Prophylactic Cervical Cerclage in Cases Following Cervical Conization at a Japanese Perinatal Center.

The objective of this study was to re-examine the effect of cerclage on the possible factors associated with preterm delivery in women who had cervical conization. This was a retrospective cohort study comparing the obstetric outcomes of women with or without prophylactic cervical cerclage in pregnancy following a prior conization and managed at our institute between 2004 and 2023. In this study, there were 75% of pregnant women with a history of cervical conization. In 13 women of these (17%), prophylactic cervical cerclage was performed at 12-17 weeks' gestation. The incidence of preterm delivery was 15 (9/62) and 31% (4/13, p = 0.38) in cases with and without cervical cerclage, respectively. The prevalence of histological chorioamnionitis (CAM) in cases of preterm delivery following cervical cerclage was 100%. Prophylactic cervical cerclage in the cases following conization did not contribute to the prevention of preterm delivery associated with the development of CAM.

A Retrospective Comparative Study of the Effect of Controlled-Release Dinoprostone Vaginal Delivery System (Propess®) and Mechanical Methods for Cervical Ripening in Nulliparous Women in Late-Term Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of the controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal delivery system (Propess®) and mechanical methods for cervical ripening in nulliparous women in late-term pregnancy were compared retrospectively. METHODS: This retrospective comparative study included 46 nulliparous pregnant women (24 in the Propess® group and 22 in the mechanical methods groups) with a low Bishop score (≤1) who needed labor induction at 41 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was the success rate of cervical ripening (= Bishop score >6 or vaginal delivery) by the next day following the insertion of Propess® only or mechanical cervical dilation only. In the cases in which cervical ripening was unsuccessful, other methods were performed, and the success rate of cervical ripening the day after was compared as the secondary outcome. RESULTS: As the primary outcome, there was not a significant difference in the success rate of cervical ripening between the Propess® and mechanical methods groups (21 vs. 22%, p = 0.88). As for the secondary outcomes, there was not a significant difference in the total success rate of cervical ripening between the two groups (75 (5+13/24) vs. 73 (5+11/22)%, p = 0.86)). Of the unsuccessful cervical ripening cases as secondary outcomes, the Bishop score of all was ≤2 on the second day of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The combined use of Propess® and mechanical methods was effective for cervical ripening in nulliparous women with a low Bishop score in late-term pregnancy, regardless of order.

Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence with suspected cardiac dysfunction.

We present a case of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence diagnosed postnatally with suspected chronic stress on the heart in the donor twin.

Trends in obstetric policies in cases of failed vacuum extraction in Japan.

Objective: In April 2008, the guidelines for obstetric practice in Japan have made the following recommendations: (1) do not use vacuum extraction (VE) for more than 20 min, and consider forceps delivery (FD) or an emergency cesarean section (CS) if necessary (20-minute VE trial rule), and (2) do not try VE more than five times, even if VE has been used for less than 20 min (5-time VE trial rule). The aims of the present study were to compare the obstetric policies related to failed VE before and after 2008.Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records of all cases of VE in cases of singleton pregnancy with a neonatal birth weight ≥ 2500 g beyond 37 weeks' gestation at our hospital from April 2002 to March 2014.Results: The success rate of VE decreased significantly (96.8 versus 94.1%, p = .02), while the rate of CS increased significantly (2.2 versus 5.0%, p < .01); however, there were no significant differences in these values between the two periods.Conclusions: We could not find the effects of the recommendation limiting the practice of VE.

Disruption of the dividing membrane in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy.

Disruption of the dividing membrane in monochorionic diamniotic twins is associated with a higher incidence of prematurity and neonatal morbidity. In the present case, a cramped fragment of the dividing membrane could be noted following fetoscopic laser photocoagulation.

Comparison of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Whooley questions in screening for postpartum depression in Japan.

Objective: We examined the clinical utility of the Whooley questions in comparison with that of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in Japan.Methods: We carried out mental health screening of all postnatal mothers (n = 258) who gave birth to singleton babies at term attending our hospital using the EPDS and the Whooley questions. For the EPDS, scores were calculated, and a score of nine points or more was regarded as "positive screening" according to the results of previous observations in Japan. For the Whooley questions, if at least one question was answered "yes," we diagnosed it as "positive screen."Results: The positive rate of the Whooley questions was 16.7%, while that of the EPDS (≥ 9 points) was 14.8% (p = .55). The incidence of postpartum depression was 5.4%. The difference in the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the two tools did not reach significance (p = .09 and .45, respectively).Conclusions: There were no significant differences in accuracy on comparing the two screening tools. We should examine how to use the two tools according to the regional support systems.

Case Series of Intrauterine Subamniotic Hemorrhage.

We present here 9 cases of intrauterine subamniotic hemorrhage to describe the pathological sequence. The definite diagnosis of subamniotic hemorrhage was mainly made macroscopically with the presence of hemorrhage or hematoma wrapped in the membrane on the fetal surface by postnatal examining of the placenta. In 7 of them (78%), the presence of gradual subamniotic hemorrhage in the second trimester of pregnancy was suspected. In the cases, severe fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery were recognized in 2 (29%) and 4 cases (57%), respectively. In the other 2 cases (22%), acute anemia associated with acute subamniotic hemorrhage was clinically suspected. This may be the first report examining the clinical characteristics of acute or gradual intrauterine subamniotic hemorrhage. Both patterns of subamniotic hemorrhage seemed to be associated with the adverse perinatal outcomes.

A case of maternal vitamin K deficiency associated with hyperemesis gravidarum: its potential impact on fetal blood coagulability.

Vitamin K deficiency is associated with malnutrition in some complications, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, active gastrointestinal diseases, and psychological disorders. Maternal vitamin K deficiency can cause fetal bleeding, in particular, fetal intracranial hemorrhage. Although fetal hemorrhage is uncommon, severe damage to the fetus may be inevitable. We describe a pregnant woman with vitamin K deficiency possibly due to hyperemesis gravidarum. The patient was treated for the deficiency, and no fetal or neonatal hemorrhagic diseases were manifested.

Association between fibrinogen levels and severity of postpartum hemorrhage in singleton vaginal deliveries at a Japanese perinatal center.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We examined the relationship between low fibrinogen levels (<200 mg/dL) and the severity of postpartum hemorrhage in singleton vaginal deliveries after 22 weeks' gestation complicated by postpartum hemorrhage requiring transfusion at our hospital. RESULTS: During a 10-year period, 61 women (0.38%) received transfusions owing to postpartum hemorrhage within the first 24 hours after delivery. Of these women, 13 (21%) had low fibrinogen levels (mean, 123 ± 68 mg/dL) when postpartum hemorrhage was diagnosed, and the other 48 (79%) had normal fibrinogen levels (mean, 305 ± 50 mg/dL). Neither total blood loss nor the incidence of additional therapies, such as hysterectomy, differed between the 2 groups of women. Women with low fibrinogen levels started to receive transfusions significantly earlier (98 ± 58 minutes after delivery) than did women with normal fibrinogen levels (142 ± 75 minutes after delivery, p=0.03) and received more units of fresh-frozen plasma (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The early transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma in women with postpartum hemorrhage and low fibrinogen levels might help prevent adverse outcomes.

The Effect of the Gelatinous Lactulose for Postoperative Bowel Movement in the Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section.

Lactulose is a non-digestible disaccharide formed from fructose and galactose. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of lactulose on gastrointestinal function after cesarean section. One hundred patients who underwent cesarean section at the Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital were enrolled in this study. They were divided into 2 groups by randomization: (1) an L group that was treated with gelatinous lactulose (N = 48) and (2) a control group (C group) that did not receive gelatinous lactulose (N = 52). The interval between cesarean section and first postoperative flatus, defecation, and walking; appearance of symptoms of ileus; use of other medicines for stimulating bowel movement; properties and state of feces; and duration of postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups. The two groups did not show a significant difference in postoperative outcomes, except for the incidence of loose or watery stools (50% in the L group and 26.9% in the C group, P = 0.03). This study could not demonstrate the apparent effectiveness of lactulose in improving bowel function after cesarean section. Therefore, a routine use of gelatinous lactulose after surgery may negatively impact the patients undergoing cesarean section.