Pain perception during transabdominal chorionic villus sampling: a randomized trial comparing topical ethyl chloride anesthetic spray and lidocaine injection.

Chorionic villus sampling is an important invasive procedure used for early antenatal genetic testing that can be associated with anxiety and fear of pain. Pain analgesia prior to chorionic villus sampling can be offered with subdermal lidocaine; however, lidocaine injection itself is associated with pain. Our objective was to determine whether administration of topical ethyl chloride anesthetic spray is associated with decreased pain perception during transabdominal chorionic villus sampling compared to 1% lidocaine subdermal injection.

Variation in Cervical Length over Time during a Single Transvaginal Ultrasound Examination.

Objective: To quantify the degree of change in cervical length (CL) over a 3-minute transvaginal ultrasound.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective observational study of nulliparous patients who underwent routine transvaginal CL screening at the time of their second-trimester ultrasound. We recorded CL at four time points (0, 1, 2, 3 minutes) and compared these values to determine the minute-to-minute change within a single patient.

Cervical Ripening Using Foley Balloon with or without Oxytocin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To assess available evidence regarding the use of oxytocin in conjunction with Foley balloon (FB) for cervical ripening.

Methods: Databases from MEDLINE (U.S.

Maternal clinical disease characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes in twin and singleton pregnancies with severe preeclampsia.

Objective: Based on anecdotal observations, there is concern that severe preeclampsia leads to greater morbidity and mortality for mothers and neonates of twin pregnancies than for mothers and neonates of singleton pregnancies. Because few studies have been done, this study compared maternal disease characteristics and maternal/neonatal clinical outcomes of twin and singleton pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia.

Study Design: An historical cohort study of patients hospitalized at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, NY, USA, from 2006 to 2010, compared 63 twin and 339 singleton pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia via chart review.

A randomized trial of Foley balloon induction of labor trial in nulliparas (FIAT-N).

Background: With an increasing rate of induction of labor, it is important to choose induction methods that are safe and efficient in achieving a vaginal delivery. The optimal method for inducing nulliparous women with an unfavorable cervix is not known.

Objective: We sought to determine if induction of labor with simultaneous use of oxytocin and Foley balloon vs sequential use of Foley balloon followed by oxytocin decreases the time to delivery in nulliparous women.