The impact of uterine position on conception modes and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous patients.

Purpose: Retroverted uterus affects 15-20% of patients. While typically not a cause for concern, some studies suggest a relationship between a retroverted uterus and subfertility. Study objective was to investigate the association between uterine position and spontaneous conception rates, as well as potential risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes in nulliparous patients.

Fetal premature excess vertebral linear calcification: a case series.

During embryogenesis, the vertebrae begin development during the 6th week of gestation via two lateral chondrification centers per segment. It was assumed that when disruptions occur in the process of somitogenesis during membranous vertebral body formation, chondrification and ossification will follow the anomalous membranous vertebral body scaffolding, resulting in an anomalous vertebral formation, such as a hemivertebra. Another hypothesis is that hemivertebra may result from anomalous distribution of intersegmental arteries of the vertebral column.

Interpregnancy interval after vacuum delivery and subsequent perinatal outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate whether a short interpregnancy interval (IPI) after vacuum extraction (VE), poses similar perinatal risks in a subsequent pregnancy.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study between 2011 and 2021. Nulliparous women with term, singleton VE deliveries and with known pregnancy outcomes in their subsequent pregnancy were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Hypoxia Leads to Diminished Ovarian Reserve in an Age-Dependent Manner.

Objectives: Perinatal hypoxia causes premature activation and initiation of growth in dormant follicles, leading to diminished ovarian reserve. An indirect mechanism such as the release of stress-related hormones may influence ovarian follicle recruitment under hypoxic conditions. We wanted to determine whether hypoxic ovarian damage results from increased follicle growth and "burnout" or from increased apoptosis and whether this damage is age-dependent.

Does delayed vacuum-assisted delivery harbor greater maternal or neonatal complications?

Objective: To compare maternal and fetal outcomes between early (<2 h) and delayed (>2 h) vacuum extraction (VE) deliveries.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in a single, university-affiliated medical center (2014-2021). We included term singleton pregnancies delivered by VE, allocated into one of two groups according to second stage duration: <2 h or >2 h.

Fetal Renal Duplicated Collecting System at 14-16 Weeks of Gestation.

(1) Background: To examine the incidence of the prenatal diagnosis of the renal double-collecting system (rDCS) and describe its clinical outcome and associated genetic abnormalities. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included women who attended the obstetric clinic for early fetal anatomic sonography with findings of a renal DCS. Diagnosis was conducted by an expert sonographer using defined criteria.

The effects of inflammation and acidosis on placental blood vessels reactivity.

Introduction: Inflammation and acidosis are two stress stimuli that correspond to pathophysiological processes occurring in placental-mediated vascular disorders. We aimed to investigate the effects of these stimuli on placental chorionic blood vessels reactivity using the ex-vivo placental perfusion model.

Methods: Term placentas were obtained immediately after cesarean deliveries, and selected cotyledons were cannulated and dually perfused ex-vivo.

Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes at Term in Women With Gestational Diabetes and the Risk of Neonatal Hypoglycemia.

Objectives: The management for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) arriving at the delivery ward with pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM) has not been elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that prolonged PROM in women with GDM would result in higher rates of neonatal hypoglycemia.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled women with diet or insulin-controlled GDM who presented with spontaneous clear PROM.

Placental disposition of cannabidiol: An ex vivo perfusion study.

Objective: In the absence of safety data in humans, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) is not recommended during pregnancy. Yet >50% of pregnancies in women with epilepsy are unintended, making fetal exposure to CBD possible. As a small-molecule, highly lipid-soluble drug, CBD is likely to be distributed into the placenta and cross it.

The optimal induction timing in prelabor rupture of membranes: a retrospective study.

Objective: Term prelabour rupture of membrane (PROM) occurs in 8% of term deliveries, but it is unclear when to initiate induction. Our objective was to assess the optimal timing of oxytocin induction in the management of term PROM in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed at a single tertiary care center from 2010 to 2020.

Intestine and brain TLR-4 modulation following N-acetyl-cysteine treatment in NEC rodent model.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) brain injury is mediated through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the intestinal epithelium and brain microglia. Our aim was to determine whether postnatal and/or prenatal NAC can modify NEC associated intestinal and brain TLR4 expression and brain glutathione levels in a rat model of NEC. Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Control (n = 33); NEC (n = 32)-hypoxia and formula feeding; and NEC-NAC (n = 34)-received NAC (300 mg/kg IP) in addition to NEC conditions.

The impact of extending the second stage of labor on repeat cesarean section and maternal and neonatal outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of extending the second stage of labor in women attempting a trial of labor after a cesarean section (TOLAC).

Method: A retrospective cohort study comparing maternal and neonatal outcomes following TOLAC over two periods: period I whose prolonged second stage was considered 2 h, and period II whose prolonged second stage was considered 3 h. The primary outcome was repeat cesarean delivery (CD) rate.

Prenatal detection of gastrointestinal bubbles since early pregnancy: Clues to correct diagnosis.

Objective: To characterize gastrointestinal bubbles detected since early pregnancy and to describe corresponding diagnoses.

Method: A retrospective cohort review of all cases in which gastrointestinal bubbles were detected starting in early prenatal transvaginal scans at 14-17 weeks of gestation between the years 2007 and 2021. Sonographic features and data regarding associated anomalies, genetic abnormalities, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated.

Late preterm delivery has a distinctive second-stage duration and characteristics.

Background: Late preterm neonates born between 34.0 and 36.6 weeks' gestation are at increased risk for short- and long-term morbidity and mortality when compared with their term counterparts.

Which part of cervical length is predictive of preterm birth in women with cerclage?

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of transvaginal ultrasonography measures: total cervical length (TCL), length to internal OS (LIO) and external OS (LEO) from the cerclage following cerclage placement, for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB).

Methods: A retrospective cohort at a single tertiary care center (2010-2020). Women with McDonald cerclage were evaluated during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters for cervical measurements: TCL, LIO, LEO.

Long-term effects of prophylactic MgSO in maternal immune activation rodent model at adolescence and adulthood.

The effects of MgSO as an anti-inflammatory agent in pregnant women have been investigated in the last few years. Infections can cause an inflammatory reaction involving the placenta membranes and amniotic cavity. They may have short-term effects on the mother and her fetuses, like preterm birth, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay.

Postpartum cervical length as a predictor of subsequent preterm birth-novel insights on an old enigma.

Background: Preterm birth poses one of the biggest challenge in modern obstetrics. Prediction of preterm birth has previously been based on patient history of preterm birth, short cervical length around midtrimester, and additional maternal risk factors. Little is known about cervical length and physiology during the postpartum period and any associations between postpartum cervical features and subsequent preterm birth.

Magnesium sulphate neuroprotection mechanism is placental mediated by inhibition of inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Introduction: Maternal inflammation may induce placental cytokine production resulting in fetal exposure, and development of neonatal neurologic injury. Maternal magnesium sulphate (MG) is used as neuroprotective in preventing white matter brain injury. We sought to determine whether maternal MG can prevent placental activation of inflammatory pathways associated with fetal injury.

Continuous versus disrupted subcutaneous tissue closure in cesarean section: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To compare rates of surgical-site infections following continuous, as compared with interrupted, subcutaneous tissue closure technique during cesarean delivery (CD).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study during 2008-2018. The study group included women who underwent either elective or emergent CD with continuous subcutaneous tissue closure, while the control group comprised those with interrupted subcutaneous tissue closure.

Vaginal fluid index - The fifth amniotic pocket.

Objective: The forebag is a pocket of amniotic fluid preceding the fetal presenting part. Herein we describe the feasibility of transvaginal measurements of the forebag and assess its correlation with the standard amniotic fluid index (AFI).

Methods: A prospective study was carried out between January 2019 and July 2020.

Vaginal Dinoprostone Insert versus Cervical Ripening Balloon for Term Induction of Labor in Obese Nulliparas-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Data regarding the preferred induction method in women with obesity is scarce. The current study was aimed at comparing pharmacological and mechanical induction in this population. This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2016−2020, in nulliparas with a pre-pregnancy body mass index >30.

Cervical ripening with multiple medical or combined induction methods: Risks of subsequent preterm birth in nulliparous women.

Objective: To determine the impact of combined medical and medical/mechanical methods for cervical ripening on the risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancy, in nulliparous women.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of nulliparous women with term singleton gestations induced by single or combined methods at one center who had their subsequent second birth in the same center. Study groups were compared with a control group of nulliparous women not induced.

Maternal N-Acetyl-Cysteine Prevents Neonatal Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury in a Rat Model.

Perinatal hypoxia is a major cause of infant brain damage, lifelong neurological disability, and infant mortality. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that acts directly as a scavenger of free radicals. We hypothesized that maternal-antenatal and offspring-postnatal NAC can protect offspring brains from hypoxic brain damage.

Fetal Neuroprotective Mechanism of Maternal Magnesium Sulfate: Proteomic Analysis.

Mg supplementation has been shown to protect preterm fetuses from white and gray matter damage, but the mechanism is unclear. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of maternal inflammation on the overall protein panel of the fetal rat brain, as well as the neuroprotective effect of magnesium-sulfate (MG). Pregnant rats at e20 (n = 6, 18 total) received injections of i.

Higher risk of hemorrhage and maternal morbidity in vaginal birth after second stage of labor C-section.

Purpose: This study evaluated the association between timing and indication for previous cesarean section (C-section) and its association with postpartum risks for adverse maternal outcomes, primarily postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

Methods: This retrospective case-control study examined women following term vaginal delivery in a university-affiliated medical center between 2008 and 2018. Postpartum complications were compared between women who had their first VBAC and a control group comprised of women who had vaginal delivery without prior C-section.