Higher Cesarean Rate Research Articles

Cesarean delivery in a tertiary institution of the Republic of Moldova: analysis using the Robson classification

BackgroundThe worldwide rise in cesarean section rate is a major public health concern and cause of significant debate. Despite multiple studies showing that higher cesarean rates may be associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, the number of cesarean births increases continuously. In the Republic of Moldova, the cesarean section has increased from 15.75% in 2012 to 27.42% in 2022, however, the perinatal mortality remains unchanged - constituting 11.6‰. In order to understand the factors that determine the increasing trend of cesarean section and to approach new strategies to reduce unnecessary surgical delivery, a standardized tool is needed to assess and compare cesarean section rates. ObjectiveTo assess changes in cesarean section rates and trends and to evaluate the contribution of different obstetrical populations to overall cesarean rates in Municipal Clinical Hospital using the Robson Classification. Study DesignA cohort study conducted at the Municipal Clinical Hospital in Chisinau. The study includes 13882 women who gave birth in 2017, 2019, and 2022 in this hospital. All births were classified into 10 Robson groups, using six basic variables (parity, cesarean section delivery in medical history, labor onset, number of fetuses, gestational age, and fetal presentation). Statistical data were collected and analyzed using the Epi INFO program. ResultsThe overall cesarean section rate was 20.02% (2779/13882) with a significant increase from 18.59% (809/4351) to 21.59% (1134/5252), P=0.0003. Approximately one-third 39.55% (1099/2279) of all cesarean deliveries were performed before the labor onset. The main contributor in all study years is Group 5 - 34.44% (957/2779). The next valuable group as a contributor to the overall cesarean rate are the women from Group 2 representing 14.14% (393/2779), followed by women of Group 1 with 11.98% (333/2779). ConclusionsThe use of the Robson Ten-groups classification offers a clear and detailed record of the cesarean section trends, and due to its simplicity and exclusivity, it can be implemented in the Republic of Moldova as well. The main contributors to the overall cesarean rate are women with a previous cesarean delivery - Group 5, followed by nulliparous women of Group 2 and Group 1.

Long-term health outcomes of children born by cesarean section: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

BackgroundTaiwan had high cesarean rate which exceeded the recommended threshold (15%), set by WHO. However, there have not a comprehensive study to discuss the long-term offspring consequences of cesarean section (CS). This study aimed to show whether allergy disorders, obesity and respiratory infection of children are associated with modes of delivery, using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. MethodsThis study used the maternal and child health database of NHIRD. We included the children who birth between 2004 and 2013 and inter-linked the database of the mother and children. The participants were followed until 2018/12/31. We performed a Cox proportional hazards model to identify the association of CS with respiratory tract infection, allergy disorder, and obesity diagnosed in childhood. ResultsCS significantly increased the risk of developed childhood asthma (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.03), allergy rhinitis (aHR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.04–1.05), atopic dermatitis (aHR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04–1.06), respiratory tract infection (aHR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.06–1.07) and overweight (aHR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.18–1.40) even after adjusting with confounding factor. Development of food allergy (aHR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.87–1.47) was not associated with cesarean section. ConclusionThis study indicated that children delivered by CS more commonly developed respiratory tract infections, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, obesity than children delivered vaginally. Among these, obesity have a stronger association with cesarean section.

Increased Maternal BMI at Time of Delivery Associated with Poor Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes.

Current literature on the risks and outcomes of obesity in pregnancy almost exclusively utilizes prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). Given the rising obesity rate across the United States along with a paucity of available information on the relationship between delivery BMI and maternal and neonatal outcomes, our study aimed to determine the association of maternal BMI at delivery with antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal complications at an academic referral hospital. This study is a secondary analysis of data collected for a prospective cohort study of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy. This analysis included all patients who delivered term singleton infants between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the electronic medical record. The relationship between maternal BMI and maternal and neonatal characteristics of interest was assessed using logistic regression models. A statistical significance threshold of 0.05 was used for all comparisons. There were 1,996 women who delivered term singleton infants during the study period. The median BMI at delivery was 31.7 kg/m2 (interquartile range: 27.9, 37.2), with 61.1% of women having a BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2. Increasing BMI was significantly associated with nonreassuring fetal status, unscheduled cesarean birth, overall cesarean birth rate, postpartum hemorrhage, prolonged postpartum stay, hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal intensive care unit admission, decreased APGAR score at 1 minute, and increasing neonatal birth weight. Even when controlling for preexisting hypertension in a multivariate model, increasing BMI was associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Increased maternal BMI at delivery was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. These findings have implications for clinical counseling regarding risks of pregnancy and delivery for overweight and obese patients and may help inform future studies to improve safety, especially by examining reasons for high cesarean rates. · Sixty-one percent of delivering patients had a BMI330 kg/m2 at delivery.. · There was a higher cesarean rate with increasing delivery BMI.. · For every 5-unit increase in maternal BMI, neonatal weight increased by 0.47 g..

Effects of male hepatitis B virus infection and serostatus on sperm quality, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes following intrauterine insemination.

To evaluate the impact of male hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and serostatus on sperm quality, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes following intrauterine insemination for infertility. We retrospectively analyzed data from 962 infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination treatment at a single center. The case group comprised 212 infertile couples with male HBV infection, and the control group comprised 750 noninfected infertile couples. The couples were further divided into subgroups according to their hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/anti-HBe status: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)+HBeAg- (group A), HBsAg+HBeAg+ (group B), and HBsAg-HBeAg- (control group). The main outcome parameters, including the seminal parameters, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, preterm delivery rate, multiple pregnancy rate, delivery type, birth weight, and sex ratio, were compared. A lower sperm acrosin activity, higher cesarean rate, and newborn sex ratio were observed in the HBV-infected group and group A in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). However, the standard sperm parameters, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, preterm delivery, and birth weight showed no statistically significant differences among the groups. Male HBV infection does not adversely impact standard sperm parameters or pregnancy outcomes but can influence sperm acrosin activity and some neonatal outcomes. Moreover, the effect may vary among different HBV serostatuses.

The use of bubble charts in analyzing second stage cesarean delivery rates

BackgroundThe incidence of second stage cesarean delivery has been rising globally due to the failure or the anticipated difficulty in performing instrumental delivery. Yet the best way to interpret the figure, and its optimal rate remain to be determined. This is because that it is strongly influenced by the practice of other two modes of birth, namely the cesarean performed before reaching the second stage, and the assisted vaginal birth during the second stage. In this regard, a bubble chart which can display three-dimensional data through its X-axis, Y-axis, and the size of each plot (presented as a bubble), may be a suitable method to evaluate the relationship between the rates of these three modes of births. ObjectiveTo conduct an epidemiological study on the incidence of second stage cesarean rate of over 300,000 singleton term births in 10 years from eight obstetric units; and to compare their second stage cesarean rate in relation to their pre-second stage cesarean rates and assisted vaginal birth rates using a bubble chart. Study DesignThe territory-wide birth data between 2009-2018 from all eight public obstetric units (labelled as “A” to “H”) was reviewed. Inclusion criteria were all singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation delivered at term (≥37weeks). Pre-second stage cesarean rate was defined as all elective cesarean births and those emergency cesarean births occurred before full cervical dilatation, per total number of births. Second stage cesarean rate and assisted vaginal birth rate were calculated according to the respective mode of delivery per the number of cases that reached full cervical dilatation. The rates of these three modes of births were compared between the parity groups and between the eight units. Using a bubble chart, each unit’s second stage cesarean rate (Y-axis) was plotted against its pre-second stage cesarean rate (X-axis) as a bubble. Each unit’s second stage cesarean to assisted vaginal birth ratio was represented by the size of the bubble. ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 353,434 singleton cephalic presenting term pregnancies were delivered in the eight units, and 180,496 (51.1%) were from nulliparous mothers. When compared to the multiparous group, the nulliparous group had a significantly a lower pre-second stage cesarean rate (18.58% vs 21.26%; p<0.001), but a higher second stage cesarean rate (0.79% vs 0.22%; p<0.001) and a higher assisted vaginal birth rate (17.61% vs 3.58%; p<0.001). Using the bubble of their averages as a reference point in the bubble chart, the eight units’ bubbles were clustered into five regions indicating their differences in practice: Unit B and Unit H are close to the average in the center. Unit A and Unit F were at the upper right corner with higher pre-second stage cesarean rate and second stage cesarean rate. Unit D and Unit E are at their opposite. Unit C is at the upper left corner with a low pre-second stage cesarean rate but a high second stage cesarean rate, while Unit G is at its opposite. Unit C and Unit G were also in the extreme in term of pre-second stage cesarean to assisted vaginal birth ratio (0.09 and 0.01 respectively). Although some units had apparently very similar second stage cesarean rate, their obstetric practice were differentiated by the bubble chart. ConclusionThe second stage cesarean rate must be evaluated in the context of the rates of pre-second stage cesarean and assisted vaginal birth. A bubble chart is a useful method for analyzing the relationship between these three variables, so as to differentiate the obstetric practice between different units.

Models using private general practitioners to provide caesarean deliveries at five South African district public hospitals: insights for public-private contracting for obstetric care in rural areas

ABSTRACT Background Harnessing of private sector resources could play an important role in efforts to promote universal access to safe obstetric care including caesarean delivery in low- and middle-income countries especially in rural contexts but any such attempt would need to ensure that the care provided is appropriate and patterns of inappropriate care, such as high caesarean delivery rates, are not reproduced for the entire population. Objective To examine the contracting arrangements for using private general practitioners to provide caesarean delivery services in rural district hospitals in South Africa. Method We utilised a mixed-method study design to examine the contracting models adopted by five rural district hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. Between April 2021 and March 2022, we collected routine data from delivery and theatre registers to capture the profile of deliveries and utilisation of contracted private GPs. We also conducted 23 semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders to explore perceptions of the contracting arrangements. Results All five hospitals varied in the level of use of private general practitioners and the contracting models (three private in-sourcing models – via locum agencies, sessional contracts, and tender contracts) used to engage them. Qualitative interviews revealed insights related to the need for flexibility in the use of contractual models to meet local contextual needs, cost implications and administrative burden. Conclusion Structured appropriately, private public partnerships can fill important gaps in human resources in rural district hospitals. Policy makers should look to developing a ‘contracting framework’ which requires compliance with a set of underlying principles but allows for flexibility in developing context specific contracting arrangements. These underlying principles should include a ‘risk’ based delivery model, adherence to public sector- evidence-based protocols, time-based rather than per delivery/type of delivery remuneration models, group liability arrangements, and processes to monitor outcomes.

Staging and clinical characteristics of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A retrospective cohort study from Nanjing, China.

To investigate the immune status of Chinese chronic hepatitis B (CHB) pregnant women and their clinical characteristics. About 1544 CHB pregnant women without antiviral therapy from 2013 to 2018 were selected from the hospital records. The definition of immune status is based on American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 Hepatitis B Guidance, and those who did not meet any criteria of the immune status were referred to in the gray zones (GZ). There were 284 patients in the immune-tolerance phase, 72 patients in the HBeAg-positive immune active phase, 553 patients in the inactive phase, 61 patients in the HBeAg-negative immune active phase. Of note, 574 (37.18%) patients did not fit into any of the above phases were defined as the GZ. Patients with elevated ALT had a higher rate of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Mother to child HBV transmission was rare (only two cases) and occurred in mothers in the immune-tolerant phase. Our data showed that more than one-third of CHB pregnant women were classified into the GZ. In standard stages, advanced age is associated with HBeAg-negative and a higher cesarean rate in the inactive phase. The incidence of ICP was higher in immune active phases, including GB and GD. The probability of mother-to-child transmission in gray zones is low.

Does structured obstetric management play a role in the delivery mode and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies?

PurposeWhile the optimal delivery method of twin pregnancies is debated, the rate of cesarean deliveries is increasing. This retrospective study evaluates delivery methods and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies during two time periods and aims to identify predictive factors for the delivery outcome.Methods553 twin pregnancies were identified in the institutional database of the University Women’s Hospital Freiburg, Germany. 230 and 323 deliveries occurred in period I (2009–2014) and period II (2015–2021), respectively. Cesarean births due to non-vertex position of the first fetus were excluded. In period II, the management of twin pregnancies was reviewed; adjusted and systematic training with standardized procedures was implemented.ResultsPeriod II showed significantly lower rates of planned cesarean deliveries (44.0% vs. 63.5%, p < 0.0001) and higher rates of vaginal deliveries (68% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.02). Independent risk factors for primary cesarean delivery were period I, maternal age > 40 years, nulliparity, a history with a previous cesarean, gestational age < 37 completed weeks, monochorionicity and increasing birth weight difference (per 100 g or > 20%). Predictive factors for successful vaginal delivery were previous vaginal delivery gestational age between 34 and 36 weeks and vertex/vertex presentation of the fetuses. The neonatal outcomes of period I and II were not significantly different, but planned cesareans in general were associated with increased admission rates to the neonatal intensive care units. Inter-twin interval had no significant impact on neonatal outcome.ConclusionStructured regular training of obstetrical procedures may significantly reduce high cesarean rates and increase the benefit–risk ratio of vaginal deliveries.

An innovative web-based decision-aid about birth after cesarean for shared decision making in Taiwan: study protocol for a randomized control trial

BackgroundTaiwan has a high national caesarean rate coupled with a low vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) rate. This study aims to develop and evaluate a web-based decision-aid with communication support tools, to increase shared decision making (SDM) about birth after caesarean.MethodsA quantitative approach will be adopted using a randomized pre-test and post-test experimental design in a medical centre in northern Taiwan. The web-based decision aid consists of five sections. Section 1 provides a two-part video to introduce SDM and how to participate in SDM. Section 2 presents an overview of functions and features of the birth decision-aid. Section 3 presents relevant VBAC information, including definitions, benefits and risks, and an artificial intelligence (AI) calculator for rate and likelihood of VBAC success. Section 4 presents the information regarding elective repeat caesarean delivery (ERCD), involving definitions, benefits, and risks. Section 5 comprises four steps of decision making to meet women’s values and preferences. Pregnant women who have had one previous caesarean and are eligible for VBAC, will be recruited at 14–16 weeks. Participants will complete a baseline survey prior to random allocation to either the control group (usual care) or intervention group (usual care plus an AI-decision aid). A follow up survey at 35–38 weeks will measure change in decisional conflict, knowledge, birth mode preference, and decision-aid acceptability. Actual birth outcomes and satisfaction will be assessed one month after birth.DiscussionThe innovative web-based decision-aid with support tools will help to promote pregnant women’s decision-making engagement and communication with their providers and improve opportunities for supportive communication about VBAC SDM in Taiwan. Linking web-based AI data analysis into the medical record will also be assessed for feasibility during implementation in clinical practice.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT05091944), Registered on October 24, 2021.

Socioeconomic, demographic, and nutritional factors associated with cesarean deliveries among childbearing women in Bangladesh

Cesarean section (CS) delivery significantly impacts mother and infant health and could be harmful if done excessively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors (socioeconomic, demographic, and nutritional) for CS delivery among childbearing women in Bangladesh. This study was carried out using a cross-sectional study, and the data was collected in two phases. In the first phase, a sample of 404 observations was collected and 193 observations were also collected in the second phase. A convenience sampling technique was applied to collect data. Data were collected between June to September 2022. This study used Pearson’s Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model to identify the association and impact of explanatory variables on CS delivery. The prevalence of CS was 73% among women in Bangladesh. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mothers (OR: 4.16) and fathers (OR: 2.139) with higher education are approximately four and two times more likely to have CS than parents with primary schooling. This research also demonstrates that a family history of ASD has a higher chance (OR: 2.654) of having CS deliveries than those without such a history. Moreover, any specific maternal illness during pregnancy such as diabetes (OR: 2.377) significantly raised the odds of giving birth mostly through CS. The current study recommends that proper medical guidelines, awareness-raising, doctor commitment, government policy, and stringent supervision of private health institutions are required to manage high cesarean birth rates. Bangladesh's policy guidelines on CS births are desperately needed to minimize unnecessary CS deliveries.

Classifying caesarean section to understand rising rates among Palestinian refugees: results from 290,047 electronic medical records across five settings

BackgroundRising caesarean-section rates worldwide are driven by non-medically indicated caesarean-sections. A systematic review concluded that the ten-group classification system (Robson) is the most appropriate for assessing drivers of caesarean deliveries. Evidence on the drivers of caesarean-section rates from conflict-affected settings is scarce. This study examines caesareans-section rates among Palestinian refugees by seven-group classification, compares to WHO guidelines, and to rates in the host settings, and estimates the costs of high rates.MethodsElectronic medical records of 290,047 Palestinian refugee women using UNRWA’s (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) antenatal service from 2017–2020 in five settings (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Gaza) were used. We modified Robson criteria to compare rates within each group with WHO guidelines. The host setting data were extracted from publicly available reports. Data on costs came from UNRWA’s accounts.FindingsPalestinian refugees in Gaza had the lowest caesarean-section rates (22%), followed by those residing in Jordan (28%), West Bank (30%), Lebanon (50%) and Syria (64%). The seven groups caesarean section classification showed women with previous caesarean-sections contributed the most to overall rates. Caesarean-section rates were substantially higher than the WHO guidelines, and excess caesarean-sections (2017–2020) were modelled to cost up to 6.8 million USD. We documented a steady increase in caesarean-section rates in all five settings for refugee and host communities; refugee rates paralleled or were below those in their host country.InterpretationCaesarean-section rates exceed recommended guidance within most groups. The high rates in the nulliparous groups will drive future increases as they become multiparous women with a previous caesarean-section and in turn, face high caesarean rates. Our analysis helps suggest targeted and tailored strategies to reduce caesarean-section rates in priority groups (among low-risk women) organized by those aimed at national governments, and UNRWA, and those aimed at health-care providers.

Coexisting fibroid in pregnancy and its labour outcome in Nigeria

The management of coexisting uterine fibroid in pregnancy is controversial. There is the need to know the labour outcome of women with coexisting fibroid in pregnancy in our environment. Objective: To ascertain the labour outcome of coexisting fibroid in pregnancy and the prevalence. Materials and Method: The study is a retrospective one that reviewed 48 women with coexisting fibroid in pregnancy over a 30 month period. Result: Out of 612 women that had antenatal care and delivery in our area of study, 48 of them had coexisting fibroid in pregnancy giving a prevalence of 7.8%. The mean age of the parturients was 32.38 ± 5.22 years and most of the parturients were primiparous (56.3%). Up to 89.5% of them delivered at term and 89.6% of their babies had normal birth weight with good APGAR score in 79.2% of them. Their caesarean delivery rate was 79.2% and 2 successful caesarean myomectomies were done. Conclusion: Fibroid can coexist with pregnancy with good outcome but they are prone to high caesarean delivery rate and at risk of uterine rupture. A low prevalence was recorded in our study and caesarean myomectomy is feasible in selected cases.

Cesarean delivery rates and indications in pregnancies complicated by diabetes

Objective Rates of pregestational (PGDM) and gestational diabetes (GDM), and their associated pregnancy complications, are rising. Pregnancies complicated by diabetes have increased cesarean delivery (CD) rates; however, there are limited data regarding the current rates of, and contributing factors to, these deliveries. The Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) is a clinically relevant, standardized framework that can be used to evaluate and analyze cesarean rates. The objective of this study was to evaluate rates of, and indications for, intrapartum, unplanned CD among pregnancies complicated by diabetes, compared to normoglycemic (NG) pregnancies, in a large United States birth cohort. Methods This retrospective cohort study used chart-abstracted data on births between 24 and 42 weeks’ gestation at 17 hospitals that contributed to the Obstetrical Care Outcome Assessment Program database between 01/2016 and 03/2019. The CD rate for NG pregnancies, and pregnancies complicated by gestational and PGDM was calculated and compared using the Robson TGCS. The indications for intrapartum CD in patients with term, singleton, vertex gestations without a prior cesarean were then analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to compare the cesarean rate and indications for CD, between the diabetic groups and the NG group. Results were adjusted for maternal age, BMI, neonatal birth weight, and insurance status, as well as clustering by hospital. Results A total of 86,381 pregnant people were included in the study cohort. Of these 76,272 (88.3%) were NG, 8591 (9.9%) had GDM, and 1518 (1.8%) had PGDM. Compared to NG patients, overall cesarean rates were higher in patients with GDM (40.3% vs. 29.7%; aOR 1.25, 95%CI 1.18–1.31) and PGDM (60.0% vs. 29.7%; aOR 2.53, 95%CI 2.04–3.13). This finding remained true when the cohort was restricted to term, singleton, vertex laboring patients without a prior cesarean; compared to NG patients, the cesarean rate was higher in patients with GDM (17.4% vs. 12.2%, aOR 1.37, 95%CI 1.29–1.45) and PGDM (26.0% vs. 12.2%, aOR 2.55, 95%CI 2.00–3.25). The cesarean rate for fetal indications was similar in the GDM (5.7%) and NG (4.4%) groups, while those patients with PGDM had a significantly higher rate (10.4%; aOR 2.01, 95%CI 1.43–2.83). Similarly, the rate of cesarean for labor dystocia in patients with PGDM was significantly higher than in NG patients (16.9% vs. 7.0%, and aOR 2.28, 95%CI 1.66–3.13) while patients with GDM had an intermediate rate (10.6% vs. 7.0%, aOR 1.49, 95%CI 1.40–1.57). Conclusions The CD rate is significantly higher in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, particularly pregestational, compared to NG pregnancies. Despite controlling for maternal factors and birth weight, pregnancies complicated by diabetes are more likely to undergo an unplanned intrapartum cesarean secondary to labor dystocia than their NG counterparts, but only pregnancies complicated by PGDM have an increased risk of cesarean for fetal indications. More research is needed to understand whether this higher cesarean rate is due to factors intrinsic to diabetes in laboring patients or is due to a difference in the way clinicians manage diabetics in labor.

Obstetric Outcomes of Obese Primigravida with Spontaneous Onset of Labour at Term

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has reached pandemic level with higher prevalence among women. Obese pregnant women have higher risk of comorbidities, maternal and fetal complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vaginal delivery and pregnancy outcomes of obese primigravida presented with spontaneous labour at term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Perak involving 250 obese primigravida (BMI ≥27.5kg/m2) and 250 non-obese primigravida. Data collected from August 2020 till January 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent T-test and Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: Our study found that there were no significant differences in the proportion of vaginal delivery and caesarean delivery between obese and non-obese primigravida [72.0% vs. 78% (vaginal delivery) and 28% vs. 22% (caesarean delivery)] with spontaneous onset of labour at term. No difference in complications of labour such as PPH and OASIS (p=0.187), with high successful delivery without complications. Obese women presented with cervical dilatation of 4cm had longer delivery interval [5.82(2.97) vs. 4.75(2.71), p=0.013] but shorter delivery interval at 6cm [2.41(1.58) vs. 3.61(1.78), p=0.026] compared to non-obese. They also had higher caesarean rate indicated for abnormal labour progress [28(71.8) vs. 11(28.2), p=0.019] and higher comorbidities [149(72.3) vs. 57(27.7), p=&lt;0.001]. There was no difference in the fetal outcome (p=0.311). CONCLUSION: After careful selection, obese women with spontaneous labour at term are safe for vaginal delivery as they have similar risk of labour augmentation, duration of active labour, caesarean delivery, PPH and OASIS despite higher comorbidities.

Umbilical Cord Maternal Microchimerism in Normal and Preeclampsia Pregnancies.

Bidirectional exchange of cells between mother and fetus establishes microchimerism (Mc). Mc can persist for decades and is associated with later-life health and disease. Greater fetal Mc is detected in the maternal compartment in preeclampsia (PE), but whether maternal Mc (MMC) in umbilical cord blood (CB) is altered in PE is unknown. We evaluated MMc in CB from normal and PE pregnancies. DNA from CB mononuclear cells following placental delivery (n = 36 PE, n = 37 controls) and maternal blood was extracted and genotyped. MMc, quantified by qPCR assays targeting maternal-specific nonshared polymorphisms in CB, was compared using logistic and negative binomial regression models. Clinically and statistically relevant confounders were included, and included the total number of cell equivalents tested, gravidity, mode of delivery, birthweight, and fetal sex. PE participants delivered at earlier gestational ages, with higher Cesarean rates, and lower infant birthweights. CB MMc detection was similar between PE and controls (52.8% vs. 51.3%, respectively, p = 0.90) and unchanged after adjustment for confounders. MMc concentration was not different between groups (mean 73.7 gEq/105gEq in PE vs. mean 22.8 gEq/105 in controls, p = 0.56), including after controlling for confounders (p = 0.64). There was no difference in CB MMc detection or concentration between PE and normal pregnancies, despite previously noted greater fetal Mc in the maternal compartment. This suggests possible differential transfer of cells at the maternal fetal interface in PE. Phenotypic evaluation of Mc cells may uncover underlying mechanisms for differential cellular exchange between mother and fetus in PE.

Interstate differences in institutional delivery and Caesarean section rates in India

In the last two decades, India witnessed a steep rise in institutional delivery (ID) rates and some increase in Caesarean section (CS) rates. Analysis of raw data from three major surveys was undertaken with the objective of identifying factors associated with both low and high institutional deliveries and Caesarean rates so that appropriate locale specific corrective interventions can be initiated. The raw data from NFHS4, AHS and DLHS4 were analysed to assess urban-rural and interstate differences in ID and CS rates in government and private institutions and CS rates in relation to sociodemographic and obstetric profile of the woman.At national level 3/4 of women had ID. There were substantial interstate variations (50·4% to 99·8%). ID rates were higher in urban areas and in DLHS4 states. CS rate in ID at the national level was 18·5%; CS rates in ID were higher in urban areas, in DLHS4 states and in private institutions in all states. Interstate differences in CS rate were high (2·4% in government institutions in Bihar to 69·2% in private institutions in West Bengal. CS rates were higher in urban, educated women from higher SLI group delivering in private institutions.National surveys help in identifying the states and institutions with lower ID rates and higher CS rates and enable the initiation of appropriate interventions to strengthen institutions. Awareness generation about adverse consequences of home deliveries and CS without obstetric indications will hasten the progress towards universal institutional delivery and optimal CS rates.

Mode of Delivery and Caesarean Indications Among Women with Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Objective: To determine the relative proportions of vaginal and caesarean deliveries, and the common caesarean indications among women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP).Materials and methods: A cross sectional study conducted at the Maternity unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra from 1st January to 28th February 2013.Results: A total of 368 women with HDP were recruited with 168 (45.7%) and 200 (54.3%) having caesarean and vaginal deliveries respectively. Regarding the caesarean delivery, 31 (18.5%) had gone into labour prior to the surgery whiles 137 (81.5%) were not in labour. Among the 368 women 68 (18.5%) had induction of labour out of which 46 (67.6%) achieved vaginal delivery. The risk of caesarean section was significanty higher in preeclampsia [(adjusted odds ratio 2.898 (1.741-4.824), p-value &lt;0.001] and chronic hypertension [(adjusted odds ratio 2.474 (1.194-5.128), p-value =0.015] with reference to gestational hypertension. The Commoncaesarean indications among women with HDP were previous caesarean birth (26.2%), unfavourable cervix (22.6%), fetal distress (14.9%), failure to progress (10.7%), fetal malpresentation (9.5%), failed induction (7.1%) and placental abruption (3.0%). A total of 65(17.7%) women with HPD had had a prior caesarean birth.Conclusion: This study has determined a high caesarean birth rate in women with HDP with the highest and lowest caesarean rates occurring in chronic hypertension and gestational hypertension respectively. The common caesarean indications among women with HDP were previous caesarean birth, unfavourable cervix, fetal distress, failure to progress, fetal malpresentation, failed induction of labour and placental abruption.

Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Pregnancies and its Obstetric Outcomes

Background and Aim: Hypertension, placental abruption, low birth weight, fetal death, and preterm birth are different pregnancy complications associated with clinical thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction is common among pregnant women. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnancies and its obstetric outcomes. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted 164 antenatal women with singleton pregnancy in third trimester at the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar for the duration of six months from January 2021 to October 2021. All the pregnant women irrespective of parity, socio-economics, and age were enrolled after taking informed consent. All cases of thyroid disorders and having multiple pregnancy were left out. Routinely hematological factors and estimation of TSH, fT3, and fT4 was performed. Fetal and maternal complications were assessed subsequently in patients for thyroid deranged profile. Thyroid disease family and infertility history, level of hemoglobin, menstrual pattern, fetal outcome, and recurrent abortion were the main parameters. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 164 women screened, prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 41 (25%). The incidence of subclinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and overt hypothyroidism was 13 (7.8%), 6 (3.7%), and 9 (5.4%) respectively. Higher TSH and abnormal fT4 was found in one sample. About 28.5% patients had anemia among over and subclinical hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism was significantly associated with NICU admission 39.2% (p=0.001), LBW 28.7% (p=0.001), and low APGAR score 23.6% (p=0.039). Comparing hypothyroidism women to euthyroid women, risk of NICU admission, low birth weight, lower APGAR score, and anemia was found 1.3, 5.8, 3.7, and 4.9 times higher. Conclusion: Our study revealed that pregnant women are more susceptible to subclinical hypothyroidism. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism is 3.7%. Hypothyroidism is associated with pre-eclampsia, anemia, neonatal morbidities, and high caesarean rates. Keywords: Pregnancy, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid dysfunction, obstetric outcomes

Impact of uterine malformations on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of IVF/ICSI-frozen embryo transfer.

What is the impact of uterine malformations on reproductive and neonatal outcomes of IVF/ICSI-frozen embryo transfer? Unification defective uteri are associated with poorer neonatal outcomes including higher preterm delivery rate and lower birthweight, and septate uteri are associated with worse fertility outcomes including higher miscarriage and lower live birth rates (LBRs). Several studies have investigated the negative effects of uterine malformations on pregnancy outcomes. However, an all-round and definitive conclusion has not been reached yet owing to the relatively low incidence of the disease and the heterogeneity of study populations, especially among women undergoing ART. This was a retrospective cohort study including 411 women with congenital uterine anomalies and 14 936 women with a normal uterus who underwent first frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of IVF/ICSI from July 2008 to August 2019. We compared reproductive outcomes. Reproductive outcomes of women with uterine malformations were studied through three propensity score-matched comparisons (patients with bicorporeal uterus, septate uterus and hemi-uterus [bicorporeal, septate and hemi-uterus groups, respectively] along with corresponding control groups without uterine malformations). We also compared pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, and performed subgroup analysis addressing didelphus, bicornuate uteri and septate uteri before and after surgery independently. Compared to the matched control group, women with a bicorporeal uterus had a significantly lower LBR (24.4% versus 34.8%, odds ratio (OR) 0.61 [95% CI: 0.37, 1.00], P = 0.048). The incidence of miscarriage and preterm delivery was higher but not statistically significant (29.0% versus 18.1%, OR 1.85 [95% CI: 0.82, 4.19], P = 0.135; 22.6% versus 9.9%, OR 2.64 [95% CI: 1.07, 6.52], P = 0.063, respectively). In addition, the bicorporeal group had a significantly lower gestational age, higher caesarean rate and lower birthweight than bicorporeal control. Women with a septate uterus had comparable clinical pregnancy rates to controls (43.3% versus 49.9%, OR 0.77 [95% CI: 0.57, 1.04], P = 0.091), increased miscarriage rates (23.5% versus 13.0%, OR 2.05 [95% CI: 1.18, 3.58], P = 0.010) and lower LBRs (29.4% versus 42.2%, OR 0.57 [95% CI: 0.41, 0.79], P = 0.001). In both singleton and twins pregnancies, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were comparable between women with a septate uterus and control. Women with a hemi-uterus had a tendency for lower clinical pregnancy rate (36.8% versus 42.3%, OR 0.80 [95% CI: 0.52, 1.21], P = 0.287) and LBR (29.8% versus 33.1%, OR 0.86 [95% CI: 0.55, 1.34], P = 0.502), compared to women without malformations. The incidences of miscarriage and preterm delivery, respectively, were 16.7% versus 16.6% (OR 1.01 [95% CI: 0.41, 2.47], P = 0.989), and 9.5% versus 11.4% (OR 0.82 [95% CI: 0.27, 2.51], P = 1) in women with a hemi-uterus as compared to control. This was a single-centre, retrospective study in which neonatal data were extracted from parental questionnaires. The information on uteri septum type and surgery methods was poorly presented, with limited detail. In patients with uterine malformations, the number of babies with birth defects and twin pregnancies was relatively small, limiting the power of the study. Compared to patients with a normal uterus, women with uterine malformation have poorer reproductive outcomes. Pregnant women with a uterine anomaly need to be managed as high-risk pregnancies and followed with appropriate obstetric review. This work was supported by the National Ministry of Technology (2018YFC1003000), the Elite Team Project of Ninth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (JY201801), Shanghai Sailing Program (21YF1423200) and the Fundamental Research Program Funding of Ninth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (JYZZ117). B.W.M. is supported by an NHMRC Investigatorgrant (GNT1176437). B.W.M. reports consultancy (with stock options) for ObsEva. B.W.M. has received research funding from Ferring and Merck. The authors declare no other competing interests. N/A.

Maternal and Foetal Outcomes in Early and Late Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and their Association with Maternal Serum Bile Acid Levels: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (IHCP) also known as recurrent jaundice of pregnancy is a pregnancy specific benign liver disease presenting in the second and third trimester of pregnancy and is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Aim: To study and compare the maternal and foetal outcomes in early and late IHCP and to evaluate the Serum Bile Acid (SBA) levels and its association with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, prospective cohort study, conducted during September 2018 to March 2020 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ESI PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India. A total of 196 antenatal women with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of IHCP with deranged liver function tests were grouped on the basis of period of gestation as early IHCP ( diagnosed ≤32 weeks) comprising of 40 women, and late IHCP (diagnosed &gt;32 weeks). comprising of 156 women. They were further divided into four groups A, B, C, D on the basis of the maternal Serum Bile Acid (SBA) levels between 10-19 mmol/L, 20-29 mmol/L, 30-39 mmol/L and ≥ 40 mmol/L, respectively. Maternal outcomes such as caesarean rates, instrumental delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, blood transfusion, hospital stay and foetal outcomes such as preterm birth, birth weight, Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) score, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) admission, intrauterine foetal demise and neonatal death were noted and association was found by Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher’s-exact test. Results: A total of 196 women(mean age 25.64±3.8 years, 40 in Early IHCP and 156 in late IHCP) were analysed for foetomaternal outcomes and were further divided into group A (n=138),group B (n=27), group C (n=13), and group D (n=18) on basis of maternal SBA. Adverse maternal outcomes such as high caesarean rates, instrumental delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, blood transfusion, prolonged hospital stay and adverse foetal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, low APGAR score, NICU admission, intrauterine foetal demise and neonatal death was more common in early IHCP in comparison to late IHCP (p &lt; 0.05). It was also observed that risk of adverse foetomaternal outcomes increased with increasing maternal SBA levels with maximum adverse outcomes seen in women with SBA ≥30mmol/L i.e., Group C and D (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Women diagnosed with IHCP at an earlier gestation ≤ 32 weeks have more propensity towards adverse foetomaternal outcomes and significantly higher rate of adverse outcome was observed in patients with SBA level ≥30mmol/L.