Elective Induction of Labor in the 39th Week of Gestation Compared With Expectant Management of Low-Risk Multiparous Women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perinatal and maternal outcomes in low-risk multiparous women who underwent elective induction of labor in the 39th week of gestation with those who were expectantly managed. METHODS: We performed a single center retrospective cohort study of low-risk multiparous women delivering nonanomalous singletons between 39 and 42 completed weeks of gestation from 2014 to 2018. The primary outcome was a perinatal composite of death, neonatal respiratory support, a 5-minute Apgar score of 3 or less, and shoulder dystocia. Groups were compared using χ, Fisher exact, two sample t-test, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests, as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 3,703 low-risk multiparous women meeting inclusion criteria, 453 (12%) delivered between 39 0/7 and 39 4/7 after an elective induction of labor. Women who underwent elective induction of labor were more likely to be privately insured, non-Hispanic, and weigh more at their first prenatal visit (all P<.01) compared with expectant management. An elective induction of labor was associated with decreased frequency of the perinatal composite morbidity (4.0% vs 7.1%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.96) compared with expectant management. Fewer cesarean deliveries occurred among women in the elective induction of labor group (5.1% vs 6.6%; aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97). Other maternal outcomes (hypertensive disorders, chorioamnionitis, and operative vaginal deliveries) as well as neonatal intensive care unit admissions were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Elective induction of labor in low-risk multiparous women in the 39th week of gestation was associated with decreased perinatal morbidity and a lower frequency of cesarean delivery compared with expectant management.

Medication effects on midtrimester maternal serum screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether medication classes are associated with alterations in concentrations of Quad screen analytes or the screen-positive rate. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton gestations who received prenatal care and had a Quad screen performed in the University of Alabama at Birmingham system. Information on prescription medications was abstracted. Mean multiples of the medians for each analyte (alpha-fetoprotein, estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin, and inhibin A) and overall screening results were compared between those taking the class of medication and controls not taking any medications. RESULTS: There were 6206 women evaluated; 1337 took at least 1 prescription medicine and 4869 were controls. Mean analyte multiples of the medians were significantly different in women taking some medications compared with controls. Women taking certain medications had an increased screen-positive rate. CONCLUSION: Medications taken around the time of maternal serum screening are associated with alterations in individual analyte multiples of the medians, as well as the screen-positive rates.

Subcutaneous tissue reapproximation, alone or in combination with drain, in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of subcutaneous suture reapproximation alone with suture plus subcutaneous drain for the prevention of wound complications in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter randomized trial of women undergoing cesarean delivery. Consenting women with 4 cm or more of subcutaneous thickness were randomized to either subcutaneous suture closure alone (n = 149) or suture plus drain (n = 131). The drain was attached to bulb suction and removed at 72 hours or earlier if output was less than 30 mL/24 h. The primary study outcome was a composite wound morbidity rate (defined by any of the following: subcutaneous tissue dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, abscess, or fascial dehiscence). RESULTS: From April 2001 to July 2004, a total of 280 women were enrolled. Ninety-five percent of women (268/280) had a follow-up wound assessment. Both groups were similar with respect to age, race, parity, weight, cesarean indication, diabetes, steroid/antibiotic use, chorioamnionitis, and subcutaneous thickness. The composite wound morbidity rate was 17.4% (25/144) in the suture group and 22.7% (28/124) in the suture plus drain group (relative risk 1.3, 95% confidence interval 0.8-2.1). Individual wound complication rates, including subcutaneous dehiscence (15.3% versus 21.8%), seroma (9.0% versus 10.6%), hematoma (2.2% versus 2.4%), abscess (0.7% versus 3.3%), fascial dehiscence (1.4% versus 1.7%), and hospital readmission for wound complications (3.5% versus 6.6%), were similar (P > .05) between women treated with suture alone and those treated with suture plus drain, respectively. CONCLUSION: The additional use of a subcutaneous drain along with a standard subcutaneous suture reapproximation technique is not effective for the prevention of wound complications in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Risk factors associated with anal sphincter tear: a comparison of primiparous patients, vaginal births after cesarean deliveries, and patients with previous vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify obstetric risk factors for anal sphincter tear in primiparous patients, patients with a previous cesarean delivery (VBAC), and patients with a previous vaginal delivery (PVD). STUDY DESIGN: An obstetrics automated record system was accessed to retrospectively review records of all singleton vaginal deliveries at greater than 36 weeks' gestation (excluding breech and stillbirth) from 1995 through 2000 (n = 10,928). A number of potential risk factors for anal sphincter tear (third- and fourth-degree episiotomy extensions and lacerations) were tested with use of multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The risk of anal sphincter tear was significantly increased with primiparity (relative risk [RR] 4.08) and VBAC (RR 5.46) compared with PVD, birth weight greater than 4000 g (RR 2.41), forceps delivery (RR 6.00), vacuum delivery (RR 2.18), shoulder dystocia (RR 3.28), and episiotomy (RR 2.59). CONCLUSION: Efforts to prevent anal sphincter tear might include reconsideration of modifiable risk factors such as episiotomy, operative vaginal delivery, and VBAC.