Sexual activity, vaginal symptoms, maternal perineal hygiene behavior, and constipation on ano-vaginal colonization of group B streptococcus in near term pregnancy.

Background: Maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization is influenced by many factors but results are inconsistent. Consideration of antenatal risk factors may help inform decision making on GBS microbiological culture screening where universal screening is not standard of care. We sought to identify independent predictors of GBS colonization at 34-37 weeks gestation incorporating vaginal symptoms, perineal hygiene measures, sexual activity, and a potential novel factor, constipation.

Preoperative free access to water compared to fasting for planned cesarean under spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Contemporary guidance for preoperative feeding allows solids up to 6 hours and clear fluids up to 2 hours before anesthesia. Clinical trial evidence to support this approach for cesarean delivery is lacking. Many medical practitioners continue to follow conservative policies of no intake from midnight to the time of surgery, especially in pregnant women.

Electric massage chairs reduce labor pain in nulliparous patients: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Labor pain varies significantly among pregnant women, ranging from mild to extremely distressing. Nonpharmacologic pain relief methods during vaginal birth are increasingly popular, either as a complement to pharmacologic agents or, at times, as the primary method of pain relief. Multiple trials have reported that manual or by-hand massage reduces labor pain.

Polyethylene glycol compared to lactulose for constipation in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare polyethylene glycol 4000 versus lactulose in chronic constipation during pregnancy.

Methods: Women at 28-32 weeks' gestation attending antenatal clinic for routine care were screened using the Rome IV chronic constipation criterion. Eligible women were approached and consented.

Cold compared with room temperature compress on the repaired primiparous perineum following injury at normal vaginal delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The perineum is typically injured at the first vaginal birth. The application of a cold compress to the perineal repair site can reduce pain; however, the effect usually dissipates after a couple of hours. Repeated applications may be needed for sustained analgesia.

Induction of labor after one previous cesarean: Predictors of vaginal birth.

Objective: To identify independent predictors for vaginal delivery after induction of labor after one cesarean (IOLAC).

Study Design: In this retrospective cohort study, the electronic medical record of 19064 women who delivered from January 2018-September 2022 in a university hospital in Malaysia were individually searched to identify cases of IOLAC. Preselected data points on characteristics and the outcome of mode of delivery were retrieved.

Induction of labor via Foley balloon catheter placement for 6 vs 12 hours in women with 1 previous cesarean delivery and unfavorable cervices: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Induction of labor in women with 1 previous cesarean delivery and unripe cervices is a high-risk process, carrying an increased risk of uterine rupture and the need for cesarean delivery. Balloon ripening is often chosen as prostaglandin use is associated with an appreciable risk of uterine rupture in vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. A shorter duration of placement of the balloon typically expedites delivery; however, this has not been evaluated in induction of labor after 1 previous cesarean delivery.

Six compared with 12 hours of Foley balloon placement for labor induction in nulliparous women with unripe cervices: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Compared with a planned 12-hour placement of a double-balloon catheter, a planned 6-hour placement of a double-balloon catheter shortens the labor induction to delivery interval. The Foley catheter is low cost. Moreover, it has at least comparable effectiveness to the proprietary double-balloon labor induction devices.

Six vs 12 hours of Foley catheter balloon placement in the labor induction of multiparas with unfavorable cervixes: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Planned 6- vs 12-hour placement of the double-balloon catheter for cervical ripening in labor induction hastens delivery. The Foley catheter is low-priced and typically performs at least as well as the proprietary double-balloon devices in labor induction. Maternal satisfaction with labor induction is usually inversely related to the speed of the process.

Eye-mask and earplugs compared with sleep advice leaflet to improve night sleep duration in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Objectives: To evaluate at-home use of eye-mask and earplugs (EMEP) versus sleep hygiene advice leaflet (AL) on actigraphy-derived night sleep duration in sleep-deprived pregnant women.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the antenatal clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre from June 2021 to June 2022. Women at 34-36 weeks gestation with self-reported night sleep duration ≤6 hours were recruited.

Immediate vs on-demand maternal oral full feeding after unplanned cesarean section during labor: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The adoption of Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean is increasing, but evidence supporting individual interventions having a specific benefit to Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean is lacking. A key element in Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean is early oral intake. Maternal complications are more frequent in unplanned cesarean delivery.

Predictors of maternal satisfaction with labor induction: A prospective observational cohort study.

Objective: To identify independent predictors of maternal satisfaction with labor induction.

Method: In this prospective observational cohort study, 769 women prior to their labor induction had sleep and psychological well-being assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales. Women were asked about the adequacy of labor induction information provided and their involvement and time pressure felt in the decision-making for their labor induction.