American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe effects of metformin on weight loss in women with gestational diabetes: a pilot randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
We sought to compare weight loss in the first 6 weeks postpartum among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with metformin or placebo, a promising therapy to reduce later risk of progression to diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Women with GDM lost approximately 6 kg by 6 weeks' postpartum. This was similar in both groups and resulted in <50% of women achieving their prepregnancy weight. Although the reported adherence and satisfaction with the medication was high, adverse effects were reported with nearly 1 in 5 women including nausea, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia. Contrary to expectation, we found no evidence of benefit from metformin. However, longer treatment periods and larger studies with minimal attrition may be warranted.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2015
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialComprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocols reduce the use of blood products and improve patient safety.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of instituting a comprehensive protocol for the treatment of maternal hemorrhage within a large health care system. A comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocol was initiated within a health care system with 29 different delivery units and with >60,000 annual births. Compliance with key elements of the protocol was assessed monthly by a dedicated perinatal safety nurse at each site and validated during site visits by system perinatal nurse specialist. ⋯ Relative to baseline, there was a significant reduction in blood product use per 1000 births (-25.9%; P < .01) and a nonsignificant reduction (-14.8%; P = .2) in the number of patients who required puerperal hysterectomy. Within a large health care system, the application of a standardized method to address maternal hemorrhage significantly reduced maternal morbidity, based on the need for maternal transfusion and peripartum hysterectomy. These data support implementation of standardized methods for postpartum care and treatment of maternal hemorrhage and support that this approach will reduce maternal morbidity.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2015
Comparative StudyNeonatal morbidity associated with shoulder dystocia maneuvers.
We sought to examine neonatal morbidity associated with different maneuvers used among term patients who experience a shoulder dystocia. ⋯ We found no association between shoulder dystocia maneuvers and neonatal morbidity after adjusting for duration, a surrogate for severity. Our results demonstrate that clinicians should utilize the maneuver most likely to result in successful delivery.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2015
Partnering with patients to realize the benefits of social media.
Despite widespread concern about the potential risks of the use of social media, we are optimistic that social networks and blogs have the potential to enhance the practice of medicine by allowing clinicians to share ideas and information within the health care community, with patients, and with the general public. In particular, we believe that there can be value in posting information related to a patient encounter on social media, but only if care has been taken to consider the consequences of such a post from the patient's perspective. Thus, having a discussion with a patient and obtaining verbal consent before posting even deidentified patient information should become standard practice for all physicians who use social media.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2015
Comparative StudyInduction of labor versus expectant management for women with a prior cesarean delivery.
Previous studies of induction of labor in the setting of trial of labor after cesarean have compared women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean to those undergoing spontaneous labor. However, the clinically relevant comparison is to those undergoing expectant management. The objective of this study was to compare obstetric outcomes between women undergoing induction of labor and those undergoing expectant management ≥39 weeks of gestation. ⋯ Induction of labor at 39 weeks, when compared to expectant management, was associated with a higher chance of VBAC but also of uterine rupture.