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Oman Medical Journal May 2021Our study sought to assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes of operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). We assessed the...
OBJECTIVES
Our study sought to assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes of operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). We assessed the proportion of OVDs along with the proportion of maternal and neonatal outcomes of kiwi OmniCup vacuum, metal cup vacuum, and forceps deliveries.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at SQUH from June 2015 to March 2018. The hospital information system was utilized to obtain records of all women who delivered at SQUH by vacuum or forceps during the study period. We collected data on maternal demographics, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and total number of deliveries.
RESULTS
During the study period, 3.8% of deliveries were OVDs. The most common instrument used was the Kiwi OmniCup vacuum device. No significant difference was found between the type of tears and instrument used except perineal tears ( 0.003), which was seen more in the vacuum group, particularly Kiwi OmniCup. Neonatal birth weight ( 0.046) was significantly higher in the metallic vacuum cup group. Thirty-one neonates (6.6%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and most were born using Kiwi OmniCup vacuum (67.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
OVD is an ideal alternative to cesarean section with fewer maternal and neonatal complications in women who cannot deliver spontaneously if performed by a well-trained obstetrician.
PubMed: 34113459
DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.61 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2021Women's attitudes towards obstetric forceps likely contribute to declining use and opportunities for residency training, but formal documentation of women's attitudes...
BACKGROUND
Women's attitudes towards obstetric forceps likely contribute to declining use and opportunities for residency training, but formal documentation of women's attitudes towards obstetric forceps is currently limited. A clearer understanding should help guide our attempts to preserve its use in modern obstetrics and to improve residency training. Our objective is to document women's attitudes towards obstetric forceps and the influence basic demographic variables have on those attitudes.
METHODS
A cross sectional study was performed. We developed a one-time anonymous structured 5-question survey that was given to all women with low-risk pregnancies presenting to our medical center for prenatal care between October 2018-December 2018. The questionnaire asked for the woman's self-reported age, race, education level and insurance type. The five questions were as follows: (1) Do you think forceps should be used to deliver babies, (2) Is forceps safe for the baby, (3) Is forceps safe for the mother, (4) Do you think forceps can help to lower the cesarean section rate, (5) Do you think physicians in training should learn to place forceps on a real patient. We calculated means and proportions for the responses according to the overall group and various subgroups. Statistical analysis included Kruskall-Wallis or Mann-Whitney tests as appropriate. Results were also adjusted by regression using a Generalized Linear Model. Power calculation showed sample size of 384 was required.
RESULTS
A total of 499 women returned the questionnaire. Response rate was 56.8% (499/878). The findings suggest that women's perceptions towards forceps are generally negative. Women with white ethnicity, college education or higher and private insurance did have more favorable views than their counterparts, but the majority still had unfavorable views. Age was not shown to have a significant effect on maternal attitude.
CONCLUSION
Women's views towards forceps use in the University of Kansas Medical Center are negative and may be contributing to the decline of its use. Improving women's perceptions of forceps would require multiple different strategies rather than a single focused easily-implemented message. If forceps training continues, such training will rely on a minority of women who will accept forceps use in childbirth.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Internship and Residency; Obstetrical Forceps; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 33975552
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03854-x -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2021In many countries, the increase in facility births is accompanied by a high rate of obstetric interventions. Lower birthrates or elevated risk factors such as women's...
BACKGROUND
In many countries, the increase in facility births is accompanied by a high rate of obstetric interventions. Lower birthrates or elevated risk factors such as women's higher age at childbirth and an increased need for control and security cannot entirely explain this rise in obstetric interventions. Another possible factor is that women are coerced to agree to interventions, but the prevalence of coercive interventions in Switzerland is unknown.
METHODS
In a nationwide cross-sectional online survey, we assessed the prevalence of informal coercion during childbirth, women's satisfaction with childbirth, and the prevalence of women at risk of postpartum depression. Women aged 18 years or older who had given birth in Switzerland within the previous 12 months were recruited online through Facebook ads or through various offline channels. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the risk ratios associated with multiple individual and contextual factors.
RESULTS
In total, 6054 women completed the questionnaire (a dropout rate of 16.2%). An estimated 26.7% of women experienced some form of informal coercion during childbirth. As compared to vaginal delivery, cesarean section (CS) and instrumental vaginal birth were associated with an increased risk of informal coercion (planned CS risk ratio [RR]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [1.18,1.96]; unplanned CS RR: 1.92 [1.61,2.28]; emergency CS RR: 2.10 [1.71,2.58]; instrumental vaginal birth RR: 2.17 [1.85,2.55]). Additionally, migrant women (RR: 1.45 [1.26,1.66]) and women for whom a self-determined vaginal birth was more important (RR: 1.15 [1.06,1.24]) more often reported informal coercion. Emergency cesarean section (RR: 1.32 [1.08,1.62]), being transferred to hospital (RR: 1.33 [1.11,1.60]), and experiencing informal coercion (RR: 1.35 [1.19,1.54]) were all associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression. Finally, women who had a non-instrumental vaginal birth reported higher satisfaction with childbirth while women who experienced informal coercion reported lower satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS
One in four women experience informal coercion during childbirth, and this experience is associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression and lower satisfaction with childbirth. To prevent traumatic after-effects, health care professionals should make every effort to prevent informal coercion and to ensure sensitive aftercare for all new mothers.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cesarean Section; Coercion; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery, Obstetric; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Informed Consent; Obstetrical Forceps; Patient Satisfaction; Pregnancy; Switzerland; Young Adult
PubMed: 33971841
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03826-1 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2021Several factors associated with B glenoid are also linked with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). The purpose of this observational study was to determine the...
BACKGROUND
Several factors associated with B glenoid are also linked with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). The purpose of this observational study was to determine the incidence of OBPP risk factors in type B patients.
METHODS
A cohort of 154 patients (68% men, 187 shoulders) aged 63 ± 17 years with type B glenoids completed a questionnaire comprising history of perinatal characteristics related to OBPP. A literature review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to estimate the incidence of OBPP risk factors in the general population.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients (18%) reported one or more perinatal OBPP risk factors, including shoulder dystocia ( = 4, 2.6%), macrosomia >4 kg ( = 5, 3.2%), breech delivery ( = 6, 3.9%), fetal distress ( = 8, 5.2%), maternal diabetes ( = 2, 1.3%), clavicular fracture ( = 2, 1.3%), and forceps delivery ( = 4, 2.6%). The comparison with the recent literature suggested that most perinatal OBPP risk factors were within the normal range, although the incidence of shoulder dystocia, forceps and vaginal breech deliveries exceeded the average rates.
CONCLUSION
Perinatal factors related to OBPP did not occur in a higher frequency in patients with Walch type B OA compared to the general population, although some of them were in the high normal range.
PubMed: 33809287
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061196 -
Pilot and Feasibility Studies Mar 2021The Odon Device™ is a new device for assisted vaginal birth that employs an air cuff around the fetal head for traction. Assisted vaginal birth (AVB) is a vital health...
BACKGROUND
The Odon Device™ is a new device for assisted vaginal birth that employs an air cuff around the fetal head for traction. Assisted vaginal birth (AVB) is a vital health intervention that can result in better outcomes for mothers and their babies when complications arise in the second stage of labour. Unfortunately, instruments for AVB (forceps and ventouse) are often not used in settings where there is most clinical need often due to lack of training and resources, resulting in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality which could have been prevented. This is often due to a lack of trained operators as well as difficulties in the sterilisation and maintenance of AVB devices. This novel, single use device has the potential to mitigate these difficulties as it is single use and is potentially simpler to use than forceps and ventouse. All the studies of the Odon Device to date (pre-clinical, preliminary developmental and clinical) suggest that the Odon Device does not present a higher risk to mothers or babies compared to current standard care, and recruitment to intrapartum research exploring the device is feasible and acceptable to women. The first study in which the Odon Device was used in clinically indicated conditions (the ASSIST Study) reported a lower efficacy than those reported with established devices. The reasons need to be explored, specifically focussing on learning curve, the technique of the doctors using this new device and potential modifications to device design. A follow-on clinical study to further investigate the efficacy and safety of the Odon Device in its indicated use, the ASSIST II Study, is therefore being undertaken.
METHODS
The primary feasibility outcome is study feasibility (recruitment and retention rates) whilst the primary clinical outcome successful vaginal birth completed with the Odon Device. Key secondary feasibility outcomes include participant withdrawal, compliance in data collection and acceptability of the device to women and operators. Secondary clinical outcomes include maternal, neonatal and device outcomes. Safety data will be reviewed following every birth exploring maternal, neonatal and device risks. Using A'Hern approach for sample size calculation, we aim to recruit 104 women requiring an assisted vaginal birth for a recognised clinical indication. Assuming an AVB success rate of 65% or more, a one-sided alpha risk of 5% and power of 90%.
DISCUSSION
The data from the ASSIST II Study will provide the information required regarding acceptability, recruitment, outcome data collection, device design, technique of device use and operator learning curve in order to design a future randomised controlled trial of the Odon Device versus current modes of assisted vaginal birth.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN registration: 38829082 (prospectively registered July 26, 2019).
PubMed: 33741082
DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00814-2 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Mar 2021Women whose fetuses are in the occiput posterior head position at the time of delivery are known to have longer second stages of labor and more complicated deliveries... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Women whose fetuses are in the occiput posterior head position at the time of delivery are known to have longer second stages of labor and more complicated deliveries including more operative deliveries (cesarean, forceps, or vacuum-assisted delivery) and more third- and fourth-degree lacerations than those whose fetuses are in the occiput anterior position.
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that rotating the fetus at the start of the second stage might decrease these complications.
STUDY DESIGN
At Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, we randomized term (37 weeks or beyond), nulliparous patients with epidurals and a singleton fetus in the occiput posterior position to either attempted early manual rotation to occiput anterior or to a control group managed expectantly. The control group could later be rotated if indicated by the clinical setting. The primary outcome was the length of the second stage of labor. Dichotomous outcomes were compared utilizing the chi-square test, and continuous outcomes were compared utilizing the Student t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. The sample size estimate was for 64 patients to be randomized (32 in each group) to show a difference of 36 minutes of pushing time between the 2 groups.
RESULTS
We randomized 65 patients (33 to early manual rotation and 32 to control). When we examined a variety of baseline obstetrical characteristics, we found no statistically different values for the 2 groups. The early manual rotation group had a shorter median second stage of labor (65 minutes vs 82 minutes; P=.04).
CONCLUSION
Early manual rotation of the occiput posterior fetus led to a shorter second stage of labor in this small randomized trial. Future larger randomized trials are needed to validate these findings.
Topics: Female; Fetus; Humans; Labor Presentation; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Rotation; Utah; Watchful Waiting
PubMed: 33545441
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100327 -
Journal of Medicine and Life 2020Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common reason for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Also, it is often complicated with fetal distress. Melatonin is widely...
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common reason for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Also, it is often complicated with fetal distress. Melatonin is widely known as an anti-oxidant agent, and it might decrease the damage of tissues caused by hypoxia. It is also known that levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are changed during pregnancy. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is responsible for the angiogenesis in the placenta. We aimed to investigate whether the level of melatonin, cytokines, and PlGF in umbilical blood after birth is different in the case of IUGR compared to normal fetuses. Fourteen women whose pregnancies were complicated with IUGR were included in the study group. The presence of IUGR was confirmed by ultrasound fetometry in the third pregnancy trimester, 30-36 weeks of gestation. All patients delivered their children vaginally after 37 weeks of pregnancy. The cases of severe fetal distress that required a caesarian section, obstetrical forceps, or vacuum extraction of the fetus were excluded from the study. We found that the concentrations of cytokines did not differ significantly between the groups. Also, no significant difference in the daytime of delivery was found between the groups. The concentrations of melatonin and PlGF in the umbilical blood at labor were significantly lowered in the case of IUGR compared to normal pregnancies. This fact, as we consider, is caused by altered production of melatonin and PlGF by the placenta. Therefore, the protective action of these two factors for the fetus at labor is decreased in IUGR.
Topics: Adult; Cesarean Section; Child; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Humans; Interleukins; Melatonin; Placenta Growth Factor; Pregnancy; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 33456605
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2020-0128 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jun 2021No new method of assisting vaginal birth has been introduced into clinical practice since the development of the vacuum extractor in the 1950s. The Odon Device is a new... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
No new method of assisting vaginal birth has been introduced into clinical practice since the development of the vacuum extractor in the 1950s. The Odon Device is a new device that employs a circumferential air cuff over the fetal head to assist birth. In this study, the Odon Device has been used to assist vaginal birth for standard clinical indications.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact, safety, and acceptability of the Odon Device to women, their babies, and clinicians and to assess the feasibility of recruiting women to an interventional intrapartum research study.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a nonrandomized, single-arm interventional feasibility study of the Odon Device for operative vaginal birth undertaken in a single maternity unit: Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom. The Odon Device was used to assist birth in 40 women who required the birth to be assisted for suspected fetal compromise and/or prolonged second stage of labor. The primary clinical outcome was the proportion of births successfully assisted with the Odon Device, and the primary feasibility outcome was the proportion of eligible women who were approached and who agreed to participate. Neonatal outcome data were reviewed at day 28, and maternal outcomes were investigated up to day 90.
RESULTS
Between October 2018 and January 2019, 298 of 384 approached, eligible women (77.6%) consented to participate. Of these women, 40 received the intervention-the use of the Odon Device. Birth was assisted in all cephalic (occiput anterior, occiput transverse, and occiput posterior) fetal positions, at all stations at or below the ischial spine and with or without regional analgesia. The Odon Device was effective in 19 of 40 cases (48%). Of the 40 births, 21 (52.5%) required additional assistance: 18 of 40 births (45%) were completed using nonrotational forceps, 1 of 40 births (3%) required rotational forceps, and 2 of 40 births (5%) required an emergency cesarean delivery. There was no serious maternal or neonatal adverse event related to the use of the device, and there was no serious adverse device effect. There were 4 devices (10%) that were ineffective because of a manufacturing fault. Furthermore, 39 of 40 women (98%) reported a high birth perception score. All practitioners were able to use the device as intended, although some steps in using the device were reported to be easier to perform (setup and deflation of air chamber) than others (application of the device and withdrawal of the applicator).
CONCLUSION
Recruitment to an interventional study of a new device for operative vaginal birth was feasible; 78% of eligible women were willing to participate, often expressing an aspiration for an alternative to forceps and vacuum. The success rate of the Odon Device was lower than reported success rates of vacuum and forceps; however, in this study, the device had been used to assist birth for standard clinical indications. There was no significant maternal or neonatal safety concern associated with the use of the device, although the number of births studied was small. Further feasibility study to establish iterative changes to the device, technique, and clinical indications is necessary.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Equipment Failure; Extraction, Obstetrical; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Obstetric Labor Complications; Patient Satisfaction; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33316274
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.12.017 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Nov 2020Instrumental deliveries are an unavoidable part of obstetric practice. Dedicated training is needed for each instrument. To identify when a trainee resident can be... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Instrumental deliveries are an unavoidable part of obstetric practice. Dedicated training is needed for each instrument. To identify when a trainee resident can be entrusted with instrumental deliveries by Suzor forceps by studying obstetric anal sphincter injuries.
METHODS
A French retrospective observational study of obstetric anal sphincter injuries due to Suzor forceps deliveries performed by trainee residents was conducted from November 2008 to November 2016 at Limoges University Hospital. Perineal lesion risk factors were studied. Sequential use of a vacuum extractor and then forceps was also analyzed.
RESULTS
Twenty-one residents performed 1530 instrumental deliveries, which included 1164 (76.1%) using forceps and 89 (5.8%) with sequential use of a vacuum extractor and then forceps. Third and fourth degree perineal tears were diagnosed in 82 patients (6.5%). Residents caused fewer obstetric anal sphincter injuries after 23.82 (+/- 0.8) deliveries by forceps (p = 0.0041), or after 2.36 (+/- 0.7) semesters of obstetrical experience (p = 0.0007). No obese patient (body mass index> 30) presented obstetric anal sphincter injuries (p = 0.0013). There were significantly fewer obstetric anal sphincter injuries after performance of episiotomy (p < 0.0001), and more lesions in the case of the occipito-sacral position (p = 0.028). Analysis of sequential instrumentation did not find any additional associated risk.
CONCLUSION
Training in the use of Suzor forceps requires extended mentoring in order to reduce obstetric anal sphincter injuries. A stable level of competence was found after the execution of at least 24 forceps deliveries or after 3 semesters (18 months) of obstetrical experience.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Clinical Competence; Episiotomy; Extraction, Obstetrical; Female; France; Humans; Internship and Residency; Lacerations; Obstetric Labor Complications; Obstetrical Forceps; Obstetrics; Perineum; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 33167939
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03358-0 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Oct 2020Delivery methods are associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) both in nulliparous and multiparous women. However, few studies have examined the difference in this...
Differential effects of different delivery methods on progression to severe postpartum hemorrhage between Chinese nulliparous and multiparous women: a retrospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Delivery methods are associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) both in nulliparous and multiparous women. However, few studies have examined the difference in this association between nulliparous and multiparous women. This study aimed to explore the difference of maternal and neonatal characteristics and delivery methods between Chinese nulliparous and multiparous women, and then examine the differential effects of different delivery methods on PPH between these two-type women.
METHODS
Totally 151,333 medical records of women who gave birth between April 2013 to May 2016 were obtained from the electronic health records (EHR) in a northern province, China. The severity of PPH was estimated and classified into blood loss at the level of < 900 ml, 900-1500 ml, 1500-2100 ml, and > 2100 ml. Neonatal and maternal characteristics related to PPH were derived from the same database. Multiple ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate associations.
RESULTS
Medical comorbidities, placenta previa and accreta were higher in the nulliparous group and the episiotomy rate was higher in the multiparous group. Compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), the adjusted odds (aOR) for progression to severe PPH due to the forceps-assisted delivery was much higher in multiparous women (aOR: 9.32; 95% CI: 3.66-23.71) than in nulliparous women (aOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 0.91-3.18). The (aOR) for progression to severe PPH due to cesarean section (CS) compared to SVD was twice as high in the multiparous women (aOR: 4.32; 95% CI: 3.03-6.14) as in the nulliparous women (aOR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.40-2.97). However, the (aOR) for progression to severe PPH due to episiotomy compared to SVD between multiparous (aOR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.96-1.62) and nulliparous women (aOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.92-2.60) was not significantly different. The (aOR) for progression to severe PPH due to vacuum-assisted delivery compared to SVD in multiparous women (aOR: 2.41; 95% CI: 0.36-16.29) was not significantly different from the nulliparous women (aOR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.40-2.73).
CONCLUSIONS
Forceps-assisted delivery and CS methods were found to increase the risk of severity of the PPH. The adverse effects were even greater for multiparous women. Episiotomy and the vacuum-assisted delivery, and SVD were similar to the risk of progression to severe PPH in either nulliparous or multiparous women. Our findings have implications for the obstetric decision on the choice of delivery methods, maternal and neonatal health care, and obstetric quality control.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Birth Weight; Cesarean Section; China; Comorbidity; Disease Progression; Electronic Health Records; Episiotomy; Extraction, Obstetrical; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Obstetrical Forceps; Parity; Placenta Accreta; Placenta Previa; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult
PubMed: 33129300
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03351-7