Normal pregnancy outcome after first-trimester exposure to semaglutide in an overweight woman: a case report

We reported a case of an overweight 34-year-old woman who unexpectedly became pregnant while undergoing semaglutide in early pregnancy and delivered a healthy male infant by caesarean section at 37 weeks and 4 days of gestation.Until now,the safety of semaglutide for use during pregnancy was unknown.This report may contribute to the limited knowledge available on pregnant women exposure to semaglutide.

Awareness of the Termination of Pregnancy Act of the Laws of Zambia among Women of Reproductive Age at Kanyama First Level Hospital in Lusaka District Zambia

Background: Termination of pregnancy (TOP) in Zambia is guided by the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act of 1972 and as amended in 1994 of the laws of Zambia. However, despite provision of Comprehensive abortion care services with the liberal law, statistics at Kanyama First Level Hospital in relation to unsafe illegal abortions are alarming. This study sought to understand the Awareness on the TOP Act of the laws of Zambia among women of reproductive age 15 - 49 years at Kanyama First Level Hospital in Lusaka District. Purpose of the Study: To assess awareness on the TOP Act among women of reproductive age at Kanyama First Level Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Methodology: A convergent parallel mixed method design was conducted using both survey and in-depth interviews among women of reproductive age at Kanyama First Level Hospital in Lusaka District. The study surveyed 370 randomly sampled women aged 15 to 49 years old while the in-depth interviews included eight women purposively sampled from the survey population. Survey data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data thematic analysis was used. Results: The study found that 37% of the participants were aware of the TOP Act while 63.8% viewed legalization of abortion for any reason as wrong. The study results also showed that widowed women were 8 times more likely to be aware of the TOP Act compared to single women (AOR: 8.262;95% CI: 1.105, 61.778). Women in business were significantly more likely to be aware of the TOP Act compared to those who reported having no occupation. (AOR: 2.61;95% CI: 1.246, 5.499). Limited access to information, the social stigma attached to abortion, health care providers’ attitudes, cultural norms, values and religious beliefs, restrictive legal requirements, and absence of a supportive network were some of the barriers affecting awareness and utilization of available safe abortion care services. Conclusions: The research findings concluded that a significant lack of awareness among women of reproductive age regarding the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act. The majority of respondents held the view that abortion should only be legalized for medical reasons. Furthermore, there was a notable gap in knowledge concerning the penal code’s provisions on abortion.

Placenta previa and percreta with massive genital bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy: A case report

A 40-year-old woman with a history of cesarean section and 3 episodes of uterine curettage for spontaneous or induced abortion presented with massive genital hemorrhage in the ninth week of gestation;she was treated with red cell concentrate and fresh frozen plasma transfusion. She was admitted to our hospital at the 11th week of gestation for continuous genital hemorrhage and cervical shortening (20 mm). Ultrasonography revealed placenta previa totalis. A lowlying gestational sac in early pregnancy, vascular lacunae, and an obscured retroplacental sonolucent zone indicated placenta percreta;magnetic resonance imaging showed similar findings. Owing to placenta percreta, uterus preservation was considered impossible. Elective cesarean section followed by total hysterectomy was performed at the 37th week of gestation, with bilateral internal iliac artery balloon catheter occlusion for reducing blood loss. The perioperative blood loss was 2,835 mL, for which the patient received blood transfusion. The postoperative course was uncomplicated.

A Simple Procedure for Termination of Pregnancy in the Late First Trimester with Mifeprostone and Misoprostol

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of medical methods for termination of pregnancy at 9 - 12 weeks of gestation. Methods: Between December 2008 and December 2010, the 116 consecutive women received 200 mg oral mifepristone and after 24 - 36 hours they applied 800 μg vaginal misoprostol to medically terminate pregnancy. If the products of conception did not pass, three further doses of 400 μg misoprostol were given vaginally at three hours intervals to medically terminate pregnancy. Results: Of the 116 patients undergoing the procedure 104 (90%) aborted completely. Half of the patients aborted within 6 hours. After medical termination, five per cent of the women were treated because of infection, and five per cent needed a revisit to hospital because of excessive bleeding. Two women received a blood transfusion. Previous live births or previous inducted abortion is presented in the study results. Conclusions: Medical abortion at 9 - 12 weeks’ gestation is a safe alternative to surgery.

First Trimester Pregnancy Loss May Temporary Reduce the Ovarian Response during the Subsequent IVF Cycle

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles ended by miscarriage with subsequent IVF cycles in relation to various IVF cycle parameters and pregnancy termination modalities. Comparison of pre-miscarriage to post-miscarriage IVF cycles parameters demonstrated that lower peak E2 levels (1087 ± 593 versus 1237 ± 676 pg/ml, respectively;p p p p p p < 0.05), and an increase in the conception rate (34.7% versus 42.2%, respectively) at the second post-miscarriage IVF cycle.

Hemorrhages in the First Trimester of Pregnancy: Etiological Aspect and Management at the Maternity Ward of the Ignace Deen National Hospital of the University Hospital of Conakry

Aims: Hemorrhages in the first trimester of pregnancy constitute a public health problem in developing countries with maternal mortality which is still very high. This is the most common reason for consultation in early pregnancy. The objectives of this study were to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, identify the etiologies, describe the management and evaluate the maternal prognosis in patients presenting with hemorrhage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This was a descriptive-type prospective study lasting 12 months from January 1 to December 31, 2020, carried out at the maternity ward of Ignace Deen National Hospital. Results: During the study period, we recorded 163 cases of hemorrhage in the first trimester of pregnancy out of 5478 deliveries, i.e. a frequency of 2.97%. The main incriminated etiologies were spontaneous abortion (46.62%), ectopic pregnancy (28.22%), hydatidiform mole (16.56%), threatened abortion (5.52%) and pregnancy stopped (3.06%). The socio-demographic profile of the patients was that of a woman in the age group of 26 - 30 years (33.12%), married (79.14%), with secondary level (35.58%), exercising a liberal profession (36.19%) and nulliparous (60.12%). More than half of the patients came directly from home (57.66%) with metrorrhagia (44.78%) and abdominal pain (33.12%) as reasons for consultation. The gestational age between 7-11SA was more represented (82.82%). Manual intrauterine aspiration (58.89%) and salpingectomy (28.22%) were the most practiced therapeutic procedures. We transfused 10.42% of patients and 20.85% received medical treatment. The maternal prognosis was good in 47.87%. The main complications recorded were anemia (38.65%) and the state of shock (10.42%). Conclusion: Hemorrhages in the first trimester of pregnancy represent an important cause of maternal morbidity in developing countries. The improvement of the maternal prognosis would pass by the early consultation in front of any case of pregnancy.

Swedish Women’S Emotional Experience of the First Trimester in a New Pregnancy after One or More Miscarriages: A Qualitative Interview Study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate how Swedish women describe their emotional state of being during the eighth week through the eleventh week after they have become pregnant again after suffering a previous miscarriage. Method: A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach has been used to analyze fourteen interviews that served as the data base for this study. The content analysis resulted in the development of five categories which evolved into one primary theme. Findings: The five categories identified were Worry and preoccupation;Distance;managing their feelings;Mourning what is lost;Guarded happiness and expectations. These categories were compiled into a main theme, “Worry consumes a lot of energy, but on the other side lies happiness”. This theme focused on whether the women could feel any happiness about being pregnant again despite their concerns with the previous miscarriage. Conclusions: The emotional states of the women when they get pregnant again are typically characterized by anxiety, worry and concerns about their current pregnancy. The women have a tendency to distance themselves emotionally from their pregnancy but also strive to find the joy of being pregnant again. During the new pregnancy they find themselves in need of support from their family and friends as well as in need of support from the healthcare system.

Adjuvant acupuncture reduces first trimester pregnancy loss after IVF

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of acupuncture treatment as an adjunctive therapy on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Material/Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 238 patients who underwent conventional IVF/ ICSI alone or in conjunction with acupuncture over a course of 2 years. Patients in the two treatment groups were matched in terms of age and diagnosis. Acupuncture was administered in two sessions 5 to 7 days prior to and on the day of embryo transfer. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of fertilization rate, pregnancy or implantation rates, and endometrial thickness. The number of oocytes retrieved (P < 0.005) and the number of first trimester miscarriages were significantly lower in the group receiving acupuncture (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Acupuncture reduces miscar-riage rates in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI possibly secondary to stress relief.

Histopathologic Profile of Miscarriages during First Trimester of Pregnancy in Teaching Hospital of Grand Yoff in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: Mainly for economic reasons, histopathologic analysis is not a systematic practice in medical structures in Senegal, and the utility of this exam is being questioned by many authors. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of this exam, in our medical practice and try to determine if this exam should be systematic of kept only for individualized cases. Material and Methods: It was a retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2018, carried out in the Laboratory of Pathology of the Teaching Hospital of Grand Yoff in Dakar. The data were collected from the register of pathologic examinations of the laboratory. Results: We registered 543 results of histopathologic examination of products of conception from the first trimester abortion. The women mean age was 22.4 years ± 6.2 with extremes of 17 and 46 years. The routine histopathologic assessment of products of first- trimester miscarriages highlighted in our study three pathologies: hydatidiform mole (24.7%), infection (4.6%) and ectopic pregnancy (0.09%). Only 11.7% of cases of Hydatidiform mole (HM) were suspected before the histopathologic assessment. In our sample, molar pregnancy seems to be higher in anembryonic conception with a prevalence of 45%. The prevalence of Complete Hydatidiform Mole (CHM) was higher than the one of Partial Hydatidiform Mole (PHM) (14.8% vs. 9.9% of miscarriages). Indeed, both require follow up to prevent or manage at time the occurrence of choriocarcinoma. Conclusion: The results of the histologic analysis after abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy show that this exam should be practiced systematically in routine in our context because of high prevalence of hydatidiform mole.

Antenatal Acute Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis in First Trimester Pregnancy

Objectives： Toxoplasmosis is a widely-distributed zoonosis that is caused by Toxoplasma gondii protozoa. Toxoplasmosis is a high prevalence of unapparent infections, and when infected for the first time during pregnancy, can present a temporary parasitemy with focal lesions generated within the placenta, thereby infecting the fetus. Our aim in this study is to evaluate the patients who have been diagnosed with new toxoplasm in our hospital for six months. Methods： In our study, the toxoplasma results of the first trimester pregnant patients who applied to our polyclinic in the second half of 2016 were evaluated. A total of 391 cases were included in the study. Patients whose laboratory results were not available or under-investigated were excluded from the study. In our policlinic, toxoplasmosis IgM is primarily required in first trimester pregnancies. If positive, IgG and avidity are desired. Further investigation is carried out according to the avidity result. SPSS 22 and Microsoft Excel 2007 program were used in the analysis of our work. Results： A total of 8 （2%） patients had positive toxoplasmosis IgM, 4 （1%） patients had high avidity, 1 （0.2%） patients had moderate avidity, and 3 （0.7%） patients had low avidity. Conclusions： There is no consensus on the screening of all pregnancies. Screening of all pregnancies is recommended in places where the general view seroprevalence is high.

Validity of Different Methods to Prenatal Screening for Down’s Syndrom During First and Second Trimester Pregnancy of Chinese Women

Objective To identify and determine the optimal method to screening for fetal Down＇s syndrome （DS）. Methods Three large cohorts with 17 118, 39 903, 16 646 subjects were enrolled for the first trimester double marker （pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and free [B-human chorionic gonadotropin） screening （FTDMS）, second trimester double marker （c{-fetoprotein and free B-human chorionic gonadotropin） screening （STDMS）, and second trimester triple marker （a-fetoprotein, free 13-human chorionic gonadotropin and unconjugated estriol 3） screening （STTMS）, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate （FPR）, false negative rate （FNR） and the areas under ROC curves （AUCs） were estimated in order to determine the optimal screening method in women under or above 35 years old. Results For women under 35 years old, STTMS was the best method with a detection rate of 68.8% and FPR of 4.3% followed by the STDMS with a detection rate （sensitivity） of 66.7% and FPR of 4.9%. The FTDMS had a lower detection rate of 61.1% and FPR of 6.3%. For women above 35 years old, the detection rate of all the methods was similar, but STTMS method had a lowest FPR of 15.9%. For women under 35 years old AUCs were 0.77 （95% CI, 0.64 to 0.91）, 0.81 （95% CI, 0.71 to 0.91）, and 0.82 （95% CI, 0.69 to 0.96） for FTDMS, STDMS, and STTMS methods, respectively; for those above 35 years old, AUCs were 0.70 （95% CI, 0.56 to 0.83）, 0.70 （95% CI, 0.59 to 0.82）, 0.78 （95% Cl, 0.58 to 0.97） for FTDMS, STDMS and SITMS, respectively. Conclusion Findings from our study revealed that STDMS is optimal for the detection of fetal DS in pregnant women aged under 35. For individual women, if economic condition permits, STFMS is the best choice, while for women aged above 35, STTMS is the best choice in this regard.

Spontaneous Abortions in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Research and Analysis of Factors Associated at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala

Introduction: Spontaneous abortion of the second trimester is an interruption of pregnancy with complete expulsion or not of the product of conception between 15 and 28 weeks of pregnancy without any maneuvers. The objective of our study was to determine the factors associated with second trimester spontaneous abortions at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methodology for this purpose: We conducted a case-control study from January to May 2019 on pregnant women who may or may not have had spontaneous second trimester abortions. Results: In total we recorded 1609 pregnancies and recruited 184 patients, including 46 cases and 138 controls;which gave a frequency of spontaneous abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy of 2.85%. A correlative analysis showed that spontaneous abortions in the second trimester were associated with housewife status (OR = 2.89;CI = 1.21 - 6.79;p = 0.010), gestation > 5 (OR = 4.09;CI = 1.02 - 17.66;p = 0.040), multiparity (OR = 3.81;CI = 1.59 - 9.16;p = 0.002), history of endouterine maneuvers (OR = 5.64;CI = 2.43 - 13 .03;p = 0.000), malaria in pregnancy (OR = 3.99;CI = 1.1 - 14.76;p = 0.030), incompleteness on the second trimester ultrasound (OR = 2.37;CI = 1.18 - 4.70;p = 0.010), jolts when traveling (OR = 46.04;CI = 17.29 - 123.66;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 7.05;CI = 1.99 - 27.77;p = 0.000). After logistic regression eliminating the confounding factors, only the following were associated with abortions: Multiparity (OR = 13.90;CI = 2.96 - 65.18;p = 0.000), endo uterine maneuvers (OR = 3.69;CI = 1. 01 - 13.44;p = 0.047), jolts when traveling (OR = 72.63;CI = 19.47 - 270.96;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 15.41;CI = 2.7 - 85, 95;p = 0.000). Conclusion: Our study reveals that a set of factors contribute to the occurrence of spontaneous abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy in our context.

Management of a Second-Trimester Abdominal Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: The abdominal pregnancy is a rare pathology that can threaten the vital prognosis of the mother. The positive diagnosis is difficult to establish. It is most often made in an acute context, leading to a high fetomaternal morbidity and mortality. Our objective is to recall the diagnostic approach and optimal management of this condition. Case report: We present the case of an abdominal pregnancy at 18 weeks of amenorrhea with partial placental abruption in a 26-year-old patient who presented with abdominal pain in emergency obstetrical department of university hospital center of Agadir. The ultrasound revealed the presence of an evolving abdominal pregnancy. The MRI allowed precisely the localization of the placenta and its relationship with the surrounding organs. A laparotomy revealed the insertion of the placenta on the right adnexa. The right adnexectomy allowed removal of the placenta without incident. Conclusion: Abdominal pregnancy is difficult to diagnose. It is essential to be well informed about the clinical and ultrasonographic semiology of this pregnancy, in order to avoid operative surprises and to ensure the appropriate treatment.

Predictive Value of the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) to Predict the Development of Preeclampsia and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension at 1st Trimester

Introduction: Hypertensive disorder in pregnancy affects 4 to 6 percent of all pregnancies and carries risks for the both baby and the mother. Only a few groups of women who are at high-risk pregnancies are received prophylaxis Aspirin, more than 15 percent of women develop pre-eclampsia with a single minor risk factor. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the 1st trimester NLR value of normotensive, pregnancy induced hypertensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant women. The study was conducted with a sample of 416, antenatal patients who were admitted to ward 25, at Colombo North Teaching Hospital Ragama. Data was collected as separated three groups. NLR value was calculated separately and ANOVA test was used to analyze the 3 categorical data. Post HOC test was done to assess the multiple comparison. Results: The prevalence rates of pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia among the pregnant women were 8.6% and 5.7%. The mean NLR values of normotensive group was 2.708, pregnancy induced hypertensive group was 2.650 and pre eclamptic group was 3.789. There was a significant difference in NLR value between pre eclamptic group and other two groups with P value of Conclusion: The 1st trimester NLR value of pre eclamptic patients significantly increased compared to normotensive women.

Analysis of Perinatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancy in a Referral Hospital for High Risk

Introduction: The incidence of twin pregnancies has increased significantly in recent decades. These pregnancies require more attention due to their worse outcomes than singleton pregnancies. Objective: To analyze the characteristics and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies at the Caxias do Sul General Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study that included all births related to twin pregnancies between March 1998 and June 2018. Maternal and perinatal variables were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were carried out using measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables (mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range), according to a prior assessment of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and absolute (n) and relative (n%) frequencies for categorical variables. Results: 172 pairs of twins/21,972 births (0.8%) were identified. There was a high percentage of interpartum interval of less than 12 months, adherence and prenatal visits, body mass index, and need for neonatal intensive care. Stillbirth and neomortality rates were within acceptable parameters. Conclusion: The sample studied showed a percentage similar to that in the literature, a high rate of maternal and perinatal complications, characterizing it as a high-risk fetal pregnancy.

Retrospective Descriptive Analysis of the Combined First Trimester of Pregnancy Screening in the Period Included from February 2016 to March 2017, Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, San Juan de Dios Hospital

A retrospective descriptive study is conducted at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, San José, Costa Rica, during the period from February 2016 to March 2017, with a total of 37 patients from which a combined screening during the first trimester of pregnancy was conducted, evaluating maternal age, biochemical and sonographic methods that together can predict the risk of fetal chromosomal alterations during pregnancy. The purpose of using combined screening as a noninvasive method is to identify high risk gestations and to minimize the number of invasive procedures to detect the highest number of cases. Four patients with higher risk of aneuploidy during pregnancy were identified through this screening.

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule as the first sign of pregnancy-associated gastric cancer:A case report

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is an inconspicuous and uncommon clinical sign of advanced malignant disease, especially gastric cancer. Pregnancy-associated gastric cancer is an extremely rare condition and can be difficult to diagnose, due to the absence or misinterpretation of symptoms as pregnancy-related. Diagnostic aids, such as a basic chemistry panel and imaging techniques, may not show any abnormalities. We present a case of a 37-year-old pregnant patient whose umbilical nodule was the first presenting physical sign of gastric cancer, which had metastasized throughout the abdominal and pelvic regions.

Plasma motilin concentration in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum

Plasma motilin concentrations were measured in 135 women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and 3～5 d after delivery and the results were compared with those of 20 healthy nonpregnant women.The mean plasma motilin concentration (323.96± 125.10 ng/L) in women during the second trimester of pregnancy was lower than in healthy nonpregnant women (366.12±96.23 ng/L) (P<0.05),but that was significantly higher than in women during the third trimester of pregnancy (121.04±27.00 ng/L) (P<0.01);the plasma motilin concentration in women during 3～5d after delivery (443.05±140.79 ng/L) was significantly higher than that in pregnant women (P<0.01).The results showed that pregnancy appears to have a profound inhibitory effect on plasma motilin,and this may partly be responsible for the gastrointestinal hypomotility associated with pregnancy.

Correlates of Mistimed Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Sandema, Ghana

Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.

Prevalence and Individual-Level Determinants of Uptake of Three or More Doses of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Busia County, Kenya

Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.