Clinical obstetrics and gynecology
-
Clin Obstet Gynecol · Sep 2007
ReviewHead cooling for neonatal encephalopathy: the state of the art.
The possibility that hypothermia started during or after resuscitation at birth might reduce brain damage and cerebral palsy has tantalized clinicians for a long time. The key insight was that transient severe hypoxia-ischemia can precipitate a complex biochemical cascade leading to delayed neuronal loss. There is now strong experimental and clinical evidence that mild to moderate cooling can interrupt this cascade, and improve the number of infants surviving without disability in the medium term. The key remaining issues are to finding better ways of identifying babies who are most likely to benefit, to define the optimal mode and conditions of hypothermia and to find ways to further improve the effectiveness of treatment.
-
Clin Obstet Gynecol · Sep 2007
ReviewOn the mechanical aspects of shoulder dystocia and birth injury.
This article presents objective evidence about shoulder dystocia and its associated mechanical injuries, namely clavicle fractures, and brachial plexus injuries. Specifically, the review focuses on the mechanical response of the fetus to forces applied to it or its anatomic components, including possible force thresholds for injury. ⋯ Finally, the paper discusses the mechanical characteristics of maternal and fetal maneuvers for shoulder dystocia and demonstrates how shoulder dystocia models can be used to train clinicians in the performance of maneuvers that stress the fetus the least. From a mechanical point of view, there are obstetric methods and training that can be employed to reduce the stresses induced by the fetus while alleviating shoulder dystocia, thereby reducing, but not eliminating, the risk of mechanical injury.
-
The advent of a 1-stop approach to managing women with early pregnancy problems led to the development of early pregnancy clinics. Such clinics progressed to providing a patient centered approach, minimising inpatient admissions while providing women with an early diagnosis of miscarriage or extrauterine pregnancy by a multiprofessional group of individuals with expertise in this area. The clinic structure, referral process, and ongoing challenges are discussed.
-
Clin Obstet Gynecol · Sep 2006
ReviewVaginal misoprostol administration for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Intravaginal misoprostol has been shown to be an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Vaginal application of misoprostol has been reported in over 9000 women worldwide and seems to have safety profile similar to that of endocervically and intravaginally administered dinoprostone. Concern arises with the use of higher doses of intravaginal misoprostol (50 mcg or more) and the association with uterine contractile abnormalities and for this reason, use of low-dose misoprostol regimen has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ⋯ There are reports of uterine rupture in women with unscarred uteri treated with vaginally applied misoprostol. Therefore, all patients need to be monitored adequately after misoprostol administration. Although there is a growing body of data regarding the ambulatory use of intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening, its use for this purpose cannot be recommended outside of investigational protocols at this time because of concerns for maternal and neonatal safety.
-
Oxytocin is the most common pharmacologic agent used for the induction and augmentation of labor. Oxytocin protocols can be divided into high-dose and low-dose protocols depending on the initial dose and the amount and rate of sequential increase in dose. Despite the frequency with which oxytocin in used in clinical practice, there is little consensus regarding which protocol is most appropriate. The purpose of this chapter is to review the most current data concerning recommendations for the use of oxytocin in the induction of labor, including cases of intrauterine fetal demise and vaginal birth after cesarean.