Effects of exercise during pregnancy in women with short cervix: Secondary analysis from the Italian Pessary Trial in singletons

Cervical elastography using E-Cervix™ for prediction of preterm birth in twin pregnancies with threatened preterm labor

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prediction performance of E-Cervix™ for preterm birth in twin pregnancies with threatened preterm labor.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of twin pregnancies presenting to obstetrics triage for threatened preterm labor (PTL) between 23 0/7 - 33 6/7 weeks who received screening for PTL with transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (TVU CL) and cervical elastography with E-Cervix™ at the time of triage. Cervical elastography parameters were examined and compared between women who delivered preterm and those who did not. The quantification of cervical strain was calculated by a data analysis system that directly analyzes raw data from the region of interest (ROI) and described as hardness ratio (HR), mean strain level within 1 cm from internal (IOS) and external (EOS) os.

RESULTS

63 twin gestations without prior preterm birth and with threatened PTL between 23 0/7 - 33 6/7 weeks of gestation were included in the study. 27 (42.9 %) had cervical length < 25 mm, and were admitted for true PLT. Out of the 36 women with cervical length ≥ 25 mm, 6 (16.7 %) were admitted. Women with threatened PTL had significantly higher HR compared to those with true PTL (p < 0.01), and significantly lower IOS and EOS. Women who delivered preterm had significantly higher HR compared to those who did not delivery preterm and significantly lower IOS and EOS, in overall cohort, and in the subset of women with true PTL. Incidences of HR < 50 % and < 35 % were statistically significantly higher in women who delivered preterm compared to those who did not (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Cervical elastography with E-Cervix™ may be useful for assessment of twin gestations presenting to obstetrics triage for threatened PTL.

Activity restriction for women with arrested preterm labor: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In the past, some pregnant women have been recommended to be in activity restriction because of the presumed increased risk of preterm birth due to the increased release of catecholamines, which might stimulate myometrial activity, during exercise and aerobic activity.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that in women with singleton pregnancy and arrested preterm labor, activity restriction would reduce the rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a parallel-group nonblinded randomized trial conducted at a single center in Italy. Eligible patients were those with a diagnosis of arrested preterm labor, defined as not delivering after 48 hours of hospitalization for threatened preterm labor, with transvaginal ultrasound cervical length ≤25 mm, no other symptoms of possible uterine contractions, and cervical dilatation <3 cm at pelvic examination. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies between 24 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either activity restriction at the time of discharge or no activity restriction. Women in the intervention group were recommended activity restriction, defined as the following: pelvic rest, prohibition of sexual activity, and reduction of work and/or nonwork activity. The primary endpoint was preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

A total of 120 participants were included in the trial; 60 patients were enrolled in the activity restriction group and 60 in the control group. Preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation occurred in 15 of 60 women (25.0%) in the activity restriction group and 23 of 60 women (38.3%) in the control group (relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-1.12). There was no significant between-group difference in the incidence of preterm birth at <32 weeks and in neonatal outcomes, but the trial was not powered for these outcomes.

CONCLUSION

In singleton gestations with arrested preterm labor, activity restriction, including pelvic rest, prohibition of sexual activity, and reduction of work and/or nonwork activity, does not result in a lower rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks. Given the evidence on the lack of benefits, use of activity restriction in this population should be discouraged.

Adherence to recommended physical activity restrictions due to threatened preterm delivery - a descriptive multi-center study

BACKGROUND

Threatened preterm delivery is a serious obstetrical complication and has for decades been prescribed physical activity restrictions (AR). Adherence to the recommended level of physical AR is however unknown. This study aimed to assess the objectively measured different physical positions and activities of pregnant women recommended AR due to threatened preterm delivery complications, compared to a reference group of uncomplicated pregnant women without restrictions, and to explore if admission status influenced adherence to AR.

METHODS

A Danish descriptive, clinical multi-center study included singleton pregnancies between 22-33 gestational weeks admitted to an antenatal ward or during midwife consultations either prescribed AR due to threatened preterm delivery or uncomplicated controls without restrictions. For seven days participants wore two tri-axial accelerometric SENS® monitors. Accelerometric data included time spent in five different positions, activities, and step counts. At inclusion demographic and obstetric information was collected.

RESULTS

Seventy-two pregnant women participated; 31% were prescribed strict AR, 15% moderate, 3% light, 8% unspecified, and 43% had no AR. Strict AR participants rested in the supine/lateral position for 17.7 median hours/day (range:9.6-24.0); sat upright 4.9 h/day (0.11-11.7); took 1,520steps/day (20-5,482), and 64% were inpatients. Moderate AR participants rested in the supine/lateral position for 15.1 h/day (11.5-21.6); sat upright 5.6 h/day (2.0-9.3); took 3,310steps/day (467-6,968), and 64% were outpatients. Participants with no AR rested 10.5 h/day (6.3-15.4) in supine/lateral position; sat upright 7.6 h/day (0.1-11.4) and took 9,235steps/day (3,225-20,818). Compared to no restrictions, participants with strict or moderate AR spent significant more time in physical resting positions and took significant fewer mean steps. Among strict AR admission status did not alter time spent in the physical positions, nor the step count.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, participants adhered highly to the recommended AR. However, discriminating between strict and moderate AR recommendations did not alter how physical resting positions and activities were carried out. The admission status did not influence how participants adhered to strict AR.

Exercise During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is a good time to motivate women to implement health-promoting behaviors in their everyday lives. There is no official German-language guideline for the counseling of pregnant women by professionals involved in their care. The goal of this review is, therefore, to discuss the links between exercise and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), low birth weight, and prematurity.

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a systematic search of PubMed and the Web of Science. The articles included in the evaluation were reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs of exercise interventions in pregnant women that were published from 1 January 2011 to 15 November 2021.

RESULTS

A structured exercise program during pregnancy can lower the risk of gestational diabetes by as much as 49%. A 25% risk reduction for GDM was achieved with 140 minutes of exercise per week. The mean birth weight was not affected but the rate of excessively heavy newborns was lowered by 32-59% in the normal-weight subgroup. This effect was not seen in the overweight subgroup, possibly because of poorer compliance. Exercise did not elevate the risk of preterm delivery.

CONCLUSION

Regular exercise during pregnancy lessens gestationally induced weight gain and lowers the risk of excessive weight gain, as well as the risk of GDM, without elevating the risk of preterm delivery.

Guideline No. 398: Progesterone for Prevention of Spontaneous Preterm Birth

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and risks of progesterone therapy for women at increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) and to make recommendations for the use of progesterone to reduce the risk of SPB and improve postnatal outcomes.

OPTIONS

To administer or withhold progesterone therapy for women deemed to be at high risk of SPB.

OUTCOMES

Preterm birth, neonatal morbidity and mortality, and postnatal outcomes including neurodevelopmental outcomes.

INTENDED USERS

Maternity care providers, including midwives, family physicians, and obstetricians.

TARGET POPULATION

Pregnant women at increased risk of SPB.

EVIDENCE

Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2018 for medical subject heading (MeSH) terms and keywords related to pregnancy, preterm birth, previous preterm birth, short cervix, uterine anomalies, cervical conization, neonatal morbidity and mortality, and postnatal outcomes. This document represents an abstraction of the evidence rather than a methodological review.

VALIDATION METHODS

This guideline was reviewed by the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and approved by the SOGC Board of Directors.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND/OR COSTS

Therapy with progesterone significantly reduces the risk of SPB in a subpopulation of women at increased risk. Although this therapy entails a cost to the woman in addition to the discomfort associated with its use, no other adverse effects to the mother or the baby have been identified.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES)

RECOMMENDATIONS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES).

Guideline No. 402: Diagnosis and Management of Placenta Previa

OBJECTIVES

To summarize the current evidence and to make recommendations for diagnosis and classification of placenta previa and for managing the care of women with this diagnosis.

OPTIONS

To manage in hospital or as an outpatient and to perform a cesarean delivery preterm or at term or to allow a trial of labour when a diagnosis of placenta previa or a low-lying placenta is suspected or confirmed.

OUTCOMES

Prolonged hospitalization, preterm birth, rate of cesarean delivery, maternal morbidity and mortality, and postnatal morbidity and mortality.

INTENDED USERS

Family physicians, obstetricians, midwives, and other maternal care providers.

TARGET POPULATION

Pregnant women with placenta previa or low-lying placenta.

EVIDENCE

Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2018. Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and key words related to pregnancy, placenta previa, low-lying placenta, antepartum hemorrhage, short cervical length, preterm labour, and cesarean. This document represents an abstraction of the evidence rather than a methodological review.

VALIDATION METHODS

This guideline has been reviewed by the Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging committees of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and approved by the SOGC Board of Directors.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND/OR COSTS

Women with placenta previa or low-lying placenta are at increased risk of maternal, fetal and postnatal adverse outcomes that include a potentially incorrect diagnosis and possibly unnecessary hospitalization, restriction of activities, early delivery, or cesarean delivery. Optimization of diagnosis and management protocols has potential to improve maternal, fetal and postnatal outcomes.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES)

RECOMMENDATIONS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES).

The Short Cervix: A Critical Analysis of Diagnosis and Treatment

A short cervix in the second trimester is a significant risk factor for spontaneous preterm birth, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, and subsequent adverse perinatal outcome. The pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial with inflammatory and/or infectious processes often involved. Biomarkers have been developed in an effort to predict preterm birth with varying degrees of success. The treatment options of cerclage, progesterone, pessary, and combination therapy are reviewed. Evidence-based protocols are summarized for singleton and multiple gestation.

Cervical pessary in singleton gestations with arrested preterm labor: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Cervical pessary has been proven to be effective in reducing the rate of preterm birth in asymptomatic women with singleton gestations and short cervical length in the midtrimester of pregnancy; however, the efficacy of this device in women with arrested preterm labor is still a subject of debate.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the use of a cervical pessary in women with singleton pregnancy and arrested preterm labor would reduce the risk of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a parallel group, nonblinded, randomized trial. Participants included in the study were women with a diagnosis of arrested preterm labor between 24 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestations. The participants were randomized to either the cervical pessary group or no pessary group in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation. A sample size of 120 participants was determined, but the trial was concluded before the completion of enrollment.

RESULTS

A total of 61 women with singleton pregnancies and arrested preterm labor at 24 0/7 to 33 6/7 weeks of gestation were enrolled in the trial. Of the 61 women, 32 were randomized to the cervical pessary group and 29 to the control group. Preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation occurred in 14 women (43.8%) in the pessary group and 6 women (20.7%) in the control group (relative risk, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-9.30).

CONCLUSION

In this underpowered trial, among women with singleton pregnancies and arrested preterm labor, compared with no pessary use, the use of a cervical pessary does not result in a lower rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

Maternal activity restriction to reduce preterm birth: Time to put this fallacy to bed

Activity restriction has traditionally been recommended to pregnant women, especially high-risk patients, to reduce preterm birth. However, there is no scientific evidence that bed-rest reduces preterm birth and, in many studies, women on bed-rest had higher rates of delivering preterm. Bed-rest in pregnancy is associated with significant physiological and psychosocial sequelae and reduced neonatal birth weight and be cannot be endorsed, even in women with a short cervix. The practice of prescribing bed-rest in pregnancy is outdated and should be abandoned.

Cervical elastography using E-cervix for prediction of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies with threatened preterm labor

Objective: E-Cervix™ (WS80A; Samsung, Seoul, Korea) elastography is a recent quantification tool to measure the stiffness of the cervix using strain elastography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prediction performance of E-cervix for preterm birth in singleton gestation with threatened preterm labor (PTL).Methods: This was a cohort study of singleton pregnancies without prior preterm birth presenting to obstetrics triage for threatened PTL between 23 0/7 and 33 6/7 week who received screening for PTL with transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (TVU CL) and cervical elastography with E-cervix at the time of triage. Cervical elastography parameters were examined and compared between women who delivered preterm and those who did not. The quantification of cervical strain was calculated by a data analysis system that directly analyses raw data from the region of interest (ROI) and described as hardness ratio (HR), mean strain level within 1 cm from internal os (IOS) and external os (EOS).Results: Ninety-five singleton pregnancies without prior preterm birth and with threatened PTL between 23 0/7 and 33 6/7 week of gestation were included in the study. Forty-two (44.2%) had cervical length <25 mm, and were admitted for true PLT. Out of the 53 women with cervical length ≥25 mm, 40 (75.5%) were discharged, and 13 (24.5%) were admitted. Women with threatened PTL but without true PTL, had significantly higher HR compared to those with true PTL (49.0 ± 20.9% versus 34.8 ± 19.6%; p < .01), and significantly lower stiffness of cervical IOS and EOS. Women who delivered preterm had significantly lower HR compared to those who did not delivery preterm, in overall cohort, and in the subset of only women with true PTL. Incidences of HR < 50% and <35% were statistically significantly higher in women who delivered preterm compared to those who did not (p < .01).Conclusions: Cervical elastography with E-cervix may be useful for the assessment of women presenting to obstetrics triage for threatened PTL. Women with low HR, especially with HR less than 50 or 35%, are at increased risk of PTB.Condensation: Women who delivered preterm had significantly lower HR compared to those who did not delivery preterm and significantly lower IOS and EOS, in overall cohort, and in the subset of women with true PTL. Incidences of HR < 50% and <35% were statistically significantly higher in women who delivered preterm compared to those who did not (p < .01).Key message: Cervical elastography with E-cervix may be useful for the assessment of women presenting to obstetrics triage for threatened PTL.

Choosing Wisely: Bedrest-A Panacea for All That Ails the Gravida?

Bedrest has been frequently prescribed for various high-risk conditions during pregnancy. A common indication cited is concern regarding increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth, known to be associated with gestations with twins or higher-order multiples, polyhydramnios, presence of preterm contractions with or without evidence of cervical change, sonographic cervical shortening, presence of a dilated cervix with bulging membranes, or preterm premature rupture of membranes. In some cases, there is concern that excessive movement may increase the risk of antepartum hemorrhage, as may be with placenta previa, with or without a higher risk of a morbidly adherent placenta or a vasa previa. It is also thought that improved splanchnic perfusion with bedrest may enhance blood supply to the uterus with possible benefit in conditions such as preeclampsia (or gestational hypertension) or fetal growth restriction. However, there is no evidence of any benefit of bedrest or reduced activity during pregnancy for either of these conditions. On the contrary, there is evidence of harm, in addition to the fact that exercise is known to be beneficial in pregnancy.

Effects of progestogens in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes

Different strategies have been adopted for prevention of spontaneous preterm birth, including use of progestogens. So far, five randomized trials have been published evaluating the efficacy of progestogens in women with PPROM, including a total of 425 participants. All the five trials enrolled pregnant women with singleton pregnancies randomized between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. In four trials women were randomized to either weekly intramuscular 250 mg 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-caproate or placebo, while Mirzaei et al. was a three arms trials in which women received weekly intramuscular 250 mg 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-caproate, or rectal progesterone 400 mg daily, or no treatment. In all the trials, latency antibiotics were used, and tocolysis was used permitted for first 48 hours at discretion of attending physician. Recently a meta-analysis including the five trials has been published. They found that when compared to placebo weekly intramuscular 250 mg 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-caproate did not alter the latency period to delivery in singleton gestations with PPROM. Additionally, there was no difference in gestational age at delivery between groups or in mode of delivery. No significant differences were reported in maternal or neonatal outcomes, with latency not significantly altered in sensitivity analyses. So far, no trials have been published evaluating natural vaginal progesterone in women with PPROM.