Care in pregnancy after stillbirth.

Pregnancy after stillbirth is associated with increased risk of stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. In addition, pregnancy after stillbirth is associated with emotional and psychological challenges for women and their families. This manuscript summarizes information available to guide clinicians for how to manage a pregnancy after stillbirth by appreciating the nature of the increased risk in future pregnancies, and that these are not affected by interpregnancy interval. Qualitative studies have identified clinician behaviors that women find helpful during subsequent pregnancies after loss which can be implemented into practice. The role of peer support and need for professional input from the antenatal period through to after the birth of a live baby is discussed. Finally, areas for research are highlighted to develop care further for this group of women at increased risk of medical and psychological complications.

A new care pathway to optimize gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Maternal gestational weight gain is an important determinant of pregnancy outcomes and may have an even greater role in twin pregnancies because of their higher rate of pregnancy complications and greater nutritional demands. However, data on the optimal week-specific gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies and on interventions that should be applied in cases of inadequate gestational weight gain are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether a new care pathway that involves monitoring gestational weight gain using a week-specific chart, along with a standardized protocol for managing cases with inadequate gestational weight gain, can optimize maternal gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies. METHODS: In this study, patients with twin pregnancies followed in a single tertiary center between February 2021 and May 2022 were exposed to the new care pathway (postintervention group). Gestational weight gain and clinical outcomes were compared with those of a previously described cohort of patients with twins followed in our clinic before the implementation of the new care pathway (preintervention group). The new care pathway targeted patients and care providers and included educational material, a newly developed body mass index group-specific gestational weight gain chart, and a stepwise management algorithm in cases of inadequate gestational weight gain. The body mass index group-specific gestational weight gain charts were divided into 3 zones: (1) green zone (optimal gestational weight gain at 25th-75th centiles); (2) yellow zone (suboptimal gestational weight gain at 5th-24th or 76th-95th centiles); and (3) gray zone (abnormal gestational weight gain, at <5th or >95th centile). The primary outcome was the overall proportion of patients achieving optimal gestational weight gain at birth. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were exposed to the new care pathway and were compared with 1079 patients from the preintervention period. Patients in the postintervention group were more likely to achieve optimal gestational weight gain at birth (60.2% vs 47.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.86) and were less likely to achieve low-suboptimal gestational weight gain (7.3% vs 14.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.85) or any suboptimal gestational weight gain (26.8% vs 34.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.93) at birth. In addition, patients in the postintervention group were less likely to have low-abnormal gestational weight gain anytime during gestation (18.9% vs 29.1%; P=.017) and were more likely to have normal gestational weight gain throughout pregnancy (21.3% vs 14.0%; P=.031) or high-abnormal gestational weight gain anytime during gestation (18.0% vs 11.1%; P=.025), suggesting that in comparison with standard care, the new care pathway is more effective in preventing patients from moving into the low-abnormal zone than the high-abnormal zone. Furthermore, the new care pathway was more effective than standard care in correcting high-suboptimal gestational weight gain and high-abnormal gestational weight gain. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the new care pathway may be effective in optimizing maternal gestational weight gain in twin gestations, which may in turn contribute to better clinical outcomes. This is a simple, low-cost intervention that can be easily disseminated among providers caring for patients with twin pregnancies.

Pregnancy and infant loss: a survey of families' experiences in Ontario Canada.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and infant loss has a pervasive impact on families, health systems, and communities. During and after loss, compassionate, individualized, and skilled support from professionals and organizations is important, but often lacking. Historically, little has been known about how families in Ontario access existing care and supports around the time of their loss and their experiences of receiving such care. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey, including both closed-ended multiple choice questions and one open-ended question, was completed by 596 people in Ontario, Canada relating to their experiences of care and support following pregnancy loss and infant death. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequency distributions. Responses to the one open-ended question were thematically analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach. RESULTS: The majority of families told us that around the time of their loss, they felt they were not adequately informed, supported and cared for by healthcare professionals, and that their healthcare provider lacked the skills needed to care for them. Almost half of respondents reported experiencing stigma from providers, exacerbating their experience of loss. Positive encounters with care providers were marked by timely, individualized, and compassionate care. Families indicated that improvements in care could be made by providing information and explanations, discharge and follow-up instructions, and through discussions about available supports. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals can make a positive difference in how loss is experienced and in overall well-being by recognizing the impact of the loss, minimizing uncertainty and isolation, and by thoughtfully working within physical environments often not designed for the experience of loss. Ongoing supports are needed and should be tailored to parents' changing needs. Prioritizing access to specialized education for professionals providing services and care to this population may help to reduce the stigma experienced by bereaved families.

No. 369-Management of Pregnancy Subsequent to Stillbirth.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this consensus statement is to develop consensus statements to guide clinical practice and recommendations for antenatal care, intrapartum care, and the psychosocial considerations necessary in the care of pregnant women with a history of stillbirth. INTENDED USERS: Clinicians involved in the obstetric management of women with a history of stillbirth or other causes of perinatal loss TARGET POPULATION: Women and families presenting for care following a pregnancy affected by stillbirth or other causes perinatal loss EVIDENCE: This document presents a summary of the literature and a general consensus on the management of pregnancies subsequent to stillbirth and perinatal loss. Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched using the following key words: previous stillbirth, perinatal loss, subsequent pregnancy. The results were then studied, and relevant papers were reviewed. The references of the reviewed studies were also searched, as were documents citing pertinent studies. The evidence was then presented at a consensus meeting, and statements were developed. Due to lack of evidence, care pathways of specialty clinics were consulted. VALIDATION METHODS: The content and guidelines were developed by the primary authors in consultation with the meeting attendees. The Board of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada approved the final draft for publication. The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology framework (Table 1). The interpretation of strong and weak recommendations is described in Table 2. The Summary of Findings is available upon request. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: A multidisciplinary approach in the provision of antenatal and intrapartum care to women and families with a history of stillbirth and perinatal loss was explored. While there is a lack of evidence in this area, members of the working group are providing care to women and families around the world and are sharing their knowledge and experience to help guide care. GUIDELINE UPDATE: Evidence will be reviewed 5 years after publication to evaluate whether all or part of the guideline should be updated. However, if important new evidence is published prior to the 5-year cycle, the review process may be accelerated for a more rapid update of some recommendations. SPONSORS: This guideline was developed with resources funded by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the Women and Babies Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

No 369 - Prise en charge de la grossesse aprés une mortinaissance.

OBJECTIF: L'objectif principal de la présente déclaration de consensus est d'élaborer des énoncés de consensus qui guideront la pratique clinique et des recommandations pour les soins prénataux et les soins intrapartum, et les considérations psychosociales dont il faut tenir compte pour prendre soin des femmes enceintes ayant des antécédents de mortinaissance. UTILISATEURS CIBLES: Les cliniciens participant à la prise en charge obstétrique des femmes ayant des antécédents de mortinaissance ou d'autres formes de décès périnatal. POPULATION CIBLE: Les femmes et les familles recevant des soins après une grossesse s'étant soldée par une mortinaissance ou une autre forme de décès périnatal. ÉVIDENCE: La présente directive clinique résume la littérature publiée et énonce un consensus général sur la prise en charge des grossesses suivant une mortinaissance ou un décès périnatal. Nous avons interrogé les bases de données MEDLINE, Embase et Cochrane au moyen des mots-clés : « previous stillbirth ¼, « perinatal loss ¼ et « subsequent pregnancy ¼. Nous avons ensuite étudié les résultats et lu les articles pertinents. Nous avons également consulté les références des articles retenus et les documents citant des études pertinentes. Les données ont ensuite été présentées pendant une réunion de consensus, et les énoncés ont été formulés. En raison du manque de données probantes, nous avons également consulté les cheminements de soins de cliniques spécialisées. VALIDATION: Le contenu et les lignes directrices ont été élaborés par les auteurs principaux en consultation avec les participants à la rencontre. Le Conseil d'administration de la Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada a approuvé la version finale avant publication. La qualité des données probantes a été évaluée au moyen des critères de l'approche GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) [tableau 1]. L'interprétation des recommandations solides et conditionnelles est décrite dans le tableau 2. Le résumé des conclusions peut être fourni sur demande. AVANTAGES, INCONVéNIENTS, COûTS: Nous avons exploré une approche multidisciplinaire de prestation des soins prénataux et intrapartum aux femmes et aux familles ayant des antécédents de mortinaissance ou de décès périnatal. Bien qu'il manque de données probantes dans ce domaine, certains membres du groupe de travail fournissent ces soins à des femmes et à des familles dans plusieurs pays et nous ont fait part de leurs connaissances et de leurs expériences dans le but de guider les soins. MIS-à-JOUR: Une revue des données probantes sera menée cinq ans après la publication de la présente directive clinique afin d'évaluer si une mise à jour complète ou partielle s'impose. Cependant, si de nouvelles données probantes importantes sont publiées avant la fin du cycle de cinq ans, le processus pourrait être accéléré afin que certaines recommandations soient mises à jour rapidement. COMMANDITAIRES: La présente directive clinique a été élaborée à l'aide de ressources financées par la Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada et le Programme pour les femmes et les bébés du Centre Sunnybrook des sciences et la santé tableau 1,2. DéCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES ET RECOMMANDATIONS.

Pregnancy subsequent to stillbirth: Medical and psychosocial aspects of care.

Pregnancy after stillbirth presents unique challenges for families and healthcare providers. Medical surveillance and interventions must be optimized to improve outcomes and provide individualized support for families. A key component of acceptable care is psychosocial support that is delivered in a timely and sensitive manner by care providers with knowledge about the pervasive impact of stillbirth. With the lack of existing evidence to guide care, there is an urgent need for global leadership and research to address knowledge gaps.