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American Journal of Perinatology May 2024This study aimed to assess the impact of implementation of an induction of labor (IOL) guideline on IOL length and utilization of evidence-based practices.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the impact of implementation of an induction of labor (IOL) guideline on IOL length and utilization of evidence-based practices.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a quality improvement project to increase utilization of three evidence-based IOL practices: combined agent ripening, vaginal misoprostol, and early amniotomy. Singletons with intact membranes and cervical dilation ≤2 cm admitted for IOL were included. Primary outcome was IOL length. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery and practice utilization. We compared preimplementation (PRE; November 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022) to postimplementation (POST; March 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022) with sensitivity analyses by self-reported race and ethnicity. Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression were used to test the association between period and outcomes.
RESULTS
Among 495 birthing people (PRE, = 293; POST, = 202), IOL length was shorter POST (22.0 vs. 18.3 h, = 0.003), with faster time to delivery (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.38, 95% CI 1.15-1.66), more birthing people delivered within 24 hours (57 vs. 68.8%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.90 [95% CI 1.25-2.89]), and no difference in cesarean. Utilization of combined agent ripening (31.1 vs. 42.6%, = 0.009), vaginal misoprostol (34.5 vs. 68.3%, < 0.001), and early amniotomy (19.1 vs. 31.7%, = 0.001) increased POST.
CONCLUSION
Implementation of an evidence-based IOL guideline is associated with shorter induction time. Additional implementation efforts to increase adoption of practices are needed to optimize outcomes after IOL.
KEY POINTS
· Implementation of an IOL guideline is associated with faster time to delivery.. · Evidence-based induction practices were used more often after guideline implementation.. · Adoption of evidence-based induction practices is variable even with a guideline..
PubMed: 38593985
DOI: 10.1055/a-2302-7334 -
Cureus Mar 2024Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are considered a reliable contraceptive option for women, but they can come with side effects. There is a disconnect in standard guidelines... (Review)
Review
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are considered a reliable contraceptive option for women, but they can come with side effects. There is a disconnect in standard guidelines for IUD insertion within and without the U.S. The objective of this review was to address a gap in the literature regarding official procedures for pain management during IUD implantation. This scoping review was initiated using keywords to extract relevant articles from multiple databases: U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed), MEDLINE (Ovid), and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE, Ovid). Initially, 457 articles were identified and after a rigorous screening and selection process, 37 articles were chosen to be further assessed to ascertain if they met the study's inclusion criteria. Those 37 articles were further evaluated fully to check for relevancy. From that process, 19 articles were chosen for the review, and all passed quality assessment evaluations using the JB Appraisal Tools. To best address the research question, the data from the 19 articles were divided into three categories: 1) circumstantial factors, 2) non-pharmacological methods, and 3) pharmacological methods. Circumstantially, women with previous vaginal deliveries experienced the lowest pain during the procedure, and nulligravid (never pregnant) women experienced the most pain. Lower pain scores were reported by lactating women compared to non-lactating. Black women experienced the most anticipated pain compared to other races. Regarding non-pharmacological methods, different insertion techniques, tools, and the use of a cold compress were found to not affect the level of pain during IUD insertion. Lastly, it was shown that pharmacological methods such as lidocaine gel, lidocaine paracervical block, and lidocaine combined with either diclofenac or prilocaine decreased pain scores at different time stamps of the procedure. Also, oral ketorolac and a vaginal combination of misoprostol and dinoprostone helped reduce pain. Findings from this scoping review revealed a lack of uniformity across practices when performing IUD insertions, possibly due to differences in procedures across circumstantial factors, non-pharmacological methods, and pharmacological methods. More research is needed to investigate the intricacies of pain with IUD insertion. Moving forward, especially following a potential increase in the use of IUDs after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, establishing this gap may lead to a more refined standardized protocol to mitigate pain with IUD insertions.
PubMed: 38586685
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55785 -
African Journal of Reproductive Health Mar 2024Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue that contracts the uterus, prompting the expulsion of the embryo. No systematic evaluation of the mechanisms of misoprostol has...
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue that contracts the uterus, prompting the expulsion of the embryo. No systematic evaluation of the mechanisms of misoprostol has previously been performed. In this study, known targets of misoprostol were obtained from the DrugBank database; potential targets of misoprostol were predicted using data from the SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper databases; and the main targets of pregnancy termination were obtained from the GeneCards database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the shared genes between misoprostol and pregnancy termination was constructed using data from the STRING database, and the "misoprostol-pregnancy termination-pathway" network was constructed and potential targets was verified through molecular docking. We analyzed 37 shared target genes and obtained a network diagram of 134 potential targets, which the core therapeutic targets were HSP90AA1, EGFR, and MAPK1. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that misoprostol can modulate the VEGF signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway in pregnancy termination and mainly interferes with protein phosphorylation, cell localization, and protein hydrolysis regulation processes. This research illustrates the mechanism underlying the pharmacological effect of misoprostol, namely pregnancy termination. However, further experimental verification is warranted for optimal use of misoprostol during clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Misoprostol; Molecular Docking Simulation; Network Pharmacology; Abortion, Induced
PubMed: 38583074
DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i3.12 -
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation Apr 2024To evaluate the effect of maternal age and body mass index (BMI) on oral misoprostol induction of labor for late-term pregnancies.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of maternal age and body mass index (BMI) on oral misoprostol induction of labor for late-term pregnancies.
DESIGN
Retrospective cross-sectional study (ClinicalTrial iD: NCT06184139), including only late-term pregnancies in healthy nulliparous women and single cephalic fetus with normal birthweight. Specify the type of study (randomized, prospective cohort, case-control, other) and include the number of study subjects (cases/controls), treatment type and duration, sampling procedures if applicable.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
One-hundred-and-four pregnant women underwent induction of labor with oral misoprostol for late-term pregnancy on the 290th day of gestation. Study population was divided in two groups based on age (<35 and ≥35 years) and obesity (BMI <30 and ≥30). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.21.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY). The inclusion of 51 women from each of the two arms achieved 80% power with an alpha error of 0.05. Continuous variables were expressed as the mean and standard deviation (SD). Categorical variables are expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results No statistically significant differences were recorded between younger and older women. Obese women reported a longer time between the last dose of misoprostol and cervical dilation of 6 cm (p=0.01), a longer time between the last dose of misoprostol and delivery (p=0.04), and a higher rate of grade II vaginal lacerations (p=0.02). Limitations While this study contributes novel insights into cervical ripening and labor induction using oral misoprostol for late-term pregnancies, its scope is limited by the retrospective study design, inherently carrying biases compared to prospective approaches, and the limited sample size within the study cohort. Conclusions Maternal BMI is a factor negatively influencing the efficacy of oral misoprostol for induction of labor in late-term pregnancy.
PubMed: 38565086
DOI: 10.1159/000538374 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024We tested five chemically and metabolically stable prostaglandin (PG) receptor agonists in a mouse model of dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). Whilst all...
We tested five chemically and metabolically stable prostaglandin (PG) receptor agonists in a mouse model of dexamethasone-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). Whilst all compounds significantly ( < 0.05, ANOVA) lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) after twice-daily bilateral topical ocular dosing (5 µg/dose) over three weeks, the time course and magnitude of the responses varied. The onset of action of NS-304 (IP-PG receptor agonist) and rivenprost (EP4-PG receptor agonist) was slower than that of misoprostol (mixed EP2/EP3/EP4-PG receptor agonist), PF-04217329 (EP2-PG receptor agonist), and butaprost (EP2-PG receptor agonist). The rank order of IOP-lowering efficacies aligned with the onset of actions of these compounds. Peak IOP reductions relative to vehicle controls were as follows: misoprostol (74.52%) = PF-04217329 (74.32%) > butaprost (65.2%) > rivenprost (58.4%) > NS-304 (55.3%). A literature survey indicated that few previously evaluated compounds (e.g., latanoprost, timolol, pilocarpine, brimonidine, dorzolamide, cromakalim analog (CKLP1), losartan, tissue plasminogen activator, trans-resveratrol, sodium 4-phenyl acetic acid, etc.) in various animal models of steroid-induced OHT were able to match the effectiveness of misoprostol, PF-04217329 or butaprost. Since a common feature of the latter compounds is their relatively high affinity and potency at the EP2-PG receptor sub-type, which activates the production of intracellular cAMP in target cells, our studies suggest that drugs selective for the EP2-PG receptor may be suited to treat corticosteroid-induced OHT.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Misoprostol; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Ocular Hypertension; Receptors, Prostaglandin; Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype; Steroids; Acetamides; Acetates; Pyrazines; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 38542305
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063328 -
JAMA May 2024The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the right to choose abortion in the US, with at least 16 states subsequently...
IMPORTANCE
The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the right to choose abortion in the US, with at least 16 states subsequently implementing abortion bans or 6-week gestational limits. Prior research indicates that in the 6 months following Dobbs, approximately 32 360 fewer abortions were provided within the US formal health care setting. However, trends in the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting have not been studied.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting increased in the 6 months after Dobbs.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cross-sectional study using data from sources that provided abortion medications outside the formal health care setting to people in the US between March 1 and December 31, 2022, including online telemedicine organizations, community networks, and online vendors. Using a hierarchical bayesian model, we imputed missing values from sources not providing data. We estimated the change in provision of medications for self-managed abortion after the Dobbs decision. We then estimated actual use of these medications by accounting for the possibility that not all provided medications are used by recipients.
EXPOSURE
Abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Provision and use of medications for a self-managed abortion.
RESULTS
In the 6-month post-Dobbs period (July 1 to December 31, 2022), the total number of provisions of medications for self-managed abortion increased by 27 838 (95% credible interval [CrI], 26 374-29 175) vs what would have been expected based on pre-Dobbs levels. Excluding imputed data changes the results only slightly (27 145; 95% CrI, 25 747-28 246). Accounting for nonuse of medications, actual self-managed medication abortions increased by an estimated 26 055 (95% CrI, 24 739-27 245) vs what would have been expected had the Dobbs decision not occurred.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Provision of medications for self-managed abortions increased in the 6 months following the Dobbs decision. Results suggest that a substantial number of abortion seekers accessed services despite the implementation of state-level bans and restrictions.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Abortifacient Agents; Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Legal; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Services Accessibility; Mifepristone; Misoprostol; Self Care; Supreme Court Decisions; United States
PubMed: 38526865
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.4266 -
Advanced Biomedical Research 2024This study evaluates the effect of misoprostol alone in comparison with misoprostol with Foley catheter in preparing the cervix for induction of labor in women with...
Comparison of Misoprostol with Foley Catheter vs Misoprostol alone for Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor in Patients with Premature Rupture of Membrane: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates the effect of misoprostol alone in comparison with misoprostol with Foley catheter in preparing the cervix for induction of labor in women with premature rupture of the amniotic sac.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This randomized clinical trial study was performed from 2017 to 2019 on 206 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy and gestational age more than 36 weeks, whose rupture of the amniotic sac had occurred less than 12 hours and had a Bishop score less than 4. These women were randomly assigned to two groups of Foley catheters with misoprostol (intervention group, = 103) or misoprostol alone (control group, = 103) to induce labor. In both groups, sublingual misoprostol (25 micrograms) was administered at intervals of 4-6 hours. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS.21 software.
RESULTS
There is no significant difference between age and Bishop score in the two groups ( = 0.19, = 0.31, respectively). Lower doses (0 to 3) of misoprostol were used in the intervention group versus 0 to 5 doses in the control group ( = 0.001). Delivery time was shorter in the intervention group (10.83 hours vs. 13.10 hours in the control group, = 0.001). Also, the probability of complications such as fever, tachysystole, and hospitalization of an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) did not increase.
CONCLUSION
An intracervical Foley catheter with misoprostol is more effective in inducing labor in pregnancies with premature rupture of the membranes than using misoprostol alone and can be a safe and effective option.
PubMed: 38525402
DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_78_23 -
Radiology Case Reports Jun 2024Uterine rupture is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication. It is commonly a complication that happens in the third trimester of pregnancy. Its...
Uterine rupture is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication. It is commonly a complication that happens in the third trimester of pregnancy. Its occurrence in early pregnancy is very rare. We report a case of a patient who presented with uterine rupture on a scarred uterus during the termination of pregnancy with misoprostol at 10 weeks' amenorrhea. In this case, we discuss the clinical warning signs, risk factors, and diagnostic methodology, and compare our approach with the literature.
PubMed: 38515767
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.02.055 -
Contraception: X 2024Document the clinical outcomes of an outpatient medical management with procedural evacuation backup procedure for abortions between 18 weeks zero days to 23 weeks six...
OBJECTIVE
Document the clinical outcomes of an outpatient medical management with procedural evacuation backup procedure for abortions between 18 weeks zero days to 23 weeks six days gestation.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a retrospective medical records review of adult patients who received mifepristone and repeated misoprostol for second trimester abortion with procedural evacuation backup at an Arizona clinic between October 2017 and November 2021. We extracted patient demographics; pregnancy and medical history; and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data. We assessed abortion outcomes, including procedure timing, mode of completion (medication alone or medications and procedural evacuation), and safety.
RESULTS
All 359 patients had a complete abortion with 63.5% of patients completing with medication alone and 36.5% with procedural evacuation backup. The median time from first dose of misoprostol to fetal expulsion was six hours, among those who completed the abortion with medications alone. Of those who received procedural evacuation as backup, the median time for procedural evacuation was 10 minutes. The vast majority of patients (99.4%) did not have any adverse events. Two safety incidents (0.6%) occurred, a broad right ligament tear and a uterine rupture.
CONCLUSION
Patients in one outpatient setting safely and effectively received medical management of second trimester abortion with procedural evacuation backup, and two thirds completed with medications alone.
IMPLICATIONS
Outpatient settings may consider medical management of abortion between 18 and 24 weeks with procedural evacuation back-up as a safe, effective, and manageable second trimester abortion option. Additional research is needed on patient experience and satisfaction.
PubMed: 38515629
DOI: 10.1016/j.conx.2024.100104 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Jun 2024Labor induction rates have increased over the last decades, and in many high-income countries, more than one in four labors are induced. Outpatient management of labor...
INTRODUCTION
Labor induction rates have increased over the last decades, and in many high-income countries, more than one in four labors are induced. Outpatient management of labor induction has been suggested in low-risk pregnancies to improve women's birth experiences while also promoting a more efficient use of healthcare resources. The primary aim of this paper was to assess the proportion of women in a historical cohort that would have been eligible for outpatient labor induction with oral misoprostol. Second, we wanted to report safety outcomes and assess efficacy outcomes for mothers and infants in pregnancies that met the criteria for outpatient care.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Criteria for outpatient labor induction with oral misoprostol were applied to a historical cohort of women with induction of labor at two Norwegian tertiary hospitals in the period January 1, through July 31, 2021. The criteria included low-risk women with an unscarred uterus expecting a healthy, singleton baby in cephalic position at term. The primary outcome was the proportion of women eligible for outpatient labor induction. Secondary outcomes included reasons for ineligibility and, for eligible women, safety and efficacy outcomes.
RESULTS
Overall, 29.7% of the 1320 women who underwent labor induction in a singleton term pregnancy met the criteria for outpatient labor induction. We identified two serious adverse events that potentially could have occurred outside the hospital if the women had received outpatient care. The mean duration from initiation of labor induction to administration of the last misoprostol was 22.4 h. One in 14 multiparous women gave birth within 3 h after the last misoprostol dose.
CONCLUSIONS
In this historical cohort, three in ten women met the criteria for outpatient management of labor induction with oral misoprostol. Serious adverse events were rare. The average time span from the initiation of labor induction to the last misoprostol was nearly 24 h. This suggests a potential for low-risk women with an induced labor to spend a substantial period of time at home before labor onset. However, larger studies testing or evaluating labor induction with oral misoprostol as an outpatient procedure are needed to draw conclusions.
Topics: Humans; Labor, Induced; Female; Pregnancy; Misoprostol; Adult; Oxytocics; Cohort Studies; Ambulatory Care; Norway
PubMed: 38504457
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14799