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PloS One 2024This systematic scoping review was conducted to 1) identify and describe labor curves that illustrate cervical dilatation over time; 2) map any evidence for, as well as...
OBJECTIVES
This systematic scoping review was conducted to 1) identify and describe labor curves that illustrate cervical dilatation over time; 2) map any evidence for, as well as outcomes used to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the curves; and 3) identify areas in research that require further investigation.
METHODS
A three-step systematic literature search was conducted for publications up to May 2023. We searched the Medline, Maternity & Infant Care, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, CINAHL, Scopus, and African Index Medicus databases for studies describing labor curves, assessing their effectiveness in improving birth outcomes, or assessing their accuracy as screening or diagnostic tools. Original research articles and systematic reviews were included. We excluded studies investigating adverse birth outcomes retrospectively, and those investigating the effect of analgesia-related interventions on labor progression. Study eligibility was assessed, and data were extracted from included studies using a piloted charting form. The findings are presented according to descriptive summaries created for the included studies.
RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH
Of 26,073 potentially eligible studies, 108 studies were included. Seventy-three studies described labor curves, of which ten of the thirteen largest were based mainly on the United States Consortium on Safe Labor cohort. Labor curve endpoints were 10 cm cervical dilatation in 69 studies and vaginal birth in 4 studies. Labor curve accuracy was assessed in 26 studies, of which all 15 published after 1986 were from low- and middle-income countries. Recent studies of labor curve accuracy in high-income countries are lacking. The effectiveness of labor curves was assessed in 13 studies, which failed to prove the superiority of any curve. Patient-reported health and well-being is an underrepresented outcome in evaluations of labor curves. The usefulness of labor curves is still a matter of debate, as studies have failed to prove their accuracy or effectiveness.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Labor Stage, First; Retrospective Studies; Labor, Obstetric
PubMed: 38517902
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298046 -
Journal of the West African College of... 2024Primary amenorrhoea due to Müllerian malformations is rare, with 1 in 4500 cases and 2%-8% of cases presenting as infertility. Obstructive Müllerian anomalies present...
Primary amenorrhoea due to Müllerian malformations is rare, with 1 in 4500 cases and 2%-8% of cases presenting as infertility. Obstructive Müllerian anomalies present as hematometra and hematocolpos during puberty. Timely surgical intervention is required to relieve acute pelvic pain and restore functional anatomy. A 15-year-old girl presented to OPD with complaints of severe pain in her lower abdomen and lower back for the last 2-3 weeks, not relieving on medication. She has not attained menarche and has been having cyclical pain and low backache for 7-8 days every month for the last year. Physical examination showed a suprapubic lump with vaginal agenesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hematometrocolpos due to transverse vaginal septum and distal vaginal atresia. Pull-through vaginoplasty along with complete excision of transverse vaginal septum was performed. Vaginal dilator therapy was done after the healing of the sutures. In follow-up, the patient attained menstruation with a patent vagina. Obstructive Müllerian anomalies should be identified early by detailed clinical examination and targeted investigations to prevent long-term morbidity and infertility.
PubMed: 38486640
DOI: 10.4103/jwas.jwas_97_23 -
Cureus Nov 2023We report a case of successful continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) for labor analgesia and cesarean delivery in a patient with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A...
We report a case of successful continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) for labor analgesia and cesarean delivery in a patient with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A 33-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with DCM was scheduled for a vaginal delivery under labor analgesia. An accidental intrathecal catheter was placed, and labor analgesia was provided by CSA. The vaginal delivery was converted to a cesarean delivery, and an intrathecal catheter was used for transition, which avoided hemodynamic changes and allowed the patient to safely undergo cesarean delivery. CSA is a reliable and rapidly titratable technique that provides excellent analgesia without hemodynamic changes in patients with DCM undergoing labor analgesia and subsequent cesarean delivery.
PubMed: 38111452
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48877 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Mar 2024A previous term (≥37 weeks' gestation), full-dilatation cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk for a subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. The...
BACKGROUND
A previous term (≥37 weeks' gestation), full-dilatation cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk for a subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. The mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that the cesarean delivery scar characteristics and scar position relative to the internal cervical os may compromise cervical function, thereby leading to shortening of the cervical length and spontaneous preterm birth.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the relationship of cesarean delivery scar characteristics and position, assessed by transvaginal ultrasound, in pregnant women with previous full-dilatation cesarean delivery with the risk of shortening cervical length and spontaneous preterm birth.
STUDY DESIGN
This was a single-center, prospective cohort study of singleton pregnant women (14 to 24 weeks' gestation) with a previous term full-dilatation cesarean delivery who attended a high-risk preterm birth surveillance clinic (2017-2021). Women underwent transvaginal ultrasound assessment of cervical length, cesarean delivery scar distance relative to the internal cervical os, and scar niche parameters using a reproducible transvaginal ultrasound technique. Spontaneous preterm birth prophylactic interventions (vaginal cervical cerclage or vaginal progesterone) were offered for short cervical length (≤25 mm) and to women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth or late miscarriage after full-dilatation cesarean delivery. The primary outcome was spontaneous preterm birth; secondary outcomes included short cervical length and a need for prophylactic interventions. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop multiparameter models that combined cesarean delivery scar parameters, cervical length, history of full-dilatation cesarean delivery, and maternal characteristics. The predictive performance of models was examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve and the detection rate at various fixed false positive rates. The optimal cutoff for cesarean delivery scar distance to best predict a short cervical length and spontaneous preterm birth was analyzed.
RESULTS
Cesarean delivery scars were visualized in 90.5% (220/243) of the included women. The spontaneous preterm birth rate was 4.1% (10/243), and 12.8% (31/243) of women developed a short cervical length. A history- (n=4) or ultrasound-indicated (n=19) cervical cerclage was performed in 23 of 243 (9.5%) women; among those, 2 (8.7%) spontaneously delivered prematurely. A multiparameter model based on absolute scar distance from the internal os best predicted spontaneous preterm birth (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.89; detection rate of 60% for a fixed 25% false positive rate). Models based on the relative anatomic position of the cesarean delivery scar to the internal os and the cesarean delivery scar position with niche parameters (length, depth, and width) best predicted the development of a short cervical length (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.79 [95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.87]; and 0.81 [95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.89], respectively; detection rate of 73% at a fixed 25% false positive rate). Spontaneous preterm birth was significantly more likely when the cesarean delivery scar was <5.0 mm above or below the internal os (adjusted odds ratio, 6.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-58; P =.035).
CONCLUSION
In pregnancies following a full-dilatation cesarean delivery, cesarean delivery scar characteristics and distance from the internal os identified women who were at risk for spontaneous preterm birth and developing short cervical length. Overall, the spontaneous preterm birth rate was low, but it was significantly increased among women with a scar located <5.0 mm above or below the internal cervical os. Shortening of cervical length was strongly associated with a low scar position. Our novel findings indicate that a low cesarean delivery scar can compromise the functional integrity of the internal cervical os, leading to cervical shortening and/or spontaneous preterm birth. Assessment of the cesarean delivery scar characteristics and position seem to have use in preterm birth clinical surveillance among women with a previous, full-dilatation cesarean delivery and could better identify women who would benefit from prophylactic interventions.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Premature Birth; Prospective Studies; Cicatrix; Dilatation; Cervical Length Measurement
PubMed: 38278178
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101298 -
Cureus Oct 2023Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) concurrent with endometrial cancer are exceptionally rare, with only a few documented cases. Here, we present a case of endometrial...
Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) concurrent with endometrial cancer are exceptionally rare, with only a few documented cases. Here, we present a case of endometrial cancer in both horns of a didelphys uterus in a 54-year-old woman with a history of renal cancer, who underwent left radical nephrectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy. The patient sought medical evaluation due to postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage revealed the presence of two cervixes and two endometrial cavities, with pathology results indicating endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G1). Preoperative MRI staging confirmed the diagnosis of a double cervix and uterus. Subsequently, an open abdominal hysterectomy and a right salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, revealing a didelphys uterus (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2018, stage IA). This manuscript aims to explore the potential correlation between renal and endometrial malignancies in the presence of MDAs.
PubMed: 38021547
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47114 -
Health Science Reports Apr 2024Due to the concern about the side effects of chemical drugs and their ineffectiveness, the use of natural compounds as alternatives or complementary therapies has...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Due to the concern about the side effects of chemical drugs and their ineffectiveness, the use of natural compounds as alternatives or complementary therapies has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oil on the outcome of missed abortion.
METHODS
In this double-blind clinical trial, 70 nulliparous pregnant women referred to Hajar Hospital and Imam Ali clinics of Shahrekord and had missed abortion before the 12-week gestational age were selected and randomly divided into two interventions and control groups. The intervention group received 5 g of oil alone daily for up to 3 days and the control group received a placebo. In case of nonresponse, 3 days after the last dose of medication or placebo, 800 μg of misoprostol (vaginal) were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent -test and paired -test were used for analytical statistics.
RESULTS
According to the results, 18 cases (51.4%) in the intervention group and seven cases (20%) in the control group showed complete evacuation of uterine contents which had a significant difference ( < 0.05). The frequency of vagina physical examination and type of hemorrhage did not show any significant difference between the two groups before and after the intervention. After the intervention, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was significantly decreased in the intervention group but did not change in the control group ( < 0.05). The frequency of adverse events in the intervention group was three (8.6%) and in the control group was one (2.9%) which had no significant difference.
CONCLUSION
improves the outcome of missed abortion by reducing HCG and facilitating cervix dilatation and delivery of uterine contents.
PubMed: 38633734
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2029 -
Medicine Mar 2024Puerperal sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by infection that can rapidly progress to multisystem infection and toxin-mediated shock. Symmetrical peripheral...
RATIONALE
Puerperal sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by infection that can rapidly progress to multisystem infection and toxin-mediated shock. Symmetrical peripheral gangrene is defined as symmetrical distal ischemic damage in two or more sites in the absence of major vascular occlusive disease. The syndrome is devastating and rare. In this study, we introduce a case of puerperal septicemia complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 23-year-old woman delivered a live female infant vaginally after cervical balloon dilatation at 39 weeks of gestation. Persistent hyperthermia developed on the first postpartum day. After experiencing ventricular fibrillation, acute liver failure, and acute pulmonary edema, she developed blackened extremities on the 5th postpartum day.
DIAGNOSES
Puerperal septicemia complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene.
INTERVENTIONS
Upon transfer to our hospital, the patient was enrolled in the intensive care unit and underwent anti-infective and amputation surgery.
OUTCOMES
After the surgery, the patient recovered well and was successfully discharged from the hospital.
LESSONS
Early detection and timely treatment is the best way to reduce the mortality and sequelae of puerperal sepsis. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of comorbid symmetrical peripheral gangrene when sepsis patients present with hepatic impairment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Gangrene; Shock, Septic; Extremities; Amputation, Surgical; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 38552074
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037571 -
BMJ Open May 2024Twin pregnancies have a high risk of extreme preterm birth (PTB) at less than 28 weeks of gestation, which is associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity and...
Study protocol for two randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of Cerclage in the reduction of extreme preterm birth and perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies with a short cervix or dilatation: the TWIN Cerclage studies.
INTRODUCTION
Twin pregnancies have a high risk of extreme preterm birth (PTB) at less than 28 weeks of gestation, which is associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Currently there is a lack of effective treatments for women with a twin pregnancy and a short cervix or cervical dilatation. A possible effective surgical method to reduce extreme PTB in twin pregnancies with an asymptomatic short cervix or dilatation at midpregnancy is the placement of a vaginal cerclage.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
We designed two multicentre randomised trials involving eight hospitals in the Netherlands (sites in other countries may be added at a later date). Women older than 16 years with a twin pregnancy at <24 weeks of gestation and an asymptomatic short cervix of ≤25 mm or cervical dilatation will be randomly allocated (1:1) to both trials on vaginal cerclage and standard treatment according to the current Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology guideline (no cerclage). Permuted blocks sized 2 and 4 will be used to minimise the risk of disbalance. The primary outcome measure is PTB of <28 weeks. Analyses will be by intention to treat. The first trial is to demonstrate a risk reduction from 25% to 10% in the short cervix group, for which 194 patients need to be recruited. The second trial is to demonstrate a risk reduction from 80% to 35% in the dilatation group and will recruit 44 women. A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed from a societal perspective.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committees in the Netherlands on 3/30/2023. Participants will be required to sign an informed consent form. The results will be presented at conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Participants will be informed about the results.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05968794.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Cerclage, Cervical; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Perinatal Mortality; Netherlands; Infant, Newborn; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Cervix Uteri; Adult
PubMed: 38729756
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081561 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Jun 2024Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of the uterus and the upper two-thirds of the vagina. It is a rare...
INTRODUCTION
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of the uterus and the upper two-thirds of the vagina. It is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of 1 in 5000 female live births.
CASE SERIES
The authors describe three cases of females presenting with primary amenorrhoea who were diagnosed with MRKH syndrome. The patients were managed with McIndoe's vaginoplasty with neovagina creation with an amnion graft.
DISCUSSION
Management of MRKH syndrome involves vaginoplasty with neovagina creation. The approach to neovagina creation can be done surgically or non-surgically. Non-surgical creation of the vaginal cavity involves serial use of vaginal dilators, while there are several ways for surgical creation of neovagina. The modified Abbe-McIndoe procedure using amnion to create neovagina is a minimally invasive, rapid, and simple procedure with no risk of immune rejection because the amnion membrane lacks histocompatibility antigens. In addition, the graft is also readily available, storable, and inexpensive.
CONCLUSION
Diagnosis of MRKH syndrome can be made when a young female with primary amenorrhoea and normal secondary sexual characteristics has agenesis of the uterus, and upper two-thirds of the vagina revealed on ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. The patient can be offered treatment with vaginoplasty with neovagina creation.
PubMed: 38846829
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001877 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023The objectives of this study were to determine in a population-based cohort study the association between cesarean section (CS) during the second stage of labor and the...
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to determine in a population-based cohort study the association between cesarean section (CS) during the second stage of labor and the risk for preterm birth and/or cervical insufficiency in the subsequent pregnancy; to identify maternal and neonatal risk factors for long-term complications following CS due to prolonged second stage of labor.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study including women who had at least one consecutive delivery following a CS at our institution from 1991 to 2018, provided that the first delivery was at term. We divided the study cohort into two groups: (1) women who delivered by CS due to failure to progress during the first stage of labor ( = 1068); and (2) those who delivered by CS due to arrest of descent at the second stage of labor ( = 603).
RESULTS
Of the 120,147 women who met the inclusion criteria, 78,407 had a subsequent delivery during the study period. Women of group 1 were significantly older than those of group 2 ( = .018), and had a higher rate of assisted reproductive technology [61 (5.7%) vs. 18 (3.1%), < .022,]. Additionally, their hospitalization period was significantly longer ( < .001). The rate of preterm birth in the subsequent delivery was higher among women who had a CS due to arrest of descent than those who had a CS due to arrest in dilatation [43 (7.3%) vs 49 (4.6%), < .026]. This was confirmed after adjusting for confounding factors In a multivariable regression analysis (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.76, value = .011) A Cox regression analysis implying gestational age at delivery at the time factor identifies CS due to arrest of descent as a risk factor for subsequent preterm birth (Hazard ratio 1.19 95% CI 1.07-1.31).
CONCLUSION
CS due to arrest of descent is an independent risk factor for subsequent preterm birth. The exact mechanisms contributing to this association are yet to be determined.
SYNOPSIS
Cesarean section during the second stage of labor is an independent risk factor for late preterm birth in the subsequent pregnancy when compared to cesarean section in the first stage of labor.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Cesarean Section; Premature Birth; Retrospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Labor Stage, Second
PubMed: 36842965
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2175658