Effect of the delivery way and number of parity in the subsequent incidence of placenta previa

The interaction between age and parity on adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes

Background

Although age and parity are recognized as associated factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, there are no studies exploring the interaction between the two during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the interaction between age and parity on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study with 15,861 women aged ≥20 years. All women were grouped according to age, parity, and a mix of the two. The data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Age, parity, and interaction between the two were related with the risk of gestational hypertension, eclampsia/pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, placental implantation, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, cesarean section, and Apgar score <7 within 5 min of birth. The risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and transfer to the neonatal unit was linked with age and the interaction between age and parity, but the impact of parity was not statistically significant. The risk of anemia, placental abruption, premature rupture of the membrane, oligohydramnios, and macrosomia was only associated with parity; the risk of fetal distress was only associated with age.

Conclusion

The interaction between advanced age and parity might results in more adverse outcomes for both puerpera and infants, necessitating additional prenatal screening and health education throughout pregnancy.

Efficacy of distal haemostasis during caesarean delivery in women with placenta accreta spectrum disorders

Pregnancies complicated by the placenta praevia are associated with an increased risk of massive obstetric bleeding and high rates of hysterectomy which are often caused by the placenta accreta. The aim of our study was to identify the risk factors for placenta praevia associated with PAS disorders and the efficacy of distal haemostasis during Cesarean delivery.

METHODS

This was a cohort study carried out between 2014 and 2020 in 532 women with abnormal placental localization and attachment. The placental attachment spectrum (PAS) disorder diagnosis was confirmed during the surgery and by the histology results in 164/532 participants. Depending on the surgical approach during the Cesarean delivery, patients were divided into three groups. In Group 1 (n = 52), patients underwent bilateral uterine artery ligation. In Group 2 (n = 33), we used the combined compression haemostasis approach including the placement of tourniquets and insertion of an intrauterine balloon for controlled tamponade. In Group 3 (n = 79), we used the combination of surgical haemostasis with the controlled intrauterine tamponade using the vaginal and intrauterine Zhukovsky balloon.

RESULTS

PAS was observed in 30.8% of the placenta praevia cases, and in 93.3% was associated with the presence of a uterine scar. Women with the placenta praevia and PAS had a significantly higher number of past deliveries (р = .001). According to the FIGO classification, 53.8% of women with placenta praevia observed during the Cesarean had РА1 and 46.2% PA2. With regards to the PAS disorders observed in 30.8% of patients, 38.4% had PAS3, 34.7% PAS4, 18.3% PAS5 and 8.5% PAS6. The histology analysis showed normal placental attachment in 42.9% of the total number of study participants, placenta accreta in 28.2%, placenta increta in 16.7%, and placenta percreta in 12.2%. In Group 1, we performed the resection of uterine wall with the attached portion of the placenta in 13.5% of women, in Group 2 in 30.3% women, and in Group 3 in 50.6% women. There was a significant 4.8-fold reduction in the number of hysterectomies in Group 3 versus Group 2 (р = .043) and a 4.4-fold reduction in Group 2 versus Group 1 (р = .003). In Group 2, the volume of blood loss was 1.3-fold lower and in Group 3 1.5-fold lower than in Group 1. Conclusion: The techniques of compression distal haemostasis evaluated in this study in women with PAS are efficacious in the reduction of adverse maternal outcomes and should be used more widely in clinical practice.

The effect of medical and social conditions on the mode of delivery: a prospective questionnaire-based study applied to 404 Turkish obstetricians

PURPOSE

To identify the factors that influence provider's decisions on method of delivery in a country where national cesarean delivery rate (CDR) among all births increased steadily from 21 to 56% in a 16-year period.

METHODS

We planned nine birth scenarios, in which both delivery modes were plausible, and we used self-administered questionnaire to ask obstetricians for their preferred mode of delivery in these scenarios. If the choice was cesarean delivery (CD), the provider was asked to state the reason for choosing this method. We grouped respondents according to number of years in their occupation, working sector (state, university or private hospital) and academic degree.

RESULTS

Four hundred and four obstetricians completed the questionnaire. Preference for CD in all scenarios was comparable between male and female obstetricians (p = 0.334) and between specialists, associate professors and professors (p = 0.812). The most frequent reason for choice of CD in all nine scenarios was fear of fetal risk and/or fear of litigation.

CONCLUSION

Fear of litigation was found to be the major factor influencing CD choice. This fear not only increases the CDR but also results in loss of training in breech delivery and operative vaginal delivery, forming a vicious cycle.