Inter-twin delivery interval, short-term perinatal outcomes and risk of caesarean for the second twin.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between inter-twin delivery interval and short-term perinatal outcomes of the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including twin pregnancies with a vaginal delivery of the first twin between January 2011 and September 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The main outcome measure was a composite of adverse neonatal outcome (at least one of perinatal death, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), endotracheal intubation, Apgar <7 at five minutes and cord lactate >4.0 mmol/L). Proportions of adverse outcomes for the second twin were compared between groups of intervals ≤ or >10 and ≤ or >30 min. RESULTS: The composite adverse neonatal outcome occurred in 201 (58.2%) and a caesarean section occurred in seven cases (2%) of the 345 pregnancies included. Delivery interval was associated with higher cord lactate. Low Apgar scores were more frequent with intervals >30 min (17.9% vs 6.6%, P = 0.03), as well as caesarean section for the second twin (10.7% vs 1.3%, P = 0.01). Composite adverse outcome and admission to NICU were not significantly influenced by the delivery interval. Predictors of adverse outcome were gestational age, abnormal cardiotocography and breech delivery of the second twin. CONCLUSION: The inter-twin delivery interval is associated with higher rates of low Apgar scores and higher cord lactate for the second twin. These associations do not translate into higher rates of admission to NICU and their long-term clinical implications are uncertain.

Midwives' knowledge, attitudes and learning needs regarding antenatal vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and learning needs of midwives regarding antenatal vaccination. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional, paper-based survey of midwives employed at the only public tertiary maternity hospital in the Australian state of Western Australia between November 2015 and July 2016. PARTICIPANTS: 252 midwives providing care in antepartum, intrapartum, and/or postpartum settings. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported responses to a 41-item survey. FINDINGS: The vast majority of midwives supported influenza and pertussis vaccination for pregnant women, with 90.0% and 71.7% reporting they would recommend pertussis and influenza vaccine, respectively, to a pregnant friend or family member, and almost all stating that midwives should administer vaccines to pregnant patients (94.8%). Seven out of ten midwives (68.1%) responded correctly to all knowledge items regarding vaccines recommended during pregnancy; 52.8% demonstrated correct knowledge regarding vaccine administration despite only 36.6% having attended an education session on antenatal vaccination in the previous two years. Nearly all midwives (97.3%) expressed a need for more education on vaccine administration. The most commonly reported barrier to administering influenza (61.3%) and pertussis (59.0%) vaccination was having staff available with the certification required to administer vaccines. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Midwives view antenatal vaccination as their responsibility and are interested and receptive to education. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: There is an unmet need and demand among midwives for professional development that would enable them to recommend and administer vaccines to pregnant women in accordance with national immunisation guidelines and integrate vaccination into routine antenatal care.