Ultrasound-guided instrumental removal of the retained placenta after vaginal delivery.

The standard treatment for retained placenta is manual extraction, in which a hand is introduced inside the uterus to cleave a plane between the placenta and the uterine wall. For women without an epidural, the procedure is extremely uncomfortable and may require additional measures such as intravenous narcotics or regional anesthesia. Although ultrasound-guided instrumental removal of the placenta is standard practice as part of second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation and may be done at many institutions, especially after failed manual extraction, it has not yet been described in the literature as a technique following vaginal birth. Our experience with this technique is that it causes less discomfort to the patient than a traditional manual extraction, because the instrument entering the uterus is much narrower than a hand. With the patient in dorsal lithotomy, we locate the cervix and stabilize it either with fingers or a ring forceps on the anterior lip. We introduce Bierer ovum forceps into the uterus under direct ultrasound guidance. The Bierer forceps are preferred because of their long length, large head, and serrated teeth that allow for a firm, secure grip on the placenta. We grasp the placental tissue with the forceps and apply slow, gentle traction in short strokes, regrasping increasingly more distal areas of placenta as necessary to tease out the placenta. After 1-2 minutes, the placenta separates and can be pulled out of the uterus, usually intact. Our experience suggests that this technique is a well-tolerated option for women without an epidural who have a retained placenta. Further study is needed to quantify the amount of discomfort and anesthesia that can be avoided with this technique, as well as whether there is any change in the frequency of infectious complications or the necessity of postremoval curettage.

Optimal time interval between a single course of antenatal corticosteroids and delivery for reduction of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm twins.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of a single course of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) therapy on the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm twins according to the time interval between ACS administration and delivery. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of twins born between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation from November 1995 to May 2011. Subjects were grouped on the basis of the time interval between the first ACS dose and delivery: the ACS-to-delivery interval of less than 2 days (n = 166), 2-7 days (n = 114), and more than 7 days (n = 66). Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of each group were compared with a control group of twins who were not exposed to ACS (n = 122). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the ACS-to-delivery interval and the incidence of RDS after adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Compared with the ACS nonexposure group, the incidence of RDS in the group with an ACS-to-delivery interval of less than 2 days was not significantly different (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.089; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.524-2.262; P = .819). RDS occurred significantly less frequently when the ACS-to-delivery interval was between 2 and 7 days (aOR, 0.419; 95% CI, 0.181-0.968; P = .042). However, there was no significant reduction in the incidence of RDS when the ACS-to-delivery interval exceeded 7 days (aOR, 2.205; 95% CI, 0.773-6.292; P = .139). CONCLUSION: In twin pregnancies, a single course of ACS treatment was associated with a decreased rate of RDS only when the ACS-to-delivery interval was between 2 and 7 days.

Uterine artery embolization in postabortion hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the efficacy of postabortion uterine artery embolization in cases of refractory hemorrhage. METHODS: Forty-two women were identified who had postabortion uterine artery embolization at San Francisco General Hospital between January 2000 and August 2007. Seven underwent embolization for hemorrhage caused by abnormal placentation. RESULTS: Embolization was successful in 90% (38 of 42) of cases. All failures (n=4) were in patients who had confirmed abnormal placentation. However, three of seven women (43%) with probable accreta diagnosed by ultrasonography were treated successfully with uterine artery embolization. Two patients experienced complications of uterine artery embolization. These complications-one contrast reaction and one femoral artery embolus-were treated without further sequelae. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization is an alternative to hysterectomy in patients with postabortion hemorrhage refractory to conservative measures, especially when hemorrhage is caused by uterine atony or cervical laceration.

Face presentation: predictors and delivery route.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify associated characteristics of face presentation and to examine factors that were associated with mode of delivery in the setting of face presentation. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of women who were diagnosed with face presentation during labor. We examined maternal, fetal, and labor characteristics to determine the associations and predictors of cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Fetuses in face presentation were more likely preterm, < 2500 g, and black. An Apgar score of < 7 at 5 minutes was more common in face presentation (10.9%) compared with vertex presentation (4.4%; P = .018). Rates of umbilical artery base excess < -12 or pH < 7.0 were not different. Cesarean delivery was less common in women who received oxytocin (adjusted odds ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03-0.95) and in women with mentum anterior (14%) as compared with mentum posterior presentation (85%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the association between face presentation and prematurity. The association with black ethnicity may be related to differences in pelvic anatomy. Although face presentation was associated with decreased Apgar scores, no other indicators of fetal asphyxia were identified. Cesarean delivery rates were higher in women with mentum posterior face presentation and in women who did not receive oxytocin.

Manual rotation of the fetal occiput: predictors of success and delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to define predictors of successful rotation and rate of cesarean delivery after manual rotation of the fetal occiput from occiput posterior or transverse position. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study comprised patients who underwent a trial of manual rotation of the fetal occiput from occiput posterior or occiput transverse position. Successful rotation was defined as delivery in the occiput anterior position. We examined maternal, fetal, and labor characteristics as predictors of both fetal position at delivery and cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Multiparity (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-3.8) and maternal age < 35 years (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4) were associated with successful manual rotation of the fetal occiput. After successful rotation, the cesarean delivery rate was 2%, compared with 34% if the rotation failed (P < .001). Asian ethnicity, nulliparity, age > 35 years, labor induction, and epidural usage were associated with higher rates of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: After successful manual rotation of the fetal occiput, women had lower cesarean delivery rates than women with unsuccessful rotations. Multiparity and maternal age of < 35 years were associated with more successful rotations.

Social media messaging in pregnancy: comparing content of Text4baby to content of free smart phone applications of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Text4baby is the only free text-message program for pregnancy available. Our objective was to determine whether content differed between Text4baby and popular pregnancy smart phone applications (apps). METHODS: Researchers enrolled in Text4baby in 2012 and downloaded the four most-popular free pregnancy smart phone apps in July 2013; content was re-extracted in February 2014. Messages were assigned thematic codes. Two researchers coded messages independently before reviewing all the codes jointly to ensure consistency. Logistic regression modeling determined statistical differences between Text4baby and smart phone apps. RESULTS: About 1399 messages were delivered. Of these, 333 messages had content related to more than one theme and were coded as such, resulting in 1820 codes analyzed. Compared to smart phone apps, Text4baby was significantly more likely to have content regarding Postpartum Planning, Seeking Care, Recruitment and Prevention and significantly less likely to mention Normal Pregnancy Symptoms. No messaging program included content regarding postpartum contraception. CONCLUSIONS: To improve content without increasing text message number, Text4baby could replace messages on recruitment with messages regarding normal pregnancy symptoms, fetal development and postpartum contraception.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) in U.S. Latinas and Chileans: Clinical features, Ancestry Analysis, and Admixture Mapping.

In the Americas, women with Indigenous American ancestry are at increased risk of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), relative to women of other ethnicities. We hypothesized that ancestry-related genetic factors contribute to this increased risk. We collected clinical and laboratory data, and performed biochemical assays on samples from U.S. Latinas and Chilean women, with and without ICP. The study sample included 198 women with ICP (90 from California, U.S., and 108 from Chile) and 174 pregnant control women (69 from California, U.S., and 105 from Chile). SNP genotyping was performed using Affymetrix arrays. We compared overall genetic ancestry between cases and controls, and used a genome-wide admixture mapping approach to screen for ICP susceptibility loci. We identified commonalities and differences in features of ICP between the 2 countries and determined that cases had a greater proportion of Indigenous American ancestry than did controls (p = 0.034). We performed admixture mapping, taking country of origin into account, and identified one locus for which Native American ancestry was associated with increased risk of ICP at a genome-wide level of significance (P = 3.1 x 10(-5), Pcorrected = 0.035). This locus has an odds ratio of 4.48 (95% CI: 2.21-9.06) for 2 versus zero Indigenous American chromosomes. This locus lies on chromosome 2, with a 10 Mb 95% confidence interval which does not contain any previously identified hereditary 'cholestasis genes.' Our results indicate that genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing ICP in the Americas, and support the utility of clinical and genetic studies of ethnically mixed populations for increasing our understanding of ICP.

Manual rotation to reduce caesarean delivery in persistent occiput posterior or transverse position.

OBJECTIVE: To examine mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes in women with occiput posterior (OP) or transverse (OT) position in the second stage of labour with a trial of manual rotation compared to expectant management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed to examine mode of delivery and perinatal morbidity in women who underwent a trial of manual rotation (n = 731) compared to expectant management (n = 2527) during the second stage of labour with the fetus in OP/OT position. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical outcomes and multivariable logistic regression models were used to control for potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared to expectant management, women with manual rotation were less likely to have: caesarean delivery (CD) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.16], severe perineal laceration [aOR 0.64; (0.47-0.88)], postpartum haemorrhage [aOR 0.75; (0.62-0.98)], and chorioamnionitis [aOR 0.68; (0.50-0.92)]. The number of rotations attempted to avert one CD was 4. In contrast, women who had a trial of rotation had an increased risk of cervical laceration [aOR 2.46; (1.1-5.4)]. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with expectant management, a trial of manual rotation with persistent fetal OP/OT position is associated with a reduction in CD and adverse maternal outcomes.

Patient and provider attitudes toward screening for Down syndrome in a Latin American country where abortion is illegal.

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient and provider attitudes toward first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) screening for Down syndrome and to assess how patients consent to screening in a country where abortion is illegal. METHODS: Patients presenting for first trimester ultrasound including NT screening in two obstetric units in Chile completed a questionnaire about their attitudes toward NT screening and perspectives on the consent process. A follow-up questionnaire assessed satisfaction with the test. Prenatal care providers also completed a questionnaire ascertaining their perspectives on NT screening. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients completed the initial questionnaire and 78 completed the follow-up questionnaire. Although 98 (94%) patients desired NT screening only 38 (38%) indicated that they would undergo diagnostic testing if they received screen positive results. Only 3 patients screened positive; however, 15 (20%) participants experienced increased anxiety after the test. Almost all of the 36 providers surveyed indicated that they counsel their patients thoroughly, but 38 (39%) patients reported that they received adequate information. CONCLUSION: NT screening is often performed without patients' full understanding of the implications of potential results and may cause anxiety. Providers should elicit patients' preferences regarding prenatal testing and engage them in shared decision making about whether to undergo screening, particularly when abortion is not an option.