Is there any truth in the myth that IVF treatments involve weight gain?

Purpose: To examine body weight change in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) using antagonist protocol after up to three treatment cycles. Methods: A prospective cohort study among IVF patients treated between 2018 and 2019. Each patient underwent weight measurement three times during the treatment cycle: before treatment, at the beginning of the hormonal stimulation, and at the completion of the cycle, on the day of the pregnancy test. Data were also analyzed according to the body mass index (BMI) groups for normal weight, overweight, and obese patients. Finally, weight changes were recorded following altogether 519 treatment cycles, 240, 131, and 148 cycles, for normal weight, overweight, and obese patients, respectively. Results: The change in the patient's weight was clinically non-significant either during the waiting period or during gonadotropin administration, and overall, during the first, second, or third treatment cycles. The recorded mean total weight change of 0.26 ± 1.85, 0.4 ± 1.81, and 0.17 ± 1.7, after the first, second, or third treatment cycles, represent a change of 0.36%, 0.56%, and 0.23% of their initial weights, respectively. This change of less than 1% of the body weight falls short of the clinically significant weight gain of 5%-7%. Analyzing the data for the various BMI groups, the changes observed in body weight were under 1%, hence with no clinical significance. Conclusion: The findings of the study reject the myth that hormone therapy involves clinically significant weight gain, and this can lower the concerns of many patients who are candidates for treatment of assisted reproductive technology.

The Routine Use of Intrapartum Ultrasound in Clinical Decision-Making during the Second Stage of Labor - Does It Have Any Impact on Delivery Outcomes?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The study aimed to assess whether the use of intrapartum transperineal ultrasound (US) can reduce the rate of failed vacuum extraction (VE). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including all women delivering at term with the diagnosis of protracted second stage of labor. The mode of delivery and rate of failed VE were compared between women who underwent a US examination prior to the decision on obstetrical interventions ("+US" group) and those in whom clinical decisions were based upon digital assessment only ("no-US" group). RESULTS: The study included 635 women. Among the "no-US" group (536), there were 13 failed VE attempts (3.6%) vs. none in the "+US" group (99, p = 0.1). There was a significant difference between the groups regarding mode of delivery (p = 0.001), with a lower cesarean section (CS) rate (20.2 vs. 27.8%) among the "+US" group. Maternal age, body mass index, nulliparity, gestational age at delivery, and birth weight, as well as neonatal short-term outcome did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that among women who had the addition of intrapartum US during the second stage of labor there was a trend toward a lower rate of failed VE (although not reaching statistical significance), with a lower rate of CS but not affecting neonatal outcome.