Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Labor Stage, First”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

Second-trimester cervical sonography: features other than cervical length to predict spontaneous preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether cervical and lower uterine segment characteristics other than cervical length and funneling predict recurrent preterm birth. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a multicenter, blinded observational study of 181 women with singletons and prior spontaneous preterm births. Endovaginal ultrasonic examinations were performed at 2-week intervals between 16 0/7 weeks and 23 6/7 weeks of gestation. Cervical canal contour (straight/curved), cervical position (horizontal/vertical), posterior cervical width, lower uterine segment thickness, vascularity, endocervical canal dilation, with or without associated membrane prolapse and chorioamnion visible at the internal os, were systematically assessed. RESULTS: At the initial sonogram (16 0/7-18 6/7 weeks), membranes visible overlying the internal os (relative risk 1.9, confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 3.1) and canal dilation of 2-4 mm (relative risk 2.6, CI 1.4, 4.7) were significant predictors of spontaneous preterm birth of less than 35 weeks in univariate analyses. Only canal dilation remained statistically significant after controlling for cervical length (odds ratio 5.5, CI 1.1, 28.6). CONCLUSION: Endocervical canal dilation of 2-4 mm during second-trimester endovaginal sonography was associated with an increased risk of recurrent preterm delivery independent of cervical length. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2

Adult↗

Outcomes of women presenting in active versus latent phase of spontaneous labor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcome differences between women presenting in latent and active labor. METHODS: We evaluated all low-risk women with term, singleton, vertex gestations who presented in active phase or latent phase labor at MetroHealth Medical Center from January 1993 to June 2001. Baseline characteristics were compared. Labor outcomes were assessed by logistic regression, controlling for parity. RESULTS: A total of 6,121 active phase and 2,697 latent phase women met the study criteria. More latent phase women were nulliparous (51 compared with 28%). Latent phase women had more cesarean deliveries (nulliparas 14.2% compared with 6.7%, multiparas 3.1% compared with 1.4%). Controlling for parity, latent phase women had more active phase arrest (odds ratio [OR] 2.2), oxytocin use (OR 2.3), scalp pH performed (OR 2.2), intrauterine pressure catheter placed (OR = 2.2), fetal scalp electrocardiogram monitoring (OR = 1.7), and amnionitis (OR 2.7) (P < .001 for each). CONCLUSION: It is uncertain whether inherent labor abnormalities resulted in latent phase presentation and subsequent physician intervention or early presentation and subsequent physician intervention are the cause of labor abnormalities.

Cesarean Section↗

Characteristics and management of intrapartum prolonged fetal bradycardia.

Twenty-five patients had intrapartum prolonged fetal bradycardia, defined as a drop of the fetal heart rate (FHR) by greater than or equal to 50 beats/min maintained for greater than or equal to 3 min; 10 were delivered by caesarean section and 15 vaginally. The only neonatal death occurred in the group delivered abdominally. Statistical analysis showed no difference in amplitude or duration of deceleration in the two groups but the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores were higher in the group delivered vaginally (P less than 0.01), whereas the onset of deceleration to delivery interval was shorter in the group delivered by caesarean section (p less than 0.005). Appropriate management of prolonged bradycardia is outlined and the characteristics of the FHR tracings are identified that are of prognostic value in determining whether or not immediate delivery is indicated.

Adolescent↗

The effect of oxytocin infusion on uterine activity levels in slow labour.

Uterine activity was studied in 31 women who were progressing slowly in spontaneous labour. In 75%, levels of uterine activity were below the tenth centile for normal spontaneous labour (mean uterine activity integral, UAI, 593 kPas/15 min; SD 296). Following oxytocin infusion, there was a significant increase in uterine activity to a mean of 1124 kPas/15 min (SD 276), which was the same as in normal spontaneous labour. The response to oxytocin was dependent upon the pre-existing level of uterine activity, and sensitivity to oxytocin, rather than the dose rate; 84% responded to infusion rates of less than 8 mU/min. The response to oxytocin was best expressed in terms of active contraction area (uterine activity integral, UAI) or Montevideo units, rather than the frequency or active pressure of contractions. The rate of cervical dilatation following oxytocin augmentation could not be predicted either by the increase in uterine activity or by the actual level of activity achieved.

Adult↗

Clinical value of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 determinations in the management of preterm labour.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether the determination of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations would be a useful clinical test in the management of women with preterm contractions. SETTING: The labour and delivery unit and the Fetal Diagnostic Centre at the University of Utah. SUBJECTS: Pregnant women at various stages of gestation in the third trimester. DESIGN: Amniotic fluid samples were collected from women experiencing one of four clinical scenarios: 1. term pregnancy, not in labour with no evidence of intrauterine infection; 2. normal term labour with no evidence of infection; 3. preterm labour with no evidence of infection and undelivered within one week of sampling; and 4. preterm labour and delivered within seven days of sample collection. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis or at the time of amniotomy or hysterotomy. IL-6 in each specimen was determined by a specific rapid ELISA. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid IL-6 levels, given as mean (SEM) in the four groups of women listed were: 1. term pregnancy, not in labour: 20.9 (7.2) pg/ml (n = 60); 2. normal term labour with no infection: 554 (90.7) pg/ml (n = 46); 3. preterm labour with no evidence of infection, undelivered: 47.0 (17.2) pg/ml (n = 35); and 4. preterm labour, delivered: 456.7 (101.7) pg/ml (n = 40). There was no significant difference in the means of amniotic fluid IL-6 for the term labour and preterm labour delivered groups. In general, amniotic fluid IL-6 levels during term labour increased with advancing cervical dilation. There was no correlation of cervical dilation and amniotic fluid IL-6 levels in women having preterm delivery. Receiver-operator curves revealed optimal IL-6 levels for discrimination of labour at term to be 50 pg/ml and for preterm delivery to be 200 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 can readily be detected in the amniotic fluid of most women who are in active labour, regardless of gestational age. Our data suggest that amniotic fluid IL-6 determinations may be clinically useful in the management of preterm labour.

Adult↗

What is a reasonable time from decision-to-delivery by caesarean section? Evidence from 415 deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how long it takes from the decision to achieve delivery by non-elective caesarean section (DDI), the influences on this interval, and the impact on neonatal condition at birth. DESIGN: Twelve months prospective data collection on all non-elective caesarean sections. METHODS: Prospective collection of data relating to all caesarean sections in 1996 in a major teaching hospital obstetric unit was conducted, without the knowledge of the other clinicians providing clinical care. Details of the indication for section, the day and time of the decision and the interval till delivery were recorded as well as the seniority of the surgeon, and condition of the baby at birth. RESULTS: The mean time from decision-to-delivery for 100 emergency intrapartum caesarean sections was 42.9 minutes for fetal distress and 71.1 minutes for 230 without fetal distress (P < 0.0001). For 22 'crash' sections the mean time from decision-to-delivery was 27.4 minutes; for 13 urgent antepartum deliveries for fetal reasons it was 124.7 minutes and for 21 with maternal reasons it was 97.4 minutes. The seniority of the surgeon managing the patient did not appear to influence the interval, nor did the time of day or day of the week when the delivery occurred. Intrapartum sections were quicker the more advanced the labour, and general anaesthesia was associated with shorter intervals than regional anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section for fetal distress (P < 0.001). Babies born within one hour of the decision tended to be more acidaemic than those born later, irrespective of the indication for delivery. Babies tended to be in better condition when a time from decision-to-delivery was not recorded than those for whom the information had been recorded. CONCLUSION: Fewer than 40% intrapartum deliveries by caesarean section for fetal distress were achieved within 30 minutes of the decision, despite that being the unit standard. There was, however, no evidence to indicate that overall an interval up to 120 minutes was detrimental to the neonate unless the delivery was a 'crash' caesarean section. These data thus do not provide evidence to sustain the recommendation of a standard of 30 minutes for intrapartum delivery by caesarean section.

Adult↗

Clinical practice evaluation of atosiban in preterm labour management in six European countries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of early administration compared with standard administration of atosiban, when predefined eligibility criteria were met. DESIGN: A prospective, open-label, randomised clinical trial. Women were randomised to receive atosiban either immediately (early) or when specified criteria, in terms of duration/frequency of uterine contraction or status of cervical dilation/effacement, were fulfilled (standard). SETTING: Carried out at 105 centres in six European countries. POPULATION: Pregnant women admitted to hospital in threatened preterm labour between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation, comprising a subgroup of women enrolled in the Tractocile Efficacy Assessment Survey in Europe (TREASURE) clinical experience review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was defined as the successful delay of delivery with no alternative tocolytic agent for 48 hours. RESULTS: More women in the early group remained undelivered at 48 hours with no alternative tocolytic agent compared with those who received atosiban when specified criteria were fulfilled (88.9 versus 76.1%; P = 0.03). Safety was comparable between the groups. There were no statistical differences in maternal, fetal or neonatal adverse events between the early and standard atosiban arms. CONCLUSIONS: The use of atosiban was effective for the delay of preterm labour and presented no safety concerns irrespective of the time it was administered.

Adolescent↗

An evaluation of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief in labour.

The effectiveness of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour was evaluated by randomizing 280 patients in early labour into 2 groups. Inoperative sham machines were applied to patients in the control group and active units to those in the test group. Neither patients nor attending labour ward staff were aware of which group the patient was in. The intensity of low back pain and abdominal pain was assessed by the patient each hour on a visual analogue pain scale. Each patient served as her own control by switching off the machine for 2 contractions every hour and then recording the intensity of pain. The amount of conventional analgesia each patient received was recorded by labour ward staff. There was no difference in the intensity of pain recorded by each group. Nor was there any difference between the 2 groups in the change of pain experienced when the machine was switched off. Moreover there was no difference in the amount of other analgesia required. Some differences were found when those with little low back pain were excluded from the study. We conclude that TENS is ineffective as a routine method of pain relief in labour. It is likely to benefit only those with severe back pain and then only to a modest degree.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗

Spontaneously changing gravid cervix: clinical implications and prognostic features.

PURPOSE: To assess the implications of spontaneous changes in the length and configuration of the gravid cervix during a single ultrasound (US) examination and to correlate specific cervical dimensions with pregnancy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonograms in 27 pregnant patients with a spontaneously changing cervix were studied prospectively. The length and width of cervical funneling and the length of intact cervix caudal to the funneling were measured when the cervical dimensions were most normal and most abnormal. Sonographic measurements were correlated with clinical and delivery data. RESULTS: Twenty patients delivered preterm, although only six delivered within a week of the US examination. Wider funneling of the internal os and a shorter segment of intact cervix caudal to the funneling both correlated with an increased likelihood of preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Most patients with a spontaneously changing cervix deliver preterm. Measurements obtained when the cervix appears most abnormal are most predictive of early delivery.

Adolescent↗

Immunmodulating cytokines induce term and preterm parturition.

The aim of our study was to investigate if cytokines, which are able to cause preterm delivery is case of intraamniotic infection, also participate in the mechanisms of normal term labor. Therefore we estimated cytokine concentrations in cercicovaginal secretions of 96 patients, divided into four different collectives. In collective A (women with spontaneous term labor) cytokine concentrations raised from a median level of 278 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 263 pg/ml for Il-6 in early term labor to a median level of 3351 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 39,442 pg/ml for Il-6 at complete cervical dilatation. TNF-alpha-exclusively appeared after spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes. In collective B and C (women with preterm rupture of fetal membranes) cytokine concentrations declined from a maximum level of 1425 pg/ml for TNF-alpha, 12,982 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 29,727 pg/ml for Il-6 soon after preterm rupture of membranes to a minimum level of 93 pg/ml for TNF-alpha, 851 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 780 pg/ml for Il-6 with remission of labor in case of successful tocolytic treatment. High concentrations reappeared with the onset of labor, unresponsive to tocolysis. In collective D (women with intact membranes) TNF-alpha was not detectable and Il-1 beta and II-6 appeared exclusively in the presence of labor. Our results suggest, that normal term labor may be controlled by biochemical processes, similar to infection-associated signal transduction, which is commonly accepted to induce preterm labor.

Cervix Uteri↗