Longitudinal assessment of obstetrics and gynecology resident perceptions and comfort following cerclage placement simulation.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of simulation training in medical education has increased over time, particularly for less common scenarios and procedures. Simulation allows trainees to practice in a low-stress environment and eliminates patient risk. Cerclage placement has become less frequent, which limits obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) exposure to cerclage placement during training. This exposes an area of training requiring simulation in OB/GYN resident education. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate resident reception to cerclage simulation, their self-reported comfort with and ability to troubleshoot difficult cerclage placement immediately and 12 months following didactic education and simulation. METHODS: In 2019, 18/20 (90%) OB/GYN residents in our university program underwent didactic teaching and simulation in cerclage placement using a pelvic model with removable cervix. Residents completed a survey immediately and 12 months following simulation. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze resident self-report of comfort with cerclage placement and skill techniques for navigating difficult placement before and after simulation training. Descriptive statistics were analyzed as means and standard deviations. RESULTS: Eighteen of twenty (90%) residents participated in the education session in cerclage placement. All 18 (100%) completed a postsimulation survey and 17/18 (94%) completed a survey 12 months later. All reported improved comfort with cerclage placement and statistically significant improvement in knowledge on techniques for troubleshooting difficult placement after simulation. All residents reported that the simulation enhanced their learning and recommended the simulation for future educational opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Cerclage simulation was well-received by OB/GYN residents in learning and practicing cerclage placement. Residents demonstrated improved comfort with placement following simulation.

Alternative Birth Plans and Unintended Maternal and Neonatal Consequences: A Review of the Literature.

IMPORTANCE: Birth plans are an important part of childbirth preparation for many women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to discuss some common requests, specifically home birth, water birth, placentophagy, lotus birth, vaccination refusal, and vaginal seeding, including evidence-based recommendations, perceived benefits, and potential maternal and neonatal consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search for each topic was undertaken using PubMed and Web of Science. For the home birth section, the MeSH terms home AND birth OR childbirth AND outcomes OR complications OR recommendations OR guidelines were used. For the vaccination section, birth OR childbirth OR maternal AND vaccination refusal were searched. For the remainder of the sections, umbilical cord AND nonseverance OR placentophagy OR vaginal seeding OR lotus birth were searched. A total of 523 articles were identified. The abstracts were reviewed by 2 authors (J.R.W. and J.A.R.); 60 of these articles were selected and used for this review. RESULTS: Home birth is currently not recommended in the United States. Immersion in water for labor is acceptable, but delivery should not occur in water. Placentophagy and lotus birth should be discouraged because of risk of neonatal infection. Vaccines should be administered in accordance with national guidelines. Vaginal seeding should be discouraged until more is known about the practice. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These evidence-based recommendations provide clear guidance for physicians so that the birthing experience can be enhanced for both mother and neonate without compromising safety. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This is an evidence-based literature review of alternative birth plans and recommendations for directive counseling.

What is the Impact of Abnormal Amniotic Fluid Volumes on Perinatal Outcomes in Normal Compared with At-Risk Pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE: Assessing amniotic fluid volume is an integral part of obstetric practice. Data are sparse on at-risk pregnancy and amniotic fluid volumes. The aim of our study was to determine if there is a difference in perinatal outcomes based on complications of pregnancy and amniotic fluid volumes. We hypothesized that at-risk pregnancies with abnormal amniotic fluid volumes would have worse perinatal outcomes than normal pregnancies with abnormal amniotic fluid volumes. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study evaluated both normal and at-risk singleton pregnancies with intact membranes on admission for delivery. Amniotic fluid volumes were estimated using both the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest pocket (SDP) techniques. All sonograms were performed by trained ultrasound technicians or obstetrician/gynecologists. We placed 3365 women into 6 separate groups (at-risk versus normal, then further stratified by oligohydramnios by SDP, normal fluid, or polyhydramnios by AFI). RESULTS: At-risk pregnancies with normal fluid and at-risk pregnancies with polyhydramnios have significantly increased risk of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission [OR 2.06 (95% CI 1.63,2.60), OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.54, 4.87)]. Birthweight is significantly higher in at-risk and normal pregnancies with polyhydramnios than those with normal pregnancies and normal fluid (p<0.0001). Birthweight is significantly lower in at-risk pregnancies with oligohydramnios (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in need for amnioinfusion in labor, variables or lates influencing delivery, meconium staining, or umbilical artery pH <7.1. CONCLUSION: Our study attempted to further define risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes by defining the pregnancy as normal or at-risk and amniotic fluid volumes. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find an increased risk of many of the adverse perinatal outcomes we studied amongst at-risk pregnancies with abnormal fluid. There was an increased risk of NICU admission associated with polyhydramnios in normal and at-risk pregnancies.

High transverse skin incisions may reduce wound complications in obese women having cesarean sections: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Women having cesarean section have a high risk of wound complications. Our objective was to determine whether high transverse skin incisions are associated with a reduced risk of cesarean wound complications in women with BMI greater than 40. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of parturients ages 18-45 with BMI greater than 40 having high transverse skin incisions from January 2010 to April 2015 at a tertiary maternity hospital. Temporally matched controls had low transverse skin incisions along with a BMI greater than 40. The primary outcome, wound complication, was defined as any seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, or infection requiring opening and evacuating/debriding the wound. Secondary outcomes included rates of endometritis, number of hospital days, NICU admission, Apgar scores, birth weight, and gestational age at delivery. Analysis of outcomes was performed using two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Thirty-two women had high transverse incisions and were temporally matched with 96 controls (low transverse incisions). The mean BMI was 49 for both groups. There was a trend toward reduced wound complications in those having high transverse skin incisions, but this did not reach statistical significance (15.63% versus 27.08%, p = .2379). Those having high transverse skin incisions had lower five minute median Apgar scores (8.0 versus 9.0, p = .0021), but no difference in umbilical artery pH values. The high transverse group also had increased NICU admissions (28.13% versus 5.21%, p = .0011), and early gestational age at delivery (36.8 versus 38.0, p = .0272). CONCLUSION: High transverse skin incisions may reduce the risk of wound complications in parturients with obesity. A study with more power should be considered.

Uterine Inversion: A Review of a Life-Threatening Obstetrical Emergency.

IMPORTANCE: Uterine inversion is frequently accompanied by postpartum hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock. Morbidity and mortality occur in as many as 41% of cases. Prompt recognition and management are of utmost importance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe risk factors, clinical and radiographic diagnostic criteria, and management of this rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL search was undertaken with no limitations on the number of years searched. RESULTS: There were 86 articles identified, with 25 being the basis of review. Multiple risk factors for a uterine inversion have been suggested including a morbidly adherent placenta, short umbilical cord, congenital weakness of the uterine wall or cervix, weakening of the uterine wall at the placental implantation site, fundal implantation of the placenta, uterine tumors, uterine atony, sudden uterine emptying, fetal macrosomia, manual removal of the placenta, inappropriate fundal pressure, excessive cord traction, and the use of uterotonic agents prior to placental removal. The diagnosis is almost exclusively clinical, and successful treatment depends on prompt recognition of the uterine inversion. Treatment options include manual and surgical replacement of the inverted uterus. There is no consensus regarding mode of delivery in subsequent pregnancies as reinversion in a subsequent pregnancy is unpredictable. However, if surgical replacement was required in the index pregnancy and involved an incision into the contractile portion of the uterus, cesarean delivery is a reasonable management option similar to that offered for a prior classic cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: Successful treatment is dependent on prompt recognition. Management should include resuscitation of maternal hypovolemic shock, as well as repositioning of the inverted uterine fundus. RELEVANCE: Uterine inversion is a rare but potentially life-threatening obstetrical emergency.

Incarceration of the Gravid Uterus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to describe the risk factors, clinical and radiographic criteria, and management of this rare complication of pregnancy. METHODS: A PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL search was undertaken with no limitations on the number of years searched. RESULTS: There were 60 articles identified, with 53 articles being the basis of this review. Multiple risk factors have been suggested in the literature including retroverted uterus in the first trimester, deep sacral concavity with an overlying sacral promontory, endometriosis, previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, pelvic or uterine adhesions, ovarian cysts, leiomyomas, multifetal gestation, uterine anomalies, uterine prolapse, and uterine incarceration in a prior pregnancy. The diagnosis is difficult to make owing to the nonspecific presenting symptoms. The diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging is superior to ultrasound to accurately diagnose and elucidate the distorted maternal anatomy. Treatment is dictated by gestational age at diagnosis based on risks and benefits. The recommended route of delivery is cesarean delivery when uterine polarity cannot be corrected. CONCLUSIONS: Incarceration of the gravid uterus is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. The diagnosis is clinical and confirmed with imaging, with magnetic resonance imaging being superior to delineate the distorted maternal anatomy. Reduction of the incarcerated uterus should be attempted to restore polarity and avoid unnecessary cesarean delivery.

Pubic Symphysis Rupture and Separation During Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors, clinical and radiologic criteria for diagnosis, and management of this unusual complication of pregnancy. METHODS: A PubMed and Web of Science search was undertaken with no limitations on the number of years searched. RESULTS: There were 36 publications identified, with 19 articles being the basis of this review. Multiple risk factors have been identified including multiparity, macrosomia, cephalopelvic disproportion, forceps deliveries, precipitous labor, malpresentation, prior pelvic trauma, and use of the McRoberts maneuver. The diagnosis is usually made clinically, confirmed by imaging, and considered pathological when the intrapubic gap is greater than 10 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be superior to pelvic x-ray and computed tomography scan in visualization of the bone separation. Conservative treatment remains the first choice for therapy, but women who do not respond to conservative therapy or women with large separations may need surgical stabilization with external or internal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Widening of the pubic symphysis greater than 10 mm is pathologic. The diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by imaging studies, with magnetic resonance imaging being the superior technique. Conservative treatment is the first line of therapy. Failure of conservative therapy is treated by surgical stabilization.