Smoking cessation Through Optimization of clinical care in Pregnancy: the STOP pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation improves pregnancy outcomes, yet there is uncertainty around the efficacy of models of antenatal intervention for smoking cessation in pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the Smoking cessation Through Optimization of clinical care in Pregnancy (STOP) clinic as an antenatal care pathway for smoking cessation in pregnancy. The STOP intervention is a smoking cessation clinic staffed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of obstetricians, midwives, and smoking cessation practitioners, who provide motivational and psychological support and intensive clinical monitoring of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of the STOP clinic compared with routine antenatal care at a tertiary urban maternity hospital delivering >8000 infants per year. The primary outcome measured was continuous abstinence from smoking before 28+0 weeks' gestation, sustained throughout the duration of the pregnancy, and validated using biological measures. The secondary outcomes included maternal and fetal morbidity, delivery and neonatal outcomes, smoking outcomes, and qualitative measures. RESULTS: A total of 436 women were randomized, with 430 women included in the primary outcome analysis. Women attending the STOP antenatal clinic were more likely to quit smoking compared with those in routine care (odds ratio, 3.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-9.17). In addition, women who continued to smoke in the STOP clinic smoked fewer cigarettes daily at the time of delivery compared with controls: 5±4 in the STOP clinic and 7±5 in the control group (odds ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.59). However, this intervention did not alter postpartum relapse rates (4.3% intervention arm vs 1.5% control arm, not significant) at 4 to 6 months following delivery. The mean birthweight was similar in the intervention and control arms; however, quitters in both groups had infants with significantly higher birthweights compared with those of continued smokers. CONCLUSION: The STOP antenatal model of care leads to higher smoking cessation rates among pregnant smokers and lower daily cigarette consumption at time of delivery. Currently, there is no defined or dedicated antenatal pathway for pregnant smokers, despite the high-risk nature of their pregnancies. Our findings suggest that improved smoking cessation rates in pregnancy may be achieved using the holistic approach of the STOP model of care.

Delayed interval delivery of preterm multiples: experience from a large specialized twin center.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm delivery is a recognized complication of twins and higher order multiple pregnancies. Delayed interval delivery is a rarely used management option for pre- or peri-viable preterm labor in these pregnancies. We describe the management and outcomes of 7 delayed interval deliveries over an 8-year period in a large specialized twin center. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of all delayed interval deliveries of preterm multiples from 2009 to 2016, defined as >24 h between deliveries of twins 1 and 2. RESULTS: During the study period there were 68,845 deliveries with 1377 multiple pregnancies comprising 1331 sets of twins and 46 sets of higher-order multiples. 7 of these were identified as being delayed interval deliveries - 6 twin pregnancies and 1 triplet pregnancy. The mean gestation of delivery of the first infant was 23 + 4 weeks (range 22 + 3 to 30 + 0 weeks) with a mean interval of 10 days (range 1.5-39 days). Outcomes for the first infant delivered were poor, with 5 out of 7 (71%) dying from extreme prematurity. However, out of the remaining twins or triplets, 5/8 (62%) survived. The mean gestation of delivery of the remaining infant (or infants in the triplets) was 25 + 0 weeks (range 23 + 0 to 30 + 2 weeks). Only one mother (16%) developed clinical chorioamnionitis requiring iatrogenic delivery of the remaining infant with subsequent neonatal death due to extreme prematurity. There were no cases of severe maternal morbidity - however, there was one maternal death in the cohort due to an amniotic fluid embolism. The neonatal follow up of the surviving infants to date is mostly normal. CONCLUSION: Delayed interval deliveries can offer hope for survival for the remaining infant(s) with an acceptable risk profile to the mother. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring is essential to reduce the risk of severe maternal morbidity.

Attitudes and experiences with termination of pregnancy among Irish obstetrics & gynaecology trainees in the context of recent legal change: A survey study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines Irish obstetrics and gynaecology trainees' experiences with and opinions of termination of pregnancy (ToP) after legal change. STUDY DESIGN: We invited obstetrics & gynaecology non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) to participate in a web-based survey through a professional e-mail listserv. We conducted descriptive statistical analyses of responses using Stata SE Version 16. RESULTS: A total of 102/202 (50.5%) trainees responded to the survey. Of these, 61.8% believed that ToP should be allowed on request up to 12 weeks and in limited circumstances thereafter (in line with current law), and 19.6% believe ToP should be allowed on request even after 12 weeks. Knowledge about the abortion law was high (70.6% achieved a perfect knowledge score). Since the new law came into effect, 61.8% of trainees reported participation in abortion care, though only 25.5% had performed surgical procedures. More than 75% of respondents would like to receive more training in all clinical skills related to ToP. In the future, 67.6% of respondents would be willing to provide TOP in all circumstances allowed by law. CONCLUSION: Irish obstetrics & gynaecology NCHDs are generally supportive of the legislation. Few trainees have performed surgical abortions, and most would like to receive additional clinical training related to ToP.

Prevalence of illicit tobacco use and tobacco tax avoidance in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Tobacco tax avoidance and tax evasion undermine the effectiveness of tobacco tax policies, resulting in cheaper prices for smokers and increased tobacco usage. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the purchasing habits of pregnant smokers with regard to tobacco expenditure and use of illicit tobacco. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Face to face interviews were conducted with 90 attendees (age range 18-42 years; mean age 28 years) of a smoking cessation antenatal clinic in a large Irish tertiary level maternity hospital. Information regarding smoking habits, quantity of tobacco smoked, and location of purchase of tobacco was collected in addition to socioeconomic details. Tobacco products were examined to establish whether these were purchased from legitimate sources. RESULTS: 76.6% of women smoked 10 or fewer cigarettes per day. The mean weekly spend on tobacco was €39. Seventeen women (18.8%) smoked roll-your-own tobacco. One woman (1.1%) currently possessed a pack of illicit tobacco, while another 5.5% of participants had purchased illicit tobacco in the past. Four women (4.4%) practiced tobacco tax avoidance by purchasing tobacco abroad or in Duty Free. CONCLUSIONS: Use of illicit tobacco is low and only a minority of women engaged in tobacco tax avoidance. As the average price of tobacco in Ireland increases, weekly expenditure on tobacco products is a significant financial impact on low-income women. Smoking cessation would deliver significant financial gains in addition to health benefits.

Smoking cessation Through Optimisation of clinical care in Pregnancy: the STOP randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking negatively impacts on maternal and fetal health. Smoking cessation is one of the few interventions capable of improving pregnancy outcomes. Despite the risks, the most effective antenatal model of care for smokers is still unclear, and specific recommendations for screening for fetal growth restriction are absent. METHODS: This is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of a dedicated smoking cessation clinic versus routine antenatal care as an intervention to reduce cigarette smoking behaviour. Smoking mothers randomised to the Smoking cessation Through Optimisation of clinical care in Pregnancy (STOP) clinic will have all antenatal care provided by a team comprising an obstetrician, a midwife, and a smoking cessation practitioner. This intervention includes ultrasound screening for fetal growth restriction. The control arm comprises two groups: one receiving standard care with ultrasound screening for fetal growth restriction, and one receiving standard care with ultrasound screening for growth restriction only if clinically indicated by their healthcare provider. Four hundred and fifty women will be recruited and randomised to either intervention or control arms stratifying for age, parity, and history of fetal growth restriction. RESULTS: The primary outcome is self-reported, continuous abstinence from smoking between the quit date and end of pregnancy, validated by exhaled carbon monoxide or urinary cotinine. The quit date is targeted as being at or before 16 weeks' gestation and no further than 28 weeks' gestation. The secondary outcomes are a set of variables including maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, neonatal complications and delivery outcomes, smoking and psychological outcomes, and qualitative measures. CONCLUSIONS: Despite much research into cigarette smoking in pregnancy, the optimal model of care for these women is still unknown. This study has the potential to improve the model of antenatal care provided to pregnant women who smoke and to improve outcomes for both mother and infant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11214785 . Registered on 8 February 2018.

Smoking cessation support and obstetric outcomes in an Irish maternity hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal cigarette smoking is a recognised risk factor for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality and remains a significant problem in the Irish maternity system. Approximately 11% of Irish women will continue to smoke in pregnancy, despite awareness of the negative impact on their pregnancy. Although recommendations exist for the management of pregnant smokers, information on the antenatal care of Irish smokers in pregnancy has not been described. We reviewed the care given to smokers in a large urban maternity hospital. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of 100 consecutive smokers and 110 contemporaneous non-smokers who delivered at a large urban maternity hospital of over 8200 births per year in Oct-Nov 2017. Data were obtained from both electronic patient records and chart review to ensure comprehensive capture of outcomes. RESULTS: In general, mothers who smoked were younger (29yrs vs 33yrs p < 0.001) and of higher parity (1.4 vs. 1.0 p < 0.001) than non-smokers. They were less likely to have a planned pregnancy (44.4% vs 79.6%, p < 0.001) and less likely to have taken pre-conceptual folic acid (22.2% vs 58.3%, p < 0.001). These mothers also had a higher rate of history of illicit drug use, particularly cannabis (19.1% vs 0.9%, p < 0.001) and opiates (16.1% vs 0.9%, p < 0.001). Mental health issues were commoner in smokers with 36.3% describing depression, postnatal depression or bipolar disorder and 34.3% experiencing anxiety disorder or panic attacks. Smoking cessation advice was identified in only 36.5% of smokers and no smokers were referred for smoking cessation interventions. Two thirds of smokers were referred for an additional ultrasound, largely due to suspected fetal growth restriction. Infants of smoking mothers had lower mean birthweights (3.16 kg vs 3.47 kg p < 0.001) and mean birth centile (27th vs 47th p < 0.001) than non-smokers. Twenty eight percent of these infants were small for gestational age, an incidence significantly higher than non-smokers at 13% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal cigarette smoking appears to be a largely tolerated risk factor in the population studied, despite being associated with poor obstetric outcomes. We identified an absence of smoking cessation services and a lack of intervention and structure around care pathways.

Adjustment of therapeutic LMWH to achieve specific target anti-FXa activity does not affect outcomes in pregnant patients with venous thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are routinely used to provide therapeutic anticoagulation during pregnancy for women with VTE, with measurement of plasma anti-FXa activity used to guide dosing in certain patient groups. There is limited evidence to support the use of anti-FXa monitoring in pregnant patients. This study seeks to ascertain whether anti-FXa monitoring of pregnant patients with VTE influences patient outcomes. We performed a single-centre case series including two consecutive groups of pregnant patients treated with LMWH for VTE sustained in the index pregnancy with and without monitoring of anti-FXa levels. 35,394 patients delivered during the study period in a large urban stand-alone maternity hospital, with 26 cases of VTE eligible for inclusion. There was no significant difference between the two groups in any clinical outcome; including maternal blood loss at delivery, recurrent thromboembolic events or rates of planned delivery. These data provide clinical evidence to support current international guideline recommendations that measurement of plasma anti-FXa activity in the majority of patients receiving therapeutic-intensity antenatal LMWH is not warranted.