Second stage of labor and intraventricular hemorrhage in early preterm infants in the vertex presentation.

Objective: To investigate the association between exposure to second stage of labor and duration of second stage, and risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) among infants delivered <30 weeks of gestation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 158 singleton vertex deliveries (97 vaginal and 61 cesarean). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of IVH related to second stage.

Concentrations of serum total activin A and inhibin A in preterm and term labor patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To compare maternal serum levels of total activin A and inhibin A in preterm and term patients who are in labor or not in labor.

Methods: A cross-sectional study compared activin A and inhibin A in the following groups of patients: preterm and in labor (n = 65), preterm and not in labor (n = 96), term and in labor (n = 65), and term and not in labor (n = 65). Preterm was defined as 23-34 weeks' gestation and term as 37-42 weeks' gestation.