Booster course of antenatal corticosteroids after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a double-blind randomized trial.

Background: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes is a leading cause of preterm birth and is responsible for 18% to 20% of perinatal deaths in the United States. An initial course of antenatal corticosteroids has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. For patients who remain undelivered for 7 days or more after the initial course of antenatal corticosteroids, it is uncertain whether a booster course of antenatal corticosteroids reduces neonatal morbidity or increases the infection risk.

Trauma in pregnancy.

Trauma is the leading non-obstetric cause of death during pregnancy and approximately 6-8% of all pregnancies are complicated by injury, both accidental and intentional. The initial evaluation and management of the injured pregnant patient often requires a multidisciplinary, collaborative team to provide the optimal outcome for both mother and fetus. It is important to recognize that even minor mechanisms of injury may result in poor outcomes for both fetus and mother.

Foley Plus Oxytocin Compared With Oxytocin for Induction After Membrane Rupture: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a transcervical Foley catheter plus oxytocin infusion compared with oxytocin infusion alone for labor induction and cervical ripening in women 34 weeks of gestation or greater with prelabor rupture of membranes.

Methods: This is a randomized, multicenter trial of women with a live, singleton gestation at 34 weeks of gestation or greater with prelabor rupture of membranes, an unfavorable cervical examination (less than or equal to 2 cm dilated and less than or equal to 80% effaced), and no contraindication to labor. Participants were randomly allocated to a transcervical Foley catheter inflated to 30 cc with concurrent oxytocin infusion or oxytocin infusion alone.

Cesarean Hysterectomy and Uterine-Preserving Alternatives.

Hysterectomy at the time of an obstetric delivery or postpartum is an uncommon time to perform one of the most common gynecologic procedures. Hysterectomy associated with pregnancy is often unplanned and undesired. Postpartum complications associated with the need for hysterectomy carry significant risks, which pose challenges for mother-infant bonding and can signify an unexpected end to fertility.