Inpatient versus outpatient management of monoamniotic twins and outcomes.

We sought to evaluate whether early (24 to 28 weeks gestation) hospitalization of monoamniotic twins, with close fetal surveillance, and delivery at 32 to 34 weeks gestation, would significantly improve the perinatal morbidity and mortality compared with an outpatient management strategy. A multicenter, retrospective record review was undertaken. Records of all monoamniotic twins were collected for a 10-year period. Monoamniotic twins were identified using intensive care nursery, ultrasound, and pathology records. Data were collected on inpatient versus outpatient management strategies and the perinatal/maternal outcomes and complications. Twenty-three sets of monoamniotic twins were included in the study. Eleven sets were managed using an inpatient strategy and 12 sets were managed using an outpatient strategy. There were no fetal deaths in the inpatient group and there were three fetal deaths in the outpatient group. Inpatient management of monoamniotic twins should be considered.

Fetal fibronectin as a predictor of vaginal birth in nulliparas undergoing preinduction cervical ripening.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether the presence of a positive fetal fibronectin (> or = 50 ng/mL) in nulliparous women undergoing preinduction cervical ripening with the intracervical Foley catheter predicted vaginal birth. METHODS: This was a prospective blinded observational trial of nulliparous women undergoing preinduction cervical ripening. We excluded women who had a contraindication to vaginal birth. Cervical and vaginal fetal fibronectin specimens were obtained before preinduction cervical ripening with an intracervical Foley catheter. The managing obstetrician was blinded to these results. RESULTS: A total of 241 women met the inclusion criteria, of which 54.4% delivered vaginally. There was no difference in the rate of vaginal delivery among women with either a positive cervical fetal fibronectin (positive fetal fibronectin 55.8% compared with negative fetal fibronectin 53.3%, P = .70) or positive vaginal fetal fibronectin (positive fetal fibronectin 57.6% compared with negative fetal fibronectin 53.3%, P = .56). Women with a positive cervical fetal fibronectin did have a shorter duration of cervical ripening (fetal fibronectin-positive 229 +/- 220 minutes compared with fetal fibronectin-negative 379 +/- 193 minutes, P < .05), duration of oxytocin (fetal fibronectin-positive 655 +/- 555 minutes compared with fetal fibronectin-negative 731.5 +/- 342 minutes, P < .025) and required lower maximal doses of oxytocin (fetal fibronectin-positive 18.4 mIU/min compared with fetal fibronectin-negative 21.8 mIU/min, P = .005). Women with a positive vaginal fetal fibronectin demonstrated only a shorter duration of cervical ripening compared with their fetal fibronectin negative counterparts (fetal fibronectin-positive 300 +/- 216 minutes compared with fetal fibronectin-negative 345 +/- 201 minutes, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Fetal fibronectin does not predict vaginal delivery in nulliparous women requiring preinduction cervical ripening. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Extramembranous placement of an air-coupled vs. transducer-tipped intrauterine pressure catheter.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of extramembranous placement between 2 types of intrauterine pressure catheter. STUDY DESIGN: Women were randomized to a transducer-tipped intrauterine pressure catheter or an air-coupled intrauterine pressure catheter from October 1998 to August 1999. Women were eligible for the study if their attending physicians decided to place an intrauterine pressure catheter. Our primary outcome variable was extramembranous placement. The intrauterine pressure catheter was left in place during cesarean delivery, and the position was documented. RESULTS: A total of 257 women entered the trial. Eight were excluded due to removal of the catheter before cesarean delivery, leaving 249 evaluable patients. Of those 249, 105 (44.3%) received cesarean delivery, with 41 in the air-coupled group and 64 in the transducer-tipped group. There were no significant differences in maternal age, gestational age, gravidity, duration of membrane rupture, birth weight, pharmaceutical drug use, cocaine use, oxytocin use or catheter removal due to poor function. The transducer-tipped catheter was placed outside the membranes significantly more frequently than was the air-coupled catheter (12.5% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Transducer-tipped catheters were significantly more likely to be placed in the extramembranous space than were air-coupled catheters.

Preinduction cervical ripening with the Foley catheter and the risk of subsequent preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: The Foley catheter is a safe and effective form of preinduction cervical ripening and is quickly growing in popularity. Its major effect appears to be through mechanical dilation, which has raised the concern that the use of the Foley catheter for cervical ripening may damage the cervix and result in a higher rate of subsequent preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a review of all induction of labor at our institution from July 1998 to July 2001 that required preinduction cervical ripening and had a subsequent birth. The primary outcome variable was preterm birth at <35 weeks of gestation. Demographic and potential confounding variables were analyzed. A probability value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The cases of 126 women (63 women in the Foley group and 63 women in the prostaglandin group) were studied. Women in the prostaglandin group had a prostaglandin agent used. There was no difference in maternal age, gravidity, parity, Bishop score, total time of induction, gestational age, oxytocin use, maximum oxytocin level, tobacco or drug use, or type of delivery in the index pregnancy between the groups. In the subsequent pregnancies, there were no differences in maternal age, gravidity, parity, spontaneous abortions, terminations, cone or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) procedures, history of cervical manipulation, tobacco or drug use, stillbirth, need for induction, mode of delivery, episiotomy, gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores, labor duration, use of oxytocin, or birth weight. There were no differences in preterm birth at 37, 35, or 32 weeks of gestation between the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of the Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening does not appear to increase the risk of preterm birth in a subsequent pregnancy.