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Biomedical subjects

Stephen Ratcliffe

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen Ratcliffe.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The UTAH VBAC Study.

BACKGROUND: In July 1999, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued Practice Guideline number 5 on vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) and trial of labor (TOL). This updated guideline recommends that a physician be immediately available during a TOL in the rare case of complications. We examined the effect this new guideline would have on physician's VBAC/TOL practices in Utah. OBJECTIVE: 1) Explore physician knowledge of ACOG Practice Guideline number 5; 2) Evaluate change in physician's VBAC practices in the previous 12 months; 3) Evaluate physician's ability to comply with ACOG Practice Guideline number 5 recommendations by rural, suburban, and urban location. METHODS: In spring 2001, we surveyed by mail all physicians practicing obstetrics in Utah. Questions included demographics, hospital data, VBAC/TOL practice patterns and awareness of ACOG Practice Guideline number 5. Physicians were classified as urban, suburban, or rural by their primary delivery hospital. RESULTS: We found 97% of obstetricians and 79% of family physicians were aware of ACOG Practice Guideline number 5. Forty-five percent of all physicians reported a decline in VBAC practices in the preceding 12 months. Urban physicians' use of VBAC/TOL decreased the least, followed by rural and suburban. Eighty-seven percent of physicians had C/S "immediately" available during TOL: urban physicians 100%, suburban 88%, and rural physicians 76%. Emergency C/S delivery was performed fastest at urban hospitals, slower at suburban, and slowest at rural hospitals. CONCLUSION: Physicians use of VBAC/TOL has changed. TOL is offered less by obstetrical providers in Utah and more repeat C/S are performed since 1999 when ACOG updated this policy guideline. This decline has been more noticeable in suburban and rural hospitals and is consistent with recent national trends. Many rural physicians are unable to comply with ACOG Practice Guideline number 5 recommendations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The nature and management of labor pain: part I. Nonpharmacologic pain relief.

Pain in labor is a nearly universal experience for childbearing women. A recent evidence-based symposium on the nature and management of labor pain brought together family physicians, obstetricians, midwives, obstetric anesthesiologists, and childbirth educators to discuss a series of commissioned systematic reviews. Although management of labor pain plays a relatively minor role in a woman's satisfaction with childbirth compared with the quality of the relationship with her maternity caregiver and the degree of participation she has in decision making, it is an important topic for women and their caregivers. Nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief such as labor support, intradermal water blocks, and warm water baths are effective techniques for management of labor pain. An increased availability of these methods can provide effective alternatives for women in labor.

Anesthesia, Obstetrical↗
PubMed2003

The nature and management of labor pain: part II. Pharmacologic pain relief.

A group of family physicians, obstetricians, midwives, obstetric anesthesiologists, and childbirth educators attended an evidence-based symposium in 2001 on the nature and management of labor pain and discussed a series of systematic reviews that focused on methods of labor pain management. Parenteral opioids provide modest pain relief in labor, and little evidence supports the use of one agent over another. Epidural analgesia is used during labor in most large U.S. hospitals, and its use is rapidly increasing in small hospitals. Although epidural analgesia is the most effective form of pain relief, its use is associated with a longer labor, an increased incidence of maternal fever, and increased rates of operative vaginal delivery. The effect of epidural analgesia on rates of cesarean delivery is controversial. Nitrous oxide provides a modest analgesic effect, but it is used less often in the United States than in other developed nations. Paracervical block provides effective analgesia in the first stage of labor, but its use is limited by postblock bradycardia. Research is needed regarding which pain-relief options women would choose if they were offered a range of choices beyond epidural analgesia or parenteral opioids.

Analgesia, Epidural↗