BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
-
Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Misoprostol compared with prostaglandin E2 for labour induction in women at term with intact membranes and unfavourable cervix: a systematic review.
Misoprostol is a commonly used prostaglandin to induce labour. A potential risk of induction, however, is caesarean delivery, especially in women with an unfavourable cervix. ⋯ Although misoprostol in women at term with an unfavourable cervix and intact membranes was more effective than PgE2 in achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours, misoprostol does not reduce the rate of caesarean delivery either in all women or in the subgroup of nulliparous women, and it increases the rates of tachysystole and hyperstimulation. Further studies of misoprostol using a starting dose of 25 microgram may be warranted.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomised trial of carbetocin versus syntometrine in the management of the third stage of labour.
Syntometrine is an effective uterotonic agent used in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage but has adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, hypertension and coronary artery spasm. Carbetocin is a newly developed long-acting oxytocin analogue that might be used as an uterotonic agent. We compare the efficacy and safety of intramuscular (IM) carbetocin with IM syntometrine in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage. ⋯ IM carbetocin is as effective as IM syntometrine in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal delivery. It is less likely to induce hypertension and has a low incidence of adverse effect. It should be considered as a good alternative to conventional uterotonic agents used in managing the third stage of labour.
-
Elective caesarean section for women in labour with an immature baby might reduce the chances of fetal or neonatal death, but might also increase the risk of maternal morbidity. A review (updated in February 2004) of randomised trials comparing a policy of elective caesarean section versus expectant management with recourse to caesarean section produced six studies involving only 122 women. Differences in fetal outcome did not reach significance, but mothers undergoing elective caesarean section were more likely to have serious morbidity. ⋯ The probabilities of both intact survival (16.8 versus 12.9%) and survival with major morbidity (39.2 versus 19.4%) are higher with willingness to perform caesarean section, but less aggressive management is the more cost-effective strategy. Large studies are few and recruitment to such studies is perceived as a major problem. For clinicians, the decision will be influenced by local circumstances.
-
The presence of a wide range of tests of ovarian reserve suggests that no single test provides a sufficiently accurate result. Many tests are used without reference to an evidence base. So far, individual studies conducted on these tests are too small to give precise estimates of prognostic accuracy. ⋯ Studies will be selected if accuracy of tests are compared with a reference standard and include data that can be abstracted into a two-by-two table to calculate sensitivity and specificity. The studies to be included in this review will examine one of the following index 'tests' within a study population of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: * Clinical variables--age, history of cancelled cycles. * Basal blood tests--follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), lutenising hormone (LH), FSH:LH ratios, estradiol (E(2)), inhibin A and B, progesterone (P(4)), P(4):E(2) ratios, antimullerian hormone, testosterone, vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1:insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 ratios. * Dynamic tests--clomiphene citrate challenge test, gonadotropin analogue stimulating test, exogenous FSH ovarian reserve test. * Ultrasound tests-antral follicle count, ovarian volume, ovarian stromal peak systolic velocity, including waveform and pulsatility index, ovarian follicular vascularity. * Histology--ovarian biopsy. Data collection and analysis Two independent reviewers will perform quality assessment and data extraction. Prognostic accuracy will be determined by calculating positive and negative likelihood ratios for the following outcomes or reference standards: live birth, ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, embryos available for transfer, eggs obtained at oocyte retrieval, cycles cancelled prior to oocyte retrieval. Main results and conclusions N/A.
-
To explore women's experiences of decision making about mode of delivery after previous caesarean section. ⋯ On the whole, women experienced having control over the decision about planned mode of delivery. For many, making this decision was difficult and for some it was the cause of prolonged anxiety. Women were often making the decision without being provided with comprehensive and specific information about possible health risks and benefits. We are currently conducting a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether access to a decision aid is beneficial to women in this situation.