High- versus Low-dose Oxytocin Regimens for Labor Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess whether high- versus low-dose oxytocin regimens for labor augmentation are associated with differential risk for low Apgar score, neonatal acidosis, and other adverse labor outcomes.

Data Sources: We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov) from inception up to March 2024 using combinations of the following keywords: "oxytocin," "oxytocin regimen," "oxytocin protocol," "oxytocin dosage," "active management," "high dose protocol," "low dose protocol," "augmentation of labor.

A Validated Calculator to Estimate Risk of Chorioamnionitis in Laboring and Induced Patients at Term.

Objective:  Chorioamnionitis is associated with neonatal morbidity and infection-related mortality, but our ability to predict intrapartum infection is limited. We sought to derive and validate a prediction model for chorioamnionitis among patients presenting to labor and delivery at term.

Study Design:  This was a planned secondary analysis of a large cohort study from 2014 through 2018 at an academic tertiary care center.

Impact of Skin Care Products on Phthalates and Phthalate Replacements in Children: the ECHO-FGS.

Background: Phthalates and their replacements have been implicated as developmental toxicants. Young children may be exposed to phthalates/replacements when using skin care products (SCPs).

Objectives: Our objective is to assess the associations between use of SCPs and children's urinary phthalate/replacement metabolite concentrations.

Fetal and Maternal Factors Predictive of Primary Cesarean Delivery at Term in a Low-Risk Population: NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singletons.

Objective:  This study aimed to examine associations of fetal biometric and amniotic fluid measures with intrapartum primary cesarean delivery (PCD) and develop prediction models for PCD based on ultrasound parameters and maternal factors.

Study Design:  Secondary analysis of the National Institute of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies-singleton cohort (2009-2013) including patients with uncomplicated pregnancies and intent to deliver vaginally at ≥37 weeks. The estimated fetal weight, individual biometric parameters, fetal asymmetry measurements, and amniotic fluid single deepest vertical pocket assessed at the final scan (mean 37.

Multiethnic growth standards for fetal body composition and organ volumes derived from 3D ultrasonography.

Background: A major goal of contemporary obstetrical practice is to optimize fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy. To date, fetal growth during prenatal care is assessed by performing ultrasonographic measurement of 2-dimensional fetal biometry to calculate an estimated fetal weight. Our group previously established 2-dimensional fetal growth standards using sonographic data from a large cohort with multiple sonograms.

Phthalate and phthalate replacement concentrations in relationship to adiposity in a multi-racial cohort of children.

Background/objective: Phthalates and phthalate replacements are used in multiple everyday products, making many of them bioavailable to children. Experimental studies suggest that phthalates and their replacements may be obesogenic, however, epidemiologic studies remain inconsistent. Therefore, our objective was to examine the association between phthalates, phthalate replacements and childhood adiposity/obesity markers in children.

Buccal versus Vaginal Misoprostol Combined with a Foley Catheter among Individuals with Obesity Undergoing Induction.

Objective:  Combining pharmacologic agents with mechanical ripening achieves the shortest labor duration, yet there is no clear evidence on route of drug administration in obese individuals. The use of buccal misoprostol has shown greater patient acceptance but remains understudied. Our objective was to evaluate the difference in time to delivery of buccal compared with vaginal misoprostol in combination with a Foley catheter (FC) for induction of labor (IOL) in the obese population.

Methods for the induction of labor: efficacy and safety.

This review assessed the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic agents (prostaglandins, oxytocin, mifepristone, hyaluronidase, and nitric oxide donors) and mechanical methods (single- and double-balloon catheters, laminaria, membrane stripping, and amniotomy) and those generally considered under the rubric of complementary medicine (castor oil, nipple stimulation, sexual intercourse, herbal medicine, and acupuncture). A substantial body of published reports, including 2 large network meta-analyses, support the safety and efficacy of misoprostol (PGE1) when used for cervical ripening and labor induction. Misoprostol administered vaginally at doses of 50 μg has the highest probability of achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours.

Nutritional Intake in Dichorionic Twin Pregnancies: A Descriptive Analysis of a Multisite United States Cohort.

Introduction: Twin gestations have greater nutritional demands than singleton gestations, yet dietary intakes of women with twin gestations have not been well described.

Methods: In a prospective, multi-site US study of 148 women with dichorionic twin gestations (2012-2013), we examined longitudinal changes in diet across pregnancy. Women completed a food frequency questionnaire during each trimester of pregnancy.

Combination Foley Catheter-Oxytocin versus Oxytocin Alone following Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.

Objective: The benefit of mechanical ripening agents following preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) has not been established. We sought to compare the time to delivery in women who received transcervical Foley catheter plus oxytocin infusion versus oxytocin infusion alone in patients with unfavorable cervices and PPROM.

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting with PPROM of a live, singleton gestation between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation from January 2005 to October 2018 at a single, tertiary care institution.

Association between intracervical Foley balloon and clinical chorioamnionitis among patients with group B streptococcus colonization undergoing induction with standardized labor management.

Background: Intracervical Foley balloons are commonly used for cervical ripening, but there has been a historical concern regarding an increased risk of clinical chorioamnionitis with Foley balloon use in patients with group B streptococcus.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether intracervical Foley balloon use in patients with group B streptococcus is associated with an increased risk of clinical chorioamnionitis.

Study Design: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Mechanical and Pharmacologic Methods of Labor Induction: A Randomized Controlled Trial that compared cervical ripening agents within a standardized labor protocol.

The "30-minute rule" for expedited delivery: fact or fiction?

Initially developed from hospital feasibility data from the 1980s, the "30-minute rule" has perpetuated the belief that the decision-to-incision time in an emergency cesarean delivery should be <30 minutes to preserve favorable neonatal outcomes. Through a review of the history, available data on delivery timing and associated outcomes, and consideration of feasibility across several hospital systems, the use and applicability of this "rule" are explored, and its reconsideration is called for. Moreover, we have advocated for balanced consideration of maternal safety with rapidity of delivery, encouraged process-based approaches, and proposed standardization of terminology regarding delivery urgency.

Leiomyomata, neonatal anthropometry, and pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of fibroids in pregnancy, preterm birth, and neonatal anthropometry.

Methods: Pregnant women (n = 2578) in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies-Singletons cohort had up to six ultrasounds across pregnancy. Sonographers recorded fibroid number and volume of the three largest fibroids.

Longitudinal Changes in Physical Activity during Pregnancy: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies.

Introduction: Exercise in pregnancy is associated with many perinatal benefits, but patterns of home, work, and commuting activity are not well described. We investigated longitudinal activity in singleton and twin pregnancy by activity domain and maternal characteristics.

Methods: In the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies cohorts, 2778 women with singleton and 169 women with twin gestations reported activity using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire at up to six or seven study visits, respectively.

Validation of a novel mobile phone application for type 2 diabetes screening following gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: We sought to determine if using fasting blood glucose (FBG) through text-based care is an effective screening tool for type 2 diabetes in the postpartum period compared to in-person, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance testing (2hr OGTT).

Methods: This was a single-center interventional study that included individuals diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Patients were enrolled in standard, office-based 2hr OGTT in combination with text-based remote diabetes screening.

Associations of Maternal Prenatal Stress and Depressive Symptoms With Childhood Neurobehavioral Outcomes in the ECHO Cohort of the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies: Fetal Growth Velocity as a Potential Mediator.

Objective: Maternal prenatal stress and mood symptoms are associated with risk for child psychopathology. Within the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies (ECHO-FGS), a racially and ethnically diverse cohort, we studied associations between prenatal stress and depressive symptoms with child neurobehavior, and potential mediation by fetal growth velocity (FGV) in low-risk pregnancies.

Method: For 730 mother-child pairs, we had serial ultrasound measurements, self-reports of prenatal stress and depression, observations of child executive functions and motor skills from 4 to 8 years, and maternal reports of child psychiatric problems.

The association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and child adiposity: A racial-ethnically diverse cohort of children.

Background: The prevalence of obesity in US children has more than tripled in the past 40 years; hence, it is critical to identify potentially modifiable factors that may mitigate the risk.

Objectives: To examine the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and child adiposity as measured by BMI, waist circumference and percent body fat in a racial-ethnically diverse cohort.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study of healthy women without chronic disease, we examined the association between pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG and child adiposity.

Fetal Growth Biometry as Predictors of Shoulder Dystocia in a Low-Risk Obstetrical Population.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate fetal biometrics as predictors of shoulder dystocia (SD) in a low-risk obstetrical population.

Study Design: Participants were enrolled as part of a U.S.

Early vs expectant artificial rupture of membranes following Foley catheter ripening: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Early amniotomy shortens the duration of spontaneous labor, yet there is no clear evidence on the optimal timing of amniotomy following cervical ripening. There are limited high-quality studies on the use of early amniotomy intervention following labor induction.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether amniotomy within 1 hour of Foley catheter expulsion reduces the duration of labor among individuals undergoing combined misoprostol and Foley catheter labor induction at term.

Early Exposure to Animals and Childhood Body Mass Index Percentile and Percentage Fat Mass.

Introduction: A few studies have identified childhood animal exposure as associated with adiposity, but results are inconsistent and differ in timing.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of children ages 4-8 in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes [ECHO] study. The main exposure was having a dog in the home and/or regular contact with farm animals during the first year of life.

Activity restriction and preterm birth prevention.

Purpose Of Review: Since the 1900s, activity restriction (AR) has been widely prescribed as a strategy for preventing preterm birth (PTB). Over the past decade, the practice has been called into question as numerous studies have demonstrated that AR does not improve obstetrical and perinatal outcomes but does confer significant physical and psychological risks. The purpose of this review is to offer clinicians a summary of the latest data on the risks, benefits, and efficacy of AR for the prevention of PTB.

Outpatient Cervical Ripening with Balloon Catheters: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate whether outpatient cervical ripening with a balloon catheter results in a shorter amount of time in the labor and delivery unit when compared with use in the inpatient setting.

Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from their inception until December 2020.