Quality of Intrapartum Care: Direct Observations in Selected Health Facilities in Zambia

Approximately 303,000 women die annually while giving birth, worldwide, and more than 99% of the deaths occur in developing countries. In Zambia, a developing country situated in sub-Saharan Africa, most of the maternal mortalities occur during the intrapartum and immediate postpartum periods, arising from postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, obstructed labor, and hypertensive disorders. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of intrapartum services provided in health facilities in the country. Methodology: Guided by a descriptive cross sectional design, data were collected from 264 women in labor using a World Health Organization validated observation checklist. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the women, while multistage sampling was used to select four health facilities. The Social Package for Social Sciences, version 23 was used to analyze the data. Results: One health facility met the World Health Organization 80% minimum standard in four out of the five categories used to measure quality in intrapartum care, while the other three met the minimum standard in one category each. Conclusion: Low numbers of midwives, inadequate supplies and equipment were major obstacles to following national and international agreed standards for providing optimal care during intrapartum period. Recommendations: There is need for local and national stakeholders in Zambia to urgently address the structural barriers that were observed, as well as invest in sufficient numbers of adequately trained and motivated midwives.

<i>Ex Utero</i>intrapartum treatment (EXIT)

The anesthesia ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a specialized surgical procedure used to deliver babies who have airway compression due to cystic adenomatoid malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, cervical teratomas, or other congenital conditions. EXIT is erroneously known as a routine cesarean section (CS), but is rather an extension of CS with discernible differences. The procedure creates an opening in the anesthetized abdomen of the mother and uterus. Once EXIT is complete, the remainder of the CS proceeds. EXIT is much more complex than a routine CS, as it requires coordination between the mother and a multidisciplinary team of surgical and neonatal personnel. This review highlights current anesthetic concepts during the EXIT procedure.

The use of remifentanil in ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures

Purpose: We propose that using remifentanil in ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures reduces the need for maternal exposure to general anesthesia. Using remifentanil along with spinal anesthesia eliminates the fetal and maternal risks associated with inhalational general anesthesia, allows the mother to be awake, and obviates the need for and costs associated with general anesthesia and a second anesthesia team. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all sequential patients undergoing ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure at our hospital from 1/1/2009 to 11/1/2010. All procedures were performed under regional neuraxial analgesia, using nitroglycerine as a tocolytic agent and remifentanil for analgesia. Variables included indication, time to secured fetal airway, complications, estimated blood loss, need for additional anesthetics, participating personnel, and survival. Results: All five of our ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures were successfully completed with combined spinal epidural remifentanil anesthetic. No patient was required additional alternative anesthetic. There were no complications with mother or fetus. Indications for procedure were arthyrogryposis (n = 3), fetal goiter, and micrognathia. Average time to secured airway was 10.25 minutes. Average estimated blood loss was 1010 ml. All five mothers were conscious during their procedure. Conclusions: We report the largest series of ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures performed with remifentanil regional anesthesia. We found that the combined use of nitroglycerin and regional remifentanil anesthesia is a safe alternative to the pediatric otolaryngologist for performing ex utero intrapartum treatment procedures without the risks of general anesthesia, allowing the mother to be awake for the delivery, and reducing the cost of providing care.

Intrapartum application of the continuous glucose monitoring system in pregnancies complicated with diabetes: A review and feasibility study

Intrapartum maternal normoglycemia seems to play an important role in the prevention of adverse perinatal, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Several glucose monitoring protocols have been developed, aiming to achieve a tight glucose monitoring and control. Depending on the type of diabetes and the optimal or suboptimal glycemic control, the treatment options include fasting status of the parturient, frequent monitoring of capillary blood glucose, intravenous dextrose infusion and subcutaneous or intravenous use of insulin. Continuous glucose monitoring system(CGMS) is a relatively new technology that measures interstitial glucose at very short time intervals over a specifi c period of time. The resulting profi le provides a more comprehensive measure of glycemic excursions than intermittent home blood glucose monitoring. Results of studies applying the CGMS technology in patients with or without diabetes mellitus(DM) have revealed new insights in glucose metabolism. Moreover, CGMS have a potential role in the improvement of glycemic control during pregnancy and labor, which may lead to a decrease in perinatal morbidity and mortality. In conclusion, the use of CGMS, with its important technical advantages compared to the conventional way of monitoring, may lead into a more etiological intrapartum management of both the mother and her fetus/infant in pregnancies complicated with DM.

Imperative for improvements and international convergence of intrapartum fetal monitoring: A bird's eye view

Intrapartum fetal monitoring has been criticized for the lack of evidence of improvement in fetal outcome despite causing increased operative intervention. Paradoxically, cardiotocography(CTG) has been a major driver for litigation for neonatal neurological injury. This analytical review tries to explore why extensive clinical studies and trials over 50 years have failed to demonstrate or bring about significant improvement in intrapartum fetal monitoring. There seems a need for significant reform. International congruence on most aspects of CTG interpretation [definitions of fetal heart rate(FHR) parameters, CTG recording speed, 3-tier systems, etc.] is highly desirable to facilitate future meaningful clinical studies, evaluation and progress in this field. The FHR changes are non-specific and poor surrogate for fetal well-being. As a compromise for maintaining low false-negative results for fetal acidemia, a high false-positive value may have to be accepted. The need for redefining the place of adjuvant tests of fetal well-being like fetal blood sampling or fetal electrocardiography(ECG) is discussed. The FHR decelerations are often deterministic(center-stage) in CTG interpretation and 3-tier categorization. It is discussed if their scientific and physiological classification(avoiding framing and confirmation biases) may be best based on time relationship to uterine contractions alone. This may provide a more sound foundation which could improve the reliability and further evolution of 3-tier systems. Results of several trials of fetal ECG(STAN) have been inconclusive and a need for a fresh approach or strategy is considered. It is hoped that the long anticipated Computer-aided analysis of CTG will be more objective and reliable(overcome human factors) and will offer valuable support or may eventually replace visual CTG interpretation. In any case, the recording and archiving all CTGs digitally and testing cord blood gases routinely in every delivery would be highly desirable for future research. This would facilitate well designed retrospective studies which can be very informative especially when prospective randomised controlled trials are often difficult and resource-intensive.

分娩期抗生素预防性治疗对生殖道B族链球菌定植病人妊娠结局及阴道菌群微生态的影响

目的:分析分娩期抗生素预防性治疗对生殖道B族链球菌(GBS)定植孕妇妊娠结局及阴道菌群微生态的影响。方法:选择产检且分娩的孕妇160例为研究对象,GBS检查均为阳性,依随机分组法分为对照组和观察组,每组80例。对观察组分娩前至少4 h给予抗生素预防治疗,对照组分娩前给予甲硝唑栓治疗,并记录观察组和对照组母婴结局以及阴道菌群微生态情况。结果:观察组不良结局总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后观察组GBS、白细胞酯酶、唾液酸酶、乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶、过氧化氢酶检出率较对照组低,阴道菌群密集Ⅱ~Ⅲ度、乳杆菌和清洁度Ⅰ~Ⅱ级检出率较对照组高(P<0.05~P<0.01)。观察组孕妇的治疗总有效率为98.75%,高于对照组总有效率83.75%(P<0.01)。结论:分娩期抗生素预防性治疗对GBS定植孕妇妊娠结局有良好的改善作用,可以改善阴道菌群微生态环境。

椎管内分娩镇痛产妇产时发热预测模型的建立与验证

目的建立椎管内分娩镇痛产妇产时发热预测模型并验证其效能。方法选择2021年1—12月行椎管内分娩镇痛产妇2276例作为训练集,年龄≥18岁,BMI 18.5~40.0 kg/m^(2),ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,根据产妇是否出现产时发热(体温≥38.0℃)分为两组:发热组与未发热组。采用多因素Logistic回归分析确定椎管内分娩镇痛产妇产时发热的危险因素并建立预测模型。选择2022年1—3月于同一医院行椎管内分娩镇痛产妇568例作为验证集,纳入标准与训练集相同,通过R语言进行模型的外部验证。结果本研究训练集中有197例(8.7%)产妇出现产时发热;验证集中有46例(8.1%)产妇出现产时发热。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,训练集中初产妇、中性粒细胞计数升高、贫血及预估新生儿体重增加是产时发热的独立危险因素,体表面积增大和分娩镇痛前宫口增大是产时发热的保护因素。根据上述危险因素建立椎管内分娩镇痛产妇产时发热的预测模型,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)为0.698(95%CI 0.660~0.732),敏感性为83.2%,特异性为47.9%。验证集中通过R语言进行外部验证,预测模型的AUC为0.703(95%CI 0.634~0.772),敏感性为65.2%,特异性为71.3%。结论初产妇、中性粒细胞计数升高、贫血及预估新生儿体重增加是产时发热的危险因素,体表面积增大和分娩镇痛前宫口增大是保护性因素,基于这些指标构建的预测模型可以较好地在分娩镇痛前预测产时发热的发生。

新生儿败血症的临床管理进展

新生儿败血症是新生儿各类合并症和不良预后的重要原因。国内外新生儿败血症的疾病负担仍较为严重。产时抗生素预防策略、早发型败血症风险计算器的应用和新生儿病房的质量改进等管理方案均有利于减轻新生儿败血症的疾病负担。该文就新生儿败血症的流行病学、危险因素和临床管理进展进行综述。

昆士兰临床指南《分娩疼痛管理》(2023版)要点解读

对2023年3月昆士兰卫生组织发布的《分娩疼痛管理》指南中的重点内容进行解读,介绍产时疼痛管理内容、分娩疼痛管理基础及评估、非药物及药物管理策略、产妇对分娩疼痛管理的满意度,以期为我国助产士实施分娩疼痛管理提供指导。

产时发热程度对母婴结局的影响研究

背景产时发热是产科常见临床表现,可使剖宫产率、阴道助产率、新生儿窒息率增加。影响产时发热的因素包括孕产期合并症及并发症、引产时间、分娩镇痛、试产时间、产房温度、内诊次数,这些因素可独立存在,也可互为因果。在产时发热的孕产妇,是否最高体温越高,母婴预后越差?对此进行研究有利于指导产时发热孕产妇的临床预后及管理策略。目的探讨足月单胎初产妇试产过程中产时发热及其程度对母婴结局的影响。方法纳入2019年于首都科大学附属北京妇产医院分娩,且在产程中诊断为产时发热的足月单胎初产妇994例作为发热组,同期按照1∶1比例入组符合标准的未发热单胎初产妇作为对照组,比较发热组与对照组孕产妇的一般资料、并发症发生情况、催引产情况、分娩方式及母婴结局,进一步根据产时发热体温程度将发热组分成4个亚组:第1亚组体温37.3~<37.5℃,共142例;第2亚组体温37.5~<38.0℃,共600例;第3亚组38.0~<38.5℃,共213例;第4亚组体温≥38.5℃,共39例。对各亚组孕产妇的一般资料、催引产情况、产科并发症、分娩方式以及母婴结局进行对比分析。结果发热组入组994例,对照组入组987例。发热组孕产妇催引产率、催引产时间≥3 d的比例高于对照组(P<0.05)。发热组孕产妇胎膜早破、妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病发生率均高于对照组(P<0.05)。发热组剖宫产、产褥感染、新生儿窒息、羊水污染发生率及新生儿转新生儿重症监护病房(NICU)发生率高于对照组(P<0.05);两组新生儿体质量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各亚组催引产率、催引产≥3 d的比例及孕产妇胎膜早破、妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各亚组剖宫产、产褥感染、新生儿窒息、羊水污染、转NICU发生率及新生儿体质量比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论产时发热孕产妇并发症及催引产率、剖宫产率、产褥感染及新生儿窒息发生率升高,体温升高程度与分娩方式及母婴结局之间未体现相关性。

Ex utero Intrapartum Treatment for the Pericardial Effusion Drain of a Fetal Cardiac Tumor

INTRODUCTION The incidence of fetal cardiac tumor was about 0.14% as determined by fetal echocardiography. It was extremely difficult to deal with the fetus when the severe circulatory instability was induced by a cardiac tumor in the womb. It was reported that ex utero intrapartum treatment （EXIT） procedure solved the problems of fetal airway or pulmonary lesion during delivery to avoid hypoxia after birth. The goal of EXIT is to maintain placental circulation while steps are taken to optimize the transition of the baby from fetal to neonatal life. This study introduced the experience of EXIT procedure to solve the problems of fetal circulation induced by a fetal cardiac tumor.

Ex utero intrapartum treatment for giant congenital omphalocele

Background To determine whether ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) is an appropriate approach for managing fetuses antenatally diagnosed with giant congenital omphaloceles. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with omphaloceles who underwent either an EXIT procedure or a traditional repair surgery. Basic and clinical parameters including gender, gestational age, birth weight, maternal blood loss, operative times and operative complications were analyzed. During the 6–12-month follow-ups, postoperative complications including bowel obstruction, abdominal infections, postoperative abdominal distension were monitored, and survival rate was analyzed. Results A total of seven patients underwent the EXIT procedure and 11 patients underwent the traditional postnatal surgery. We found no differences in maternal age, gestational age at diagnosis, gestational age at delivery and birth weight between the two groups. In the EXIT group, the average operation time for mother was 68.3 ± 17.5 minutes and the average maternal blood loss was 233.0 ± 57.7 mL. The operation time in the EXIT group (22.0 ± 4.5 minutes) was shorter than that in the traditional group (35 ± 8.7 minutes), but the length of hospital stay in the EXIT group (20.5 ± 3.1 days) was longer than that in the traditional group (15.7 ± 2.5 days,P < 0.05). During the follow-up, one patient in the EXIT group had an intestinal obstruction, one developed abdominal compartment syndrome and one died in the traditional group. Conclusions In our experience, EXIT is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of giant congenital omphaloceles. However, more experience is needed before this procedure can be widely recommended.

产时体位护理联合责任制助产在初产妇中的应用效果

目的探讨产时体位护理联合责任制助产在初产妇中的应用效果。方法选取2022年8月至2023年7月于菏泽市第六人民医院进行阴道试产的108例初产妇,使用随机数字表法分为两组。对照组(54例)接受常规助产措施,研究组(54例)在常规助产的基础上增加产时体位护理与责任制助产,比较两组正性与负性情绪评分、产程、剖宫产情况及护理满意度。结果产后3 d研究组负性情绪评分低于对照组,正性情绪评分高于对照组(P<0.05);研究组第一产程、第二产程短于对照组(P<0.05);研究组剖宫产率低于对照组,护理满意率高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论产时体位护理联合责任制助产能够改善初产妇的不良心理状况,促进产程,降低剖宫产率,提高护理满意度。

产时超声监测对分娩结局的影响研究

目的探究阴道触诊与产时超声监测对分娩结局的影响。方法选取2021年12月至2022年11月在南浔区人民医院住院分娩的200例单胎足月孕妇作为研究对象。采用随机数字表法将其分为A组和B组,各100例。B组进行阴道触诊,A组进行经腹部联合经会阴超声。比较两组的检查次数、破膜总时间、平均产程时间、钳产率、顺产率、剖宫产率、宫腔操作率、宫颈前后唇距离、胎方位符合率,比较两组的数字疼痛评分法(NRS)评分,比较两组不良事件发生情况。结果A组检查次数、剖宫产率显著低于B组,A组胎方位符合率显著高于B组,A组NRS评分显著低于B组,A组不良事件总发生率显著低于B组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论孕妇采取经腹部联合经会阴超声进行检测,能够有效提高检测质量,减少孕妇检查次数及疼痛评分,降低不良事件的发生风险。

产时超声联合阴道检查对分娩方式评估的临床研究

目的探索研究产超声联合阴道检查对分娩方式评估的临床应用效果。方法选取九江市妇幼保健院2022年7月至2023年3月分娩的100例产妇,按照随机数字表分组原则,将100例产妇平均分为对照组(阴道触诊评估,n=50)、观察组(产时超声联合阴道触诊评估,n=50)。详细记录两组胎头进展角(AOP)、胎头-会阴距离(HPD)、中线角度(MLA)、胎头方向,等一系列分娩数据,研究分析两组临床评估效果。结果与对照组(阴道触诊)相比,观察组(产时超声联合阴道触诊)自然分娩率(90.00%νs.84.00%)更高,剖宫产率(10.00%νs.16.00%)更低(P<0.05)。观察组(产时超声联合阴道触诊)活跃期、活跃期/潜伏期HPD、AOP表达水平低于对照组(P<0.05);但是两组潜伏期HPD、AOP指标比较,组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。观察组产后出血、产时损伤、产后感染、新生儿窒息等不良情况发生率均低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组新生儿Apgar评分(9.85±0.11νs.9.15±0.34)高于对照组,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在产程中实施产时超声联合阴道检查,能尽快发现异常产程并提供干预,预测分娩方式,降低阴道分娩过程中严重并发症发生率、中转剖宫产发生率,改善母婴双方的分娩结局,值得推荐。

基于倾向性评分匹配分析硬膜外分娩镇痛对产妇产时发热的影响

目的基于倾向性评分匹配(PSM)分析硬膜外分娩镇痛对产妇产时发热的影响。方法回顾性分析2022年1月~2022年6月在常州市妇幼保健院经阴道分娩、足月、单胎、头位、年龄20~35岁、ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级的384例初产妇的临床资料,根据是否自愿接受硬膜外分娩镇痛分为镇痛组(250例)和对照组(134例)。镇痛组产妇宫口扩张至3 cm时于L2~L3间隙置入硬膜外镇痛泵,镇痛泵内含0.1%罗哌卡因+0.5μg/ml舒芬太尼。记录基础体温、体重指数(BMI)、胎膜破裂至分娩结束时间、宫颈检查次数、产程时间、缩宫素使用情况和新生儿体重。采集产前和产后24 h的产妇静脉血,测定白细胞计数(WBC)、中性粒细胞计数(NEUT)、血清C反应蛋白(CRP)和血清降钙素原(PCT)浓度。对产时体温≥37.5℃的产妇进行胎盘病理学分析。应用倾向性评分匹配进行配对筛选,镇痛组112例,对照组112例。主要结局指标为产妇产时体温≥37.5℃的发生率。次要结局指标包括:绒毛膜羊膜炎比率、羊水污染情况、新生儿出生后1 min、5 min的Apgar评分。结果与对照组比较,镇痛组产妇产时体温≥37.5℃的发生率升高(P<0.05);两组产妇绒毛膜羊膜炎比率、羊水污染比率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组新生儿出生后1 min、5 min Apgar评分<7比率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论硬膜外分娩镇痛增加产妇产时发热的发生率,潜在机制可能是非感染因素。

产时胎心监护结合公理护理在分娩产妇中的应用

目的探讨产时胎心监护结合心理护理在分娩产妇中的应用效果。方法选取2016年11月至2020年11月在我院分娩的产妇126例,随机分为两组各63例。参照组产妇采用常规护理干预,观察组在参照组基础上采用产时胎心监护结合心理护理干预。比较两组的产妇并发症、新生儿1min Apgar评分以及新生儿不良事件。结果观察组产妇的并发症总发生率明显低于参照组,新生儿1min Apgar评分明显高于参照组,新生儿不良事件总发生率明显低于参照组(P<0.05)。结论产时胎心监护结合心理护理在分娩产妇中应用效果显著,可明显提高新生儿1minApgar评分,减少产妇并发症和新生儿不良事件的发生。

产前产时产后一体化诊疗模式在腹裂中的临床运用——附3例新生儿腹裂Ⅰ期腹壁修复病例报道

目的通过产前产时产后一体化诊疗模式对腹裂胎儿进行筛查与监测。方法回顾性分析产前产时产后一体化诊疗模式治疗的先天性腹裂患儿的临床资料,探讨患儿的预后效果。结果产前产时产后一体化诊疗模式可将在地、州、市筛查到的腹裂孕妇转诊到有资质的医疗机构进行进一步筛查及待产;可促进多学科综合治疗协作(MDT)的发展,在孕妇生产前提前拟定最优治疗团队及诊疗方案;可提高腹裂患儿Ⅰ期腹壁修复手术成功率。本文中患儿术后转儿科重症监护室(PICU)进行监护及营养支持治疗,随访至今3例患儿生长发育情况正常。结论产前产时产后一体化诊疗模式可提高腹裂患儿Ⅰ期腹壁修复手术成功率及后期生存率。

子痫前期孕妇产时中转剖宫产的临床特征和危险因素

目的探讨子痫前期(PE)患者阴道试产中转剖宫产的相关危险因素。方法选取300例实施阴道试产的PE患者为研究对象,按照阴道试产结局分为阴道试产成功组(n=177)、中转剖宫产组(n=123),回顾性分析两组临床资料并对所得数据进行统计学分析。结果阴道试产成功组体质量指数(BMI)为(26.25±0.99)kg/m^(2),低于中转剖宫产组的(29.13±1.12)kg/m^(2),瘢痕子宫、胎位为枕横位、未接受分娩镇痛占比均低于中转剖宫产组,子宫下段肌壁厚度大于中转剖宫产组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论PE患者阴道试产中转剖宫产的主要危险因素包括胎位、瘢痕子宫、分娩镇痛、子宫下段肌壁厚度、BMI等,医师应准确掌握该类患者的临床特征,针对存在中转剖宫产危险因素者进行积极干预,以确保母婴安全。

硬膜外分娩镇痛产妇镇痛期间产时发热状况及其影响因素

目的探讨硬膜外分娩镇痛产妇镇痛期间产时发热状况及其影响因素。方法回顾性分析2021年1月至2021年12月于宝鸡市妇幼保健院分娩的2830例产妇的临床资料,依据硬膜外分娩镇痛期间是否出现产时发热分为产时发热组589例与无产时发热组2241例。采用χ^(2)检验对临床资料实施单因素分析,并将差异有统计学意义的单因素分析结果进行多因素Logistic回归分析。结果单因素分析结果显示,产前抗菌药物使用、羊水污染、硬膜外镇痛给药方式、使用缩宫素、硬膜外镇痛时宫口扩张、总产程、镇痛时间与硬膜外分娩镇痛期间产时发热有关(P<0.05);经多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,产前使用抗菌药物、硬膜外镇痛给药方式、使用缩宫素、硬膜外镇痛时宫口扩张、总产程、镇痛时间为硬膜外分娩镇痛期间产时发热的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论硬膜外分娩镇痛期间产时发热的独立危险因素为产前使用抗菌药物、硬膜外镇痛给药方式、使用缩宫素、硬膜外镇痛时宫口扩张、总产程、镇痛时间。