Obstetric Outcomes in U.S. Veterans: Emerging Knowledge, Considerations, and Gaps.

In the post-9/11 era, the number of young women serving, and deploying, in the military grew rapidly; as they exit service, there is tremendous increase in reproductive-aged women Veterans. Here, we review the limited but growing research regarding Veterans' pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. U.S. women Veterans returning from deployment carry a high burden of physical and mental health conditions, and often trauma. As poor mental health is known to predict poorer maternal and infant sequelae, there are unique concerns around perinatal outcomes in Veterans. Accordingly, there is new attention to their reproductive risks and needs-evidenced by recent research and programmatic efforts within the VA. Emerging research suggests that the unique health profiles of pregnant Veterans, including prevalent posttraumatic stress disorder, predict increased risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. In the most contemporary large study, relying on California birth data, Veterans who relied on VA for their health care coverage were high risk, with increased rates of preeclampsia and Cesarean delivery. Additionally, Veterans' infants (compared with non-Veterans') were more likely to require NICU care. Additional research is needed to explore upstream factors leading to these poorer outcomes. Current effort to coordinate VA and non-VA care for Veteran mothers is warranted.

Difficult implant removals.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Subdermal contraceptive implant insertions have rapidly increased worldwide. These devices are usually removed 3-5 years after insertion. Although removals are generally straightforward, difficult removals can occur. This review discusses the overall approach to potentially problematic removals and the appropriate steps to avoid complications and safely remove implants. RECENT FINDINGS: Given the rapid uptake of contraceptive implants and subsequent need for removals, an Implants Removal Task Force was formed to create standard protocols for difficult implant removals worldwide. These protocols detail how to identify a nonpalpable implant and the subsequent steps needed for safe removals that avoid vascular or neurological complications. SUMMARY: Rapid uptake of subdermal implants has created a need for a comprehensive approach in the unlikely setting of a difficult implant removal. Standard protocols now exist to aid clinicians in the safe removal of these implants.

Nonpneumatic antishock garment combined with bakri balloon as a nonoperative "uterine sandwich" for temporization of massive postpartum hemorrhage from disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic complication of postpartum hemorrhage. We describe two cases of massive postpartum hemorrhage complicated by DIC that were successfully temporized with combined use of the Bakri balloon and nonpneumatic antishock garment (NASG) during massive transfusion. In the first case, a healthy, term gravida underwent emergent cesarean for fetal bradycardia during labor induction. 10 minutes after completion of surgery, brisk vaginal hemorrhage of nonclotting blood from fulminant DIC resulted in maternal shock. A Bakri balloon and NASG were placed during massive transfusion, resulting in rapid maternal stabilization. In the second case, a healthy, term gravida suffered an amniotic fluid embolism during labor requiring emergent cesarean delivery and complicated by cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation. Postoperative rapid uterine bleeding from DIC was treated with a Bakri balloon and NASG, stabilizing the patient during massive transfusion. Neither patient required further surgical procedures. NASG combined with Bakri balloon may serve as a valuable nonoperative treatment or temporization option in cases of massive postpartum hemorrhage complicated by coagulopathy such as these. Further study of the utility of NASG in high-resource settings is warranted.

Adjunct mifepristone for cervical preparation prior to dilation and evacuation: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate mifepristone as a potential adjunct to cervical preparation for surgical abortion after 19 weeks of gestation, with the aim of improving procedure access, convenience and comfort. METHODS: This is a site-stratified, block-randomized, noninferiority trial of 50 women undergoing surgical abortion between 19 and 23 6/7 weeks of gestation randomized to receive either one set of osmotic dilators plus mifepristone the day prior to procedure (mifepristone group) or two sets of osmotic dilators (placed 18-24 h apart) in the 2 days prior to procedure (control group). All subjects received preprocedure misoprostol. Primary outcome was procedure time. Secondary outcomes included preoperative cervical dilation, ease of procedure, and side effects and pain experienced by subjects. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was similar between groups (20 weeks); more nulliparous subjects were randomized to the mifepristone group (46% vs. 12%, p=.009). Mean procedure times were similar: mifepristone group 11:52 (SD 5:29) vs. control group 10:56 (SD 5:08); difference in means -56s, with confidence interval (95% CI -4:09 to +2:16) not exceeding the 5-min difference we a priori defined as clinically significant. Preprocedure cervical dilation did not differ and was >3cm for the majority of subjects in both groups. There was no difference (p=.6) in ease of procedure reported by providers. Preoperative (postmisoprostol) pain and postoperative pain levels were greater with mifepristone (p = 0.02 and p= 0.04 respectively). Overall subject experience was not different (p=0.80), with most reporting a "better than expected" experience. CONCLUSIONS: Mifepristone with one set of osmotic dilators and misoprostol did not result in longer procedure times or less cervical dilation than serial (two sets) of osmotic dilators and misoprostol, and has the potential to improve access to second trimester abortion without compromising safety. IMPLICATIONS: Use of mifepristone for cervical preparation before surgical abortion after 19 weeks allows for fewer visits and fewer osmotic dilators without compromising cervical dilation or increasing procedure time.