Abstract Background Experimental and epidemiologic data suggest that among non-pregnant adults, sleep duration may be an important risk factor for chronic disease. Although pregnant women commonly ...complain of poor sleep, few studies have objectively evaluated the quality of sleep in pregnancy or have explored the relationship between sleep disturbances and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Objectives Our objective was to examine the relationship between objectively assessed sleep duration, timing and continuity (measured via wrist actigraphy) and maternal cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity specific to pregnancy. Study Design This was a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women. Women were recruited between 16 0/7 and 21 6/7 weeks’ gestation. They were asked to wear a wrist actigraphy monitor and to complete a daily sleep log for a seven consecutive-day period. The primary sleep exposure variables were the averages of the following over the total valid nights (minimum 5, maximum 7 nights): short sleep duration during the primary sleep period (< 7 hours/night), late sleep midpoint (midpoint between sleep onset and sleep offset > 5 AM), and top quartile of minutes of wake time after sleep onset (WASO) and sleep fragmentation index. The primary outcomes of interest were a composite of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (mild, severe, or superimposed preeclampsia; eclampsia; or antepartum gestational hypertension) and gestational diabetes (GDM). Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between sleep variables and categorical baseline characteristics. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from univariate logistic regression models to characterize the magnitude of the relationship between sleep characteristics and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and GDM. For associations that were significant in univariate analysis, multiple logistic regression was used to explore further the association of sleep characteristics with pregnancy outcomes. Results Nine-hundred and one eligible women consented to participate. Of these women 782 submitted valid actigraphy studies. Short sleep duration and a later sleep midpoint were associated with an increased risk of GDM (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.11, 4.53; OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.24, 5.36, respectively) but not of hypertensive disorders. A model with both sleep duration and sleep midpoint as well as their interaction term revealed that while there was no significant interaction between these exposures, the main effects of both short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint with GDM remained significant (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.01, 4.19; aOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.13, 4.97, respectively). Additionally, after adjusting separately for age, BMI and race/ethnicity, both short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint remained associated with GDM. No associations were demonstrated between the sleep quality measures (WASO, sleep fragmentation) and hypertensive disorders or GDM. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a relationship between short sleep duration and later sleep midpoint with GDM. Our data suggest independent contributions of these two sleep characteristics to the risk for GDM in nulliparous women.
Background The effect of maternal mood disorders on neonatal measurements is not well-defined. The Fetal Growth Studies–Singletons provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the relationship between ...perceived maternal stress and neonatal growth measurements. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with anthropometric measurements in the neonate. Study Design This analysis was based on a prospective, multicenter longitudinal study of fetal growth. Women 18-40 years old with a body mass index of 19.0–29.9 kg/m2 were screened at 8+0 to 13+6 weeks gestation for low-risk status associated with optimal fetal growth (eg, healthy, nonsmoking) and underwent serial sonographic examination at 6 study visits throughout gestation. At each study visit, women completed the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Survey, which could have a score that ranges from 0–40. We used a latent class trajectory model to identify distinct groupings (ie, classes) of the Perceived Stress Survey trajectories over pregnancy. Trend analysis was used to determine whether neonatal measurements including birthweight, length, head circumference, and abdominal circumference differed by Perceived Stress Survey class and whether this relationship was modified by maternal race/ethnicity, after adjustment for gestational age at delivery, maternal height, age, and parity. Results Of the 2334 women enrolled in the study, 1948 women had complete neonatal anthropometry and were included in the analysis. Latent class analysis identified 3 Perceived Stress Survey trajectory classes, with mean Perceived Stress Survey scores of 2.82 (low), 7.95 (medium), and 14.80 (high). Neonatal anthropometric measures of birthweight, length, head circumference and abdominal circumference were similar ( P =.78, =.10, =.18, and =.40 respectively), regardless of the participants’ Perceived Stress Survey class. There was no effect modification by maternal race/ethnicity. Conclusion Neonatal measurements did not differ by levels of perceived stress among low-risk pregnant women.
Background Systematic evaluation and estimation of growth trajectories in twins require ultrasound measurements across gestation that are performed in controlled clinical settings. Currently, there ...are few such data for contemporary populations. There is also controversy about whether twin fetal growth should be evaluated with the use of the same benchmarks as singleton growth. Objectives Our objective was to define the trajectory of fetal growth in dichorionic twins empirically using longitudinal 2-dimensional ultrasonography and to compare the fetal growth trajectories for dichorionic twins with those based on a growth standard that was developed by our group for singletons. Study Design A prospective cohort of 171 women with twin gestations was recruited from 8 US sites from 2012–2013. After an initial sonogram at 11 weeks 0 days–13 weeks 6 days of gestation during which dichorionicity was confirmed, women were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 serial ultrasonography schedules. Growth curves and percentiles were estimated with the use of linear mixed models with cubic splines. Percentiles were compared statistically at each gestational week between the twins and 1731 singletons, after adjustment for maternal age, race/ethnicity, height, weight, parity, employment, marital status, insurance, income, education, and infant sex. Linear mixed models were used to test for overall differences between the twin and singleton trajectories with the use of likelihood ratio tests of interaction terms between spline mean structure terms and twin-singleton indicator variables. Singleton standards were weighted to correspond to the distribution of maternal race in twins. For those ultrasound measurements in which there were significant global tests for differences between twins and singletons, we tested for week-specific differences using Wald tests that were computed at each gestational age. In a separate analysis, we evaluated the degree of reclassification in small for gestational age, which was defined as <10th percentile that would be introduced if fetal growth estimation for twins was based on an unweighted singleton standard. Results Women underwent a median of 5 ultrasound scans. The 50th percentile abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight trajectories of twin fetuses diverged significantly beginning at 32 weeks of gestation; biparietal diameter in twins was smaller from 34–36 weeks of gestation. There were no differences in head circumference or femur length. The mean head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio was progressively larger for twins compared with singletons beginning at 33 weeks of gestation, which indicated a comparatively asymmetric growth pattern. At 35 weeks of gestation, the average gestational age at delivery for twins, the estimated fetal weights for the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles were 1960, 2376, and 2879 g for dichorionic twins, respectively, and 2180, 2567, and 3022 g for the singletons, respectively. At 32 weeks of gestation, the initial week when the mean estimated fetal weight for twins was smaller than that of singletons, 34% of twins would be classified as small for gestational age with the use of a singleton, non-Hispanic white standard. By 35 weeks of gestation, 38% of twins would be classified as small for gestational age. Conclusion The comparatively asymmetric growth pattern in twin gestations, initially evident at 32 weeks of gestation, is consistent with the concept that the intrauterine environment becomes constrained in its ability to sustain growth in twin fetuses. Near term, nearly 40% of twins would be classified as small for gestational age based on a singleton growth standard.
Objective The primary aim of the “Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: monitoring mothers-to-be” is to determine maternal characteristics, which include genetic, physiologic response to pregnancy, ...and environmental factors that predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. Study Design Nulliparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy were recruited into an observational cohort study. Participants were seen at 3 study visits during pregnancy and again at delivery. We collected data from in-clinic interviews, take-home surveys, clinical measurements, ultrasound studies, and chart abstractions. Maternal biospecimens (serum, plasma, urine, cervicovaginal fluid) at antepartum study visits and delivery specimens (placenta, umbilical cord, cord blood) were collected, processed, and stored. The primary outcome of the study was defined as pregnancy ending at <37+0 weeks’ gestation. Key study hypotheses involve adverse pregnancy outcomes of spontaneous preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Results We recruited 10,037 women to the study. Basic characteristics of the cohort at screening are reported. Conclusion The “Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: monitoring mothers-to-be” cohort study methods and procedures can help investigators when they plan future projects.
Objective Previous studies of induction of labor in the setting of trial of labor after cesarean have compared women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean to those undergoing spontaneous labor. ...However, the clinically relevant comparison is to those undergoing expectant management. The objective of this study was to compare obstetric outcomes between women undergoing induction of labor and those undergoing expectant management ≥39 weeks of gestation. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of data from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Cesarean Registry that included women with singleton gestations at a gestational age of ≥39 weeks and a history of 1 low transverse cesarean delivery. Outcomes of induction at 39, 40, and 41 weeks were compared to expectant management beyond each gestational age period using univariable and multivariable analyses. Women with scheduled repeat cesarean deliveries done for the indication of prior cesarean delivery were excluded from the analysis. Results In all, 12,676 women were eligible for analysis. The rate of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) was higher among women undergoing induction of labor at 39 weeks compared to expectant management (73.8% vs 61.3%, P < .001). The risk of uterine rupture also was higher among women undergoing induction of labor at 39 weeks compared to expectant management (1.4% vs 0.5%, P = .006, respectively). In multivariable analysis, induction of labor at 39 weeks remained associated with a significantly higher chance of VBAC and uterine rupture (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.67; and odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–6.12, respectively). Conclusion Induction of labor at 39 weeks, when compared to expectant management, was associated with a higher chance of VBAC but also of uterine rupture.
Abstract Background Despite much debate, there is no consensus on whether women without a history of prior spontaneous preterm birth should receive universal cervical length screening. Risk-based ...screening has been proposed as an alternative to universal cervical length measurement and may represent a more cost-effective approach to preterm birth prevention. Objective We sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of risk-based screening compared to universal cervical length screening or no screening for preterm birth prevention in low-risk women. Study Design A decision analytic model compared the cost and effectiveness of three cervical length screening strategies in a population of women with no prior preterm birth. Risk-based screening, universal screening, and no screening were compared using cost, probability, and utility estimates derived from the existing literature and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for each strategy were calculated. Results In the base-case analysis, risk-based screening and universal screening were more effective and less costly than no screening. In comparison to the risk-based strategy, universal screening of the United States population of women without a prior preterm birth (N= 3.5 million annually) would result in 2.19 million more transvaginal ultrasounds, 11,027 more women treated with vaginal progesterone, 913 fewer preterm births <35 weeks gestational age, and 63 fewer neonatal deaths at an additional cost of $51,936,699 annually. Despite costing more, the additional health benefits of universal screening resulted in that strategy being more cost-effective than risk-based screening, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $21,144 per quality-adjusted life-year.Top of Form Conclusion In women without a prior spontaneous preterm birth, universal cervical length screening is cost-effective in comparison to both risk-based screening and no screening. Bottom of Form;
We sought to determine whether the introduction of a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) safety program was associated with changes in clinical practice and outcomes, and to examine whether these changes ...were sustained over time. In August 2008, a multidisciplinary PPH patient safety program was implemented at our single tertiary care hospital. We performed a cohort study of all women with PPH from August 2007 through December 2011. Changes in clinical practice and outcomes were compared before and after the intervention. Shewhart charts were used to examine sustainability of these changes over time. During the study period 52,819 women delivered, and 3105 (5.9%) experienced PPH. After the introduction of the program there was a significant increase in the use of uterotonic medications ( P < .001), intrauterine balloon tamponade ( P = .002), B-Lynch suture placement ( P = .042), uterine artery embolization ( P = .050), and cryoprecipitate use ( P = .0222). Concomitantly, the number of days between admissions to the intensive care unit for PPH increased.
Objective We sought to evaluate whether 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHP) reduces preterm birth (PTB) in nulliparous women with a midtrimester cervical length (CL) <30 mm. Study Design ...In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, nulliparous women with a singleton gestation between 16 and 22 3/7 weeks with an endovaginal CL <30 mm (<10th percentile in this population) were randomized to weekly intramuscular 17-OHP (250 mg) or placebo through 36 weeks. The primary outcome was PTB <37 weeks. Results The frequency of PTB did not differ between the 17-OHP (n = 327) and placebo (n = 330) groups (25.1% vs 24.2%; relative risk, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–1.35). There also was no difference in the composite adverse neonatal outcome (7.0% vs 9.1%; relative risk, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.46–1.30). Conclusion Weekly 17-OHP does not reduce the frequency of PTB in nulliparous women with a midtrimester CL <30 mm.
Objective To assess whether cord blood biomarkers associated with placental maternal vascular underperfusion (MVU) are predictive of bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension ...(BPD-PH). Study design Premature infants enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study were randomly sampled from 4 gestational age strata (n = 190, range 23-36 weeks). Fifteen factors from a human angiogenesis panel were measured in cord blood using multiplex immunoassay. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare biomarker levels according to placental histologic MVU, taking into account acute/chronic inflammation and fetal vascular pathology. Biomarkers associated with MVU were further evaluated in the subgroup of extremely low gestational age infants (gestational age ≤ 28 weeks; n = 48), and measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in an additional 39 infants to determine associations with BPD (defined using the National Institutes of Health workshop criteria) and PH (identified by echocardiogram at 36 weeks of gestation). Results Cord blood placental growth factor (PIGF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A were decreased with MVU ( P < .003), and decreased with BPD-PH ( P < .05). The findings were validated for PIGF and G-CSF in 39 additional extremely low gestational age infants. In the combined group (n = 87), PIGF was decreased in infants with BPD-PH (n = 21) versus controls without PH (median 3 pg/mL IQR 2-7 vs median 15 pg/mL IQR 6-30, respectively; P < .001). G-CSF was similarly decreased with BPD-PH (median, 55 pg/mL IQR 38-85 vs median 243 pg/mL IQR 48-1593, respectively; P = .001). Receiver operator curve analysis revealed that decreased PIGF and G-CSF were predictive of BPD-PH (area under the curve 0.83 and 0.76, respectively). Conclusions Cord blood angiogenic factors that are decreased with placental MVU may serve as predictors of BPD-PH.
The rise in maternal morbidity and mortality has resulted in national and international attention at optimally organizing systems and teams for pregnancy care. Given that maternal morbidity and ...mortality can occur unpredictably in any obstetric setting, specialists in general obstetrics and gynecology along with other primary maternal care providers should be integrally involved in efforts to improve the safety of obstetric care delivery. Quality improvement initiatives remain vital to meeting this goal. The evidence-based utilization of triggers, bundles, protocols, and checklists can aid in timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent or limit the severity of morbidity as well as facilitate interdisciplinary, patient-centered care. The purpose of this document is to summarize the pertinent elements from this forum to assist primary maternal care providers in their utilization and implementation of these safety tools.
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