Maternal and neonatal outcome after failed ventouse delivery: comparison of forceps versus cesarean section.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the immediate maternal and neonatal morbidity in women delivered by forceps or cesarean section after failed ventouse delivery. METHODS: Case notes of 400 consecutive successful ventouse deliveries compared with 342 failed ventouse deliveries, where delivery was subsequently achieved with either forceps (N = 247) or cesarean section (N = 95), which took place between October 1999 and May 2003, were reviewed. RESULTS: Failed ventouse delivery was associated with an increased chance for fetal malposition (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.6 - 5.3) and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8 - 6.8). Compared to forceps after failed ventouse, cesarean section was associated with a higher prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage (OR 7.8, 95% CI 3.6 - 16.9) and fewer third degree perineal tears (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between cesarean section and forceps delivery after failed ventouse for neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Failure of ventouse delivery is 3 - 4 times more likely with a fetal malposition and is associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. While cesarean section increases the postpartum hemorrhage rate, forceps delivery is associated with increased likelihood of third degree perineal tears. The neonatal morbidity was comparable regardless of whether forceps or cesarean was used after failed ventouse.     

Serious maternal morbidity after childbirth: prolonged hospital stays and readmissions

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of and risk factors for serious morbidity resulting in a prolonged hospital stay or readmission among women enrolled in Tennessee's Medicaid program who delivered live or dead infants in 1991. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 33,251 women of white or black ethnicity. Main outcome measures included childbirth-related medical conditions serious enough to result in death, prolonged delivery hospitalization, or readmission within 60 days of delivery. RESULTS: Among 25,810 women with vaginal (78%) and 7441 (22%) women with cesarean deliveries, 2.6% and 8.9%, respectively, had at least one childbirth-related medical condition requiring prolonged delivery hospitalization or readmission, including infection (1.8% and 7.9%), hypertension-related complications (0.7% and 2.0%), or hemorrhage (0.5% and 2.4%). After controlling for other risk factors, maternal age over 32 years was independently associated with increased rate of serious morbidity among women who had vaginal (relative risk [RR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 2.7) or cesarean deliveries (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.2). Black women had approximately twice the rate of maternal morbidity with vaginal (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5, 2.4) or cesarean deliveries (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.9, 2.9). Primiparous women who had vaginal or cesarean deliveries had a 60% (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3, 2.0) and 70% (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4, 2.0), respectively, greater risk of serious maternal morbidity than women with 1-3 prior births. CONCLUSION: Predictors of serious maternal morbidity included age over 32 years, black ethnicity, and primiparity.     

Cesarean delivery and subsequent pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To assess possible effects of a cesarean delivery on outcome in subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: Using an historical cohort design, we analyzed 637,497 first and second births among women with two or more single births and 242,812 first, second, and third births among women with three or more single births registered in the population-based Medical Birth Registry of Norway between 1967 and 2003. RESULTS: Compared with a vaginal delivery at first birth, a cesarean delivery at first birth was followed, in a second pregnancy, by increased risks of preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR] 2.9 and corresponding 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-3.1), small for gestational age (OR 1.5; CI 1.4-1.5), placenta previa (OR 1.5; CI 1.3-1.8, placenta accreta (OR 1.9; CI 1.3-2.8), placental abruption (OR 2.0; CI 1.8-2.2), and uterine rupture (OR 37.4; CI 24.9-56.2). After excluding women with the actual complication at first birth, the corresponding ORs were, in general, lower: 1.7 (CI 1.6-1.8), 1.3 (CI 1.3-1.4), 1.4 (CI 1.2-1.7), 1.9 (CI 1.3-2.8), 1.7 (CI 1.6-1.9), and 37.2 (CI 24.7-55.9), respectively. Corresponding reduction in numbers of cesarean deliveries needed to prevent one case were 114, 56, 1,140, 3,706, 300, and 461. In third births, ORs after repeat cesarean delivery were similar to or lower than the ORs after one cesarean delivery; also here, the exclusion of women with the actual outcome in any of their previous pregnancies tended to reduce the ORs. CONCLUSION: Cesarean delivery was associated with an increased risk of complications in a subsequent pregnancy, but excess risks were reduced after excluding women with the actual complication in any of their previous births. To obtain less biased effects of cesarean delivery on subsequent pregnancies, it is important to account for obstetric history. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.     

Is meconium passage a risk factor for maternal infection in term pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE:To study the association between meconium and maternal infection. METHODS:This was a retrospective cohort study of 678 pregnant women. All term deliveries during a 31-month period with meconium passage were included. Each meconium delivery was matched with a consecutive delivery without meconium at the same gestational age. RESULTS: The overall infection rate was 16%, with 13% of the infections directly related to the pregnancy, labor, and delivery. The endometritis rate was 5%, with 7.1% and 3% in the meconium and no-meconium group, respectively. The chorioamnionitis rate was 8.3%, with 9.5% in the meconium and 7.1% in the no-meconium group. Factors found to be associated with overall obstetric infections had the following odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): meconium (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1, 2.8), internal monitoring (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9, 5.9), amnioinfusion (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3, 3.3), number of vaginal exams (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.8, 7.1), length of labor (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8, 4.4), and cesarean (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9, 5.1). Logistic regression analyses revealed the following ORs and 95% CIs: 1) for endometritis-cesarean (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9, 8.9), internal monitoring (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1, 5.9), and meconium (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1, 5.5), and 2) for chorioamnionitis-length of labor greater than 10 hours (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4, 5.6), number of vaginal exams greater than seven (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7, 6.6), and use of internal monitors (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2, 5.3). CONCLUSION: Meconium passage increases the risk of postpartum endometritis but not chorioamnionitis. Length of labor, internal monitoring, and number of vaginal exams are risk factors for chorioamnionitis.     

Maternal and neonatal outcome after failed ventouse delivery: Comparison of forceps versus cesarean section

Objectives.?To compare the immediate maternal and neonatal morbidity in women delivered by forceps or cesarean section after failed ventouse delivery.

Methods.?Case notes of 400 consecutive successful ventouse deliveries compared with 342 failed ventouse deliveries, where delivery was subsequently achieved with either forceps (N = 247) or cesarean section (N = 95), which took place between October 1999 and May 2003, were reviewed.

Results.?Failed ventouse delivery was associated with an increased chance for fetal malposition (OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.6 – 5.3) and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8 – 6.8). Compared to forceps after failed ventouse, cesarean section was associated with a higher prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage (OR 7.8, 95% CI 3.6 – 16.9) and fewer third degree perineal tears (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between cesarean section and forceps delivery after failed ventouse for neonatal morbidity.

Conclusions.?Failure of ventouse delivery is 3 – 4 times more likely with a fetal malposition and is associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. While cesarean section increases the postpartum hemorrhage rate, forceps delivery is associated with increased likelihood of third degree perineal tears. The neonatal morbidity was comparable regardless of whether forceps or cesarean was used after failed ventouse.     

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.     

A cohort study of maternal and neonatal morbidity in relation to use of sequential instruments at operative vaginal delivery

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors and maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with sequential use of instruments (vacuum and forceps) at operative vaginal delivery.

Study design

A cohort study of 1360 nulliparous women delivered by a single instrument (vacuum or forceps) or by both instruments, within two university teaching hospitals in Scotland and England. Outcomes were compared for use of sequential instruments versus use of any single instrument. A sub-group analysis compared sequential instruments versus forceps alone. Outcomes of interest included anal sphincter tears, postpartum haemorrhage, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, prolonged hospital admission, neonatal trauma, low Apgar scores, abnormal cord bloods and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Results

Use of sequential instruments at operative vaginal delivery was associated with fetal malpositions, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.8 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.3-2.6), and large neonatal head circumference (>37 cm) (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.6-9.7) but not with maternal obesity or grade of operator. Sequential use of instruments was associated with greater maternal and neonatal morbidity than single instrument use (anal sphincter tear 17.4% versus 8.4%, adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.3; umbilical artery pH <7.10, 13.8% versus 5.0%, adjusted OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.7-6.2). Sequential instrument use had greater morbidity than single instrument use with forceps alone (anal sphincter tear OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9; umbilical artery pH <7.10 OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.7-5.5).

Conclusions

The use of sequential instruments significantly increases maternal and neonatal morbidity. Obstetricians need training in the appropriate selection and use of instruments with the aim of completing delivery safely with one instrument.     

Risk of cesarean delivery with elective induction of labor at term in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risk of cesarean delivery associated with elective induction of labor in nulliparous women at term. METHODS: We performed a cohort study on a major urban obstetric service that serves predominantly private obstetric practices. All term, nulliparous women with vertex, singleton gestations who labored during an 8-month period (n = 1561) were divided into three groups: spontaneous labor, elective induction, and medical induction. The risk of cesarean delivery in the induction groups was determined using stepwise logistic regression to control for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Women experiencing spontaneous labor had a 7.8% cesarean delivery rate, whereas women undergoing elective labor induction had a 17.5% cesarean delivery rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 3.18) and women undergoing medically indicated labor induction had a 17.7% cesarean delivery rate (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.13, 2.54). Other variables that remained significant risk factors for cesarean delivery in the model included: epidural placement at less than 4 cm dilatation (OR 4.66; 95% CI 2.25, 9.66), epidural placement after 4 cm dilatation (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.06, 4.48), chorioamnionitis (OR 4.61; 95% CI 2.89, 7.35), birth weight greater than 4000 g (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.69, 3.97), maternal body mass index greater than 26 kg/m2 (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.61, 3.47), Asian race (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.04, 5.34), and magnesium sulfate use (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.04, 4.55). CONCLUSION: Elective induction of labor is associated with a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. Avoiding labor induction in settings of unproved benefit may aid efforts to reduce the primary cesarean delivery rate.     

Predictors of Neonatal Resuscitation,Low Apgar Scores,and Umbilical Artery pH Among Growth-Restricted Neonates

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with poorer immediate neonatal outcomes among growth-restricted neonates.Methods: Records of all 530 growth-restricted neonates born between January 1989 and February 1995 were reviewed. Outcomes included resuscitation measures, Apgar scores, and umbilical blood gas values. Neonates were assigned to one of six anesthetic groups, and outcomes were compared. Predictors of poorer outcomes were examined using logistic and linear regression.Results: Neonates exposed to general anesthesia were more likely to be intubated (37.9% versus 4.1%, P < .001, Pearson χ²) and had lower mean 1- (4.0 versus 7.0) and 5-minute (6.5 versus 8.4) Apgar scores (P < .01, Scheffé) than those in all other anesthetic groups. They also had significantly lower umbilical artery (UA) pH values than neonates who received nalbuphine, epidural, or no anesthesia (7.21 versus 7.28, 7.26, 7.29, respectively; P < .01, Scheffé). Factors that significantly and independently predicted intubation among all neonates included exposure to general anesthesia (odds ratio [OR] 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9, 8.9) and lower infant weight (OR 10.1 per kg decrease; CI 5.1, 20). Factors predicting UA pH at most 7.15 included preeclampsia (OR 3.0; CI 1.5, 5.9) and older maternal age (OR 1.3 per 5 years; CI 1.02, 1.64); vertex delivery (OR 0.5; CI 0.2, 0.9) was protective. Factors predicting a 5-minute Apgar less than 7 were meconium (OR 1.5 per category going from none to terminal to light to heavy; CI 1.04, 2.3), general anesthesia (OR 6.9; CI 2.6, 18.2), lower infant weight (OR 16.5 per kg decrease; CI 7.8, 34.5), and vaginal breech delivery (OR 7.0; CI 1.8, 28.6); cesarean delivery (OR 0.2; CI 0.08, 0.66) was protective. Spontaneous vertex delivery raised the UA pH, and preeclampsia, amnioinfusion, breech delivery, and general anesthesia significantly and independently lowered the UA pH among all neonates. For infants delivered by cesarean, “fetal distress,” preeclampsia, previous spontaneous abortion, failed forceps use, and nalbuphine significantly and independently predicted lower UA pH.Conclusion: Risk factors for poorer immediate neonatal outcomes among growth-restricted neonates include preeclampsia, fetal distress, breech delivery, forceps use, nalbuphine during labor, lower infant weight, and general anesthesia.     

Spontaneous versus induced labor after a previous cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in spontaneous versus induced labor after one previous cesarean delivery. METHODS: Women with one previous cesarean delivery who had spontaneous labor between January 1992 and January 2000 were compared with those whose labor was induced. RESULTS: Three thousand seven hundred forty-six patients had a trial of labor (2943 spontaneous, 803 induced). Those induced had more frequent early postpartum hemorrhage (7.3% versus 5.0%; odds ratio [OR] 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18, 2.32), cesarean delivery (37.5% versus 24.2%; OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.51, 2.25), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (13.3% versus 9.4%; OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.25, 2.29). There was a trend toward higher uterine rupture rates in those with induced versus spontaneous labor (0.7% versus 0.3%, P =.128) and for patients undergoing dinoprostone (prostaglandin E(2)) induction versus other methods (1.1% versus 0.6%, P =.62), although neither difference achieved statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Induced labor is associated with an increased rate of early postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, and neonatal ICU admission. The higher rate of uterine rupture in those who had labor induced was not statistically significant.     

Short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes by mode of delivery. A case-controlled study

OBJECTIVE: Side-by-side comparisons of short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes for spontaneous vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, planned caesarean section and caesarean section during labor in patients matched for clinical condition, age, and week of gestation are lacking. This case-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate short-term maternal and neonatal complications in a healthy population at term by mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Four groups of healthy women, with antenatally normal singleton pregnancies at term, who underwent instrumental vaginal delivery (no. 201), spontaneous delivery (no. 402), planned caesarean section without labor (no. 402) and caesarean section in labor (no. 402) have been retrospectively selected. Outcome measures were maternal and neonatal short-term complications. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Maternal complications were mostly associated with forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted instrumental deliveries (OR: 6.9; 95% CI: 2.9-16.4 and OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1-8.8, respectively, versus spontaneous deliveries). No significant differences in overall complications were observed between spontaneous vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections, whether planned or in labor. By comparison with caesarean sections in labor, instrumental deliveries significantly increased the risk of complications (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.6-6.5). Neonatal complications were also mostly correlated with forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted instrumental deliveries (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.9-6.7 and OR 3.8; 95% CI 2.0-7.4, respectively, versus spontaneous deliveries). By comparison with caesarean sections in labor, instrumental vaginal deliveries significantly increased the risk of complications (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.4-7.4). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy women with antenatally normal singleton pregnancies at term, instrumental deliveries are associated with the highest rate of short-term maternal and neonatal complications.     

New postnatal urinary incontinence: obstetric and other risk factors in primiparae

OBJECTIVE: To identify obstetric and other risk factors for urinary incontinence that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey of women. SETTING: Maternity units in Aberdeen (Scotland), Birmingham (England) and Dunedin (New Zealand). POPULATION: A total of 3405 primiparous women with singleton births delivered during 1 year. METHODS: Questionnaire responses and obstetric case note data were analysed using multivariate analysis to identify associations with urinary incontinence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary incontinence at 3 months after delivery first starting in pregnancy or after birth. RESULTS: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 29%. New incontinence first beginning after delivery was associated with older maternal age (oldest versus youngest group, OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.35-3.02) and method of delivery (caesarean section versus spontaneous vaginal delivery, OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19-0.41). There were no significant associations with forceps delivery (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.92-1.51) or vacuum delivery (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.83-1.63). Incontinence first occurring during pregnancy and still present at 3 months was associated with higher maternal body mass index (BMI>25, OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.16-2.43) and heavier babies (birthweight in top quartile, OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.12-2.19). In these women, caesarean section was associated with less incontinence (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.58) but incontinence was not associated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Women have less urinary incontinence after a first delivery by caesarean section whether or not that first starts during pregnancy. Older maternal age was associated with new postnatal incontinence, and higher BMI and heavier babies with incontinence first starting during pregnancy. The effect of further deliveries may modify these findings.     

Risk factors for anal sphincter tear during vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with anal sphincter tear during vaginal delivery and to identify opportunities for preventing this cause of fecal incontinence in young women. METHODS: We used baseline data from two groups of women who participated in the Childbirth and Pelvic Symptoms (CAPS) study: those women who delivered vaginally, either those with or those without a recognized anal sphincter tear. Univariable analyses of demographic and obstetric information identified factors associated with anal sphincter tear. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for these factors alone and in combination, adjusted for maternal age, race, and gestational age. RESULTS: We included data from 797 primaparous women: 407 with a recognized anal sphincter tear and 390 without. Based on univariable analysis, a woman with a sphincter tear was more likely to be older, to be white, to have longer gestation or prolonged second stage of labor, to have a larger infant (birth weight/head circumference), or an infant who was in occiput posterior position, or to have an episiotomy or operative delivery. Logistic regression found forceps delivery (OR 13.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9-23.2) and episiotomy (OR 5.3, 95% CI 3.8-7.6) were strongly associated with a sphincter tear. The combination of forceps and episiotomy was markedly associated with sphincter tear (OR 25.3, 95% CI 10.2-62.6). The addition of epidural anesthesia to forceps and episiotomy increased the OR to 41.0 (95% CI 13.5-124.4). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the existence of modifiable obstetric interventions that increase the risk of anal sphincter tear during vaginal delivery. Our results may be used by clinicians and women to help inform their decisions regarding obstetric interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.     

Risk factors for anal sphincter tear in multiparas

OBJECTIVE: To assess maternal, newborn, and obstetric risk factors associated with anal sphincter tear in multiparous women. METHODS: This case-control study identified 18,779 multiparous vaginal deliveries from 1992 to 2004 from an obstetric automated record database at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Two hundred eighty-four patients were selected, 145 cases and 139 controls. Variables from the index pregnancy and prior pregnancies were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to determine significant predictor variables for anal sphincter tear in multiparous women. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five multiparous women with no history of cesarean delivery sustained a sphincter tear. Multivariable logistic regression showed a significant association with episiotomy (odds ratio [OR] 16.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.7-34.4), shoulder dystocia (OR 7.9, CI 1.6-38), forceps delivery (OR 4.7, CI 2.0-11.2), and being married (OR 2.2, CI 1.1-4.6). A second exploratory model that included variables from previous pregnancies, showed that in addition to episiotomy (OR 34.6, CI 8.8-136), shoulder dystocia (OR 11.1, CI 1.3-95.2), forceps delivery (OR 6.1, CI 1.6-23.5), previous sphincter tear (OR 7.7, CI 1.2-48.7), and second stage of labor greater than 1 hour (OR 6.7, CI 1.1-42.5) were associated with tear. CONCLUSION: The strongest clinical risk factors for anal sphincter tear in multiparous women are episiotomy, shoulder dystocia, previous sphincter tear, prolonged second stage of labor, and forceps delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.     

Risk factors for arrest of descent during the second stage of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To define obstetrical risk factors for arrest of descent during the second stage of labor and to determine perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: All singleton, vertex, term deliveries with an unscarred uterus, between the years 1988 and 1999 were included. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to investigate independent risk factors associated with arrest of descent during the second stage of labor and the perinatal outcome. RESULTS: The study included 93266 deliveries, of these 1545 (1.7%) were complicated with arrest of descent during the second stage of labor. Using a multivariable analysis, the following obstetric risk factors were found to be significantly associated with arrest of descent: nulliparity (OR=7.8, 95% CI=6.9-8.7; P<0.001), birth weight >4 kg (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.9-2.8; P<0.001), epidural analgesia (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.6-2.0; P<0.001), hydramnios (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.3-2.0; P<0.001), hypertensive disorders (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.3-1.8; P<0.001), gestational diabetes A1 and A2 (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.2-1.8; P<0.001), male gender (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.2-1.5; P<0.001), premature rupture of membranes (PROM, OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.04-1.6; P=0.021), and induction of labor (OR=1.2, 95% CI=1.02-1.4; P=0.030). Deliveries complicated by arrest of descent resulted in cesarean section in 20.6%, vacuum extraction in 74.0%, and forceps delivery in 5.4%. Newborns delivered after arrest of descent during the second stage of labor had significantly higher rates of low Apgar scores (<7) at 1 and 5 min, as compared to the controls (12.7 vs. 2.1%, P<0.001; and 0.9 vs. 0.2%, P<0.001, respectively). Nevertheless, no significant differences were noted between the groups regarding perinatal mortality (0.38 vs. 0.44%; P=0.759). CONCLUSIONS: Major risk factors for arrest of descent during the second stage of labor were nulliparity, fetal macrosomia, epidural analgesia, hydramnios, hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes mellitus. These risk factors should be carefully evaluated during pregnancy in order to actively manage high-risk pregnancies.     

Comparison of outcomes between operative vaginal deliveries and spontaneous vaginal deliveries in southeast Nigeria

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of, indications for, and outcome of operative vaginal deliveries compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries in southeast Nigeria.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving cases of operative vaginal delivery performed at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital over a 10-year period. Data on the procedures were abstracted from the operation notes of the medical records of parturients.

Results

An incidence of 4.7% (n = 461) was recorded. The most common indications for vacuum and forceps delivery were prolonged second stage of labor (44.9%) and poor maternal effort (27.8%). The only indication for destructive operation was intrauterine fetal death (3.7%). The risk ratio (RR) for hemorrhage/vulvar hematoma was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–2.48) for vacuum-assisted delivery and 5.49 (95% CI, 0.82–36.64) for forceps delivery. The RR for genital laceration was 1.21 (95% CI, 0.44–3.30) for vacuum-assisted delivery and 9.41 (95% CI, 1.33–66.65) for forceps delivery. The risk of fetal scalp bruises and caput succedaneum was higher for operative vaginal delivery than for spontaneous vaginal delivery, with no significant difference in maternal morbidity. The perinatal mortality rate was 0.9 per 1000 live births.

Conclusion

Operative vaginal delivery by experienced healthcare providers is associated with good obstetric outcomes with minimal risk.     

The effect of sequential use of vacuum and forceps for assisted vaginal delivery on neonatal and maternal outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of neonatal and maternal disease associated with the sequential use of vacuum and forceps compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Using Washington state birth certificate data linked to hospital discharge records, we compared 3741 vaginal deliveries by both vacuum and forceps, 3741 vacuum deliveries, and 3741 forceps deliveries to 11,223 spontaneous vaginal deliveries. RESULTS: Compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries, deliveries by sequential use of vacuum and forceps had significantly higher rates of intracranial hemorrhage (relative risk [RR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 10.1), brachial plexus (RR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.6 to 6.4), facial nerve injury (RR, 13.3; 95% CI, 4.7 to 37.7), seizure (RR, 13.7; 95% CI, 2.1 to 88.0), depressed 5-minute Apgar score (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2 to 4.0), assisted ventilation (RR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.1 to 11.0), fourth-degree (RR, 11.4; 95% CI, 6.4 to 20.1 among multiparous women) and other lacerations, hematoma (RR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.1 to 18.1 among multiparous women), and postpartum hemorrhage (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.0). The relative risk of sequential vacuum and forceps use was greater than the sum of the individual relative risks of each instrument for intracranial hemorrhage, facial nerve injury, seizure, hematoma, and perineal and vaginal lacerations. CONCLUSION: Sequential use of vacuum and forceps is associated with increased risk of both neonatal and maternal injury.     

Trends in major modifiable risk factors for severe perineal trauma, 1996–2006

OBJECTIVE: To examine what effect the major modifiable risk factors for severe perineal trauma have had on the rates of this trauma over time. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study of singleton vaginal deliveries taken from a perinatal database for the period 1996 through 2006. RESULTS: A total of 46,239 singleton vertex vaginal deliveries met the inclusion criteria. Major risk factors for severe perineal trauma were increased maternal age (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.5), non-African American ethnicity (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.7), nulliparity (OR 4.8, 95% CI 4.11-5.6), fetal birth weight (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.9-2.4), forceps (OR 8.3, 95% CI 5.4-10.8), vacuum (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.4), and midline episiotomy (OR 5.7, 95% CI 5.0-6.4). Evaluation of the changes in rates of these factors over the study period revealed that the decline in the rates of episiotomy and the use of forceps accounted for a reduction in severe lacerations of more than 50%. CONCLUSION: Reduction of severe perineal trauma by restricted use of the 2 modifiable clinical variables, episiotomy and forceps, is evident over time.     

Choosing between bad,worse and worst: what is the preferred mode of delivery for failure of the second stage of labor?*

Objective: To determine the preferred mode of delivery (vacuum, forceps or cesarean delivery) for second-stage dystocia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of women delivered by forceps, vacuum or cesarean delivery due to abnormalities of the second stage of labor. Primary outcome included neonatal and maternal composite adverse effects.

Results: A total of 547 women were included: 150 (27.4%) had forceps delivery, 200 (36.5%) had vacuum extraction, and 197 (36.1%) had cesarean section. The rate of neonatal composite outcome was significantly increased in vacuum extraction (27%) compared to forceps delivery (14.7%) or cesarean section (9.7%) (p?p?=?0.004).

Conclusion: Operative vaginal delivery was associated with reduced postpartum infection compared to cesarean section. Forceps delivery was associated with reduced risk for adverse neonatal outcome compared to vacuum extraction, with no increase in the risk of composite maternal complications.     

Method of placental removal during cesarean delivery and postpartum complications.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to determine whether the method of placental removal at the time of the cesarean delivery is associated with postpartum complications such as postpartum fever and wound infection. In addition it was aimed to identify other complications following cesarean delivery. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, including 426 women who underwent cesarean deliveries between January 2004 and March 2005, in a tertiary medical center. A multivariable logistic regression model, with backward elimination, was constructed in order to identify independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of wound infection or fever. A sample size of about 150 subjects in each group was needed to demonstrate a difference of 15% between the two methods of placental removal, with a probability of 95% and power of 80%. RESULTS: Manual removal of the placenta occurred in 269 operations while in 157 women the placenta was removed in a spontaneous method. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two methods of removal of the placenta regarding the risk for fever (7.8% in the group of the manual removal, as compared with 5.1% in the group of the spontaneous method; P=0.284) or for wound infection (3.7% in the group of the manual removal compared with 5.1% in the group of the spontaneous method; P=0.495). Using a multivariable logistic regression model, with backward elimination, the following risk factors were identified for postcesarean fever, or wound infection: unskilled surgeon (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.8), number of previous cesarean deliveries (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.6) and maternal hypertension (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.0-38.5). CONCLUSION: The method of placental removal during cesarean delivery is not associated with the risk for either wound infection or postpartum fever.