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John M Thorp

Publications and source records attributed to John M Thorp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Patterns of salivary cortisol secretion in pregnancy and implications for assessment protocols.

Cortisol is used in research as a biomarker of psychological stress. Logistical considerations argue for collecting as few samples as possible, balanced against diurnal rhythms and intra-individual variations. 100 pregnant women gave five saliva samples a day for 3 days, at waking, 30 min after waking, and 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Timing of collection was confirmed by monitors. Another sample was taken during a clinic visit. Using the 15 measures as the gold standard, correlations and mean area under the curve (AUC) were compared with subsets and the single clinic sample to evaluate alternate collection protocols. Five samples in 1 day, or protocols involving morning and night samples, had the highest correlations with mean AUC (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.82 to 0.88). Standardizing the clinic measurement to a single time of day did not substantially improve correlations with mean AUC. Correlations with measures of reported stress were also not strong.

Adult↗

Single versus weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids: evaluation of safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if weekly corticosteroids improve neonatal outcome without undue harm. STUDY DESIGN: Women 23 to 32 weeks receiving 1 course of corticosteroids 7 to 10 days prior were randomized to weekly betamethasone or placebo. RESULTS: The study was terminated by the independent data and safety monitoring committee with 495 of the anticipated 2400 patients enrolled. There was no significant reduction in the composite primary morbidity outcome (8.0% vs 9.1%, P = .67). Repeated courses significantly reduced neonatal surfactant administration (P = .02), mechanical ventilation (P = .004), CPAP (P = .05), pneumothoraces (P = .03). There was no significant difference in mean birth weight or head circumference. The repeat group had a reduction in multiples of the birth weight median by gestational age (0.88 vs 0.91) (P = .01) and more neonates weighing less than the 10th percentile (23.7 vs 15.3%, P = .02). Significant weight reductions occurred for the group receiving > or = 4 courses. CONCLUSION: Repeat antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduce specific neonatal morbidities but do not improve composite neonatal outcome. This is accompanied by reduction in birth weight and increase in small for gestational age infants.

Adult↗

Preconception care between pregnancies: the content of internatal care.

For more than two decades, prenatal care has been a cornerstone of our nation's strategy for improving pregnancy outcomes. In recent years, however, a growing recognition of the limits of prenatal care and the importance of maternal health before pregnancy has drawn increasing attention to preconception and internatal care. Internatal care refers to a package of healthcare and ancillary services provided to a woman and her family from the birth of one child to the birth of her next child. For healthy mothers, internatal care offers an opportunity for wellness promotion between pregnancies. For high-risk mothers, internatal care provides strategies for risk reduction before their next pregnancy. In this paper we begin to define the contents of internatal care. The core components of internatal care consist of risk assessment, health promotion, clinical and psychosocial interventions. We identified several priority areas, such as FINDS (family violence, infections, nutrition, depression, and stress) for risk assessment or BBEEFF (breastfeeding, back-to-sleep, exercise, exposures, family planning and folate) for health promotion. Women with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or weight problems should receive on-going care per clinical guidelines for their evaluation, treatment, and follow-up during the internatal period. For women with prior adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery, we propose an internatal care model based on known etiologic pathways, with the goal of preventing recurrence by addressing these biobehavioral pathways prior to the next pregnancy. We suggest enhancing service integration for women and families, including possibly care coordination and home visitation for selected high-risk women. The primary aim of this paper is to start a dialogue on the content of internatal care.

Domestic Violence↗

The MFMU Cesarean Registry: impact of fetal size on trial of labor success for patients with previous cesarean for dystocia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of change in infant birth weight between pregnancies on the outcome of a trial of labor for women whose first cesarean delivery was performed for dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of 7081 patients with 1 previous cesarean delivery and no other deliveries after 20 weeks' gestation, undergoing a trial of labor with a singleton gestation. Cases were classified as dystocia if the listed indication for the cesarean delivery in the first pregnancy was failed induction, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, failure to progress, or failed forceps or vacuum. Outcomes of the trial of labor were correlated with fetal size relative to birth weight in the initial pregnancy for those women whose initial cesarean delivery was for dystocia and those with other indications. RESULTS: For the cohort being studied (n = 7081), dystocia was the indication for the first cesarean delivery for 3182 (44.9%). Trial of labor resulted in vaginal delivery for 54% of patients whose first cesarean delivery was performed for dystocia, compared with 67% for those with other indications (P < .01). For those whose first cesarean delivery was for dystocia, trial of labor success was correlated with birth weight differences between the pregnancies, with only 38% delivering vaginally if the trial of labor birth weight exceeded the initial pregnancy birth weight by more than 500 g. Using logistic regression and adjusting for other potential confounding factors, the odds of success decreased by 3.8% for each increase of 100 g in birth weight in the trial of labor relative to the first birth weight. CONCLUSION: For women with previous cesarean delivery for dystocia, increasing birth weight in the subsequent trial of labor relative to the first birth weight diminishes the chances of successful vaginal delivery.

Adult↗

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Cesarean Registry: safety and efficacy of a trial of labor in preterm pregnancy after a prior cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare success rates of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) delivery, and uterine rupture as well as maternal/perinatal outcomes between women with preterm and term pregnancies undergoing trial of labor (TOL), and to compare maternal and neonatal morbidities in those women with preterm pregnancies undergoing a TOL versus repeat cesarean delivery without labor (RCD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective 4-year observational study of women with a singleton gestation and a prior cesarean delivery at 19 academic centers. Clinical characteristics, maternal complications and VBAC delivery success for those with a preterm (24(0)-36(6) weeks) TOL, preterm RCD and term TOL (> or = 37 weeks) were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 3119 preterm pregnancies with prior cesarean delivery, 2338 (75%) underwent a TOL. 15,331 women undergoing TOL at term were also analyzed as a control group. TOL success rates for preterm and term pregnancies were similar (72.8% vs 73.3%, P = .64). Rates of uterine rupture (0.34% vs 0.74%, P = .03) and dehiscence (0.26% vs 0.67%, P = .02) were lower in preterm compared with term TOL. Thromboembolic disease, coagulopathy and transfusion were more common in women undergoing a preterm TOL than those at term. Among women undergoing a preterm TOL, rates of uterine dehiscence, coagulopathy, transfusion, and endometritis were similar to those having a preterm RCD. After controlling for gestational age at delivery and race, neonatal outcomes such as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, and ventilatory support were similar in both groups except for a higher rate of respiratory distress syndrome in those delivered after a TOL. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of VBAC success after TOL in preterm pregnancies is comparable to term gestations, with a lower risk of uterine rupture. Perinatal outcomes are similar with preterm TOL and RCD. TOL should be considered as an option for women undergoing preterm delivery with a history of prior cesarean delivery.

Adult↗

A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for initiation of labor in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of outpatient acupuncture for labor stimulation. METHODS: Nulliparous women at 39 4/7 weeks or greater with a singleton gestation and Bishop score of less than 7 were randomized to usual medical care (control group) versus usual care and three outpatient acupuncture treatments (acupuncture group). Each treatment consisted of eight needles applied to bilateral points LI4, SP6, UB31, and UB32. The primary outcome was time elapsed from the time of randomization to delivery. Secondary outcomes included rates of cesarean section and induction of labor. Medical records were abstracted for maternal demographic, medical, and delivery outcome data. A priori sample size calculation revealed that 56 women were required to detect a 72-hour difference in delivery time with a power of 83% and an alpha of 0.05. Student's t-test, Chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six women were randomized and completed the study procedures. Race, age, gestational age, and cervical Bishop score were similar in both groups. Mean time to delivery occurred 21 hours sooner in the acupuncture group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.36). Compared to controls, women in the acupuncture group tended to be more likely to labor spontaneously (70% vs. 50%, p = 0.12) and less likely to deliver by cesarean section (39% vs. 17%, p = 0.07). Of women who were not induced, those in the acupuncture group were more likely to be delivered than the controls at any point after enrollment (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is well tolerated among term nulliparous women and holds promise in reducing interventions that occur in post-term pregnancies.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

Maternal morbidity associated with multiple repeat cesarean deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: Although repeat cesarean deliveries often are associated with serious morbidity, they account for only a portion of abdominal deliveries and are overlooked when evaluating morbidity. Our objective was to estimate the magnitude of increased maternal morbidity associated with increasing number of cesarean deliveries. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort of 30,132 women who had cesarean delivery without labor in 19 academic centers over 4 years (1999-2002). RESULTS: There were 6,201 first (primary), 15,808 second, 6,324 third, 1,452 fourth, 258 fifth, and 89 sixth or more cesarean deliveries. The risks of placenta accreta, cystotomy, bowel injury, ureteral injury, and ileus, the need for postoperative ventilation, intensive care unit admission, hysterectomy, and blood transfusion requiring 4 or more units, and the duration of operative time and hospital stay significantly increased with increasing number of cesarean deliveries. Placenta accreta was present in 15 (0.24%), 49 (0.31%), 36 (0.57%), 31 (2.13%), 6 (2.33%), and 6 (6.74%) women undergoing their first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth or more cesarean deliveries, respectively. Hysterectomy was required in 40 (0.65%) first, 67 (0.42%) second, 57 (0.90%) third, 35 (2.41%) fourth, 9 (3.49%) fifth, and 8 (8.99%) sixth or more cesarean deliveries. In the 723 women with previa, the risk for placenta accreta was 3%, 11%, 40%, 61%, and 67% for first, second, third, fourth, and fifth or more repeat cesarean deliveries, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because serious maternal morbidity increases progressively with increasing number of cesarean deliveries, the number of intended pregnancies should be considered during counseling regarding elective repeat cesarean operation versus a trial of labor and when debating the merits of elective primary cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Cesarean Section, Repeat↗

Trial of labor or repeat cesarean delivery in women with morbid obesity and previous cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Assess effects of body mass index (BMI) on trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery and determine whether morbidly obese women have greater maternal and perinatal morbidity with trial of labor compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery. METHODS: Secondary analysis from a prospective observational study included all term singletons undergoing trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. Body mass index groups were as follows: normal 18.5-24.9, overweight 25.0-29.9, obese 30.0-39.9, morbidly obese 40.0 kg/m2 or greater, and were compared for failure and maternal and neonatal morbidities. The morbidly obese trial of labor and elective repeat cesarean delivery were compared for maternal and neonatal morbidities. Multivariable logistic regression analysis controlled for confounding variables. RESULTS: There were 14,142 trial of labor participants and 14,304 elective repeat cesarean delivery participants. Increasing BMI was directly associated with failed trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery: from 15.2% in normal weight (1,344) to 39.3% in morbidly obese (1,638), with combined risk of rupture/dehiscence increasing from 0.9% to 2.1% in morbidly obese women. Among morbidly obese women, trial of labor carried greater than five-fold risk of uterine rupture/dehiscence (2.1% versus 0.4%), almost a two-fold increase in composite maternal morbidity (7.2% versus 3.8%) and five-fold risk of neonatal injury (1.1% versus 0.2%) (fractures, brachial plexus injuries, and lacerations), but no neonatal encephalopathy. Morbidly obese women failing a trial of labor had six-fold greater composite maternal morbidity than those undergoing a successful trial of labor (14.2% versus 2.6%). CONCLUSION: Body mass index correlates with outcomes in trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. Morbidly obese women undergoing a trial of labor were at increased risk for failure. Increased BMI was associated with greater composite morbidity and neonatal injury compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery, but absolute morbidities were small. Increased risks should be considered before trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

Risk of uterine rupture with a trial of labor in women with multiple and single prior cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the risk for uterine rupture is increased in women attempting vaginal birth after multiple cesarean deliveries. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational study of women with prior cesarean delivery undergoing trial of labor and elective repeat operation. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared among women attempting vaginal birth after multiple cesarean deliveries and those with a single prior cesarean delivery. We also compared outcomes for women with multiple prior cesarean deliveries undergoing trial of labor with those electing repeat cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Uterine rupture occurred in 9 of 975 (0.9%) women with multiple prior cesarean compared with 115 of 16,915 (0.7%) women with a single prior operation (P = .37). Multivariable analysis confirmed that multiple prior cesarean delivery was not associated with an increased risk for uterine rupture. The rates of hysterectomy (0.6% versus 0.2%, P = .023) and transfusion (3.2% versus 1.6%, P < .001) were increased in women with multiple prior cesarean deliveries compared with women with a single prior cesarean delivery attempting trial of labor. Similarly, a composite of maternal morbidity was increased in women with multiple prior cesarean deliveries undergoing trial of labor compared with those having elective repeat cesarean delivery (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.93). CONCLUSION: A history of multiple cesarean deliveries is not associated with an increased rate of uterine rupture in women attempting vaginal birth compared with those with a single prior operation. Maternal morbidity is increased with trial of labor after multiple cesarean deliveries, compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery, but the absolute risk for complications is small. Vaginal birth after multiple cesarean deliveries should remain an option for eligible women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

Blood transfusion and cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risks for intraoperative or postoperative packed red blood cell transfusion in women who underwent cesarean delivery. METHODS: This was a 19-university prospective observational study. All primary cesarean deliveries from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2000, and all repeat cesareans from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2002, were included. Trained, certified research nurses performed systematic data abstraction. Primary and repeat cesarean deliveries were analyzed separately. Univariable analyses were used to inform multivariable analyses. RESULTS: A total of 23,486 women underwent primary cesarean delivery, of whom 762 (3.2%) were transfused (median 2 units, 25th% to 75th% 2-3 units). A total of 33,683 women underwent repeat [corrected] cesarean delivery, and 735 (2.2%) were transfused (median 2 units, 25th% to 75th% 2-4 units). Among primary cesareans, general anesthesia (odds ratio [OR] 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5-5.0), placenta previa (OR 4.8, CI 3.5-6.5) and severe (hematocrit less than 25%) preoperative anemia (OR 17.0, CI 12.4-23.3) increased the odds of transfusion. Among repeat cesareans, the risk was increased by general anesthesia (OR 7.2, CI 5.9-8.7), a history of five or more prior cesareans (OR 7.6, CI 4.0-14.3), placenta previa (OR 15.9, CI 12.0-21.0), and severe preoperative anemia (OR 19.9, CI 14.5-27.2). CONCLUSION: Overall, the risk of transfusion in association with cesarean is low. However, both severe preoperative maternal anemia and placenta previa are associated with markedly increased risks. The former argues for optimizing maternal antenatal iron status to avoid severe anemia and the latter for careful perioperative planning when previa complicates cesarean. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Anemia↗

Attitudes toward participation in a pregnancy and child cohort study.

While epidemiological studies aim for high participation rates, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain participants in lengthy observational studies. We surveyed women who recently participated in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study during their pregnancy to learn more about what initially motivated them to participate in the study, their attitudes about the study protocol, and whether they would allow their child to participate in future studies. Most women were motivated by their interest in science and learning about their pregnancy. In general, women felt quite comfortable with most aspects of the study. Consent forms, telephone interviews and self-administered questionnaires were the most acceptable components of the study, but even specimen collection was well tolerated by this cohort. Women were less comfortable with the possibility of their child participating in future research. This survey confirmed that once women are enrolled, they tend to be willing to complete most components of an intensive study, suggesting that initial efforts for recruitment are most important.

Adult↗

Impact of abnormal results of outpatient fetal heart rate monitoring on maternal intervention in labor.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a retrospective, cohort study to determine the impact of abnormal outpatient fetal heart rate (FHR) testing on maternal interventions in labor, including labor induction, operative vaginal delivery and unplanned cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: Our cohort consisted of 1,386 women with singleton gestations who had outpatient fetal nonstress testing within 1 week prior to giving birth etween 1993 and 1998. Antepartum FHR records were interpreted as reassuring or nonreassuring, and pregnancy records were abstracted for background medical information, labor interventions and pregnancy outcomes. Logistic regression models were used to describe the association between abnormal outpatient monitoring results and maternal interventions in labor. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders (maternal age, race, prior history of cesarean section, antepartum indications for monitoring, fetal presentation and abnormal fetal heart rate patterns in labor), women with nonreassuring monitoring were 90% more likely to undergo induction. The 2 groups were similar in operative vaginal delivery rates, but pregnancies with nonreassuring testing were more than twice as likely to end with an unplanned cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Abnormal outpatient antenatal FHR testing may be independently associated with an increased risk of unplanned cesarean section.

Adult↗

Measures of placental growth in relation to birth weight and gestational age.

Fetal growth depends in part on placental growth. The authors tested placental measures derived from digital images for reliability and to evaluate their association with birth weight and gestational age. A total of 628 women recruited into the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study, a prospective cohort study of preterm birth in central North Carolina between 2002 and 2004, delivered singleton liveborn infants after 24 completed weeks' gestation. Novel chorionic plate morphometric parameters captured off digital images of the gross placenta were analyzed as estimators of gestational age and birth weight. Without acknowledgment to placental weight, digitally obtained lateral chorionic plate growth measures accounted for 17 percent of gestational age variance and 35 percent of birth weight variance, overall. Chorionic plate measures accounted for 10 percent of birth weight variance beyond that accounted for by placental weight alone. Among preterm births, 34 percent of gestational age variance and 63 percent of birth weight variance were accounted for by lateral chorionic plate growth measures. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the novel digital measures ranged from 0.96 to 0.98. Reliable digital measures of lateral chorionic plate growth estimate birth weight variance more strongly than gestational age, project variance that is not accounted for by placental weight, and project these outcomes to a greater degree in preterm births than at term.

Birth Weight↗

The epidemiology of threatened preterm labor: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence, timing, and outcomes of hospital-based diagnoses of preterm labor. STUDY DESIGN: Administrative records identified hospital admissions for preterm labor among 2534 women in an ongoing cohort study. Factors that were considered risks for prematurity were examined by logistic regression for an association with any preterm labor diagnosis, a preterm labor diagnosis <33 weeks of gestation, or > or =33 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Of 234 women (9%) who experienced hospitalization for preterm labor, 90 women (38%) were delivered in the first episode. Previous preterm birth consistently was associated with a diagnosis of preterm labor. Reporting a sexually transmitted infection (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0) or bacterial vaginosis (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.7-4.1) early in pregnancy was associated with hospitalization for preterm labor between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of first-time hospitalization for preterm labor was 9%, with most episodes not resulting in preterm birth. Previous preterm birth was associated therefore with a preterm labor diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit cesarean registry: trial of labor with a twin gestation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the success rates and risks in women with a twin pregnancy who attempt a trial of labor after cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Cases were identified in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network's Cesarean Registry with a woman with a twin pregnancy who had had at least 1 previous cesarean delivery. RESULTS: During the study period (1999-2002), 412 women fulfilled the study criteria, and 226 women had elective repeat cesarean delivery. Of the 186 women (45.1% of total) who attempted a trial of labor, 120 women were delivered successfully (success rate, 64.5%), and 66 women (35.5%) had a failed trial of labor. Thirty of the failed trials of labor involved a vaginal delivery for twin A and cesarean delivery for twin B. Women who attempted a trial of labor with twins had no increased risk of transfusion, endometritis, intensive care unit admissions, or uterine rupture when compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery. Fetal and neonatal complications were uncommon in either group at>or=34 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: A trial of labor with twins after previous cesarean delivery does not appear to increase maternal morbidity. Perinatal morbidity is uncommon at>or=34 weeks of gestation.

Adult↗

The use of non-nutritive sucking to decrease the physiologic pain response during neonatal circumcision: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to study the effects on the physiologic pain response of the neonate during circumcision with the use of a gloved human finger. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial analyzing the effect of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on pain response during circumcision. Term neonates were randomized to 2 groups. All infants received oral Tylenol and a dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) before the circumcision. The study group was offered the addition of NNS before the DPNB and throughout the procedure. The primary outcome measured was heart rate during the circumcision. Other variables studied included crying time and salivary cortisol levels. Each circumcision was filmed to calculate pain profile scores using the Premature Infant Pain Profile. Variables were compared using Student t test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon test. A P value of < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-four infants met inclusion criteria. Twenty-two infants were randomized to each arm. No difference in mean heart rate during the procedure was apparent. A significant decrease in crying time, 90-minute post-procedure salivary cortisol level, and post-penile clamping pain score was noted in the study group (all P values < .01). CONCLUSION: NNS significantly decreases some elements of measurable physiologic pain response of the neonate during circumcision. This method is a useful and inexpensive addition to DPNB and oral analgesics.

Circumcision, Male↗

The MFMU Cesarean Registry: factors affecting the success of trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which factors influence the likelihood of successful trial of labor (TOL) after 1 previous cesarean delivery (CD). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a multicenter 4-year prospective observational study (1999-2002) of all women with previous CD undergoing TOL. Women with term singleton pregnancies with 1 previous low transverse CD or unknown incision were included for analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen thousand five hundred twenty-nine women underwent TOL, with 10,690 (73.6%) achieving successful VBAC. Women with previous vaginal birth had an 86.6% success rate compared with 60.9% in women without such a history (odds ratio [OR] 4.2; 95% CI 3.8-4.5; P < .001). TOL success rates were affected by previous indication for CD, need for induction or augmentation, cervical dilation on admission, birth weight, race, and maternal body mass index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified as predictive of TOL success: previous vaginal delivery (OR 3.9; 95% CI 3.6-4.3), previous indication not being dystocia (CPD/FTP) (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.5-1.8), spontaneous labor (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.5-1.8), birth weight <4000 g (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.8-2.3), and Caucasian race (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-1.9) (all P < .001). The overall TOL success rate in obese women (BMI > or = 30) was lower (68.4%) than in nonobese women (79.6%) (P < .001), and when combined with induction and lack of previous vaginal delivery, successful VBAC occurred in only 44.2% of cases. CONCLUSION: Previous vaginal delivery including previous VBAC is the greatest predictor for successful TOL. Previous indication as dystocia, need for labor induction, or a maternal BMI > or = 30 significantly lowers success rates.

Adult↗

Progesterone for prevention of recurrent preterm birth: impact of gestational age at previous delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm birth occurs in 1 of 8 pregnancies and may result in significant morbidity and mortality. 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHP caproate) has been found to be efficacious in reducing the risk of subsequent preterm delivery in women who have had a previous spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). This analysis was undertaken to evaluate if 17-OHP caproate therapy works preferentially depending on the gestational age at previous spontaneous delivery. We hypothesized that treatment with 17-OHP caproate is more effective in prolonging pregnancy depending on the gestational age of the earliest previous preterm birth (20-27.9, 28-33.9 vs 34-36.9 weeks). STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of 459 women with a previous sPTB enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating 17-OHP caproate versus placebo. Effectiveness of 17-OHP caproate for pregnancy prolongation was evaluated based on gestational age at earliest previous delivery according to clinically relevant groupings (20-27.9, 28-33.9, and 34-36.9 weeks). Statistical analysis included the chi-square, Fisher exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, logistic regression, and survival analysis using proportional hazards. RESULTS: Gestational age at earliest previous delivery was similar between women treated with 17-OHP caproate or placebo (P = .1). Women with earliest delivery at 20 to 27.9 weeks and at 28 to 33.9 weeks delivered at significantly more advanced gestational age if treated with 17-OHP caproate than with placebo (median 37.3 vs 35.4 weeks, P = .046 and 38.0 vs 36.7 weeks, P = .004, respectively) and were less likely to deliver <37 weeks (42% vs 63%, P = .026 and 34% vs 56%, P = .005, respectively). Those with earliest delivery at 34 to 36.9 weeks were not significantly different between 17-OHP caproate or control. CONCLUSION: 17-OHP caproate therapy given to prevent recurrent PTB is associated with a prolongation of pregnancy overall, and especially for women with a previous spontaneous PTB at <34 weeks.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗