Enhanced recovery after surgery in elective cesarean section patients with gestational diabetes mellitus does not lead to glucose-related maternal and neonatal complications

Objective

For elective cesarean section patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), there is a lack of evidence-based research on the use of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This study aims to compare the ERAS after-surgery protocol and traditional perioperative management.

Research design and methods

In this retrospective cohort study, singleton pregnancies with good glucose control GDM, delivered by elective cesarean sections under intravertebral anesthesia at least 37 weeks from January 1 to December 31, 2022, were collected at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. We divided all enrolled pregnant women and newborns into an ERAS group and a control group (the traditional perioperative management group) based on their adherence to the ERAS protocol. The primary outcome was the preoperative blood glucose level, with an increase of more than 1 mmol/L indicating clinical significance when compared to the control group. The secondary outcome was centered around an adverse composite outcome that affected both mothers and newborns.

Results

We collected a total of 161 cases, with 82 in the ERAS group and 79 in the control group. Although the mean preoperative blood glucose level in the ERAS group was significantly higher than in the control group (5.01 ± 1.06 mmol/L vs. 4.45 ± 0.90 mmol/L, p<0.001), the primary outcome revealed that the mean glycemic difference between the groups was 0.47 mmol/L (95% CI 0.15-0.80 mmol/L), which was below the clinically significant difference of 1 mmol/L. For the secondary outcomes, the ERAS group had an 86% lower risk of a composite adverse outcome compared to the control group. This included a 73% lower risk of perioperative maternal hypoglycemia and a 92% lower rate of neonatal hypoglycemia, all adjusted by age, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, BMI, gestational weeks, primigravidae, primary pregnancy, GDM, surgery duration, and fasting glucose.

Conclusion

Implementing a low-dose carbohydrate ERAS in pregnant women with GDM prior to elective cesarean section, compared to traditional perioperative management, does not lead to clinically significant maternal glucose increases and thus glucose-related maternal or neonatal perioperative complications.

The effects of intravenous hydration regimens in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Labor is both a physiological and physical activity that requires energy expenditure by the woman. Despite this, women are often fasted in labor, with hydration requirements addressed predominantly by intravenous therapy. Little is known about how best to manage this in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor, who can be prone to lengthy labors. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of intravenous hydration regimens on nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science using the search strategy combination of associated key concepts for intravenous therapy and nulliparous laboring women. The primary outcome was excessive neonatal weight loss. Meta-analyses for categorical outcomes included estimates of odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated; and for continuous outcomes the standardized mean difference, each with its 95% CI. Heterogeneity was assessed visually and by using the χ2 statistic and I2 with significance being set at p < 0.10.

RESULTS

A total of 1512 studies were located and following screening, three studies met the eligibility criteria. No studies reported excessive neonatal weight loss. Increased rates of intravenous therapy (250 mL/h vs. 125 mL/h) during labor were not found to reduce the overall length of labor (mean difference -0.07 h, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.13 h) or reduce cesarean sections (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.45-1.23), when women were not routinely fasted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review found no significant improvements for nulliparous women who received higher intravenous fluid volumes when undergoing induction of labor and were not routinely fasted. However, data are limited, and further research is needed.

Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate (CHO) Supplementation Is Beneficial for Clinical and Biochemical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Delivery under Spinal Anaesthesia-A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Preoperative fasting and surgery cause metabolic stress, insulin resistance with ketosis, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Oral carbohydrate loading strategy (CHO) improves outcomes in labor and general surgery. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of CHO with standard fasting in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery (CD) under spinal anesthesia.

METHODS

A single-center, parallel, prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a tertiary university obstetrics department at Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to the CHO group (oral carbohydrate 2 h before elective CD, n = 75) or the SF group (control-standard fasting, n = 73). The main outcome measures were incidence and severity of PONV at 6 and 24 h after CD, time to the first peristalsis, time to first bowel movement, and biochemical parameters indicating ketosis in mothers and their children.

RESULTS

A total of 148 adult females with singleton pregnancies undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia (ASA I and II) were included in the final analysis. At 24 h after CD, 8.0% from the CHO group vs. 20.55% reported three or more episodes of vomiting or dry retching as compared to patients in the SF group (p = 0.041). Preoperative CHO supplementation decreased preoperative feelings of hunger (p < 0.001) and thirst (p < 0.001). Laboratory results in the CHO group showed higher plasma pH (p = 0.001) and glucose (p < 0.001), lower F2-isoprostane in plasma (p = 0.049) and urine (p = 0.018), lower urine F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio (p = 0.045) than in the SF group. HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.001) were higher in the CHO group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of early PONV at 6 h. The incidence of vomiting or dry retching at 24 h after cesarean delivery was lower in the CHO group as compared to standard starvation, but the combined results of PONV frequency and severity on the Wengritzky scale did not differ between the two study groups. Preoperative CHO supplementation decreased preoperative feelings of hunger and thirst, enhancing the comfort of pregnant women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04069806.

Vaginal Birth at Term - Part 1. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/083, December 2020)

Purpose This guideline aims to summarize the current state of knowledge about vaginal birth at term. The guideline focuses on definitions of the physiological stages of labor as well as differentiating between various pathological developments and conditions. It also assesses the need for intervention and the options to avoid interventions. This first part presents recommendations and statements about patient information and counselling, general patient care, monitoring of patients, pain management and quality control measures for vaginal birth. Methods The German recommendations largely reproduce the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) CG 190 guideline "Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies". Other international guidelines were also consulted in specific cases when compiling this guideline. In addition, a systematic search and analysis of the literature was carried out using PICO questions, if this was considered necessary, and other systematic reviews and individual studies were taken into account. For easier comprehension, the assessment tools of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) were used to evaluate the quality of the additionally consulted studies. Otherwise, the GRADE system was used for the NICE guideline and the evidence reports of the IQWiG were used to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Recommendations Recommendations and statements were formulated based on identified evidence and/or a structured consensus.

Single-centre survey of women reflecting on recent experiences and preferences of oral intake during labour

BACKGROUND

Consensus-based recommendations guiding oral intake during labour are lacking.

AIMS

We surveyed women at a tertiary women's hospital about preferences for and experiences of oral intake during labour, gastrointestinal symptoms during labour and recalled advice about oral intake.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women who experienced labour completed a postpartum survey with responses as free text, yes-no questions and five-point Likert scales. We identified demographic data and risk factors for surgical or anaesthetic intervention at delivery from medical records. We summarised free text comments using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-nine women completed the survey (47% response rate). Their mean (SD) age was 31 (four) years, birthing at median gestation of 39 weeks (interquartile range: 38-40). One hundred and twenty-two (83%) and 44 (30%) women strongly agreed or agreed they felt like drinking and eating respectively during labour. Ninety women (61%) reported nausea and 47 women (32%) reported vomiting in labour. Forty-one women (28%) did not receive advice on oral intake during labour. Maternal risk factors for surgical intervention were identified in 72 (48%) women and fetal risk factors in 27 (18%) women. Thirty-one women (21%) delivered by emergency caesarean section.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women received variable advice regarding oral intake during labour, from variable sources. Most women felt like drinking but not eating during labour. Guidelines on oral intake in labour may be beneficial to women, balancing the preferences of women with risks of surgical intervention.

Effect of a carbohydrate-rich beverage on rate of cesarean delivery in primigravidae with epidural labor analgesia: a multicenter randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Labor represents a period of significant physical activity. Inefficient energy supply may delay labor process and even lead to cesarean delivery. Herein we investigated whether ingestion of a carbohydrate-rich beverage could reduce cesarean delivery in laboring women with epidural analgesia.

METHODS

This multicenter randomized trial was conducted in obstetrician-led maternity units of nine tertiary hospitals in China. Primigravidae with single term cephalic pregnancy who were preparing for vaginal birth under epidural analgesia were randomized to intake a carbohydrate-rich beverage or commercially available low-carbohydrate beverages during labor. The primary outcome was the rate of cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included maternal feeling of hunger, assessed with an 11-point scale where 0 indicated no hunger and 10 the most severe hunger, and maternal and neonatal blood glucose after childbirth.

RESULTS

Between 17 January 2018 and 20 July 2018, 2008 women were enrolled and randomized, 1953 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The rate of cesarean delivery did not differ between the two groups (11.3% [111/982] with carbohydrate-rich beverage vs. 10.9% [106/971] with low-carbohydrate beverages; relative risk 1.04, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.33; p = 0.79). Women in the carbohydrate-rich beverage group had lower subjective hunger score (median 3 [interquartile range 2 to 5] vs. 4 [2 to 6]; median difference - 1; 95% CI - 1 to 0; p < 0.01); their neonates had less hypoglycemia (1.0% [10/968] vs. 2.3% [22/956]; relative risk 0.45; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.94; p = 0.03) when compared with those in the low-carbohydrate beverage group. They also had higher rates of maternal hyperglycemia (6.9% [67/965] vs. 1.9% [18/953]; p < 0.01) and neonatal hyperglycemia (9.2% [89/968] vs. 5.8% [55/956]; p < 0.01), but none required special treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

For laboring primigravidae with epidural analgesia, ingestion of a carbohydrate-rich beverage compared with low-carbohydrate beverages did not reduce cesarean delivery, but relieved maternal hunger and reduced neonatal hypoglycemia at the expense of increased hyperglycemia of both mothers and neonates. Optimal rate of carbohydrate supplementation remains to be determined.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.chictr.org.cn ; identifier: ChiCTR-IOR-17011994 ; registered on 14 July 2017.

Investigation on the status of oral intake management measures during labor in China

The World Health Organization recommended that the oral intake of low-risk pregnant women during labor should not be restricted. Hospitals in different countries take different measures to manage the intake during labor, but it is not clear about the current situation of oral intake management measures in the hospital during labor in China. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the current situation of oral intake management measures during labor in China, so as not only provide references for developing appropriate midwifery technology training and formulating relevant policies, but also provide a basis for exploring and implementing better oral intake management measures in the future.A cross-sectional survey was conducted. From December 2017 to November 2018, the oral intake management measures of 1213 hospitals in 22 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in China were investigated by a self-designed questionnaire. χ test was used for statistical analysis.Different hospitals in China have adopted different oral intake management measures. Among the 1213 hospitals, 939(77.4%) hospitals took measures to allow pregnant women to bring the easily digestible food, 813(67.0%) hospitals took measures to allow pregnant women to eat what she wanted to eat. Few hospitals provide pregnant women with oral nutrition solution or provide a suitable diet for pregnant women. Thirty-four (2.8%) hospitals still restrict pregnant women's fluid intake.Oral intake management measures that are more suitable for Chinese pregnant women should be explored to better ensure the women energy needs and they safely go through childbirth.

Effect of Oral Carbohydrate Intake During Labor on the Rate of Instrumental Vaginal Delivery: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrate intake during physical exercise improves muscle performance and decreases fatigue. We hypothesized that carbohydrate intake during labor, which is a period of significant physical activity, can decrease the instrumental vaginal delivery rate.

METHODS

In a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial, healthy adult pregnant women presenting with spontaneous labor were assigned to a "Carbohydrate" group (advised to drink 200 mL of apple or grape juice without pulp every 3 hours) or a "Fasting" group (water only). The primary outcome was the instrumental vaginal delivery rate. Secondary outcomes included duration of labor, rate of cesarean delivery, evaluation of maternal hunger, thirst, stress, fatigue, and overall feeling during labor by numeric rating scale (0 worst rating to 10 best rating), rate of vomiting, and hospital length of stay. Statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome was tested with the "Fasting" group as the reference group. The P values for secondary outcomes were adjusted for multiple comparisons. The differences between groups are reported with 99% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 3984 women were analyzed (2014 in the Carbohydrate group and 1970 in the Fasting group). There was no difference in the rate of instrumental delivery between the Carbohydrate (21.0%) and the Fasting (22.4%) groups (difference, -1.4%; 99% CI, -4.9 to 2.2). No differences were found between the Carbohydrate and the Fasting groups for the duration of labor (difference, -7 minutes; 99% CI, -25 to 11), the rate of cesarean delivery (difference, -0.3%; 99% CI, -2.4 to 3.0), the rate of vomiting (difference, 2.8%; 99% CI, 0.2-5.7), the degree of self-reported fatigue (difference, 1; 99% CI, 0-2), self-reported hunger (difference, 0; 99% CI, -1 to 1), thirst (difference, 0; 99% CI, -1 to 1), stress (difference, 0; 99% CI, -1 to 1), overall feeling (difference, 0; 99% CI, 0-0), and the length of hospitalization (difference, 0; 99% CI, -1 to 0).

CONCLUSIONS

Carbohydrate intake during labor did not modify the rate of instrumental vaginal delivery.

A Review of the Impact of Obstetric Anesthesia on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Obstetric anesthesia has evolved over the course of its history to encompass comprehensive aspects of maternal care, ranging from cesarean delivery anesthesia and labor analgesia to maternal resuscitation and patient safety. Anesthesiologists are concerned with maternal and neonatal outcomes, and with preventing and managing complications that may present during childbirth. The current review will focus on recent advances in obstetric anesthesia, including labor anesthesia and analgesia, cesarean delivery anesthesia and analgesia, the effects of maternal anesthesia on breastfeeding and fever, and maternal safety. The impact of these advances on maternal and neonatal outcomes is discussed. Past and future progress in this field will continue to have significant implications on the health of women and children.

Guidelines for Antenatal and Preoperative care in Cesarean Delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations (Part 1)

This Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Guideline for perioperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based, recommendations for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases with, primarily, a maternal focus. The focused pathway process for scheduled and unscheduled cesarean delivery for this ERAS Cesarean Delivery Guideline will consider from the time from decision to operate (starting with the 30-60 minutes before skin incision) to hospital discharge. The literature search (1966-2017) used Embase and PubMed to search medical subject headings that included "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Section Delivery" and all pre- and intraoperative ERAS items. Study selection allowed titles and abstracts to be screened by individual reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Metaanalyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled studies, nonrandomized controlled studies, reviews, and case series were considered for each individual topic. Quality assessment and data analyses that evaluated the quality of evidence and recommendations were evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, as used and described in previous ERAS Guidelines. The ERAS Cesarean Delivery Guideline/Pathway has created a maternal focused pathway (for scheduled and unscheduled surgery starting from 30-60 minutes before skin incision to maternal discharge) with ERAS cesarean delivery consensus recommendations preoperative elements (anesthetic medications, fasting, carbohydrate supplementation, prophylactic antibiotics/skin preparation, ), intraoperative elements (anesthetic management, maternal hypothermia prevention, surgical technique, hysterotomy creation and closure, management of peritoneum, subcutaneous space, and skin closure), perioperative fluid management, and postoperative elements (chewing gum, management of nausea and vomiting, analgesia, timing of food intake, glucose management, antithrombotic prophylaxis, timing of ambulation, urinary management, and timing of maternal and neonate discharge). Limited topics for optimized care and for antenatal education and counselling and the immediate neonatal needs at delivery are discussed. Strong recommendations for element use were given for preoperative (antenatal education and counselling, use of antacids and histamine, H2 receptor antagonists, 2-hour fasting and small meal within 6 hours surgery, antimicrobial prophylaxis and skin preparation/chlorhexidine-alcohol), intraoperative (regional anesthesia, prevention of maternal hypothermia [forced warm air, warmed intravenous fluids, room temperature]), perioperative (fluid management for euvolemia and neonatal immediate care needs that include delayed cord clamping), and postoperative (fluid management to prevent nausea and vomiting, antiemetic use, analgesia with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs/paracetamol, regular diet within 2 hours, tight capillary glucose control, pneumatic compression stocking for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, immediate removal of urinary catheter). Recommendations against the element use were made for preoperative (maternal sedation, bowel preparation), intraoperative (neonatal oral suctioning or increased inspired oxygen), and postoperative (heparin should not be used routinely venous thromboembolism prophylaxis). Because these ERAS cesarean delivery pathway recommendations (elements/processes) are studied, implemented, audited, evaluated, and optimized by the maternity care teams, this will create an opportunity for the focused and optimized areas of care research with further enhanced care and recommendation.