Fourth-degree Perineal Lacerations Research Articles

622: Trends in antibiotic use with third and fourth degree perineal lacerations

622: Trends in antibiotic use with third and fourth degree perineal lacerations

Risk of severe maternal morbidity by maternal fertility status: a US study in 8 states

Over the past 2 decades the characteristics of women giving birth in the United States and the nature of the births themselves have changed dramatically, with increases in older maternal age, plural births, cesarean deliveries, and conception from infertility treatment. We sought to evaluate the risk of severe maternal morbidity by maternal fertility status, and for invitro fertilization pregnancies, by oocyte source and embryo state combinations. Women in 8 states who underwent invitro fertilization cycles resulting in a live birth during 2004 through 2013 were linked to their infant's birth certificates; a 10:1 sample of births from non-invitro fertilization deliveries were selected for comparison; those with an indication of infertility treatment on the birth certificate were categorized as subfertile, all others were categorized as fertile. Invitro fertilization pregnancies were additionally categorized by oocyte source (autologous vs donor) and embryo state (fresh vs thawed). Maternal morbidity was identified from the birth certificate, modeled using logistic regression, and reported as adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]. The reference group was fertile women. The study population included 1,477,522 pregnancies (1,346,118 fertile, 11,298 subfertile, 80,254 invitro fertilization autologous-fresh, 21,964 invitro fertilization autologous-thawed, 13,218 invitro fertilization donor-fresh, and 4670 invitro fertilization donor-thawed pregnancies): 1,420,529 singleton, 54,573 twin, and 2420 triplet+ pregnancies. Compared to fertile women, subfertile and the 4 groups of invitro fertilization-treated women had increased risks for blood transfusion and third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration (subfertile, 1.58 [1.23-2.02] and 2.08 [1.79-2.43]; autologous-fresh, 1.33 [1.14-1.54] and 1.37 [1.26-1.49]; autologous-thawed, 1.94 [1.60-2.36] and 2.10 [1.84-2.40]; donor-fresh, 2.16 [1.69-2.75] and 2.11 [1.66-2.69]; and donor-thawed, 2.01 [1.38-2.92] and 1.28 [0.79-2.08]). Also compared to fertile women, the risk of unplanned hysterectomy was increased for invitro fertilization-treated women in the autologous-thawed group (2.80 [1.96-4.00]), donor-fresh group (2.14 [1.33-3.44]), and the donor-thawed group (2.46 [1.33-4.54]). The risk of ruptured uterus was increased for invitro fertilization-treated women in the autologous-fresh group (1.62 [1.14-2.29]). Among women with a prior birth, the risk of blood transfusion after a vaginal birth was increased for subfertile women (2.91 [1.38-6.15]), and women in all 4 invitro fertilization groups (autologous-fresh, 1.93 [1.23-3.01]; autologous-thawed, 2.99 [1.78-5.02]; donor-fresh, 5.13 [2.39-11.02]; and donor-thawed, 5.20 [1.83-14.82]); the risk after a cesarean delivery was increased in the autologous-thawed group (1.74 [1.29-2.33]) and the donor-fresh group (1.62 [1.07-2.45]). Unplanned hysterectomy was increased in the autologous-thawed (2.31 [1.43-3.71]) and donor-thawed (2.45 [1.06-5.67]) groups. The risks of severe maternal morbidity are increased for subfertile and invitro fertilization births, particularly in pregnancies that are not from autologous, fresh cycles.

Labor Analgesia as a Predictor for Reduced Postpartum Depression Scores: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Using labor, epidural analgesia has been linked to a reduced risk of postpartum depression, but the role of labor pain relief in this association remains unclear. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that effective epidural analgesia during labor is associated with reduced postpartum depression symptomatology. A single, institutional, retrospective, observational cohort design was chosen. The primary outcome was Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) score, measured at the 6-week postpartum visit. Subjects included in the final analysis had (1) received labor epidural analgesia; (2) pain assessed during labor both before and during initiation of labor epidural analgesia by 0-10 numeric rating scores; and (3) depression risk assessed by the EPDS and documented at their 6-week postpartum visit. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to identify the best model for assessing the association between pain improvement, defined as percent improvement in pain (PIP), and depression, after adjusting for a history of anxiety or depression, other psychiatric history, abuse, trauma, mode of delivery, and other maternal or fetal comorbid diseases. Two hundred one patients were included in the final analysis. Women with higher improvements in pain were associated with lower EPDS scores (r = 0.025; P = .002). Variables known to be associated with depression (body mass index, anxiety and/or depression, third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations, and anemia) were significantly correlated with EPDS score and included in the final model. After we adjusted for these covariates, PIP remained a significant predictor of EPDS score (r = 0.49; P = .008), accounting for 6.6% of the variability in postpartum depression scores. The full model including pain, body mass index, anxiety and/or depression, perineal lacerations, and anemia explained 24% of the variability in postpartum depression scores. Although the extent of labor pain relief by epidural analgesia predicts lower postpartum depression scores, the relative contribution of PIP to risk for postpartum depression symptoms may be less than other established risk factors for depression. These data support that the clinical significance of labor analgesia in the development of postpartum depression needs to be more clearly defined.

Risk Factors for the Development of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries in Modern Obstetric Practice.

To characterize the rate of obstetric anal sphincter injuries and identify key risk factors of obstetric anal sphincter injuries, including duration of the second stage of labor. This retrospective cohort study included all singleton, term, cephalic vaginal deliveries within Kaiser Permanente Northern California between January 2013 and December 2014 (N=22,741). Incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries, defined as third- or fourth-degree perineal lacerations, was the primary outcome. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to identify obstetric anal sphincter injury risk factors and high-risk subpopulations. The overall incidence rate of obstetric anal sphincter injuries was 4.9% (3.6% of women who delivered spontaneously vs 24.0% of women who had a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, P<.001, CI 18.1-22.6%). In bivariate and multivariate analyses, obstetric anal sphincter injury incidence was higher among women with second stage of labor longer than 2 hours, Asian race, nulliparity, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, episiotomy, and vacuum delivery. Women with a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery had four times the odds of obstetric anal sphincter injury (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.23, 95% CI 3.59-4.98) and those whose second stage of labor lasted at least 180 minutes vs less than 60 minutes had three times the odds of incurring obstetric anal sphincter injury (adjusted OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.62-3.89). Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery conferred the highest odds of obstetric anal sphincter injury followed by prolonged duration of the second stage of labor, particularly among certain subpopulations. Understanding these risk factors and their complex interactions can inform antepartum and intrapartum decision-making with the goal of reducing obstetric anal sphincter injury incidence.

Incidence and risk factors of severe lacerations during forceps delivery in a single teaching hospital where simulation training is held annually

This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of severe lacerations during forceps delivery and the risk factors associated with such delivery in a hospital where simulation training is held annually. The medical records of 857 women who underwent forceps delivery at term with singleton cephalic presentation from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. The relationship between clinical characteristics and birth canal trauma was analyzed. Birth canal trauma included third and fourth degree perineal lacerations. Univariable and multivariable models of logistic regression were employed to estimate the raw odds ratio and were adjusted for cofactors with 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. The incidence of severe lacerations was 10.1%. Birth weight, fetal head station, the rate of malrotation and the number of extractions were higher in women with severe lacerations (P < 0.01), whereas the use of obstetric anesthesia was lower in women with such lacerations (P < 0.01). Neither the indication for forceps delivery nor the qualifications of the operator had any influence on the incidence of severe lacerations. The incidence of severe lacerations was relatively low. Risk factors for severe lacerations with forceps delivery were identified as birth weight, fetal head station, malrotation and the number of extractions. Obstetric anesthesia may protect against severe lacerations.

Nurse-midwives\u2019 ability to diagnose acute third- and fourth-degree obstetric lacerations in western Kenya

BackgroundObstetric fistula devastates the lives of women and is found most commonly among the poor in resource-limited settings. Unrepaired third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations have been shown to be the source of approximately one-third of the fistula burden in fistula camps in Kenya. In this study, we assessed potential barriers to accurate identification by Kenyan nurse-midwives of these complex perineal lacerations in postpartum women.MethodsNurse-midwife trainers from each of the seven sub-counties of Siaya County, Kenya were assessed in their ability to accurately identify obstetric lacerations and anatomical structures of the perineum, using a pictorial assessment tool. Referral pathways, follow-up mechanisms, and barriers to assessing obstetric lacerations were evaluated.ResultsTwenty-two nurse-midwife trainers were assessed. Four of the 22 (18.2%) reported ever receiving formal training on evaluating third- and fourth-degree obstetric lacerations, and 20 of 22 (91%) reported health-system challenges to adequately completing their examination of the perineum at delivery. Twenty-one percent of third- and fourth-degree obstetric lacerations in the pictorial assessment were incorrectly identified as first- or second-degree lacerations.ConclusionCounty nurse-midwife trainers in Siaya, Kenya, experience inadequate training, equipment, staffing, time, and knowledge as barriers to adequate diagnosis and repair of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears.

Are there any antenatal interventions that reduce trauma during vaginal delivery?

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER Antenatal perineal massage decreases risk of perineal trauma and episiotomies in primiparous but not multiparous women (SOR: A, meta-analysis of RCTs). Using warm compresses and perineal massage during second stage of labor reduces the risk of third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations (SOR: A, metaanalysis of RCTs). Perineal injection of hyaluronidase at the onset of the second stage of labor does not appear to prevent perineal trauma (SOR: A, meta-analysis of RCTs).

Customized vs population-based growth charts to identify neonates at risk of adverse outcome: systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis of observational studies.

To compare the effectiveness of customized vs population-based growth charts for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes. MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and The Cochrane Library were searched up to 31 May 2016 to identify interventional and observational studies comparing adverse outcomes among large- (LGA) and small- (SGA) for-gestational-age neonates, when classified according to customized vs population-based growth charts. Perinatal mortality and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of both SGA and LGA neonates, intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and neonatal mortality of SGA neonates, and neonatal shoulder dystocia and hypoglycemia as well as maternal third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations in LGA pregnancies were evaluated. The electronic search identified 237 records that were examined based on title and abstract, of which 27 full-text articles were examined for eligibility. After excluding seven articles, 20 observational studies were included in a Bayesian meta-analysis. Neonates classified as SGA according to customized growth charts had higher risks of IUFD (odds ratio (OR), 7.8 (95% CI, 4.2-12.3)), neonatal death (OR, 3.5 (95% CI, 1.1-8.0)), perinatal death (OR, 5.8 (95% CI, 3.8-7.8)) and NICU admission (OR, 3.6 (95% CI, 2.0-5.5)) than did non-SGA cases. Neonates classified as SGA according to population-based growth charts also had increased risk for adverse outcomes, albeit the point estimates of the pooled ORs were smaller: IUFD (OR, 3.3 (95% CI, 1.9-5.0)), neonatal death (OR, 2.9 (95% CI, 1.2-4.5)), perinatal death (OR, 4.0 (95% CI, 2.8-5.1)) and NICU admission (OR, 2.4 (95% CI, 1.7-3.2)). For LGA vs non-LGA, there were no differences in pooled ORs for perinatal death, NICU admission, hypoglycemia and maternal third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations when classified according to either the customized or the population-based approach. In contrast, both approaches indicated that LGA neonates are at increased risk for shoulder dystocia than are non-LGA ones (OR, 7.4 (95% CI, 4.9-9.8) using customized charts; OR, 8.0 (95% CI, 5.3-10.1) using population-based charts). Both customized and population-based growth charts can identify SGA neonates at risk for adverse outcomes. Although the point estimates of the pooled ORs may differ for some outcomes, the overlapping CIs and lack of direct comparisons prevent conclusions from being drawn on the superiority of one method. Future clinical trials should compare directly the two approaches in the management of fetuses of abnormal size. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An Initiative to Reduce the Episiotomy Rate: Association of Feedback and the Hawthorne Effect With Leapfrog Goals.

To assess the association of education, performance feedback, and the Hawthorne effect with a reduction in the episiotomy rate in a large academic institution. We describe a prospective observational study of a project conducted between March 2012 and February 2017 to assist clinicians in meeting the Leapfrog Group (www.leapfroggroup.org) target rates for episiotomy. Phases of this project included preintervention (phase 1, March 2012 to April 2014), education and provision of collective department episiotomy rates (phase 2, May 2014 to December 2014), ongoing education with emphasis on a revised Leapfrog target rate (phase 3, January 2015 to February 2016), and provision of individual episiotomy rates to practitioners on a monthly basis (phase 4, March 2016 to February 2017). We analyzed the department episiotomy rates before, during, and after these efforts. Cases of shoulder dystocia were excluded from this analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Student t test and χ test with P<.05 considered significant. During the study period 1,176 episiotomies were performed in 16,441 vaginal deliveries (7.2%). In phase 2 (2,352 vaginal deliveries), there was a nonsignificant drop in the episiotomy rate with education alone (9.0-8.2%, P=.21). In phase 3 (4,379 vaginal deliveries), the episiotomy rate demonstrated an additional, significant drop to 5.9% (P<.001), but this reduction did not reach the new Leapfrog goal of 5%. In phase 4 (3,160 vaginal deliveries), the hospital episiotomy rate again dropped significantly from 5.9% to 4.37% (P=.007) and met the target rate of 5%. This reduction was sustained over a 12-month time period. During this same time period, the rate of operative vaginal delivery among vaginal births increased (4.5-5.4%, P=.003) and there was no significant change in the rates of third- and fourth-degree perineal laceration (3.8-3.3%, P=.19). Education, performance feedback, and the Hawthorne effect were associated with a reduction in the episiotomy rate in a large academic institution without a reduction in the rate of operative vaginal delivery or an increase in the rate of third- and fourth-degree lacerations.

Improving Physician Behavior With an Obstetric Dashboard [30M

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists no longer recommends routine use of episiotomy. However, high variation in provider practice continues to exist. The objective of this study was to determine if a physician dashboard reporting individual and group episiotomy rates could reduce usage to below the national benchmark of 5.5%. METHODS: Baseline data extracted from records of patients delivering between 1/1/2015 and 7/15/2015 were entered into a dashboard that listed all obstetricians at our hospital. Identities were blinded and physicians were provided individual and group rates. Data were then collected prospectively following dashboard implementation. RESULTS: The institutional baseline rate for episiotomy performance was 9.9%, with individual rates ranging from 0.0% to 55.6%. Following dashboard implementation, there was a significant reduction in the institutional rate (9.9% pre-intervention vs 2.7% post-intervention, P value less than .001). Our analysis also validated the increased risk of severe, third and fourth degree perineal lacerations with the performance of episiotomy [OR 4.1 (1.2, 14.0)]. Despite the reduction in episiotomy utilization, we were unable to demonstrate a reduction in the frequency of severe perineal lacerations (2.42% pre- vs 1.31% post-intervention, P value equal to 0.1), suggesting that multiple factors contribute to these events. CONCLUSION: When variation in physician performance exists, utilizing a physician dashboard comparing providers' behaviors can result in significant improvements in provider and institutional performance on specific metrics. We plan to evaluate whether this intervention can significantly reduce our rates of cesarean delivery in nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex gestations.

Perineal Body Length and Perineal Lacerations During Delivery in Primigravid Patients

This study assessed the relation between perineal body length and the risk of perineal laceration extending into the anal sphincter during vaginal delivery in primigravid patients at an institution with a low utilization of episiotomy. This was a prospective study of primigravid patients in active labor. Primigravid women with singleton pregnancies who were in the first stage of labor at 37 weeks gestation or greater were recruited, and the admitting physician measured the length of the perineal body. The degree of perineal laceration and other delivery characteristics were recorded. Data were analyzed using univariate analyses, receiver-operator curve analyses, and multiple logistic regression for factors associated with increased severity of vaginal lacerations. The perineal body length, duration of second stage of labor, type of delivery, and patient age were associated (P < 0.1) with third- and fourth-degree (severe) perineal lacerations in primigravid women using receiver-operator curve analysis. Using logistic regression, only the duration of second stage of labor and length of the perineal body were significant (P < 0.04) predictors of third- and fourth-degree lacerations, with odds ratios of 32 (1.3 to 807 as 95% CI) and 24 (1.3 to 456), respectively. Both a perineal body length of ≤3.5 cm and a duration of second stage of labor >99 minutes were associated with an increased risk of third- and fourth-degree lacerations in primigravid patients.

A Model Practice Template for Hydrotherapy in Labor and Birth.

A Model Practice Template for Hydrotherapy in Labor and Birth.

Does delivery position affect the frequency or severity of perineal lacerations?

Evidence-Based Answer There is no significant difference between upright and recumbent position during the second stage of labor on the incidence of third and fourth degree perineal lacerations, but the incidence of second-degree lacerations is increased in women delivering in upright positions (SOR: A, meta-analysis). Among women with an epidural, there is no difference between upright or recumbent position in the incidence of any perineal laceration requiring suturing (SOR: A, meta-analysis). Delivering with or without stirrups does not affect the incidence or severity of perineal lacerations (SOR: B, single RCT).

Breakdown of Perineal Laceration Repair After Vaginal Delivery: A Case-Control Study.

The aim of the study was to estimate risk factors associated with breakdown of perineal laceration repair after vaginal delivery. This is a case-control study of women who sustained a breakdown of perineal laceration repair after vaginal delivery between 2002 and 2015. Cases were patients who sustained a perineal wound breakdown after vaginal delivery and repair of a second-, third-, or fourth-degree laceration. Controls, matched 1:1, were patients who either sustained a second-, third-, or fourth-degree perineal laceration and repair without evidence of breakdown and who delivered on the same day and institution as the case. A total of 104,301 deliveries were assessed for breakdown of perineal laceration. One hundred forty-four met the inclusion criteria. These were matched with 144 controls. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that smoking is associated with increased risk for breakdown of perineal laceration (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR], 6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-38.5), whereas a previous vaginal delivery is protective (adj. OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.3). In addition, third- or fourth-degree laceration (adj. OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.1-15.7), presence of episiotomy at time of delivery (adj. OR, 11.1; 95% CI, 2.9-48.8), operative delivery (adj. OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-10.3), midwife performing the laceration repair (adj. OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.5-15.8), and use of chromic suture (adj. OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.6-9.8) were independent risk factors for breakdown of perineal laceration. Smoking, nulliparity, episiotomy, operative delivery, third- or fourth-degree laceration, repair by a midwife, and use of chromic suture are independent risk factors for breakdown of perineal laceration repair after vaginal delivery.

Effect of episiotomy on perineal lacerations in spontaneous vertex deliveries

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of episiotomy on the frequency of perineal lacerations. Design: Cross-Sectional analytical study. Place &amp; duration of study: Department of Gynae Obstetrics unit III. Lady willingdon Hospital Lahore. From April 1994 to March 1996. Patients &amp; methods: 2918 women who delivered vaginally were included in the study. Only right mediolateral episiotomy incision was used in these cases. Local anaesthesia in the form of 2% Lignocain was used in all cases to infiltrate the area before episiotomy cut. The delivery was conducted in most cases by a resident. The rate of perineal lacerations with or without episiotomy in both primiparae and multiparae groups was noted. Results 2918 women of term singleton babies were entered into this study. Episiotomy was performed in 1419 (48.63%) of these women. There were 1095(37.53%) primiparae and 1823 (62.47%) multiparae in the study groups. The rate of episiotomy in primiparae and multiparae were 93.42% and 21.72% respectively. A total of 267 (9.2%) perineal tears were sustained by these women during vaginal delivery . Episiotomy was associated with 151 (10.6%) perineal tears compared to 116(7.7%) without episiotomy. The incidence of fourth degree perineal laceration was 0.4% without episiotomy but increased to 1% with the use of episiotomy. This difference is statistically significant. Conclusion: Episiotomy is not protective against severe perineal lacerations. A selective use of episiotomy is recommended for appropriate indications.

Delivery after Operation for Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis.

Background. It has been suggested that, during pregnancy, endometriosis can cause a variety of disease-related complications. Objectives. The purpose of the study was to find out if women with histologically confirmed endometriosis do have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcome and if they suffer from a higher rate of complications during labor. Study Design. 51 women who underwent surgery because of deeply infiltrating endometriosis in the General Hospital Linz and the Women's General Hospital Linz and who gave birth in the Women's General Hospital Linz after the surgery were included in our survey. Results. 31 women (60.8%) had a spontaneous delivery and in 20 women (39.2%) a caesarean section was performed. There were no cases of third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations. Collectively there were 4 cases (7.8%) of preterm delivery and one case (2.0%) of premature rupture of membranes. In two women (6.5%) a retained placenta was diagnosed. Conclusions. Our study is the first description on delivery modes after surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis. We did not find an elevated risk for perineal or vaginal laceration in women with a history of surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis, even when a resection of the rectum or of the posterior vaginal wall had been performed.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 647: Limitations of Perineal Lacerations as an Obstetric Quality Measure.

Perineal lacerations are a common occurrence with vaginal delivery. Although perineal lacerations are tracked easily from coding data, there are a variety of problems with using rates of such tears as a quality measure. The rate of severe perineal lacerations should not be used as a measure of obstetric quality for the following three reasons: 1) third-degree and fourth-degree perineal lacerations may not be defined uniformly; 2) severe perineal lacerations are associated strongly with nonmodifiable risk factors; and 3) diminishing the use of operative vaginal delivery, in an effort to decrease severe perineal lacerations, likely would result in an increased rate of cesarean delivery. Measuring the rate of episiotomy with unassisted vaginal deliveries is an alternative candidate for quality measurement, but it requires validation before widespread implementation.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 647 Summary: Limitations of Perineal Lacerations as an Obstetric Quality Measure.

Perineal lacerations are a common occurrence with vaginal delivery. Although perineal lacerations are tracked easily from coding data, there are a variety of problems with using rates of such tears as a quality measure. The rate of severe perineal lacerations should not be used as a measure of obstetric quality for the following three reasons: 1) third-degree and fourth-degree perineal lacerations may not be defined uniformly; 2) severe perineal lacerations are associated strongly with nonmodifiable risk factors; and 3) diminishing the use of operative vaginal delivery, in an effort to decrease severe perineal lacerations, likely would result in an increased rate of cesarean delivery. Measuring the rate of episiotomy with unassisted vaginal deliveries is an alternative candidate for quality measurement, but it requires validation before widespread implementation.

Influence of medical nutrition therapy on borderline glucose intolerance in pregnant Taiwanese women

Objective: To investigate the influence of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) on borderline glucose intolerance (BGI) in pregnant Taiwanese women.Methods: A total of 5194 singleton pregnant women were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized study. The participants were subjected to the 50 g 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT) and 100 g 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to screening gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). BGI was defined as a positive GCT and normal OGTT results. GDM was defined as a positive GCT and abnormal OGTT results. The women were categorized into the following groups: (1) GCT-negative, n = 3881; (2) BGI with MNT, n = 273; (3) BGI without MNT, n = 712; and (4) GDM, n = 328. Multiple logistic analyses were used to estimate the risks of pregnancy outcomes.Results: The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for total cesareans, third- or fourth-degree perineal lacerations, gestational hypertension or preeclampsia and macrosomia were 1.24 (1.04–1.49), 1.55 (1.06–1.28), 1.78 (1.21–2.61) and 2.50 (1.28–4.91) in the BGI without MNT group compared to the GCT-negative group. There was no difference between BGI with MNT and GCT-negative groups.Conclusions: Women with BGI who did not receive MNT had increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, whereas who received MNT had no different risk with GCT-negative women.

Forceps-Assisted Vaginal Deliveries in West Texas

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of operative vaginal delivery was 10–15% in the United States in 2000. By 2006, the rate had fallen to less than 5%, of which less than 1% were forceps deliveries. Questions have arisen regarding whether the volume of procedures is sufficient to train residents. The objective of this study was to review the training and experience with forceps deliveries of residents graduating from a major southwestern residency program that focuses on training for forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of forceps deliveries performed by nine residents who graduated from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2013. Annual and cumulative experience with forceps deliveries was recorded for each resident. Indication, classification, and type of forceps used were noted in all cases. Pertinent maternal and neonatal outcomes were obtained from the maternal medical record only. Important aspects of training that may have contributed to those salutary outcomes will be evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 303 procedures were identified. The mean number of procedures per resident was 33.7; the median was 29. The cumulative number of forceps deliveries by year of training was recorded. The mean (median) number of forceps deliveries by year of training (year 1–year 4) was 3.4 (3), 7.1 (6), 12.3 (9), and 12.3 (10), respectively. Indications for the forceps deliveries included 171 fetal, 95 maternal, and 37 not recorded. The majority of deliveries were classified as low forceps (187), with some outlet (38) and very few midforceps (9). The incidence of third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations was 8.5%. CONCLUSION: Forceps have been used for hundreds of years to assist in the safe delivery of neonates. It is believed that the special emphasis placed on forceps-assisted deliveries in this program as well as the number of forceps-assisted deliveries performed combine to give residents the confidence needed to use this important mode of delivery when necessary for superior patient care.