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Women and Birth : Journal of the... Mar 2024Admission in the latent phase of labour is associated with higher rates of obstetric intervention. Women are frequently admitted due to pain. This study aimed to... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Admission in the latent phase of labour is associated with higher rates of obstetric intervention. Women are frequently admitted due to pain. This study aimed to determine whether using a birth ball at home in the latent phase of labour reduces pain perception on admission.
METHOD
A prospective, pragmatic randomised controlled trial of 294 low risk pregnant women aged 18 and over planning a hospital birth. An animated educational video was offered at 36 weeks' gestation along with a birth ball. The primary outcome was pain on a Visual Analogue Scale on admission in labour. Participants who experienced a spontaneous labour were invited to respond to an online questionnaire 6 weeks' postpartum.
RESULTS
There were no differences in the mean pain scores; (6.3 versus 6.5; 90%CI -0.72 to 0.37 p = 0.6) or mean cervical dilatation on admission (4.7 cm versus 5.0 cm; 95% CI -1.1 to 0.5 p = 0.58). More Intervention participants were admitted in active labour (63.6% versus 55.7%; p = 0.28) and experienced an unassisted vaginal birth (70.3% v. 65.8%; p = 0.07) with fewer intrapartum caesarean sections (7.5% v. 17.9%; p = 0.07) although the trial was not powered to detect these differences in secondary outcomes. Most participants found the birth ball helpful (89.2%) and would use it in a future labour (92.5%).
CONCLUSION
Using the birth ball at home in the latent phase is a safe and acceptable strategy for labouring women to manage their labour, potentially postpone admission and reduce caesarean section. Further research is warranted.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Cesarean Section; Labor, Obstetric; Pain; Pain Perception; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 38092653
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.11.008 -
Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine 2023To determine whether addition of evening primrose to a misoprostol-based abortion regimen can increase the success of abortion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether addition of evening primrose to a misoprostol-based abortion regimen can increase the success of abortion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this randomized clinical trial., 148 women referring to Niknafas Hospital in Rafsanajn with diagnosis of missed abortion were randomly allocated into two 74-subject groups. The intervention group used 2000 mg vaginal evening primrose capsules the night before the hospitalization, while the control group did not receive any medication. Both groups received an initial dose of 800 μg of vaginal misoprostol after admission and the next dose was given three hours later if necessary.
RESULTS
The two groups had significant differences in terms of full abortion, consistency and dilatation of cervix, duration between the first dose of misoprostol until the ejection of fetus, the misoprostol dose administered, and the level of vaginal bleeding during the hospitalization. They had no significant differences regarding curettage, duration of hospitalization, or side effects. The mean pain score had no significant difference between the two groups, though the score was lower in the intervention group (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Administration of vaginal evening primrose before vaginal misoprostol was found to be more effective compared to misoprostol alone in missed abortion.
PubMed: 38089421
DOI: 10.22038/AJP.2023.22179 -
Geburtshilfe Und Frauenheilkunde Dec 2023Mechanical methods have gained growing interest for pre-induction cervical ripening in women with an unripe cervix, since they have a better safety profile compared to...
Mechanical methods have gained growing interest for pre-induction cervical ripening in women with an unripe cervix, since they have a better safety profile compared to prostaglandins. Balloon catheters have been the gold standard method for decades, while there was a lack of data on synthetic osmotic cervical dilators. Not until 2015, when Dilapan-S was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for induction of labor, numerous studies have been published on the use of Dilapan-S in this field. The rate of vaginal deliveries associated with the use of Dilapan-S ranges from 61.6 to 81.7%, and no serious complications needing further interventions have been reported to this date. Dilapan-S was shown to be as effective as the Foley balloon catheter as well as the 10 mg PGE vaginal insert and orally applied misoprostol (25 µg every 2 hours) in achieving vaginal delivery, but patient's satisfaction during the cervical ripening process was significantly higher compared to the other methods and the rate of uterine hyperstimulation was significantly lower compared to prostaglandins (PGs). Minor complications (e.g. vaginal bleeding) associated with the use of Dilapan-S were < 2%, and maternal infectious morbidity was not higher compared to Foley balloon and vaginal PGE or misoprostol. Due to these beneficial properties Dilapan-S might be an ideal option for outpatient cervical ripening, as shown in a recent randomized clinical trial comparing inpatient to outpatient cervical ripening. Furthermore, according to the manufacturers' product information, Dilapan-S is the only cervical ripening method that is not contraindicated for induction of labor in women with a previous cesarean section. Upcoming guidelines should consider synthetic osmotic cervical dilators as an effective and safe method for cervical ripening/induction of labor acknowledging that more evidence-based data are mandatory, particularly in patients with a previous cesarean section.
PubMed: 38046527
DOI: 10.1055/a-2103-8329 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jan 2024Right congenital diaphragmatic defect (CDH) has been reported poor prognosis. However, laterality of the defect as the prognostic factor is recent controversial topic....
INTRODUCTION
Right congenital diaphragmatic defect (CDH) has been reported poor prognosis. However, laterality of the defect as the prognostic factor is recent controversial topic. We experienced two cases of right CDH with relatively stable respiratory condition and good clinical course.
PRESENTATION OF CASES
Case 1 was a girl diagnosed with right CDH by fetal ultrasonography and delivered by planned caesarian section at 37 weeks, 3 days. Fetal MRI showed liver herniation into the right thoracic cavity. High frequency oscillatory ventilation with nitric oxide gas was administered until day 5. At surgery on day 8, we found defects in the right posterolateral diaphragm and sac herniation of the right side of the liver into the right thoracic cavity. The postsurgical course was uneventful, and she was discharged on day 41. Case 2 was a girl with suspected congenital jejunal atresia after fetal ultrasonography detected polyhydramnios and dilatation. She was delivered by normal vaginal delivery at 38 weeks, 5 days, and thoraco-abdominal X ray showed right CDH but no small intestinal atresia. Surgery performed on day 3 found liver herniation into the diaphragmatic defect. Subsequently, bacterial infection occurred and was treated with the antibiotics, but her respiratory condition remained stable. She was discharged on day 49.
DISCUSSION
The volume of herniated abdominal organs is affected by the presence of a hernia sac or the size of the diaphragmatic defect.
CONCLUSION
The size of diaphragmatic defect, but not the laterality of the diaphragmatic defect, may be an important prognostic factor in right CDH.
PubMed: 38039568
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.109036 -
Gynecology and Minimally Invasive... 2023To compare the need for mechanical cervical dilatation following vaginal misoprostol or synthetic osmotic dilator (Dilapan-S) usage for cervical preparation before...
Comparison of Efficacy of Vaginal Misoprostol versus a Synthetic Osmotic Dilator (Dilapan-S) for Cervical Preparation before Operative Hysteroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Study.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the need for mechanical cervical dilatation following vaginal misoprostol or synthetic osmotic dilator (Dilapan-S) usage for cervical preparation before operative hysteroscopy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-five premenopausal women scheduled for operative hysteroscopic procedures with a 26 Fr resectoscope were included in this randomized, controlled clinical trial. After randomization, either 400 μg of vaginal misoprostol or intracervical synthetic osmotic dilator (Dilapan-S) was inserted 12 h before operative hysteroscopy. The need for additional mechanical cervical dilatation before insertion of the resectoscope was compared between the two groups. Initial cervical diameter before mechanical dilatation, intraoperative complications (cervical tears, creation of a false passage), and ease of dilatation were also compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
In the misoprostol group, 92% of women required additional mechanical cervical dilatation, whereas only 36% of women in the Dilapan-S group required additional dilatation ( < 0.05). The median initial cervical diameter achieved with Dilapan was 9 mm (Q1: 7 mm; Q3: 10 mm), and with misoprostol, it was 6 mm (Q1: 4.5 mm; Q3: 8 mm) ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in other outcome parameters between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Synthetic osmotic dilator (Dilapan-S) is more efficacious than vaginal misoprostol at ripening the cervix before operative hysteroscopy.
PubMed: 38034111
DOI: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_111_22 -
AJP Reports Jul 2023Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity. Pregnancy-associated acquired hemophilia A (AHA) caused by autoantibodies against factor VIII...
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity. Pregnancy-associated acquired hemophilia A (AHA) caused by autoantibodies against factor VIII can present with recurrent episodes of postpartum bleeding. A 50-year-old G2P0112 presented with vaginal bleeding 22 days postcaesarean. She underwent dilation and curettage, hysterectomy, and interventional radiology (IR) embolization before AHA diagnosis. She was hospitalized for 32 days and received 23 units of blood product. She remains without relapse of AHA after 5 years. A 48-year-old G3P1021 presented with vaginal bleeding 8 days postcaesarean. She underwent three surgeries and IR embolization before AHA diagnosis. She was hospitalized for 18 days and received 39 units of blood product. Prednisone and cyclophosphamide were continued after discharge. AHA is a rare cause of PPH. An isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) should prompt further workup in postpartum patients with refractory bleeding. Rapid recognition of AHA can prevent significant morbidity related to hemorrhage, massive transfusion, and multiple surgeries.
PubMed: 38033602
DOI: 10.1055/a-2198-7888 -
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 -
La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica :... Nov 2023Congenital vaginal atresia is a rare anomaly of the female genital tract. Many vaginoplasty procedures have been described, but the postoperative risk of vaginal...
Congenital vaginal atresia is a rare anomaly of the female genital tract. Many vaginoplasty procedures have been described, but the postoperative risk of vaginal stenosis remains a challenge. We report a case of isolated distal vaginal agenesis in a patient with neurological impairment where the use of an "alternative" dilator was needed. An 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome was admitted to the Emergency Department complaining of pelvic pain. The clinical evaluation showed a hard and painful pelvic mass associated with an imperforate hymen. Abdominal ultrasound and pelvic MRI were suggestive for hematometrocolpos and absence of the lower third segment of the vagina. Vaginoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of congenital vaginal agenesis. The patient then underwent a laparoscopic-assisted vaginoplasty. Considering the difficult management of the postoperative period, an epistaxis catheter was used as a vaginal stent and dilator. The use of an epistaxis catheter to provide adequate vaginal patency after vaginoplasty can be an alternative solution especially in those cases where calibrations with dilators are difficult or not tolerated.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Vagina; Constriction, Pathologic; Epistaxis; Catheters
PubMed: 38010316
DOI: 10.4081/pmc.2023.318 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2024Cervical incompetence is an important cause of extremely preterm delivery. Without specialized treatment, cervical incompetence has a 30% chance of recurrence in a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Cervical incompetence is an important cause of extremely preterm delivery. Without specialized treatment, cervical incompetence has a 30% chance of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy. Recently, the first randomized controlled trial showed significant superiority of abdominal cerclage compared with both high and low vaginal cerclage in preventing preterm delivery at <32 weeks of gestation and fetal loss in patients with a previous failed vaginal cerclage.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess surgical and obstetrical outcomes in patients with pre- and postconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage placement. Furthermore, it also aimed to perform subgroup analysis based on the indication for cerclage placement in order to identify patients who benefit the most from an abdominal cerclage.
STUDY DESIGN
A retrospective multicenter cohort study with consecutive inclusion of all eligible patients from 1997 onward in the Dutch cohort (104 patients) and from 2007 onward in the Boston cohort (169 patients) was conducted. Eligible patients had at least 1 second- or third-trimester fetal loss due to cervical incompetence and/or a short or absent cervix after cervical surgery. This includes loop electrosurgical excision procedure, conization, or trachelectomy. Patients were divided into the following subgroups based on the indication for cerclage placement: (1) previous failed vaginal cerclage, (2) previous cervical surgery, and (3) other indications. The third group consisted of patients with a history of multiple second- or early third-trimester fetal losses due to cervical incompetence (without a failed vaginal cerclage) and/or multiple dilation and curettage procedures. The primary outcome measure was delivery at ≥34 weeks of gestation with neonatal survival at hospital discharge. Secondary outcome measures included surgical and obstetrical outcomes, such as pregnancy rates after preconceptional surgery, obstetrical complications, and fetal survival rates.
RESULTS
A total of 273 patients were included (250 in the preconceptional and 23 in the postconceptional cohort). Surgical outcomes of 273 patients were favorable, with 6 minor complications (2.2%). In the postconceptional cohort, 1 patient (0.4%) had hemorrhage of 650 mL, resulting in conversion to laparotomy. After preconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (n=250), the pregnancy rate was 74.1% (n=137) with a minimal follow-up of 12 months. Delivery at ³34 weeks of gestation occurred in 90.5% of all ongoing pregnancies. Four patients (3.3%) had a second-trimester fetal loss. The indication for cerclage in all 4 patients was a previous failed vaginal cerclage. The other subgroups showed fetal survival rates of 100% in ongoing pregnancies, with a total fetal survival rate of 96%. After postconceptional placement, 94.1% of all patients with an ongoing pregnancy delivered at ³34 weeks of gestation, with a total fetal survival rate of 100%. Thus, second-trimester fetal losses did not occur in this group.
CONCLUSION
Pre- and postconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage is a safe procedure with favorable obstetrical outcomes in patients with increased risk of cervical incompetence. All subgroups showed high fetal survival rates. Second-trimester fetal loss only occurred in the group of patients with a cerclage placed for the indication of previous failed vaginal cerclage, but was nevertheless rare even in this group.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Cerclage, Cervical; Cohort Studies; Laparoscopy; Premature Birth; Cervix Uteri; Uterine Cervical Incompetence
PubMed: 37984689
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101227 -
Revista de Saude Publica 2023To descriptively analyze Brazilian parturient women who underwent previous cesarean section and point out the factors associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)...
OBJECTIVE
To descriptively analyze Brazilian parturient women who underwent previous cesarean section and point out the factors associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) in Brazil.
METHODS
The study used data from women with one, two, or three or more cesarean sections from the survey Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil). Differences between categories were assessed through the chi-square test (χ2). Variables with significant differences (p < 0.05) were incorporated into logistic regression.
FINDINGS
Out of the total of 23,894 women, 20.9% had undergone a previous cesarean section. The majority (85.1%) underwent another cesarean section, with 75.5% occurring before the onset of labor. The rate of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) was 14.9%, with a success rate of 60.8%. Women who underwent three or more cesarean sections displayed greater social vulnerability. The chances of VBAC were higher among those who opted for a vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, had a prior vaginal birth, underwent labor induction, were admitted with over 4 centimeters of dilation, and without partner. Receiving care from the private health care system, having two or more prior cesarean sections, obstetric complications, and deciding on cesarean delivery late in gestation reduced the chances of VBAC. Age group, educational background, prenatal care adequacy, and the reason for the previous cesarean section did not result in significant differences.
CONCLUSION
The majority of women who underwent a previous cesarean section in Brazil are directed towards another surgery, and a higher number of cesarean sections is linked to greater social inequality. Factors associated with VBAC included choosing vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, having had a previous vaginal birth, higher cervical dilation upon admission, induction, assistance from the public health care system, absence of obstetric complications, and without a partner. Efforts to promote VBAC are necessary to reduce overall cesarean rates and their repercussions on maternal and child health.
Topics: Child; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Cesarean Section; Brazil; Retrospective Studies; Labor, Obstetric; Vaginal Birth after Cesarean
PubMed: 37971073
DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057004819