Changes in induction methods have not influenced cesarean section rates among women with induced labor.

INTRODUCTION: Induction of labor has become more common in most countries during the last decade. We have compared methods and routines of labor induction as practiced in Norway in 2003 and 2013, and surveyed practices with regard to induction of labor without a medical indication in 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A telephone interview with all delivery units in Norway was conducted in 2003. Data on preferred induction methods, use of prostaglandin, dosages, dose intervals and routes of administration were collected. In 2013, the same questionnaire was used, with additional questions on induction of labor without a medical indication. Data on overall cesarean section and induction rates were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2013 the induction rate increased by 62% and the cesarean section rate by 6%. The cesarean section rate in women with induced labor remained stable at 17.1 and 17.4%, respectively. In 2003, 31 of 43 hospitals used dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction. In 2013, 34 of 39 hospitals used misoprostol. A cervical balloon was used in three of 43 hospitals in 2003 compared with 31 of 39 in 2013. All but one hospital induced labor without a strict medical indication in 2013. CONCLUSION: The preferred methods for induction of labor changed within a decade to the use of misoprostol and cervical balloon. Induction of labor without strict medical indications is widely practiced. The changed induction methods have not influenced the cesarean section rates in women with induced labors.

Reducing waiting times from 65 to under 40 days for children and adolescents receiving mental health services using a new scheduling policy.

The aim of this study is to conduct an intervention that tests whether a new scheduling policy designed to reduce waiting times actually will lead to a reduction in waiting times. The new scheduling policy was developed using mixed methods. Qualitative data was gathered to fully understand current planning processes, while quantitative methods were used to model and predict future waiting times. If current planning practices are continued, waiting times will only increase. Additionally, the findings show that simulation modeling can be used to predict the capacity needed for intakes (first appointment) to reduce and maintain target waiting times over time. In our study, this meant a slight increase in capacity for intakes. This new scheduling policy led to a reduction in waiting times from 65 days in 2016, to under 40 days post-intervention in 2017. Waiting times have been held under 40 days since implementation of the new policy, 2017-2020. Our study shows that setting appropriate (weekly) intake goals, will lead to maintaining acceptable levels of variation in waiting times. This theory was tested and proven to be effective.

Androgen levels are associated with blood pressure in pregnant women after term.

OBJECTIVE: To assess possible associations between androgen, estrogen and insulin levels and blood pressure in pregnant women after term, compared with the effect of other well-known factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital, Trondheim region. POPULATION: Four hundred and eighty-nine post-term women with uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: Blood pressure measurements and fasting serum samples drawn one week beyond the estimated day of delivery (defined as 41(+2) weeks). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure, maternal age, body mass index, parity, smoking habits and serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstendione, free testosterone index, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, 17-hydroxy-progesterone and insulin. RESULTS: In univariate linear regression analyses, body mass index, androstendione, free testosterone index and insulin were positively associated and parity was negatively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In multivariate linear regression analyses, systolic blood pressure was positively associated with body mass index and free testosterone index, but negatively associated with parity and 17-hydroxy-progesterone levels, while diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with age and free testosterone index, but negatively associated with parity and 17-hydroxy-progesterone levels. CONCLUSION: Testosterone may increase blood pressure in pregnant women, while 17-hydroxy-progesterone may have the opposite effect.

Cervical insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) to predict spontaneous onset of labor and induction to delivery interval in post-term pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) assessed in cervical secretion can predict successful induction and spontaneous onset of labor in post-term pregnancy, compared to ultrasound measurement of cervical length and Bishop score. DESIGN: Cohort study, originating from a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Obstetric department of a university and tertiary referral hospital, Norway. POPULATION: Five hundred and eight post-term women who had been randomized to induction of labor or expectant management 1 week beyond estimated day of delivery (289 [±2] days of gestation). METHODS: Time to delivery was related to presence of IGFBP-1 in cervical secretion, Bishop score and ultrasound measurement of cervical length recorded at inclusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spontaneous onset of labor and delivery within 3 days in the expectant management, and delivery within 24 hours of induction in the induction group. Test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive values and likelihood ratios) for IGFBP-1, Bishop score and cervical length were calculated. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to account for parity and body mass index. RESULTS: With expectant management, IGFBP-1 predicted spontaneous labor onset and delivery within 72 hours with low sensitivity and high specificity (0.45 and 0.80, respectively), as did Bishop score (0.24, 0.92). Cervical length was more sensitive (0.67, 0.58). IGFBP-1 predicted successful induction within 24 hours with low sensitivity and high specificity (0.30, 0.85), such as Bishop score (0.06, 1.00) and cervical length (0.45, 0.76). Parity enhanced successful induction. CONCLUSION: IGFBP-1 predicts both spontaneous labor onset and successful induction in post-term pregnancy. Bishop score and cervical length performed equally well.

Cytokine Patterns in Maternal Serum From First Trimester to Term and Beyond.

Pregnancy implies delicate immunological balance between two individuals, with constant changes and adaptions in response to maternal capacity and fetal demands. We performed cytokine profiling of 1149 longitudinal serum samples from 707 pregnant women to map immunological changes from first trimester to term and beyond. The serum levels of 22 cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) followed diverse but characteristic trajectories throughout pregnancy, consistent with staged immunological adaptions. Eotaxin showed a particularly robust decrease throughout pregnancy. A strong surge in cytokine levels developed when pregnancies progressed beyond term and the increase was amplified as labor approached. Maternal obesity, smoking and pregnancies with large fetuses showed sustained increase in distinct cytokines throughout pregnancy. Multiparous women had increased cytokine levels in the first trimester compared to nulliparous women with higher cytokine levels in the third trimester. Fetal sex affected first trimester cytokine levels with increased levels in pregnancies with a female fetus. These findings unravel important immunological dynamics of pregnancy, demonstrate how both maternal and fetal factors influence maternal systemic cytokines, and serve as a comprehensive reference for cytokine profiles in normal pregnancies.

Guidelines for the management of postterm pregnancy.

A pregnancy reaching 42 completed weeks (294 days) is defined as postterm (PT). The use of ultrasound in early pregnancy for precise dating significantly reduces the number of PT pregnancies compared to dating based on the last menstrual period. Although the fetal, maternal and neonatal risks increase beyond 41 weeks, there is no conclusive evidence that prolongation of pregnancy, per se, is the major risk factor. Other specific risk factors for adverse outcomes have been identified, the most important of which are restricted fetal growth and fetal malformations. In order to prevent PT and associated complications routine induction before 42 weeks has been proposed. There is no conclusive evidence that this policy improves fetal, maternal and neonatal outcomes as compared to expectant management. It is also unclear if the rate of cesarean sections is different between the two management strategies. After careful identification and exclusion of specific risks, it would seem appropriate to let women make an informed decision about which management they wish to undertake. There is consensus that the number of inductions necessary to possibly avoid one stillbirth is very high. If induction is preferred, procedures for cervical ripening should be used, especially in nulliparous women. Close intrapartum fetal surveillance should be offered, irrespective of whether labor was induced or not.

Induction of labour for post-term pregnancy and risk estimates for intrauterine and perinatal death.

BACKGROUND: Beyond term there is increased risk of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and perinatal death, and we aimed to assess this risk beyond 41 weeks and estimate numbers needed to treat to avoid 1 fetal or neonatal death. DESIGN AND METHODS: All singletons births beyond 41 weeks from 1999-2005 registered in the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry were assessed concerning IUFD and perinatal death day by day, and numbers needed to induce to avoid 1 death was estimated. RESULTS: The perinatal death rate increased with increasing gestational age. NNT for perinatal death was 527 at day 287, and 195 at day 302 + (p-value=0.02). Routine induction of labour at 41 weeks implicates >14,000 inductions per year. CONCLUSIONS: NNT to avoid 1 fetal or neonatal death is high (671-195), but decreases constantly with gestational age beyond 41 weeks.

Elective induction of labor: A prospective observational study.

The aim of the present study was to assess indications for induction and describe the characteristics and delivery outcome in medical compared to non-medical/elective inductions. During a three-month period, 1663 term inductions were registered in 24 delivery units in Norway. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation at gestational age 37+0 and beyond. Indications, pre-induction Bishop scores, mode of delivery and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were registered, and compared between the medically indicated and elective induction groups. Ten percent of the inductions were elective, and the four most common indications were maternal request (35%), a previous negative delivery experience or difficult obstetric history (19%), maternal fatigue/tiredness (17%) and anxiety (15%). Nearly half of these inductions were performed at 39+0-40+6 weeks. There were fewer nulliparous women in the elective compared to the medically indicated induction group, 16% vs. 52% (p<0.05). The cesarean section rate in the elective induction group was 14% and 17% in the medically indicated group (14% vs. 17%, OR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.3). We found that one in ten inductions in Norway is performed without a strict medical indication and 86% of these inductions resulted in vaginal delivery.

Induction of labor or serial antenatal fetal monitoring in postterm pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare induction of labor at gestational age 41 weeks with expectant management in regard to neonatal morbidity. Secondary aims were to assess the effect of these managements on mode of delivery and maternal complications. METHODS: Between September 2002 and July 2004, postterm women with singleton cephalic presentation and no prelabor rupture of membranes were randomly assigned to induction of labor at 289 days or antenatal fetal surveillance every third day until spontaneous labor. Main outcome measures were neonatal morbidity, operative delivery rates, and maternal complications. RESULTS: Five hundred eight women were randomly assigned, 254 in each group. No differences of clinical importance were observed in women in whom labor was induced compared with women who were expectantly managed with regard to the following outcomes: neonates whose 5-minute Apgar score was less than 7 (three neonates in the induction group compared with four in the monitoring group, P=.72); neonates whose umbilical cord pH was less than 7 (three compared with two, P=.69); prevalence of cesarean delivery (28 compared with 33, P=.50); or prevalence of operative vaginal delivery (32 compared with 27, P=.49). In the induction group more women had precipitate labors (33 compared with 12, P<.01; number needed to treat was 13), and the duration of second stage of labor was more often less than 15 minutes (94 compared with 56, P<.01; number needed to treat was 7). CONCLUSION: No differences were found between the induced and monitored groups regarding neonatal morbidity or mode of delivery, and the outcomes were generally good. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00385229. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Outcomes of pregnancy beyond 37 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes by weeks of gestation. A second aim was to assess the outcomes in groups with spontaneous or induced labor. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies delivered after 37 weeks of pregnancy covering a well defined region in Norway from 1990 to 2001 (N = 27,514). Linear regression, chi 2 tests, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Maternal complications varied with gestational age, and were lowest at 39 weeks and highest postterm (cesarean delivery 12.3-21.6%, operative vaginal delivery 10.7-15.4%, maternal hemorrhage 9.7-14.6%). Poor neonatal outcome varied with gestational age only for spontaneous labors (Apgar at 5 minutes less than 7 1.0-2.3%, pH less than 7.10 3.4-5.2%), whereas induction of labor was a risk factor for delivery complications (odds ratio 1.3-2.8), independent of gestational weeks. CONCLUSION: Poor pregnancy outcomes vary with gestational age. Postterm pregnancy and induced labor are prognostic factors for poor outcome.

[Mifepristone for induction of second trimester abortion]. / Mifepriston ved provosert abort i annet trimester.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to assess the effect of changing the regimen for termination from gemeprost to mifepristone and misoprostol. METHOD: The study was prospective from 1994 to 2001 and included 179 women who had a second trimester termination of pregnancy because of fetal malformations. Three different regimens were used: The traditional regimen with vaginal application of gemeprost (77 patients), pretreatment with mifpristone followed by gemeprost (40 patients), and pretreatment with mifepristone followed by misoprostol (62 patients). RESULTS: The induction-to-abortion interval was significantly shorter in the two groups receiving pretreatment with mifepristone than in the group treated solely with gemeprost, on average 9.7 and 9.5 hours compared to 22.7 hours (p < 0.001). All patients who received mifepristone aborted within 24 hours of start of induction, compared to 80 % of patients treated solely with gemeprost. INTERPRETATION: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol provides a non-invasive and effective regimen for second trimester termination of pregnancy. Pretreatment with mifepristone represents a major improvement. Misoprostol is cheaper than gemeprost, is stored in room temperature, and can be used orally as well as vaginally.

Mediators of the association between pre-eclampsia and cerebral palsy: population based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that pre-eclampsia is a risk factor for cerebral palsy mediated through preterm birth and being born small for gestational age. DESIGN: Population based cohort study. SETTING: Clinical data from the Norwegian Cerebral Palsy Registry were linked with perinatal data prospectively recorded by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. PARTICIPANTS: All singleton babies who survived the neonatal period during 1996-2006 (849 children with cerebral palsy and 616,658 control children). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cerebral palsy and cerebral palsy subtypes. RESULTS: Children exposed to pre-eclampsia had an excess risk of cerebral palsy (unadjusted odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 2.0 to 3.2) compared with unexposed children. Among children born at term (≥ 37 weeks), exposure to pre-eclampsia was not associated with an excess risk of cerebral palsy in babies not born small for gestational age (1.2, 0.7 to 2.0), whereas children exposed to pre-eclampsia and born small for gestational age had a significantly increased risk of cerebral palsy (3.2, 1.5 to 6.7). Non-small for gestational age babies born very preterm (<32 weeks) and exposed to pre-eclampsia had a reduced risk of cerebral palsy compared with unexposed children born at the same gestational age (0.5, 0.3 to 0.8), although the risk was not statistically significantly reduced among children exposed to pre-eclampsia and born small for gestational age (0.7, 0.4 to 1.3). Exposure to pre-eclampsia was not associated with a specific cerebral palsy subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to pre-eclampsia was associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy, and this association was mediated through the children being born preterm or small for gestational age, or both. Among children born at term, pre-eclampsia was a risk factor for cerebral palsy only when the children were small for gestational age.

Metformin versus placebo from first trimester to delivery in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, controlled multicenter study.

CONTEXT: Metformin is widely prescribed to pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in an attempt to reduce pregnancy complications. Metformin is not approved for this indication, and evidence for this practice is lacking. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that metformin, from first trimester to delivery, reduces pregnancy complications in women with PCOS. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study at 11 secondary care centers. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 257 women with PCOS, in the first trimester of pregnancy, aged 18-42 yr. INTERVENTION: We randomly assigned 274 singleton pregnancies (in 257 women) to receive metformin or placebo, from first trimester to delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm delivery, and a composite of these three outcomes is reported. RESULTS: Preeclampsia prevalence was 7.4% in the metformin group and 3.7% in the placebo group (3.7%; 95% CI, -1.7-9.2) (P=0.18). Preterm delivery prevalence was 3.7% in the metformin group and 8.2% in the placebo group (-4.4%; 95%, CI, -10.1-1.2) (P=0.12). Gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence was 17.6% in the metformin group and 16.9% in the placebo group (0.8%; 95% CI, -8.6-10.2) (P=0.87). The composite primary endpoint prevalence was 25.9 and 24.4%, respectively (1.5%; 95% CI, -8.9-11.3) (P=0.78). Women in the metformin group gained less weight during pregnancy compared with those in the placebo group. There was no difference in fetal birth weight between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin treatment from first trimester to delivery did not reduce pregnancy complications in PCOS.

Women's experiences and attitudes towards expectant management and induction of labor for post-term pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines for post-term management differ, and studies on women's attitudes are lacking. We aimed to assess the experiences and attitudes among women managed with serial antenatal monitoring or induction of labor, and the effects of post-term pregnancy on self-reports of quality of life. METHODS: Women were randomized at 41 weeks to immediate induction of labor or antenatal fetal surveillance every third day. At inclusion women answered a questionnaire about their attitudes towards post-term pregnancy and health-related quality of life. This was repeated in a follow-up phone interview 6 months later, including questions about their experiences of labor and perspective on future deliveries. RESULTS: A total of 508 women entered the study. At 41 weeks 74% of all women preferred to be induced. Women reported good general and mental health, but physical health and vitality scores were low. In the induction group, 74% of women said they would prefer the same management in future pregnancies; only 38% of women who had serial antenatal monitoring would prefer this option again (p<0.001). In the induction group, contractions were reported as more intense (n=157 versus n=118, p<0.01) and frequent (n=116 versus n=87, p<0.01) compared to the monitored group. The majority (84%) reported a positive labor induction experience. CONCLUSION: Women preferred induction of labor to serial antenatal monitoring beyond 41 weeks. Labors were shorter and contractions were reported to be more frequent and intense in the induction group compared with the monitored group. However, their experience with labor induction was positive.

Fear of childbirth and history of abuse: implications for pregnancy and delivery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fear of childbirth, and to find possible associations to selected sociodemographic factors and important life events. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between these factors and pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Questionnaire booklets were sent to 2680 women at 18 weeks of gestation, of whom 1452 women (54%) responded. The questionnaire included background factors (marital status, education, history of abuse, current pregnancy), W-DEQ (measurement of fear of childbirth), and STAI (measurement of subjective anxiety). Pregnancy outcome information was recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of serious fear of childbirth (W-DEQ > 100) was 5.5%. The W-DEQ and STAI scores were positively correlated (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Among the anxious women, a trend towards more frequent operative vaginal delivery (12.1% versus 6.9%, p = 0.07) was noted, but not for emergency cesarean section (10.6% versus 7.6%, p = 0.34). Women who reported being exposed to physical or sexual abuse in childhood had a higher W-DEQ score (71, SD 31 and 69, SD 27) than did the non-abused (61, SD 23, p < 0.01). Only half of women sexually or physically abused in childhood (54% and 57% respectively) had uncomplicated vaginal delivery at term versus 75% among non-abused (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of serious fear of childbirth was 5.5%. Fear of childbirth was not associated with mode of delivery, whereas sexual or physical abuse in childhood influenced negatively mode of delivery.