Increased immunoreactive erythropoietin in cord plasma and neonatal bilirubin production in normal term infants after labor

The purpose of this investigation was to compare immunoreactive erythropoietin levels in umbilical cord plasma and neonatal bilirubin production in infants born of normal women who delivered with or without labor. Two groups of term (38 to 42 weeks) singleton pregnancies were compared: 1) those delivered by repeat elective cesarean section without prior labor (N = 17), and 2) those delivered vaginally or by cesarean section after labor (N = 24). None of the infants was asphyxiated, and there was no difference in Apgar scores between the no-labor and labor groups. The cord plasma erythropoietin levels were lower in the infants of women who had repeat elective cesarean section without labor than in those whose mothers had labor before delivery (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P less than .025). The median erythropoietin for the no-labor group was 22.9 mU/mL compared with 38.8 mU/mL for the labor group. The pulmonary excretion rate of carbon monoxide (VeCO), an index of bilirubin production, for the no-labor group was 14.3 +/- 6.2 SD microL/kg per hour compared with 18.0 +/- 4.9 SD microL/kg per hour for the labor group (P less than .05). The hemoglobin concentration for the no-labor group was 16.0 +/- 1.5 SD g/dL compared with 17.7 +/- 2.2 SD g/dL for the labor group (P less than .05). The VeCO correlated with the hemoglobin concentration (N = 32, r = 0.37, P less than .05). The results of the present study suggest that labor is normally associated with increases in the cord plasma erythropoietin level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pelvic floor morbidity at 3 years after instrumental delivery and cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor and the impact of a subsequent delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare pelvic floor symptoms at three years following instrumental delivery and cesarean section in the second stage of labor and to assess the impact of a subsequent delivery. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 393 women with term, singleton, cephalic pregnancies who required instrumental vaginal delivery in theatre or cesarean section at full dilatation between February 1999 and February 2000. 283 women (72%) returned postal questionnaires at three years. RESULTS: Urinary incontinence at three years post delivery was greater in the instrumental delivery group as compared to the cesarean section group (10.5% vs 2.0%), OR 5.37 (95% CI, 1.7, 27.9). There were no significant differences in ano-rectal or sexual symptoms between the two groups. Pelvic floor symptoms were similar for women delivered by cesarean section after a failed trial of instrumental delivery compared to immediate cesarean section. A subsequent delivery did not increase the risk of pelvic floor symptoms at three years in either group. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of urinary incontinence persists up to three years following instrumental vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section in the second stage of labor. However, pelvic floor symptoms are not exacerbated by a subsequent delivery.     

Low concentration Ropivacaine in labor epidural analgesia. A prospective study on obstetric and neonatal outcome]

BACKGROUND: Epidural analgesia effectively alleviates labor pain. However controversy exists about the effect of epidural analgesia on labor outcome. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of a low concentration local anesthetic (ropivacaine 0.08%) in labor epidural analgesia (LEA) on labor pain relief, on the incidence of cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries, and on neonatal outcome. METHODS: In the period April 1998 - July 2000, 323 women in active labor with live, singleton and in vertex presentation fetuses at term of gestation were included in this prospective study. Women with pre-gestational and/or obstetric diseases or previous caesarean deliveries were excluded. One-hundred and five patients requiring - by written informed consent - LEA were allocated to receive standardised protocol of a low concentration local anesthetic (ropivacaine 0.08%) coadministered with opioid (sufentanil): ropivacaine group. The remaining 239 parturients who didn't require LEA were included in the control group. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar; 12 (10.4%) patients receiving LEA delivered by cesarean section, 17 (14.8%) by vacuum extractor whereas 86 (74.8%) had a spontaneous delivery. The risk of cesarean section (adjusted for age, BMI, parity, neonatal weight and gynecologist) resulted lower, even if not significantly, in the ropivacaine group (OR 0.9; 95% IC: 0.6-1.3), while a significant increased instrumental vaginal delivery rate has been reported, although little numbers reduce statistical significance. Neonatal outcome was unaffected by the use of LEA. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion is drawn that a lower concentration of ropivacaine (0.08%) in LEA produces good labor pain relief with no detectable adverse effects on mother and neonate, and without significantly increasing cesarean section rate.     

Induction of labor with prostaglandin E2 in women with previous cesarean section and unfavorable cervix

OBJECTIVE: To study the pregnancy outcome of induction of labor with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in women with one previous lower segment cesarean section. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used. The study sample included 1028 consecutive women with one previous cesarean section, of whom 97 underwent induction of labor (study group) and 931 were admitted with spontaneous onset of labor (control group). Vaginal tablets of PGE2 were used for cervical ripening in the study group. Mode of delivery, neonatal outcome, indications for cesarean section, and rate of uterine rupture were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the study and control groups in mean (+/-S.D.) maternal age (30.9 +/- 4.7 years versus 31.2 +/- 4.8 years, P = 0.6), gestational age at delivery (39.2 +/- 1.8 weeks versus 39.3 +/- 1.6 weeks, P = 0.36), overall rate of cesarean section (36% versus 37.3%, P = 0.8), rates of low 5-min Apgar score < or =7 (3.1% versus 3.7%, P = 0.67) or cesarean section performed for nonreassuring fetal heart rate (6.1% versus 3.1%, P = 0.1). There were four cases of uterine rupture, all in the control group compared to none in the study group (nonsignificant). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that induction of labor in women with one previous cesarean section does not increase the risk of cesarean section rate and does not adversely affect immediate neonatal outcome. We cautiously suggest that when there is no absolute indication for repeated cesarean section, induction of labor may be considered.     

Elective induction of labor in multiparous women. Does it increase the risk of cesarean section?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the medical initiation of labor places the multiparous woman at increased risk of cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective, case-control assessment of the risk of cesarean section in multiparas with no medical or obstetric complications and vertex presentations whose induction of labor at term was judged to be elective by chart analysis. Case women were matched for age, parity, gestational age and staff obstetrician with controls in spontaneous labor, and the rates of cesarean delivery were compared. RESULTS: Three hundred four case-control pairs were studied. No significant difference was observed in the rate of cesarean delivery between the two groups. The rate of cesarean section in the electively induced group was 3.6% versus 4.3% in the control group (P = .6670). Neither cervical state nor use of cervical ripening agents significantly affected the rate of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: As compared with spontaneous labor, the elective induction of labor in multiparous women without complications does not predispose to cesarean delivery.     

Intrapartum management of nonvertex second-born twins: a critical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the impact of the mode of delivery--vaginal delivery versus cesarean section--on the perinatal outcomes of the second-born breech twins. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of second-born breech twins with a gestational age of > or =24 weeks at the onset of labor. The patients are divided into three groups: cesarean section without labor (group I), cesarean section after labor (group II), and vaginal breech delivery (group III). RESULTS: There were 141 patients: 40 in group I, 66 in group II, and 35 in group III. There was no birth injury or neonatal death. Group II had one fetus with grade II intraventricular hemorrhage. There was no significant difference among the groups with regard to gestational age, birth weight, hyaline membrane disease, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and cord blood gas indices, except venous pH in infants with birth weights <1500 g. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery of breech second-born twins, with gestational ages of at least 24 weeks, especially those with birth weights of > or =1500 g, appears to be a safe alternative to cesarean section.     

Management of the insulin-dependent diabetic during labor and delivery. Influences on neonatal outcome

Infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers are at risk for neonatal polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and hypoglycemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether labor and delivery management of diabetes may influence the rate of these complications. We hypothesized a priori that: infants of diabetic mothers delivered by cesarean section have a lower rate of neonatal polycythemia and hyperbilirubinemia, but a higher rate of RDS, than infants of diabetic mothers delivered by vaginal route, and poor glycemic control during labor increases the rate of neonatal hypoglycemia. We therefore prospectively studied 122 pregnancies in 100 well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetic mothers. Intravenous glucose and/or insulin was infused during labor to maintain capillary glucose concentration between 70 and 100 mg/dl. Fifty-six pregnancies were concluded by primary or elective cesarean section (group 1), 36 by cesarean section following spontaneous or induced labor (group 2), and 30 by spontaneous or induced vaginal delivery (group 3). Hemoglobin A1, birthweight, and gestational age were similar in all three groups. The rate of neonatal polycythemia was significantly lower in the cesarean section subjects, groups 1 and 2, as compared to group 3 (P less than 0.04). The rate of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was significantly lower in group 1 (P less than 0.05) as compared to groups 2 and 3. The rate of RDS was higher in group 1 (versus groups 2 or 3), but did not reach significance on initial analysis (P = 0.06); however, group 1 was associated with a significant risk for RDS when corrected for the confounding variables of gestational age and neonatal asphyxia as defined by Apgar scores.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Severe preeclampsia and the very-low-birth-weight infant. The controversy over delivery mode continues

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of labor induction with those of cesarean delivery without labor on neonatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia and delivery of very-low-birth-weight infants. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study covered 400 singleton, live-born infants who weighed 750-1,500 g at birth and were delivered because of severe preeclampsia. Outcome in infants delivered by cesarean section without labor was compared with that in infants exposed to labor induction. RESULTS: Of the 400 women with severe preeclampsia who delivered infants between 750 and 1,500 g; 280 (70%) had labor induced, and 120 (30%) delivered without labor. Vaginal delivery was accomplished by 182 (65%) women in the induced group. Apgar scores of < or = 3 at five minutes was more common in the labor-induced group (6% versus 3%, P = .04); however, other neonatal outcomes, including respiratory distress syndrome, ventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, seizures and neonatal death, were similar in the two groups. Data analysis of the induced group did not reveal an association between route of delivery and neonatal outcome. Outcome in both groups was satisfactory at six months. CONCLUSION: Induction of labor in women with severe preeclampsia is not harmful to very-low-birth-weight infants and appears to be a safe mode of delivery.     

Misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction in pregnancies with oligohydramnios

The efficacy and safety of misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction in patients with oligohydramnios was investigated. 57 pregnancies with oligohydramnios and 58 cases with a normal amniotic fluid volume (controls) were enrolled in this prospective trial. All patients received 50 microg of intravaginal misoprostol every 5 h. Primary outcomes were: cesarean section rate; induction to delivery time; oxytocin augmentation; uterine hyperstimulation; meconium passage; fetal heart rate (FHR) changes; fetal distress requiring delivery, and Apgar scores. There were no differences in the mean time to delivery, cesarean section rate, oxytocin augmentation or Apgar scores. The mean induction to delivery time in oligohydramnios and control groups were, 11 h 43 min and 11 h 18 min, respectively (p > 0.05). FHR changes were observed in 26.3% of oligohydramnios group and 32.7% of control group (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cesarean section rate and the uterine hyperstimulation between the 2 groups. These data suggest that misoprostol can be used as an effective agent for cervical ripening and labor induction in pregnancies with oligohydramnios without increasing the risk for perinatal outcome, compared to those with normal amniotic fluid volumes.     

Comparison of maternal mortality and morbidity between trial of labor and elective cesarean section among women with previous cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the safety of trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 308,755 Canadian women with previous cesarean delivery between 1988 and 2000. Occurrences of in-hospital maternal death, uterine rupture, and other severe maternal morbidity were compared between women with a trial of labor and those with an elective cesarean section. RESULTS: Rates of uterine rupture (0.65%), transfusion (0.19%), and hysterectomy (0.10%) were significantly higher in the trial-of-labor group. Maternal in-hospital death rate, however, was lower in the trial-of-labor group (1.6 per 100,000) than in the elective cesarean section group (5.6 per 100,000). The association between trial of labor and uterine rupture was stronger in low volume (<500) than in high volume (> or =500 births per year) obstetric units. CONCLUSION: Trial of labor is associated with increased risk of uterine rupture, but elective cesarean section may increase the risk of maternal death.     

不同分娩方式对低危孕产妇分娩结局及卫生经济学指标的影响

目的探讨不同分娩方式对低危孕产妇分娩结局及卫生经济学指标的影响。方法对2002年9月至2007年4月北京协和医院分娩的3751例孕37-41周^＋6的低危孕产妇的资料进行回顾性分析,按分娩的干预方式不同分为3组：择期引产组（包括药物及手术引产）501例、择期剖宫产组1634例和自然临产组1616例,分别对3组孕产妇的一般情况及住院费用以及分娩结局（产后出血、产褥病率、尿潴留、输血情况、切口愈合情况、产时副损伤）、新生儿Apgar评分情况等进行统计比较。结果（1）一般情况分析：自然临产组孕产妇住院天数（4．8d）与择期引产组（6．3d）及择期剖宫产组（6．3d）比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;择期剖宫产组孕产妇住院费用（3472元）明显高于择期引产组（3201元）及自然临产组（2293元）,分别比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,尤其是择期引产组中的剖宫产患者住院费用明显高于择期剖宫产组及自然临产组中的剖宫产患者,分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。（2）产时及产后并发症总发生率：孕产妇产时及产后并发症总发生率分别是择期引产组为12．4％、择期剖宫产组为0．9％,自然临产组为6．8％。（3）产后出血（≥500ml）发生率：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组分别为3．0％（15／501）、0．6％（9／1634）和1．2％（19／1616）,3组分别比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。（4）尿潴留发生率：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组分别为4．6％（23／501）、0和3．3％（54／1616）,择期剖宫产组尿潴留发生率低于择期引产组与自然临产组（P〈0．01）,择期引产组与自然临产组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．01）。（5）有无分娩中或产后输血：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组率孕产妇有输血者分别为2．0％（10／501）、0．1％（1／1634）和0．4％（6／1616）,3组分别比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。（6）产时副损伤：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组产时副损伤发生率分别为0．6％（3／501）、0和0．4％（7／1616）,3组分别比较,择期剖宫产组低于其他两组（P〈0．01）,择期引产组与自然临产组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．01）。（7）切口延期愈合：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组分别为0．8％（4／501）、0和0．2％（4／1616）,3组分别比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。（8）产褥病率：3组间相互比较,差别无统计学意义（P〉0．01）。（9）新生儿窒息发生率：择期引产组、择期剖宫产组和自然临产组分别为1．2％（6／501）、0．1％（1／1634）和1．0％（17／1616）,择期剖宫产组与其他两组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,择期引产组与自然临产组比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．01）。结论择期引产会增加孕产妇产后出血、分娩中或产后输血的机会,且没有降低产妇尿潴留、新生儿窒息的发生率;择期剖宫产是相对安全的分娩方式,对孕产妇分娩并发症的发生没有不良影响,但会明显增加住院费用。     

Maternal morbidity associated with cesarean delivery without labor compared with spontaneous onset of labor at term

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the maternal morbidity associated with cesarean deliveries performed at term without labor compared with morbidity associated with spontaneous labor. METHODS: A 14-year, population-based, cohort study (1988-2001) using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database compared maternal outcomes in nulliparous women at term undergoing spontaneous labor for planned vaginal delivery with singleton, cephalic presentation and nulliparous women delivering by cesarean without labor. RESULTS: From a total of 18,435 pregnancies, which satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria, 721 were cesarean deliveries without labor. There were no maternal deaths or transfers for intensive care. There was no difference in wound infection, blood transfusion, or intraoperative trauma. Women undergoing cesarean deliveries without labor were more likely to have puerperal febrile morbidity (relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 4.5; P=.03), but were less likely to have early postpartum hemorrhage (RR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4, 0.9; P=.01) compared with women entering spontaneous labor. Subgroup analyses of maternal outcomes in women delivering by spontaneous and assisted vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor were also performed. The highest morbidity was found in the assisted vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor groups. CONCLUSION: The increased maternal morbidity in elective cesarean delivery compared with spontaneous onset of labor is limited to puerperal febrile morbidity. Maternal morbidity is increased after assisted vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor compared with cesarean delivery without labor.     

Prolonged pregnancy: surveillance of the fetus and the neonate and the course of labor and delivery

The perinatal events in 184 term control pregnancies and 129 prolonged pregnancies were prospectively compared. Fetal surveillance consisted of weekly biophysical profile testing. Thirty-two infants were dysmature, and 10 of these had advanced dysmaturity. The incidence of advanced dysmaturity rose quickly after 44 weeks. This group was at greater risk for fetal distress, lower Apgar scores, and emergency cesarean section. The combination of oligohydramnios, a suboptimal nonstress test, and a low profile score was highly predictive of a neonate with advanced dysmaturity. In the control pregnancies, the rate of induction of labor was 13.81% compared with 39.84% in the prolonged pregnancies. The induced labor group had a 51.32% cesarean section rate. Our approach to prolonged pregnancy consists of elective induction of labor when the cervix is favorable and biweekly profile testing when it is not; however, the high incidence of advanced dysmaturity after 44 weeks warrants delivery.     

Rupture and dehiscence of cesarean section scar during pregnancy and delivery

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the risk of uterine rupture or dehiscence after cesarean section. During the 10 years of the study, 24,644 patients were delivered of infants. Of these women, 2036 (8.3%) had previously undergone cesarean section. A trial of labor was allowed in 1008 of these patients, and 92.2% were delivered vaginally. The incidence of uterine rupture in this trial of labor group was 0.6%, compared with 0.4% in the total group. Cesarean section scar rupture caused no serious complications in either the mothers or the offspring in the trial of labor group. Uterine rupture in this group was not associated with use of oxytocin or epidural analgesia. Patients with lower-segment scar rupture had no history of puerperal pyrexia. The incidence of uterine dehiscence was 4%. In summary, the risk of uterine rupture in patients who have previously undergone cesarean section but are allowed a trial of labor is low and not associated with serious complications. Vaginal delivery is therefore considered the safest route of delivery in these patients.     

脉冲波疗法用于分娩镇痛的疗效分析

目的:研究作用于桡神经、正中神经、T10-L1节段脊髓背根神经的脉冲波疗法的镇痛效果及其对产程、分娩方式、产程干预、母儿并发症的影响。方法:133例初产妇随机分成镇痛组(75例)与对照组(58例),镇痛组在产程中使用GT-4A分娩镇痛工作站。观察两组产妇的镇痛效果、产程、分娩方式、产后出血及镇痛对母儿的不良反应等。结果:镇痛组镇痛前后的疼痛评分差异有显著性(P<0.05),镇痛组与对照组剖宫产率及产程中缩宫素应用率差异有显著性(P<0.05),两组的产程差异无显著性(P>0.05),镇痛组母儿均无明显不良反应。结论:该法操作简单,产妇易接受,对母儿无影响,能降低剖宫产率,减少产程干预,是比较理想的分娩镇痛方法。     

Early and late intraventricular hemorrhage: the role of obstetric factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of active phase labor and other obstetric factors on the development of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage in the neonate. METHODS: A total of 230 infants were studied. Antenatal enrollment was carried out when estimated fetal weight was 1750 g or less. Serial head ultrasound scans were performed to screen for periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, with the initial scan performed within minutes of birth. Scan findings and obstetric and neonatal variables collected prospectively at scheduled intervals were analyzed to determine the significant factors that predispose to intraventricular hemorrhage. RESULTS: In 47 infants (20%), intraventricular hemorrhage was detected within 1 hour of birth (early) and in another 49 (21%) at a later age (late). The overall incidence of hemorrhage was similar between vaginal and cesarean deliveries (41 and 44%, respectively). Early hemorrhage was more frequent in vaginal (28%) than cesarean deliveries (11%), whereas late hemorrhage was more frequent in cesarean deliveries. When the role of delivery mode and labor was analyzed by stepwise logistic regression, the odds ratios for development of early intraventricular hemorrhage increased in the following order: cesarean delivery with no labor, cesarean delivery with latent phase labor, vaginal delivery with forceps use, cesarean delivery with active phase labor, and vaginal delivery without forceps use. For late hemorrhage, the odds ratios increased in the following order: vaginal delivery with forceps, vaginal delivery without forceps, cesarean delivery with no labor, cesarean delivery with latent phase labor, and cesarean delivery with active phase labor. CONCLUSIONS: Active phase labor may predispose to early periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, but its influence may be attenuated by use of forceps or by abdominal delivery. The protective effect of forceps remains for late periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage, but abdominal delivery does not seem to protect against late hemorrhage.     

Vaginal birth after caesarean delivery in twin gestation: is trial of labor allowed?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a trial of labor in twin pregnancy with previous cesarean section is an acceptable alternative to systematic cesarean section. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on a retrospective and comparative study from 1st January 1996 to 30th June 2003 in Maternite Jeanne-de-Flandre (Lille) and Pavillon Paul-Gelle (Roubaix), 35 trials of labor in twin pregnancies with previous cesarean section have been compared with 35 twin gestations attempting vaginal delivery without a prior cesarean. This comparative study has been led by sorting out the patients according to their gestational age, parity and maternity. RESULTS: Twenty-seven women (77%) delivered vaginally and eight (23%) by elective caesarean section. Postpartum hemorrhage was more frequent for caesarean section (75%). No scare dehiscence or rupture occurred. There was not any haemostasis hysterectomy or embolisation related to postpartum haemorrhage. Neonatal outcome was similar in both groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Twin trial of labor after a previous cesarean section seems to be a safe alternative to routine repeat cesarean delivery as maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality are safe.     

Risk of uterine rupture and adverse perinatal outcome at term after cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: Current information on the risk of uterine rupture after cesarean delivery has generally compared the risk after trial of labor to that occurring with an elective cesarean delivery without labor. Because antepartum counseling cannot account for whether a woman will develop an indication requiring a repeat cesarean delivery or whether labor will occur before scheduled cesarean delivery, the purpose of this analysis was to provide clinically useful information regarding the risks of uterine rupture and adverse perinatal outcome for women at term with a history of prior cesarean delivery. METHODS: Women with a term singleton gestation and prior cesarean delivery were studied over 4 years at 19 centers. For this analysis, outcomes from five groups were studied: trial of labor, elective repeat with no labor, elective repeat with labor (women presenting in early labor who subsequently underwent cesarean delivery), indicated repeat with labor, and indicated repeat without labor. All cases of uterine rupture were reviewed centrally to assure accuracy of diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 39,117 women were studied. In term pregnant women with a prior cesarean delivery, the overall risk for uterine rupture was 0.32% (125 of 39,117), and the overall risk for serious adverse perinatal outcome (stillbirth, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal death) was 106 of 39,049 (0.27%). The uterine rupture risk for indicated repeat cesarean delivery (labor or without labor) was 7 of 6,080 (0.12%); the risk for elective (no indication) repeat cesarean delivery (labor or without labor) was 4 of 17,714 (0.02%). Indicated repeat cesarean delivery increased the risk of uterine rupture by a factor of 5 (odds ratio 5.1, 95% confidence interval 1.49-17.44). In the absence of an indication, the presence of labor also increased the risk of uterine rupture (4 of 2,721 [0.15%] compared with 0 of 14,993, P<.01). The highest rate of uterine rupture occurred in women undergoing trial of labor (0.74%, 114 of 15,323). CONCLUSION: At term, the risk of uterine rupture and adverse perinatal outcome for women with a singleton and prior cesarean delivery is low regardless of mode of delivery, occurring in 3 per 1,000 women. Maternal complications occurred in 3-8% of women within the five delivery groups.     

Effect of mode of delivery on incidence of respiratory distress syndrome

The effect of route of delivery on incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been controversial. While some investigators have reported no difference in RDS rates in infants born by cesarean section as compared to vaginal delivery, others have shown a significant increase in risk for RDS among infants born by cesarean section. Data from the 297 patients comprising the placebo group in the recently completed collaborative study of antenatal steroid therapy in the prevention of neonatal RDS, were analyzed to determine the effect of mode of delivery on RDS. The results indicate that infants born by cesarean section without labor have a higher risk for neonatal RDS than infants born vaginally or by cesarean section after a trial of labor.     

早产孕妇蜕膜细胞凋亡、周期变化及Bcl-2、Caspase-3和 p21蛋白的表达研究

Objective?To investigate the apoptosis, cell cycle and expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, p21 protein in decidual cells of pregnant women with preterm labor. Methods?90 pregnant women were selected for the study, including preterm labor group (n=30), full term labor group (n=30) and full term cesarean section group (n=30). Cell cycle, apoptosis and expression of related protein Bcl-2、Caspase-3、p21 were compared in three groups. Results?The apoptosis rate of decidual cells in the preterm labor group (31.6±5.2%) was significantly higher than that in the full-term labor group [(15.1±2.4)%] and full-term cesarean section group[(17.2±2.8)%] (P<0.05), and the proportion of decidual cell G0/G1 in the premature delivery group [(62.5±7.1)%] was significantly higher than that in the full-term labor group [(51.0±9.0)%] and full-term cesarean section group [(50.8±8.9)%] (P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 in decidual cells in preterm labor group (0.3±0.10) was significantly lower than that in full-term delivery group(1.0±0.0) and term cesarean section group(1.1±0.2), and the expression of Caspase-3 in decidual cells in preterm labor group(1.8±0.2) was significantly higher than that in full-term labor group (1.0±0.0) and term cesarean section group (1.1±0.2) (P<0.05). The p21 protein in preterm labor group (2.1±0.2) was significantly higher than that in full-term labor group (1.0±0.0) and term cesarean section group (1.3±0.2) (P<0.05). Conclusion?The apoptosis and cell cycle block of decidua cells of the pregnant women are significantly increased, and the possible mechanism is to take part in the occurrence of preterm labor by regulating the expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and p21.