were selected 30 cases that had complications during pregnancy and childbirth for a semi-structured interview. Non-participant observation was conducted. RESULTS: The network of obstetric services comprises four institutions with different models of care and therefore different types of facilities and human resources to assist indigenous women. Nearly 20% of women did not start prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy and 27.2% had complications during the gestational period. The main barriers were availability (hours of operation, geographical aspects), accessibility (lack of financial resources), acceptability (ancestral practices vs. medical recommendations), and continuity of service (difficulties for admit patients in hospitals referred from first line of care). CONCLUSIONS: The networks model allows access to obstetric services but does not guarantee care. For this it is necessary to improve both: the infrastructure of the obstetric service providers, and the care processes. It is necessary to broaden the vision of the IHN management model considering the perspective of human rights and equity in health

A concept analysis of obstetric violence in the United States of America.

The aim is to clarify the concept of "obstetric violence in the United States of America." Obstetric violence (OV) is a poorly defined and rarely applied concept in the United States that causes significant harm and requires recognition. The design is a concept analysis to examine the structure and function of OV in the United States. An English language literature review with no date restrictions was performed using CINAHL, PubMed, and Google search. The search was expanded to the related terms "birth rape" and "birth trauma." The concept analysis was conducted using the method outlined by Walker and Avant. The synthesized definition proposed is: Obstetric violence is abuse or mistreatment by a health care provider of a female who is engaged in fertility treatment, preconception care, pregnant, birthing, or postpartum; or the performance of any invasive or surgical procedure during the full span of the childbearing continuum without informed consent, that is coerced, or in violation of refusal. It is a sex-specific form of violence against women (VAW) that is a violation of human rights. A clear definition and understanding of OV in the United States will allow for its recognition. A conceptual basis for naming it can lead to better knowing its prevalence, further studies, and operationalizing the term to create pathways for accountability and restitution. Nurses are in a unique position to minimize OV risk and to promote individual and unit-based responses for zero-tolerance.

Practice observed in managing gynaecological problems in post-menopausal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The way in which gynaecology services are provided in the UK has drastically changed within a short space of time due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Gynaecologists are not considered front-line staff in the treatment of the novel coronavirus unlike our intensive care or accident and emergency colleagues. However, the impact this is having on those with chronic problems is significant, and the morbidity associated with missed malignancies could be problematic. This article summarises the strategies developed at King's College Hospital to remodel services to best provide optimum treatment to patients in this new era.

Obstetrical Unit Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: OUR Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the response of labor and delivery (L&D) units in the United States to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and determine how institutional characteristics and regional disease prevalence affect viral testing and personal protective equipment (PPE). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically through the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine e-mail database (n = 584 distinct practices) and social media between April 14 and 23, 2020. Participants were recruited through "snowballing." A single representative was asked to respond on behalf of each L&D unit. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Multivariable regression was performed to explore characteristics associated with universal testing and PPE usage. RESULTS: A total of 301 surveys (estimated 51.5% response rate) was analyzed representing 48 states and two territories. Obstetrical units included academic (31%), community teaching (45%) and nonteaching hospitals (24%). Sixteen percent of respondents were from states with high prevalence, defined as higher "deaths per million" rates compared with the national average. Universal laboratory testing for admissions was reported for 40% (119/297) of units. After adjusting for covariates, universal testing was more common in academic institutions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.42) and high prevalence states (aOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.37-5.28). When delivering asymptomatic patients, full PPE (including N95 mask) was recommended for vaginal deliveries in 33% and for cesarean delivery in 38% of responding institutions. N95 mask use during asymptomatic vaginal deliveries remained more likely in high prevalence states (aOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.29-5.09) and less likely in hospitals with universal testing (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.24-0.73). CONCLUSION: Universal laboratory testing for COVID-19 is more common at academic institutions and in states with high disease prevalence. Centers with universal testing were less likely to recommend N95 masks for asymptomatic vaginal deliveries, suggesting that viral testing can play a role in guiding efficient PPE use. KEY POINTS: · Heterogeneity is seen in institutional recommendations for viral testing and PPE.. · Universal laboratory testing for COVID-19 is more common at academic centers.. · N95 mask use during vaginal deliveries is less likely in places with universal testing..

Desafío hospitalario: experiencia de un equipo de ginecología en el manejo integral de pacientes COVID 19 / A hospital challenge: experience of a gynecology team in the comprehensive management of patients COVID 19

INTRODUCCIÓN: La infección por el coronavirus SARS-CoV2 (COVID 19), causal de la pandemia actual, ha significado a nivel mundial la hospitalización simultánea de múltiples pacientes poniendo a prueba la infraestructura hospitalaria y la capacidad de reacción del personal de salud. Una de las estrategias para el manejo es la reconversión de camas y servicios clínicos. OBJETIVOS: presentar experiencia de un equipo ginecológico en el manejo integral de pacientes no gineco-obstétricas con COVID 19, durante el mes de junio de 2020 en un hospital público de la Región Metropolitana. MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal observacional, descriptivo. Se consideró el total de pacientes adultos hombres y mujeres sin patología gineco-obstétrica con COVID 19 ingresados al puerperio del Hospital Santiago Oriente, obteniéndose datos clínicos y demográficos a través del registro interno de la unidad y del sistema de información de red asistencial. RESULTADOS: Ingresaron 82 pacientes, 32 mujeres y 50 hombres, promedio de edad 64. El promedio de días de hospitalización fue 5, con diagnóstico de ingreso principal neumonía viral por COVID-19. Las comorbilidades frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial sistémica y diabetes mellitus. La complicación más frecuente fue el tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo. Hubo una alta cobertura de entrega de información vía telefónica a familiares. De los 82 ingresos, 54 pacientes egresaron a su domicilio. El resto a otras unidades dentro de la institución, centros de menor complejidad o residencias sanitarias. Una paciente sexo femenino de 75 años fallece a causa de descompensación de patologias de base secundario a neumonia por Staphylococus aereus. En ella, se descarta la infección por COVID 19 dado tres exámenes por reacción de polimerasa en cadena negativos realizado antes y durante su hospitalización. CONCLUSIONES: Esta experiencia constituyó un desafío para todo el equipo de salud gineco-obstétrico, considerando que nos enfrentamos a otro tipo de pacientes y a una patología nueva. Los resultados médicos son promisorios, la experiencia humana y sentido de trabajo en equipo fue extraordinario.

INTRODUCTION: The infection by the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus (COVID 19), the cause of the current pandemic we are experiencing, has meant the simultaneous hospitalization of many patients worldwide, putting the hospital infrastructure and the reaction capacity of health personnel to the test. One of the management strategies is the reconversion of clinical services. OBJECTIVES: present the experience of a gynecological team in the comprehensive management of non-gyneco-obstetric patients with COVID 19, during the month of June 2020 in a public hospital in the Metropolitan Region. METHODS: descriptive, observational cross-sectional study. The total number of patients admitted to the ex-puerperium of the Santiago Oriente Hospital was considered, obtaining clinical and demographic data through the unit's internal registry and the healthcare network information system. RESULTS: 82 patients were admitted, 32 women and 50 men, average age 64. The average number of days of hospitalization was 5, with the main admission diagnosis being viral pneumonia due to COVID-19. Frequent comorbidities were systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The most frequent complication was acute pulmonary thromboembolism. There was a high coverage of the delivery of information via telephone to relatives. Of the 82 admissions, 54 patients were discharged home and the rest to other units within the institution, less complex centers or health residences. One 75 years old female patient dies from concomitant pathologies, and she wasn't positive for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: This experience was a challenge for the entire gynecological-obstetric health team, considering that we are facing other types of patients and a new pathology. The medical results are promising, the human experience and sense of teamwork was extraordinary.

From the trenches: inpatient management of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become a pandemic. It has quickly swept across the globe, leaving many clinicians to care for infected patients with limited information about the disease and best practices for care. Our goal is to share our experiences of caring for pregnant and postpartum women with novel coronavirus disease 2019 in New York, which is the coronavirus disease 2019 epicenter in the United States, and review current guidelines. We offer a guide, focusing on inpatient management, including testing policies, admission criteria, medical management, care for the decompensating patient, and practical tips for inpatient antepartum service management.