Birth Outcomes In Women Research Articles

Pregnancy outcomes for women with a history of stroke: A population-based record linkage study.

Little is known about the pregnancy outcomes of women who have had a stroke prior to a first pregnancy. To identify a cohort of primiparous women giving birth to a single baby and compare the pregnancy outcomes of those with a pre-pregnancy stroke hospitalisation record to those without a stroke hospitalisation record. Record linkage study of all primiparous women aged 15-44years with singleton pregnancies birthing in New South Wales, Australia from 2003 to 2015. Stroke was identified from 2001 to 2015 hospital data using International Classification of Diseases tenth Edition - Australian Modification codes I60-64. Women whose first hospital record of stroke was during pregnancy or <42days after birth were excluded. Outcomes included diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, mode of delivery, haemorrhage, severe maternal morbidity (validated composite outcome indicator), gestational age at birth, Apgar score (1min<7), and small-for-gestational age. Of 487767 women with a first pregnancy, 124 (2.5/10000) had a hospital record which included a pre-pregnancy stroke diagnosis. Women with a stroke history were more likely to have an early-term delivery (37-38weeks; relative risk (RR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90) and a pre-labour caesarean (RR 2.83, 95% CI 2.20-3.63). There were no significant differences in other maternal or neonatal outcomes. This is the largest reported study of pregnancy and birth outcomes for women with a history of stroke. With the exception of pre-labour caesarean, there were no differences in pregnancy outcomes for women with a history of stroke compared with women with no history of stroke.

Birth outcomes in women with body mass index of 40kg/m2 or greater stratified by planned and actual mode of birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40kg/m2 are at an increased risk of requiring planned- and unplanned cesarean deliveries (CD). The aim of this systematic review is to compare outcomes in women with BMI≥40kg/m2 based on planned and actual mode of birth. Five databases were searched for English and French-language publications until February 2019, and all studies reporting on delivery outcomes in women with BMI≥40kg/m2 , stratified by planned and actual mode of birth, were included. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Ten observational studies were included. Anticipated vaginal birth vs planned CD (5 studies, n=2216) was associated with higher risk for postpartum hemorrhage (13.0% vs 4.1%, P<.001, numbers needed to harm (NNH=11), I2 =0%) but lower risk for wound complications (7.6% vs 14.5%, P<.001, numbers needed to treat (NNT=15), I2 =58.3%). Planned trial of labor vs repeat CD (3 studies, n=4144) was associated with higher risk for uterine dehiscence (0.94% vs 0.42%, P=.04, NNH=200, I2 =0%), endometritis (5.1% vs 2.2%, P<.001, NNH=35, I2 =0%), prolonged hospitalization (one study, 30.3% vs 26.0%, P=.003, NNH=23), low five-minute Apgar scores (4.9% vs 1.7%, RR 2.95 (2.03, 4.28), NNH=30, I2 =0%) and birth trauma (1.1% vs 0.2%, P<.001, NNH=111, I2 =0%). Successful vaginal birth vs intrapartum CD (n=3625) was associated with lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage (15.1% vs 70%, P<.001, NNT=2, I2 =0%), wound complications (one study, 0% vs 4.4%, P=.007, NNT=23), prolonged hospitalization (one study, 1.9% vs 6.7%, 0.04, NNT=21) and low five-minute Apgar scores (one study, 1.0% vs 5.6%, P=.03, NNT=22), but more birth trauma (5.9% vs 0.6%, P=.005, NNH=19, I2 =0%). Compared groups had dissimilar demographic characteristics. Although studies scored 6-7/9 on risk-of-bias assessment, they were at high-risk for confounding by indication. Evidence from observational studies suggests clinical equipoise regarding the optimal mode of delivery in women with BMI≥40kg/m2 and no prior CD. This question is best answered by a randomized trial. Based on an unplanned subgroup analysis, for women with BMI≥40kg/m2 and prior CD, repeat CD may be associated with better clinical outcomes.

Pregnancy complications and maternal birth outcomes in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin Medicaid.

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may face greater risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. Our objective was to examine risk of maternal pregnancy complications and birth outcomes in women with IDD compared to women without IDD in Wisconsin Medicaid, from 2007-2016. Data were from the Big Data for Little Kids project, a data linkage that creates an administrative data based cohort of mothers and children in Wisconsin. Women with ≥1 IDD claim the year before delivery were classified as having IDD. Common pregnancy complications and maternal birth outcomes were identified from the birth record. We calculated risk ratios (RR) using log-linear regression clustered by mother. We examined outcomes grouped by IDD-type and explored interaction by race. Of 177,691 women with live births, 1,032 (0.58%) had an IDD claim. Of 274,865 deliveries, 1,757 were to mothers with IDD (0.64%). Women with IDD were at greater risk for gestational diabetes (RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.6), gestational hypertension (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5), and caesarean delivery (RR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4) compared to other women. Adjustment for demographic covariates did not change estimates. Women with intellectual disability were at highest risk of gestational hypertension. Black women with IDD were at higher risk of gestational hypertension than expected under a multiplicative model. Women with IDD have increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes in Wisconsin Medicaid. Results were robust to adjustment. Unique patterns by IDD types and Black race warrant further exploration.

Serum Vitamin D status is associated with increased blastocyst development rate in women undergoing IVF

Research questionTo determine the relationship between vitamin D (VitD) status and embryological, clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes in women undergoing IVF. DesignCross-sectional, observational study conducted at a university-affiliated private IVF clinic. A total of 287 women underwent 287 IVF cycles and received a fresh embryo transfer. Patients had their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D2/D3 (VitD) determined on the day of oocyte retrieval, which was analysed in relation to blastocyst development rate, clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes. ResultsIn stepwise, multivariable logistic regression models, increases in blastocyst development rate, number and quality, along with embryo cryopreservation and utilization rates were associated with women with a sufficient VitD status (≥20 ng/ml). For a single increase in the number of blastocysts generated per cycle or embryos cryopreserved per cycle, the likelihood for the patient to be VitD sufficient was increased by 32% (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.58, P = 0.002 and OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.60, P = 0.004, respectively). Clinical pregnancy (40.7% versus 30.8%, P = 0.086) and live birth rates (32.9% versus 25.8%, P = 0.195) in the sufficient VitD group versus the insufficient group were not significantly different and VitD sufficiency was not significantly associated with these outcomes. ConclusionA strong relationship was observed between blastocyst development and VitD sufficiency. However, there was no association between VitD and clinical pregnancy or live birth outcomes. Further larger studies are needed to investigate whether the observed effect on blastocyst development may have downstream implications on subsequent clinical pregnancy or live birth rates, and on a potential mechanism where sufficient VitD concentrations are linked to improved IVF outcomes.

Series of 55 pregnancies following ulipristal acetate treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids

Introduction: Treatment with ulipristal acetate effectively controls excessive bleeding due to uterine fibroids and reduces their size. Uterine fibroid size reduction is expected to improve the results of the myomectomy and the reproductive prospects of the patient. Methods: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of a series of 53 patients who achieved pregnancy after being treated for symptomatic uterine fibroids. The primary endpoints were pregnancy and birth outcomes in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids that conceived following at least one course of therapy with ulipristal acetate 5 mg/day. The secondary endpoints were time until pregnancy, reasons for ulipristal acetate treatment, number of treatment courses completed, hemorrhagic control achievement, hemoglobin levels, fibroid FIGO classification, largest fibroid diameter, and type of myomectomy (if any). Results: Fifty-five pregnancies were registered in 53 patients following ulipristal acetate therapy (43 live births, 9 miscarriages, and 3 ongoing pregnancies). Half of the patients became pregnant without interval surgery. Bleeding control was achieved in 96% of the cases. A significant increase (p &lt; 0.001) in hemoglobin levels and a reduction (p &lt; 0.001) in uterine fibroid size was observed after treatment. No malformations were reported among newborns after ulipristal acetate therapy. Conclusion: So far, this is the largest case series reporting both pregnancy and birth outcomes following ulipristal acetate therapy for uterine fibroids. Our data support favorable outcomes after therapy for this population subset.

Characteristics and Outcomes of 241 Births to Women With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection at Five New York City Medical Centers.

To describe the characteristics and birth outcomes of women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as community spread in New York City was detected in March 2020. We performed a prospective cohort study of pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who gave birth from March 13 to April 12, 2020, identified at five New York City medical centers. Demographic and clinical data from delivery hospitalization records were collected, and follow-up was completed on April 20, 2020. Among this cohort (241 women), using evolving criteria for testing, 61.4% of women were asymptomatic for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the time of admission. Throughout the delivery hospitalization, 26.5% of women met World Health Organization criteria for mild COVID-19, 26.1% for severe, and 5% for critical. Cesarean birth was the mode of delivery for 52.4% of women with severe and 91.7% with critical COVID-19. The singleton preterm birth rate was 14.6%. Admission to the intensive care unit was reported for 17 women (7.1%), and nine (3.7%) were intubated during their delivery hospitalization. There were no maternal deaths. Body mass index (BMI) 30 or higher was associated with COVID-19 severity (P=.001). Nearly all newborns tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection immediately after birth (97.5%). During the first month of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in New York City and with evolving testing criteria, most women with laboratory-confirmed infection admitted for delivery did not have symptoms of COVID-19. Almost one third of women who were asymptomatic on admission became symptomatic during their delivery hospitalization. Obesity was associated with COVID-19 severity. Disease severity was associated with higher rates of cesarean and preterm birth.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy affects complications and birth outcomes in women with and without asthma

BackgroundIt is known that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has adverse effects on pregnancy and birth outcomes. We aimed to assess the impact of ETS in pregnant women with and without asthma.MethodsA cohort study was conducted from August 2014 to June 2015 enrolling 1603 pregnant women during their 2nd trimester. Data on tobacco exposure were collected at first visit and women were followed through pregnancy till postpartum.ResultsOf the 1603 women, 231 reported passive smoking, 223 non-asthmatics and 8 asthmatics. Women exposed to ETS during pregnancy were more likely to have an infant admitted to the pediatric ward (10.8% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.026) and to have low one- and five-minute Apgar scores (1 min: 6.1% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.011; 5 min: 2.2% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.039). Complications of pregnancy were also elevated in women exposed to ETS (53.7% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.002). Asthma had no additional effect beyond the impact of ETS except for cesarean sections that were more frequent in women with asthma exposed to ETS.ConclusionsDue to the small number of women with asthma exposed to ETS, combined effects of asthma and ETS were only found for cesarean sections. Still counseling of pregnant women about adverse effects of ETS should consider women’s asthma as an additional reason to avoid ETS.

Birth outcome in a caseload study conducted in a rural area of Sweden-a register based study

BackgroundContinuity models of midwifery care are rare in Sweden, despite its well-known positive effects. The aim was to describe pregnancy and birth outcome in women participating in a continuity of care project in a rural area of Sweden. MethodA register-based study of 266 women recruited to the project and a control group of 125 women from the same catchment area. Midwives provided antenatal care and were on-call 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for birth. Data were collected from the antenatal and birth records. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated between women in the project and the control group. ResultsThere were more primiparous women and highly educated women recruited to the project, and fewer foreign-born and single women, compared to the control group. Women in the project met more midwives and were less likely to have a pregnancy complication. During intrapartum care, women recruited to the project were less likely to need labour augmentation and less likely to have an instrumental vaginal birth and elective caesarean section. They had fewer second degree perineal tears and were more likely to fully breastfeed at discharge. No differences were found in neonatal outcome. The continuity of a known midwife at birth was quite low. ConclusionThis study shows that women self-recruited to a continuity of care project in a rural area of Sweden had a higher rate of normal births. There were few differences if having a known midwife or not. Long distances to hospital and lack of staff affected the level of continuity.

P627 Acute severe ulcerative colitis in pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon with peak incidence rates between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Consequently, women with ulcerative colitis are often diagnosed during childbearing years, which makes the effect of the disease on pregnant patients an important clinical question. Acute severe ulcerative colitis will affect up to 25% of patients. There are limited studies that describe the medical treatment, colectomy rates, and birth outcomes of women hospitalised with acute severe ulcerative colitis during pregnancy. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of pregnant ulcerative colitis patients hospitalised at two large tertiary medical centres between January 2003 and December 2018. The primary endpoint was colectomy-free survival. Secondary endpoints included details of disease management and fetal outcomes. Results Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria. At admission, the median age was 30.3 years (IQR 23.4–32), and the median gestational age was 21 weeks (IQR 14–28). All patients met Truelove and Witts criteria for acute severe ulcerative colitis. The median follow-up time was 48 months (IQR 20.7–80). Colectomy free survival rates from admission were 90% at six months, 84% at one year, and 64% at four years (Figure 1). Only one patient (5%) underwent colectomy at her index admission. All patients were treated with intravenous steroids, and half received anti-tumour necrosis factor agents as inpatients (7 received infliximab and 3 received adalimumab). Following discharge, seven (35%) patients were maintained on infliximab, four (20%) were maintained on adalimumab, vedolizumab and azathioprine were used as the maintenance drug in one patient each, and another seven (35%) patients were transitioned to mesalamine preparations. Live birth occurred in 18 patients (90%), and the median gestational age at birth was 37 weeks (IQR 34.5–38). Adverse pregnancy outcomes included two spontaneous abortions (10%), six premature births (30%), and four low birth weight infants (20%). There were no stillbirths, and no major congenital abnormalities were noted. Conclusion We report on the largest cohort of pregnant patients hospitalised for acute severe ulcerative colitis and have shown that these patients have good response rates to standard treatments and comparable colectomy rates to studies of non-pregnant patients. In our cohort, there were relatively high rates of preterm and low weight births.

Risk of adverse birth outcomes after maternal varenicline use: A population-based observational study in Denmark and Sweden.

To examine risks of adverse birth outcomes in women exposed to varenicline during pregnancy. Population-based cohort study including live-born and stillborn infants from 1 May 2007 to 31 December 2012. Data from health and administrative registries in Denmark and Sweden, two Nordic countries with universal health care and routine registration of major life and health events. Infants were allocated to three cohorts on the basis of their in utero exposure: the exposed cohort consisting of infants whose mothers were dispensed varenicline during pregnancy; the unexposed cohort comprised infants unexposed to varenicline, but exposed to maternal smoking in utero; and the reference cohort of infants unexposed to varenicline and maternal smoking in utero. The primary outcome was major congenital malformations diagnosed from birth to the first year of life. Secondary outcomes included stillbirth, fetal growth restriction (measured as small for gestational age), preterm delivery, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and sudden infant death syndrome. We estimated the prevalence of the primary outcome and secondary outcomes in the exposed, unexposed, and reference cohorts. Prevalence odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using logistic regression with propensity score adjustment to control for potential confounders. The combined cohort included 885 185 infants. Of these, 335 infants were exposed, 78 412 were unexposed, and the remaining 806 438 comprised the reference cohort. Major congenital malformations were detected among 3.6% of exposed infants, 4.3% of unexposed infants, and 4.2% of infants in the reference cohort. The propensity score-adjusted prevalence odds ratio for major congenital malformations was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.45-1.42) for exposed vs unexposed infants. All analyses of primary and secondary outcomes comparing exposed with unexposed infants yielded odds ratio estimates below or close to unity. Use of varenicline during pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of major congenital malformations or other adverse birth outcomes.

The Associations between the Duration of Folic Acid Supplementation, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, and Adverse Birth Outcomes based on a Birth Cohort.

This study aimed to examine the associations between the duration of folic acid (FA) supplementation, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and adverse birth outcomes. A total of 950 mother-offspring pairs participated in the cohort study during 2015 in Changsha, China. The data were collected through home visits and perfected by maternal and child healthcare handbooks. Generalized linear models and stratified analyses were used for statistical analyses. The incidence of GDM in our cohort was 10.2%. FA supplementation for ≥3 months before pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of GDM (adjusted relative risk (aRR): 1.72; 95% CI: 1.17–2.53) and decreased risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth (aRR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18–0.88). In the group of FA supplementation for ≥3 months during pregnancy, GDM was associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery (aRR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.06–1.75) and macrosomia (aRR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.20), but the aRRs were lower than the RRMH 1.53 (95% CI: 1.01–2.34) and 2.43 (95% CI: 1.27–4.66). Our study suggested that the longer duration of FA supplementation before pregnancy might increase the risk of GDM, but decrease the risk of SGA birth. Longer duration of FA supplementation during pregnancy had beneficial effects on birth outcomes in women with GDM. Further studies should consider a larger sample size to confirm these findings.

Birth outcomes in women who have taken adalimumab in pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

BackgroundInformation is needed on the safety of adalimumab when used in pregnancy for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases.Methods and findingsBetween 2004 and 2016, the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Research Center at the University of California San Diego conducted a prospective controlled observational cohort study in 602 pregnant women who had or had not taken adalimumab. Women in the adalimumab-exposed cohort had received at least one dose of the drug in the first trimester for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s Disease (N = 257). Women in the disease comparison cohort had not used adalimumab in pregnancy (N = 120). Women in the healthy comparison cohort had no rheumatic or inflammatory bowel diseases (N = 225). Women and their infants were followed to one year postpartum with maternal interviews, medical records abstraction, and physical examinations. Study outcomes were major structural birth defects, minor defects, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, pre and post-natal growth deficiency, serious or opportunistic infections and malignancies. 42/602 (7.0%) of pregnancies were lost-to-follow-up. 22/221 (10.0%) in the adalimumab-exposed cohort had a live born infant with a major birth defect compared to 8/106 (7.5%) in the diseased unexposed cohort (adjusted odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45 to 2.73). Women in the adalimumab-exposed cohort were more likely to deliver preterm compared to the healthy cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.59, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.50), but not compared to the diseased unexposed cohort (aHR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66 to 7.20). No significant increased risks were noted with adalimumab exposure for any other study outcomes.ConclusionsAdalimumab exposure in pregnancy compared to diseased unexposed pregnancies was not associated with an increased risk for any of the adverse outcomes examined. Women with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s Disease were at increased risk of preterm delivery, irrespective of adalimumab exposure.

Pregnancy and advanced maternal age-The associations between regular exercise and maternal and newborn health variables.

Despite the associations between delayed childbearing and poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes, little is known about these issues in regular exercisers and in women with healthy lifestyles. The aims of the present study were to: (a) compare lifestyle variables and exercise, pregnancy and birth outcomes in women ≥35years and women <35years of age, and (b) investigate the associations between regular exercise and maternal health and newborn variables in women of advanced maternal age. Healthy pregnant women (≥35years, n=104 and <35years, n=362) were allocated to the study from Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. The participants completed a validated self-administered questionnaire, the Physical Activity Pregnancy Questionnaire (PAPQ) in gestational weeks 32-36. Prepregnancy body weight (kg) was self-reported, whereas maternal weight (kg) was measured at gestational weeks 14-16, 22-24, 30-32, and 36-38. Details of the delivery (gestational week at delivery, mode of delivery, Apgar score) and birthweight (g) were obtained from the hospital's medical records. More women <35 than ≥35years of age reported to have exercised prepregnancy (83.7% vs 74.0%, P=0.04) and in the 1st trimester (71.2% vs 61.5%, P=0.05). At gestational week 36, fewer than 50% were exercising regularly, with no group differences (P=0.74). Current alcohol use (10.5% vs 3.3%, P=0.02) and tobacco use (5.8% vs 1.7%, P=0.02) were higher among women ≥35 than women <35years, whereas for healthy diet the result was reversed (<35years 67.1% and ≥35years 80.8%, P=0.02). There were higher rates of post-term birth (13.5% vs 6.4%, P=0.02) and induction of labor (40.5% vs 27.9%, P=0.02) in the ≥35years group, otherwise no other differences were observed in perinatal outcomes. In women with advanced maternal age, exercising ≥2 times weekly was associated with less pelvic girdle pain (40.0% vs 61.1%, P=0.02), lower gestational weight gain (12.7±4.0kg vs 15.5±5.5kg, P<0.01), fewer had gestational weight gain ≥16kg (22.0% vs 51.9%, P<0.01) and a newborn with macrosomia (10.0% vs 37.0%, P<0.01). The results were unchanged after adjusting for recognized confounders. The results indicate that regular exercise is associated with improvement in some of the risks of advanced maternal age.

Birth outcomes in women with gestational diabetes managed by lifestyle modification alone: The PANDORA study

AimsTo assess outcomes of women in the Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) cohort with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed by lifestyle modification compared with women without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. MethodsIndigenous (n = 97) and Europid (n = 113) women managed by lifestyle modification were compared to women without hyperglycaemia (n = 235). Multivariate linear and logistic regressions assessed whether GDM-lifestyle women had poorer outcomes compared to women without hyperglycaemia. ResultsWomen with GDM-lifestyle had higher body mass index and lower gestational weight gain than women without hyperglycaemia. On univariate analysis, gestational age at delivery was lower and induction rates were higher in women with GDM-lifestyle than without hyperglycaemia. On multivariable regression, GDM-lifestyle was associated with lower gestational age at delivery (by 0.73 weeks), lower birthweight z-score (by 0.26, p = 0.007), lower likelihood of large for gestational age (LGA) [OR (95% CI): 0.55 (0.28, 1.02), p = 0.059], and greater likelihood of labour induction [2.34 (1.49, 3.66), p < 0.001] than women without hyperglycaemia. ConclusionWomen with GDM managed by lifestyle modification had higher induction rates and their offspring had lower birthweight z-scores, with a trend to lower LGA than those without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. Further studies are indicated to explore reasons for higher induction rates.

Pregnancy and advanced maternal age – the role of regular exercise on maternal and infant health variables

Background: Despite the suggested associations between delayed childbearing and poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes, it is scant knowledge how this is in exercisers and among women with a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to compare exercise and lifestyle variables, pregnancy and birth outcomes in women ≥ 35 years with women < 35 years, and investigate the role of exercise on maternal and newborn variables in women with advanced maternal age (AMA).

Prenatal exposure to mercury and effects on birth outcomes of women from Suriname’s interior

Prenatal exposure to mercury and effects on birth outcomes of women from Suriname’s interior

Association Between Interpregnancy Interval and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Women With a Previous Stillbirth: An International Cohort Study

(Abstracted from Lancet 2019;393:1527–1535) Interpregnancy interval (IPI; the length of time between pregnancies) is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in infants and their mothers. The World Health Organization recommends women wait at least 2 years after a live birth and 6 months after miscarriage or abortion before conceiving again, but there is no recommendation for the best IPI after stillbirth.

Dengue during pregnancy and live birth outcomes: a cohort of linked data from Brazil

ObjectivesDengue is the most common viral mosquito-borne disease, and women of reproductive age who live in or travel to endemic areas are at risk. Little is known about the effects...

Does introducing a dedicated early labour area improve birth outcomes? A pre-post intervention study

ProblemWomen increasingly present to hospital in early labour, but admission before active labour contributes to overuse of interventions, poorer clinical and psychological outcomes, and higher healthcare costs. BackgroundInnovative models of early labour care have so far not improved birth outcomes. AimTo examine if reconfiguring the early labour service in a large Australian maternity service improved (1) the birth outcomes of women who presented in early labour and (2) alleviated bed blockages by decreasing length of stay in the Pregnancy Assessment and Observation Unit. MethodsPre-post intervention design, using routinely collected clinical data before and after the implementation of the reconfigured early labour service. FindingsThere were 527 women in pre-intervention cohort and 747 in the post-intervention cohort. The two groups were similar in age, body mass index, marital status, education level and gestation at birth. Post intervention, epidural use did not change significantly, but rates of amniotomy (35.7% vs. 49.9%, p = <0.001), meconium-stained liquor (20.1% vs 26.1%, p = 0.04), and neonatal nursery admission (2.7% vs. 5.8% p = 0.01) increased. The proportion of women staying in the Assessment unit more than two hours decreased, but not significantly. ConclusionChanging the location and model of early labour care did not influence epidural use, nor improve women’s birth outcomes. For women in early labour, admission to any location within the hospital may be as problematic as admission to birth suite specifically.

Association between interpregnancy interval and adverse birth outcomes in women with a previous stillbirth: an international cohort study

WHO recommends that women wait at least 2 years after a livebirth and at least 6 months after a miscarriage or induced abortion before conceiving again, to reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. No recommendation exists for the optimal interval after a stillbirth. We investigated the association between interpregnancy interval after stillbirth and birth outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. In this international cohort study, we used data from birth records from Finland (1987-2016), Norway (1980-2015), and Western Australia (1980-2015). Consecutive singleton pregnancies in women whose most recent pregnancy had ended in stillbirth of at least 22 weeks' gestation were included in the analysis. Interpregnancy interval was defined as the time between the end of pregnancy (delivery date) and the start of the next pregnancy (delivery date of next pregnancy minus gestational age at birth). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for stillbirth, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age birth by interpregnancy interval by country, adjusted for maternal age, parity, decade of delivery, and gestational length of the previous pregnancy. A fixed-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled ORs. We identified 14 452 births in women who had a stillbirth in the previous pregnancy; median interpregnancy interval after stillbirth was 9 months (IQR 4-19). 9109 (63%) women conceived within 12 months of the stillbirth. Of the 14 452 births, 228 (2%) were stillbirths, 2532 (18%) were preterm births, and 1284 (9%) were small-for-gestational-age births. Compared with an interpregnancy interval of 24-59 months, intervals shorter than 12 months were not associated with increased odds of subsequent stillbirth (pooled adjusted OR 1·09 [95% CI 0·63-1·91] for <6 months; 0·90 [0·47-1·71] for 6-11 months), preterm birth (0·91 [0·75-1·11] for <6 months; 0·91 [0·74-1·11] for 6-11 months), or small-for-gestational-age birth (0·66 [0·51-0·85] for <6 months; 0·64 [0·48-0·84] for 6-11 months). Further, we noted no difference in the association between interpregnancy interval and birth outcomes by gestational length of the previous stillbirth. Conception within 12 months of a stillbirth was common and was not associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. These findings could be used when counselling women who are planning future pregnancies after a stillbirth and for informing future recommendations for pregnancy spacing in a high-income setting. National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), and Research Council of Norway.