Addressing cannabis consumption among patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum affect up to 3% of all pregnant people, causing substantial maternal and neonatal morbidity, suffering, and financial cost. Evidence supports the association of cannabis consumption with symptoms of severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum as the general public has come to believe that cannabis is a natural, safe antiemetic. Cannabis consumption in pregnancy is discouraged strongly by the Surgeon General of the United States and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists because of evidence of potential harms. Symptoms of intractable, severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or hyperemesis gravidarum associated with cannabis consumption may be unrecognized cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and this syndrome may be more common than previously thought. Cannabis consumption is especially detrimental when causing or exacerbating debilitating symptoms such as the intense, persistent, recurrent, or cyclic vomiting and associated dehydration and other sequelae of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Open discussion of cannabis consumption during pregnancy is very challenging for patients and maternity care providers in our current environment of variable legal status across states and variable degrees of personal and societal acceptance. Evidence-based medical knowledge, guidance, tools, and skills are needed to differentially diagnose and treat cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in pregnancy. Researchers, clinicians, and medical specialty organizations must work together to strengthen the evidence base and develop or refine the necessary guidelines and tools for maternity care provider skill development, and to increase public and patient awareness of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, specifically during pregnancy.

Association of Maternal Buprenorphine or Methadone Dose with Fetal Growth Indices and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare fetal growth and incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment across pregnant women with opioid use disorders on two types and two dose categories of medication-assisted treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a comprehensive, perinatal program in western North Carolina comparing growth percentiles on third-trimester ultrasound and at birth, and diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment. Singletons were exposed in utero to low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine (≤16 mg/day; n = 70), high-dose buprenorphine (≥17 mg/day; n = 36), low- to moderate-dose methadone (≤89 mg/day; n = 41), or high-dose methadone (≥90 mg/day; n = 74). Multivariate analysis of variance with posthoc Bonferroni comparisons (p ≤ 0.01) and multinomial logistic regressions (adjusted odds ratio, 99% confidence interval) were conducted. RESULTS: Differences in neonatal outcomes reached statistical significance for larger head circumference for buprenorphine doses (p = 0.01) and for longer length (p < 0.01) and lower odds of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment (p < 0.01) with low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine versus high-dose methadone. CONCLUSION: Among pregnant women using medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine (≤16 mg/day) was associated with the most favorable neonatal outcomes. However, more rigorous control of confounders with a larger sample is necessary to determine if low- to moderate-dose buprenorphine is the better treatment choice.

Examining the Feasibility of Smart Blood Pressure Home Monitoring: Advancing Remote Prenatal Care in Rural Appalachia.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of U.S. maternal morbidity and mortality. Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring can provide early detection of hypertension (HTN) outside of routine prenatal visits. Yet little is understood about how well self-monitored BP performs during pregnancy, particularly in rural America. Objective: To examine the feasibility and patient adherence to a self-monitoring BP program and to remotely collect data on pregnant women during the third trimester at a rural health clinic. Materials and Methods: A repeated-measures prospective design was used to remotely monitor home BP readings. We examined retention and persistence of weekly BP monitoring in late-stage pregnancy, differences between weekly self-monitored and clinic BP measures, the performance of self-monitored BP in early detection of pregnancy-induced HTN, and receptivity to technology-enabled prenatal monitoring. Results: A total of 30 women enrolled. Women reported high satisfaction with prenatal care, but missed 5 out of 13 clinic visits (54%). Women contributed an average of 31.2 days of home BP monitoring. Findings showed that home systolic and diastolic BP readings slightly varied from clinic readings. Women reported high health-related internet use and e-health literacy. Participants (93%, n = 25) reported a willingness to change their behavior during pregnancy in response to personalized recommendations from a smartphone. Although preliminary, we confirmed that remote monitoring can detect elevated BP earlier than in routine clinic visits. Conclusion: Findings from this study can be used to inform a novel remote monitoring protocol to improve pregnancy care in a rural care setting.

The association of cannabis use late in pregnancy with engagement and retention in perinatal substance use disorder care for opioid use disorder: A cohort comparison.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal use of cannabis and opioids are increasing and very concerning. Engagement and retention in comprehensive, perinatal substance use disorder (PSUD) care are associated with better outcomes for mothers and babies. We compared the characteristics and engagement in care among women with opioid use disorder who used cannabis late in pregnancy versus those who didn't. METHODS: The primary outcome, "overall engagement and retention in PSUD care" included: utilization of substance use treatment prenatally, negative screening/toxicology at delivery (excluding cannabis), and attendance at expected prenatal and postpartum visits. Cannabis use late in pregnancy was objectively assessed at delivery via maternal urine drug screen and/or neonatal meconium/cord toxicology. Between-group comparisons utilized chi square, t-test or Mann-Whitney. Associations were assessed using Spearman Rho and two multivariate, binary logistic regressions for cannabis use and the primary outcome. RESULTS: 18.0% (85/472) consumed cannabis late in pregnancy. Women of color, younger women, and those diagnosed with concurrent cannabis use disorder were more likely to consume cannabis. Engagement and retention in PSUD care was not associated with cannabis use, but rather, with prescribed pharmacotherapy for psychiatric disorders. The use of prescribed buprenorphine+naloxone was associated with cannabis avoidance late in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use late in pregnancy, compared to none, did not impact engagement and retention in our PSUD program. Adjunctive psychotropic medication and/or buprenorphine+naloxone prescription were associated with cannabis avoidance suggesting the use and interactions of pharmacotherapies in an opioid dependent population is complex. A shared decision-making process during PSUD care is warranted.

Navigating Perinatal Care in Western North Carolina: Access for Patients and Providers.

Navigating perinatal specialty care requires access for both patients and their clinicians. Convenience and availability of regional resources, especially in predominantly rural areas, impact the ability to provide care in the ideal setting for each patient's individualized medical needs.

Buprenorphine and Naloxone Versus Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and fetal outcomes among dyads prescribed buprenorphine and naloxone or buprenorphine during pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with opioid use disorder obtaining care in a comprehensive, perinatal program. Patients utilized medication for opioid use disorder: a buprenorphine and naloxone combination product or buprenorphine monotherapy. The primary outcome was neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment. Maternal secondary outcomes included: negative urine drug screen at delivery, obstetrical care attendance, primary cesarean delivery, and preterm delivery. Neonatal secondary outcomes included neonatal biometry, admission to neonatal intensive care, appropriate findings on cord toxicology, and length of stay. Univariate analyses included Chi square, Fisher exact, t-, or Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. Multivariate binary logistic regressions examined the association of type of buprenorphine product with diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome requiring treatment and adjusted for variables significantly different in between-group comparisons and correlates of treatments and the primary outcome. RESULTS: The rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome was significantly higher (P = 0.007) among infants exposed in utero to buprenorphine versus buprenorphine and naloxone: 59/108 (54.6%) versus 30/85 (35.3%), respectively. The combined product, relative to the monoproduct, was associated with lower odds of neonatal abstinence syndrome: odds ratio (OR) = 0.453 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.253-0.813; P = 0.008). Adjusting for dose of buprenorphine product at delivery, year of expected delivery, type of prescriber, diagnosis of hepatitis C, and preterm delivery negated these results: adjusted OR = 0.627 (95% CI 0.309-1.275). Secondary outcomes were similar. CONCLUSION: Compared with buprenorphine monotherapy, the combined buprenorphine and naloxone product was an acceptable alternative pharmacologic treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.

Cesarean delivery on maternal request: a western North Carolina perspective.

Cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR), a primary cesarean without medical indication for a singleton, term pregnancy, has been identified by physicians as one factor in the increasing rate of cesarean delivery despite nationwide efforts to the contrary. The purpose of this project was to better understand women's preferences and motivations for their desired mode of delivery. A 62-item survey was administered to pregnant women asking for their delivery preference, their reasons, sources of information, feelings about this pregnancy, and opinions about delivery options. Responses were analyzed for candidates for CDMR or for repeat cesarean section, separately; the standard error of measure is ±4% (95% CI). 396 patients returned surveys (response rate = 63.2%). CDMR was desired by 34/316 (11%) candidates; repeat cesarean was desired by 32/70 (46%) patients. Significant correlates of CDMR included choosing during the first trimester (22% vs. 8.2%; RR = 2.72; P = 0.015), smoking during pregnancy (19.7% vs. 7.6%; RR = 2.60; P = 0.036), and being worried about the delivery (P = 0.004). Desire for CDMR increased as worries increased from unworried (4.4%) to somewhat (11.8%) to very worried (27.6%). Primary reasons included existing medical complications and preventing birth injury. The majority of patients believed CDMR should be an "informed choice"; other opinions varied by delivery preference. The majority of women preferred vaginal deliveries suggesting little contribution of CDMR to the increasing cesarean rate. Contrary to physicians' beliefs, the women's primary objective was their infants' health rather than their own well-being.

The red dress survey: Awareness among women in Western North Carolina of heart disease and stroke in women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to measure knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) among low-income women in Western North Carolina. METHODS: A self-administered survey was distributed to a convenience sample of women presenting for obstetrical or gynecological care at resident and faculty clinics in Asheville, North Carolina, from July 2011 through February 2012. RESULTS: Responses from 340 completed surveys were analyzed. The response rate was 51.7%. The majority of respondents (57.1%) were either overweight or obese, and 23.2% reported that they currently use tobacco products. Overall, accuracy on knowledge questions ranged from 0% to 90%, with a mean score of 57.8% (SD = 16%). Women in their 20s, minorities, and smokers had lower knowledge scores (P = 0.03, 0.022, and 0.009, respectively). Gender variations in symptoms and consequences of CVD for women were not widely understood by this group. Most knew that it is appropriate to respond rapidly to symptoms of heart attack or stroke. Increasing daily physical activity and managing stress effectively were picked most often as the behavioral strategies patients might initiate or increase to reduce their health risks. LIMITATIONS: This was a convenience sample and the response rate was only 51.7%, so results maybe biased. CONCLUSIONS: This group's overall knowledge of CVD in women was poor, with most scores below 70%, and gaps in knowledge existed for minorities. These results are consistent with findings from national awareness surveys. Educational strategies need to include gender-specific risks, symptoms, and consequences, and they need to target tobacco users, minorities, and young adults. Resources are needed for obstetrician-gynecologists to use as they assist patients in becoming more aware of CVD and reducing personal risk through lifestyle modification.

Trends in weight gain during pregnancy: a population study across 16 years in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine the proportion of women meeting established weight gain recommendations during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort using chi2 and logistic regression analysis of 1,463,936 registered North Carolina births from 1988 to 2003. RESULTS: The percentage of pregnant women achieving recommended weight gain decreased significantly (down 6.3%) between 1988 and 2003. CONCLUSION: Despite Institute of Medicine guidelines and a Healthy People 2010 goal aimed at improving the health of women and infants by optimizing weight gain during pregnancy, the proportion of women in North Carolina with inappropriately low or excessive weight gain increased. We need to reexamine interventions designed to support appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.