Spontaneous Onset Of Labor Research Articles

Changes in Salivary Oxytocin Level of Term Pregnant Women after Aromatherapy Footbath for Spontaneous Labor Onset: A Non-Randomized Experimental Study.

Aromatherapy is usually used to stimulate labor. However, its specific physiological effects have been scarcely examined. We evaluated whether an aromatherapy footbath increases oxytocin levels in term pregnant women. In this quasi-experimental study, low-risk term pregnant women in Japan underwent aromatherapy using a footbath (1) infused with clary sage and lavender essential oils, (2) infused with jasmine oil, or (3) with no infused oils (control group). The primary outcome was the salivary oxytocin level. The secondary outcomes were uterine contractions and cortisol levels. In the clary sage and lavender group (n = 28), the oxytocin level increased significantly after the footbath (p = 0.035). The jasmine group (n = 27) and control group (n = 27) exhibited trends toward a respective increase and decrease in the oxytocin level; however, the changes in the oxytocin levels between the clary sage and lavender group and the control group showed no significance difference. There were no significant differences in the changes in the uterine contractions and cortisol levels between the experiment and control groups. The changes in the oxytocin levels in the clary sage and lavender group did not differ significantly with those in the control group, possibly because of the small sample size. Further studies are required to examine the effects of repeated aromatherapy footbaths to stimulate labor.

Особливості управління болем у вагітних та породіль

Purpose - to evaluate the efficacy and adverse side effects (if any) of intravenous infusion of 1000 mg paracetamol as a method of pain relief in labour during the active phase of labour and in the postoperative period after caesarean section. Materials and methods. 43 pregnant women in the first stage of labor with active labor were studied. The selection criteria were healthy low-risk first-term mothers; aged 18-35 years; with spontaneous onset of labor at 37-40 weeks of pregnancy; the first period of labor with the opening of the cervix by 3-5 cm; one live fruit; main presentation Infulgan inf. solution was chosen as a paracetamol preparation 10 mg/ml per 100 ml. Multimodal anesthesia with a combination of the drugs Infulgan (paracetamol) and Keydex (dexketoprofen) was performed for postoperative analgesia. The pain intensity indicator was determined using the visual analog scale (VAS) - a method of subjective pain assessment. The patient marked a point on a non-graduated ruler 10 cm long, which corresponds to the degree of severity of pain. During the dynamic evaluation of changes in pain intensity, they were considered objective and significant if the true VAS value differed from the previous one by more than 1.3 cm. The comparison group consisted of 20 pregnant women in the 1st stage of labor who did not receive anesthesia at their own request. Also, a study of the effectiveness of complex multimodal anesthesia (Infulgan (paracetamol) and Keydex (dexketoprofen)) was conducted in 5 (11.6%) women in labor after delivery by caesarean section. Results. The use of intravenous paracetamol injection for analgesia during labor is an effective analgesia. There was an initial but significant decrease in the VAS score 30 minutes after Infulgan administration and a statistically significant decrease in pain after 2, 3 and 4 hours compared with the VAS score before treatment. In the group of women who did not undergo analgesia, the intensity of the pain syndrome steadily increased. In the postoperative period, after caesarean section, women underwent combined analgesia with the use of Infulgan (paracetamol) drugs as the basic component of multimodal analgesia and Keydex (dexketoprofen) as a necessary step of multimodal analgesia. The above-mentioned combination of drugs allows for Step-Up analgesia - step-by-step pain therapy. Infulgan was administered in 1 vial (1000 mg) every 6 hours by intravenous injection, and Keydex - in 1 ampoule every 8 hours by intramuscular injection. The addition of Keydex (dexketoprofen) to the analgesia provided an adequate analgesic effect and did not require the administration of opioid analgesics in the postoperative period. Conclusions. Intravenous paracetamol is an effective non-opioid drug for the relief of labor pain without any significant side effects for mother and fetus. The absence of any maternal side effects (sedation, respiratory depression, delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting) or neonatal side effects (respiratory depression and decreased Apgar scores) associated with opioids allows us to recommend Infulgan for the relief of labor pain. The step-by-step Step-Up pain therapy in the postoperative period allows you to reduce the doses of each of the analgesics and reduce the frequency and side effects of the drugs. The use of Infulgan and Keydex as a method of pain management by means of Step-Up analgesia in the postoperative period in parturient women showed high efficiency, adequate tolerability and patient’s satisfaction. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Predicting Spontaneous Labor beyond 39 Weeks among Low-Risk Expectantly Managed Pregnant Patients.

The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics associated with spontaneous labor onset in pregnant patients undergoing expectant management at greater than 39 weeks' gestation and delineate perinatal outcomes associated with spontaneous labor compared with labor induction. This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies at ≥390/7 weeks' gestation delivered at a single center in 2013. The exclusion criteria were elective induction, cesarean delivery or presence of a medical indication for delivery at 39 weeks, more than one prior cesarean delivery, and fetal anomaly or demise. We evaluated prenatally available maternal characteristics as potential predictors of the primary outcome-spontaneous labor onset. Multivariable logistic regression was used to generate two parsimonious models: one with and one without third trimester cervical dilation. We also performed sensitivity analysis by parity and timing of cervical examination, and compared the mode of delivery and other secondary outcomes between patients who went into spontaneous labor and those who did not. Of 707 eligible patients, 536 (75.8%) attained spontaneous labor and 171 (24.2%) did not. In the first model, maternal body mass index (BMI), parity, and substance use were identified as the most predictive factors. Overall, the model did not predict spontaneous labor (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.70) with high accuracy. The addition of third trimester cervical dilation in the second model did not significantly improve labor prediction (AUC: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.61-0.70; p = 0.76). These results did not differ by timing of cervical examination or parity. Patients admitted in spontaneous labor had lower odds of cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR]: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.21-0.53) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.15-0.94). Other perinatal outcomes were similar between the groups. Maternal characteristics did not predict spontaneous labor onset at ≥39 weeks' gestation with high accuracy. Patients should be counseled on the challenges of labor prediction regardless of parity and cervical examination, outcomes if spontaneous labor does not occur, and benefits of labor induction. · Majority of patients will attain spontaneous labor at ≥39 weeks.. · Maternal characteristics do not predict labor at ≥39 weeks.. · Spontaneous labor has associated lower perinatal risks.. · A shared decision model should be utilized in counseling patients who may choose expectant management..

Comparison of Pregnancy Outcome between 4 and 6 cm Cervical os Dilatation to Demarcate Active Phase of Labour: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This is a cross-sectional study comparing pregnancy outcomes between participants with 4 and 6 cm of cervical os dilatation at the diagnosis of the active phase of labour. It was conducted in a single tertiary centre involving low-risk singleton pregnancies at or beyond 37 weeks with spontaneous onset of labour. A total of 155 participants were recruited, 101 in group 1 (4 cm) and 54 in group 2 (6 cm). Both groups were similar in mean maternal age, mean gestational age at delivery, ethnicity, median haemoglobin level at delivery, body mass index, and parity. There were significantly more participants in group 1 who needed oxytocin augmentation (p < 0.001) for the longer mean duration (p = 0.015), use of analgesia (p < 0.001), and caesarean section rate (p = 0.002). None of the women had a postpartum haemorrhage or a third- or fourth-degree perineal tear, and none of the neonates required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. There were significantly more nulliparas who had a caesarean section as compared to multiparas. A cervical os dilatation of 6 cm reduces the risk of caesarean section by 11% (95% CI, 0.01-0.9) and increases three times more the need for analgesia (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI, 1.2-9.4). In conclusion, the demarcation of the active phase of labour at a cervical os dilatation of 6 cm is feasible without an increase in maternal or neonatal complications.

Outcomes and Associated Factors of Induction of Labor in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Induction of labor is the initiation of uterine contractions by artificial methods once the fetus has reached viability and prior to spontaneous onset of labor with the aim of achieving vaginal delivery. Although induction of labor is a critical life-saving intervention that potentially reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes, sometimes it has undesirable consequences for the health of the mother and/or the fetus. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and associated factors of labor induction. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 25 to May 25, 2020, among women undergoing induction at East Gojjam zone public hospitals in northwest Ethiopia. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 411 mothers who were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Stata/se™ Version 14 statistical software was used to analyze the data. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to determine the potential factors affecting successful labor induction. Adjusted odds ratios with their 95% CI intervals were used to declare the strength of the association, and a variable with p value <0.05 was considered to have statistical significance. The prevalence of successful induction of labor was 70.3% (65.6, 74.7). The favorable Bishop score ((CI 3.90, 1.63-9.29); p value = 0.002), the intermediate Bishop score ((CI 3.53, 2.15-5.82); p value = 0.001), labor induction using oxytocin with cervical ripening ((CI 2.60, 1.21-5.63); p value = 0.015), and urban residence ((CI 0.48, 0.30-0.78); p value = 0.003) were associated with successful induction of labor. These findings strongly suggest that cervical conditions are important determinants for the success of labor induction. Therefore, healthcare providers should confirm the favorability of the cervical status (using Bishop score) as a strict prerequisite before actual labor induction, and special consideration should be given to those pregnant women who reside in urban areas.

Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with pain relief and birth experience among induced and spontaneous-onset labours ending in vaginal birth: A prospective cohort study.

To assess pain relief and overall birth experience in induced vs. spontaneous-onset labours and to clarify variables among induced parturients determining satisfaction and dissatisfaction. A prospective study of 2042 women. 575 women with induced and 1467 with spontaneous-onset labour answered multiple questions in a questionnaire regarding the experience of birth giving. Satisfaction was numerically assessed via a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10). Induction of labour (IOL) did not worsen the average experience of pain relief, but the proportion of women dissatisfied with pain relief was slightly higher after IOL compared with spontaneous-onset labour (SOL). IOL was associated with lower satisfaction with overall birth experience compared with SOL (VAS 8.0 vs. 8.4; p<0.001). Among IOL parturients incorrect timing of pain relief was strongly associated with dissatisfaction with pain relief, as were deficient information and induction with misoprostol. Epidural blockade was the most important factor preventing dissatisfaction with pain relief. Unsatisfactory overall experience of birth was associated with deficient pain relief, its incorrect timing or deficient information, as well as vacuum extraction as the mode of delivery. Induction of labour is a risk factor of dissatisfaction regarding pain relief and overall birth experience. The strongest impact on dissatisfaction among induced parturients concerning pain relief was delayed timing of effective labour analgesia. Poor pain relief, its incorrect timing and deficient information on pain relief were strong predictive factors of dissatisfaction with the overall birth experience.

Neonatal mortality in NHS maternity units by timing and mode of birth: a retrospective linked cohort study

ObjectivesTo compare neonatal mortality in English hospitals by time of day and day of the week according to care pathway.DesignRetrospective cohort linking birth registration, birth notification and hospital episode data.SettingNational...

Fetus in fetu as a differential diagnosis of fetal abdominal tumors

Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a rare condition in which an abnormal parasitic twin grows inside the body of its co-twin. Fetal Medicine specialists should be suspicious of dealing with FIF when ultrasound imaging shows a heterogenous mass inside the fetal abdomen. We present a case of a 21-year-old pregnant woman who presented an abnormal ultrasound at 31 weeks gestation that revealed a fetus with an intra-abdominal mass. The fetal ultrasound evaluation was suggestive of FIF. The patient had a vaginal delivery after spontaneous onset of labour at the end of pregnancy. An exploratory laparotomy of the newborn was performed four days after birth and allowed removal of an incomplete fetus with distorted head and limbs enveloped by a semi-transparent sac-like capsule placed in retroperitoneum and fed by a small branch of the aorta. The autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a FIF. The newborn was discharged healthy.

Single cell profiling at the maternal–fetal interface reveals a deficiency of PD-L1+ non-immune cells in human spontaneous preterm labor

The mechanisms that underlie the timing of labor in humans are largely unknown. In most pregnancies, labor is initiated at term (≥ 37 weeks gestation), but in a signifiicant number of women spontaneous labor occurs preterm and is associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to characterize the cells at the maternal–fetal interface (MFI) in term and preterm pregnancies in both the laboring and non-laboring state in Black women, who have among the highest preterm birth rates in the U.S. Using mass cytometry to obtain high-dimensional single-cell resolution, we identified 31 cell populations at the MFI, including 25 immune cell types and six non-immune cell types. Among the immune cells, maternal PD1+ CD8 T cell subsets were less abundant in term laboring compared to term non-laboring women. Among the non-immune cells, PD-L1+ maternal (stromal) and fetal (extravillous trophoblast) cells were less abundant in preterm laboring compared to term laboring women. Consistent with these observations, the expression of CD274, the gene encoding PD-L1, was significantly depressed and less responsive to fetal signaling molecules in cultured mesenchymal stromal cells from the decidua of preterm compared to term women. Overall, these results suggest that the PD1/PD-L1 pathway at the MFI may perturb the delicate balance between immune tolerance and rejection and contribute to the onset of spontaneous preterm labor.

Analysis of factors increasing the risk of prelabour rupture of membranes and its effect on fetomaternal outcome

Perinatal morbidity and mortality due to prelabour rupture of membranesPROM) is 18-20% and 21.4% respectively. Multiple risk factors are associated with the development of PROM. Limited data is available on the risk factors of term PROM and relation of its duration with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes from India. To assessfactors increasing the risk of PROM and effect of duration of rupture of membranes on fetomaternal outcome. Five hundred and ten patients presented with term PROM in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sultania Zanana Hospital, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) from December 2018 to February 2019 were studied. After the detailed history, sociodemographic details, risk factors for PROM and neonatal outcomes were recorded. PROM was more common in women with age 21-25years (73.3%), who were housewife (92.5%), were underweight (21.37%), were from the rural area (58.4%), belong to lower SES (62.8%) and were primigravida (59.2%). Majority were leaking for 13-24 hours (70.2%). Majority (85.64%) of patients had spontaneous onset of labour in less than 24 hours of PROM and 28(14.35%) went into spontaneous labour after 24 hours of PROM. Most common risk factor was malpresentation (46.52%) followed by history of PROM (30.04%), Polyhydramnios (13.19%), multiple pregnancy (10.99%) and febrile illness (6.96%). Out of 312 women who had vaginal delivery, labour was induced in 87.82% women. The most common indication for Caesarean section was previous 1 LSCS (13.1%), followed by fetal distress (8.6%), breech presentation (7.3%) and cephalopelvic disproportion (2.9%). Most of the women presenting with PROM were delivered vaginally (61.2%), while 38.8% women underwent caesarean section. Out of 529 babies, 6.24% were admitted in NICU. Majority of the neonates were admitted for 3 days (39.39%). PROM is associated with poor fetomaternal outcome and timely diagnosis and prompt management is required for better outcome.

Women’s subjective perceptions and background factors associated with poor maternal childbirth experience among induced and spontaneous onset of labour: a two-year tertiary hospital cohort study

BackgroundWomen undergoing induction of labour (IOL) more often have poor childbirth experience compared to women with spontaneous onset of labour (SOL). For understanding and optimizing childbirth experience in IOL, we investigated the subjective maternal reasons and perceptions leading to poor childbirth experience in IOL compared to SOL, as well as the background factors and delivery outcomes associated with the poor experience.MethodsTwo-year retrospective cohort study included 836/19442 deliveries (4.3%) with poor childbirth experience in induced or spontaneous onset at term in Helsinki University Hospital. Poor childbirth experience occurred in 389/5290 (7.4%) cases of IOL and in 447/14152 (3.2%) of SOL. Childbirth experience was measured after delivery using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, with poor experience defined as VAS < 5. The primary outcome of the study were the maternal reasons for poor childbirth experience. The parameters were collected in the hospital database and statistical analyses were performed by using Mann–Whitney U-test and t-test.ResultsThe subjective maternal reasons for poor childbirth experience were pain (n = 529, 63.3%), long labour (n = 209, 25.0%), lack of support by care givers (n = 108, 12.9%), and unplanned caesarean section (CS) (n = 104, 12.4%). The methods of labour analgesia were similar among the women who expressed pain as the main reason compared with those who didn’t. When comparing the reasons according to the onset of labour, IOL group more often reported unplanned CS (17.2% vs. 8.3%; p < 0.001) and lack of support by the care givers (15.4% vs. 10.7%; p = 0.04), while SOL group more often named pain (68.7% vs. 57.1%; p = 0.001) and rapid labour (6.9% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.007). In multivariable logistic regression model, IOL was associated with lower risk for pain compared to SOL (adjusted OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.5–0.8; p < 0.01). Primiparas more often reported long labour (29.3% vs. 14.3%; p < 0.001) and concern over own or baby’s wellbeing (5.7% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.03) compared to multiparas. Women who feared childbirth more often reported lack of support compared to women with no fear (22.6% vs. 10.7%; p < 0.001).ConclusionThe main reasons for poor childbirth experience were pain, long labour, unplanned CS and the lack of support by care givers. The childbirth experience is complex and could be optimized by information, support and presence of care givers especially in induced labour.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and time in active labor: A population-based cohort study.

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have higher rates of adverse perinatal outcomes compared with women without GDM, including an increased risk for having labor induced and for cesarean section. The findings from previous studies analyzing duration of labor in women with GDM are contradictory. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of GDM on time in spontaneous and induced active labor. This was a population-based cohort study including 247 524 primiparous women who gave birth to a singleton fetus with cephalic presentation, ≥34+0 (completed gestational weeks + additional days) between January 2014 and May 2020 in Sweden. Data was obtained from the Swedish Pregnancy Register. Time in active labor was compared between women with GDM and without GDM with a spontaneous labor onset or induction of labor using Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis. Women with GDM had significantly longer time in active labor, both with a spontaneous onset and induction of labor compared to women without GDM. Women with GDM had a decreased chance of vaginal delivery at a certain time-point compared to women without GDM, with adjusted hazard ratio of 0.92 (0.88-0.96) and 0.83 (0.76-0.90) for those with spontaneous onset and induction of labor, respectively. Women with GDM had increased risk for time in active labor ≥12 h both in spontaneous labor onset (adjusted odds ratio 1.14 [1.04-1.25]) and in induction of labor (adjusted odds ratio 1.55 [1.28-1.87]). Women with GDM seem to spend a longer time in active labor, both in spontaneous and induced active labor compared to women without GDM. To be able to individualize care intrapartum, there is a need for more studies demonstrating the impact of hyperglycemia during pregnancy on outcomes during childbirth.

Association of oxytocin augmentation and duration of labour with postpartum haemorrhage: A cohort study of nulliparous women

ObjectiveBoth duration of labour and use of oxytocin for augmentation are known risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage but distinguishing between the significance of these factors is complex. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between both labour duration and oxytocin augmentation, for postpartum haemorrhage. DesignA cohort study based on a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomised trial. Participants and settingTerm nulliparous women with a single foetus in cephalic presentation, spontaneous onset of active labour and a vaginal birth. The participants were originally included in cluster-randomised trial conducted in Norway from December 1, 2014, to January 31, 2017, that aimed to compare the frequency of intrapartum caesarean sections when adhering to the WHO partograph versus Zhang's guideline. MeasurementsThe data were analysed through four statistical models. Model 1 investigated the effect of oxytocin augmentation as a dichotomous variable (yes/no); Model 2 investigated the effect of the duration of oxytocin augmentation; Model 3 investigated the effect of the maximum dose of oxytocin; and Model 4 investigated the effect of both the duration of augmentation and the maximum dose of oxytocin. All four models included duration of labour divided into five time-intervals. We used binary logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios of postpartum haemorrhage, defined as blood loss of ≥ 1000 ml, including a random intercept for hospital and mutually adjusting for oxytocin augmentation and labour duration in addition to maternal age, maternal marital status, maternal higher education level, maternal smoking habits in the first trimester, maternal body mass index and birth weight. FindingsModel 1 found a significant association between the use of oxytocin and postpartum haemorrhage. In Model 2, oxytocin augmentation of ≥ 4.5 h was associated with postpartum haemorrhage. In Model 3, we found an association between a maximum dose of oxytocin of ≥ 20 mU/min and postpartum haemorrhage. Model 4 showed that a maximum dose of oxytocin ≥ 20 mU/min was associated with postpartum haemorrhage both for those augmented < 4.5 h and for those augmented ≥ 4.5 h. Duration of labour was associated with postpartum haemorrhage in all models if lasting ≥ 16 h. Key conclusionsWe found both oxytocin augmentation and labour duration to be associated with postpartum haemorrhage. Oxytocin doses of ≥ 20 mU/min and a labour duration of ≥ 16 h showed an independent association. Implication for practiceThe potent drug oxytocin should be carefully administered, as doses of ≥ 20 mU/min were associated with an increased risk of PPH, regardless of the duration of oxytocin augmentation.

FETOMATERNAL OUTCOME IN SPONTANEOUS VERSUS INDUCED LABOR

Background and Objectives: The medical induction of labour at term gestation has always been controversial and is based on conicting evidences.The present study is an attempt to assess the feto-maternal outcome of induced labour compared to spontaneous onset labour. Type of study:It was a prospective comparative study conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Lalla Ded Hospital Srinagar. Materials and methods:Atotal of 200 patients participated in this study. 100 women who had indicated induction of labour (study group) were compared with 100 women with spontaneous onset labour in active phase with cervix atleast 4 cm dilated (control group). Results: Vaginal delivery was 66% in the study group compared to 88% in the control group. Induced labour was associated with a signicantly higher caesarean section rates (P&lt; 0.001 ). Maternal complications include primary postpartum haemorrhage, perineal lacerations and puerperal pyrexia. The study group had longer duration of hospital stay compared to the control (P &lt;0.001).The neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were comparable between both groups and showed no statistically signicant difference. Conclusion:Induction of labour is associated with increased risk of caesarean delivery

Lunar Cycle, Climate, and Onset of Parturition in Domestic Dromedary Camels: Implications of Species-Specific Metabolic Economy and Social Ecology.

Given energy costs for gestating and caring for male offspring are higher than those of female newborns, external environmental conditions might be regarded as likely to affect the timing of delivery processes differentially depending on the sex of the newborn calf to be delivered. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the association between environmental stressors such as the moon phase and weather-related factors and the onset of labor in female dromedaries. A binary logistic regression model was developed to find the most parsimonious set of variables that are most effective in predicting the probability for a gravid female dromedary to give birth to a male or a female calf, assuming that higher gestational costs and longer labor times are ascribed to the production of a male offspring. Although the differences in the quantitative distribution of spontaneous onset of labor across lunar phases and the mean climate per onset event along the whole study period were deemed nonsignificant (p > 0.05), a non-negligible prediction effect of a new moon, mean wind speed and maximum wind gust was present. At slightly brighter nights and lower mean wind speeds, a calf is more likely to be male. This microevolutionary response to the external environment may have been driven by physiological and behavioral adaptation of metabolic economy and social ecology to give birth to cooperative groups with the best possible reduction of thermoregulatory demands. Model performance indexes then highlighted the heterothermic character of camels to greatly minimize the impact of the external environment. The overall results will also enrich the general knowledge of the interplay between homeostasis and arid and semi-arid environments.

British Society for Haematology guideline for anticoagulantmanagement of pregnant individuals with mechanical heart valves.

British Society for Haematology guideline for anticoagulantmanagement of pregnant individuals with mechanical heart valves.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on preterm delivery.

Controversies exist on whether the pandemic lockdown has resulted in a lower rate of preterm deliveries. A higher stillbirth rate was also reported. This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the rate of preterm delivery and stillbirth in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong during COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 8787 singleton pregnancies at Queen Mary Hospital between April 2018 to September 2021 were retrieved from the clinical management system and obstetric database. Rates of preterm delivery (<37 weeks), low birth weight infants (<2500 g), and stillbirth in the pre-pandemic (April 2018 to September 2019) and pandemic (April 2020 to September 2021) periods were compared. Total numbers of singleton deliveries during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods were 5064 and 3723, respectively. Background demographics were comparable, except 3 were higher rates of cesarean sections (30.7% vs. 25.8%; p < 0.05) and hypertensive disorders (1.4% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.05) in the pandemic cohort. Moreover, more women with a spontaneous onset of labor had a history of preterm delivery (3.5% vs. 2.4%; p < 0.05) during the pandemic. Rates of low birth weight infants (8.7% vs. 7.4%; p = 0.03) and spontaneous preterm deliveries (2.6% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.01), particularly spontaneous moderate-to-late preterm delivery (32-36 weeks) (1.9% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.01) were significantly higher during COVID-19. However, no statistical difference was found in stillbirth rates (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p = 0.17). Rates of spontaneous preterm delivery and low birth weight babies increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be related to an increase in maternal stress, or a change in behavioral patterns for pregnant women.

Self-management, care needs and clinical management of primiparous mothers during early labour – a qualitative content analysis

BackgroundChildbearing women face the problem of managing spontaneous onset of labour without professional support. It is their responsibility to diagnose and react to early labour and subsequently recognise the right time to seek support. Institutional guidelines of clinics aim to admit childbearing women when in established labour. This explains why women in early labour are often advised to stay at home, which can be overwhelming and dissatisfying. This study aims to understand the self- and clinical management of early labour and care needs of first-time mothers during early labour.MethodsA qualitative approach was used involving four focus group discussions with a total of N = 18 mothers. Included were primiparous women who had given birth at term within the last 6 months and who experienced spontaneous onset of labour. Elective caesarean section or induction of labour were thereby exclusion criteria. The interviews followed a semi-structured, literature-based guide. Content analysis was applied.ResultsThirteen codes were summarised within three themes: ‘self-management’, ‘care needs’ and ‘professional management’. Various coping strategies and measures such as positive thinking or taking a bath helped women in managing early labour at home. The need for reassurance, professional guidance and pain management led them to seek professional support, which was initially accompanied by a feeling of inhibition. This negative emotion was mostly unjustified since many women felt well cared for and taken seriously in their needs.ConclusionCoping strategies and professional care help women going through early labour. Yet, there still exists insecurity about the justified timing in seeking professional support. An individual assessment of the women’s coping resources and their needs is required to promote shared decision making and give high-standard care.

Overall childbirth experience: what does it mean? A comparison between an overall childbirth experience rating and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2

BackgroundIn clinical settings and research studies, childbirth experience is often measured using a single-item question about overall experience. Little is known about what women include in this rating, which complicates the design of adequate follow-up, as well as the interpretation of research findings based on ratings of overall childbirth experience. The aim of this study was to examine which known dimensions of childbirth experience women include in the rating on a single-item measure.MethodsRatings of overall childbirth experience on a 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS) from 2953 women with spontaneous or induced onset of labour at two Swedish hospitals were evaluated against the validated Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2 (CEQ2), completed on one of the first days postpartum. The CEQ2 measures four childbirth experience domains: own capacity, perceived safety, professional support and participation. Internal consistency for CEQ2 was evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. NRS ratings were explored in relation to CEQ2 using empirical cumulative distribution function graphs, where childbirth experience was defined as negative (NRS ratings 1–4), mixed (NRS ratings 5–6) or positive (NRS ratings 7–10). A multiple linear regression analysis, presented as beta coefficients (B) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), was also performed to explore the relationship between the four domains of the CEQ2 and overall childbirth experience.ResultsThe prevalence of negative childbirth experience was 6.3%. All CEQ2-subscales reached high or acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.78; 0.81; 0.69 and 0.66, respectively). Regardless of overall childbirth experience, the majority of respondents scored high on the CEQ2 subscale representing professional support. Overall childbirth experience was mainly explained by perceived safety (B = 1.60, CI 1.48–1.73), followed by own capacity (B = 0.65, CI 0.53–0.77) and participation (B = 0.43, CI 0.29–0.56).ConclusionsIn conclusion, overall childbirth experience rated by a single-item measurement appears to mainly capture experiences of perceived safety, and to a lesser extent own capacity and participation, but appears not to reflect professional support. CEQ2 shows good psychometric properties for use shortly after childbirth, and among women with induced onset of labour, which increases the usability of the instrument.

Women’s experience of early labour in a free-standing birth centre: Midwifing embodied labour

IssueWomen who present at hospital labour wards in early labour must often meet measurable diagnostic criteria before admission. BackgroundEarly labour is a phase of neurohormonal, emotional, and physical changes that are often not measurable. When admission to birthplace is based on results of diagnostic procedures, women’s embodied knowledge may be disregarded. AimTo describe the early labour experience of women with spontaneous onset of labour in a free-standing birth centre, as well as midwifery care when women arrived in labour. MethodologyAn ethnographic study was conducted in 2015 in a free-standing birth centre after receiving ethics approval. The findings for this article were drawn from a secondary analysis of the data, which included interview data with women and detailed field notes of midwives’ activities related to early labour. FindingsThe women in this study were instrumental in the decision-making process to stay at the birth centre. Observational data showed that vaginal exams were rarely conducted when women arrived at the birth centre and were not a deciding factor in admission. DiscussionThe women and midwives co-constructed early labour based on the lived experience of women and the meaning that this experience held for both. ConclusionGiven the growing concern about the need for respectful maternity care, this study provides examples of good practice in listening to women, as well as an illustration of the consequences of not doing so.