Importance: Preterm labor (PTL) is one of the most common and serious pregnancy complications associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term neurologic impairment in the offspring.Objective: The aim of this study was to review and compare the most recently published major guidelines on diagnosis, management, prediction, and prevention of this severe complication of pregnancy.Evidence Acquisition: A descriptive review of guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the World Health Organization, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the New South Wales Government, and the European Association of Perinatal Medicine (EAPM) on PTL was carried out.Results: There is a consensus among the reviewed guidelines that the diagnosis of PTL is based on clinical criteria, physical examination, measurement of cervical length (CL) with transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and use of biomarkers, although there is disagreement on the first-line diagnostic test. The NICE and the EAPM are in favor of TVUS CL measurement, whereas the New South Wales Government mentions that fetal fibronectin testing is the mainstay for PTL diagnosis. Moreover, there is consistency among the guidelines regarding the importance of treating PTL up to 34 weeks of gestation, to delay delivery for 48 hours, for the administration of antenatal corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and in utero transfer to higher care facility, although several discrepancies exist regarding the tocolytic drugs of choice and the administration of corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate after 34 and 30 gestational weeks, respectively. Routine cesarean delivery in case of PTL is unanimously not recommended. Finally, the NICE, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the EAPM highlight the significance of screening for PTL by TVUS CL measurement between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation and suggest the use of either vaginal progesterone or cervical cerclage for the prevention of PTL, based on specific indications. Cervical pessary is not recommended as a preventive measure.Conclusions: Preterm labor is a significant contributor of perinatal morbidity and mortality with a substantial impact on health care systems. Thus, it seems of paramount importance to develop consistent international practice protocols for timely diagnosis and effective management of this major obstetric complication and subsequently improve pregnancy outcomes.Target Audience: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.Learning Objectives: After participating in this activity, the physician should be better able to identify the symptoms of established preterm labor; describe the recommended management strategies for preterm labor; and explain the prediction and prevention methods for the reduction of preterm labor rates.All authors, faculty, and staff have no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible organizations regarding this educational activity. S.G. and I.T. shared first authorship.

Importance: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common complication of childbirth and the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide, also associated with important secondary sequelae.Objective: The aim of this study was to review and compare the most recently published influential guidelines on evaluation, management, and prevention of this severe, life-threatening obstetric complication.Evidence Acquisition: A descriptive review of guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, the Network for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management, Hemostasis and Thrombosis in collaboration with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the European Society of Anaesthesiology, and the World Health Organization on PPH was carried out.Results: There is a consensus among the reviewed guidelines that once PPH occurs, it is important to identify the underlying cause (4 T's), estimate the blood loss, and immediately initiate a resuscitation protocol with fluid replacement, blood transfusion, and close monitoring of the woman. In case of uterine atony, all the reviewed medical societies recommend uterine massage, bimanual uterine compression, and administration of uterotonics, although minor discrepancies are observed regarding the optimal regimens. If these measures fail, the use of intrauterine balloon tamponade or other surgical interventions is unanimously recommended. There is also agreement regarding the management of PPH due to retained placenta, placenta accreta, obstetric trauma, uterine rupture or inversion, and acute coagulopathy. Massive transfusion protocols are not consistent in the reviewed guidelines. Finally, all guidelines highlight the importance of the active management of the third stage of labor for the prevention of PPH, suggesting several interventions, with the administration of oxytocin being the criterion standard.Conclusions: Postpartum hemorrhage is a significant contributor of maternal morbidity and mortality. Thus, the development of consistent international practice protocols for the effective management and prevention of this major complication seems of paramount importance and will hopefully improve obstetric outcomes and especially maternal mortality rate.Target Audience: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.Learning Objectives: After participating in this activity, the learner should be better able to explain the definition of postpartum hemorrhage, as well as the initial maternal evaluation; describe the appropriate management of postpartum hemorrhage; and assess the risk factors and adopt strategies for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most common obstetric complications as it affects an estimated 3% to 5% of all deliveries. 1,2 Moreover,...

Background The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women affected with celiac disease (CD), and to further estimate the impact of early disease diagnosis and subsequent adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) on obstetric complications. Methods A systematic search for English language observational studies was conducted in Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, from inception till April 2022, to identify relevant studies reporting on the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with CD. Odds ratios (OR) and relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to combine data from case-control and cohort studies, respectively. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results In total, 14 cohort and 4 case-control studies were included and our analysis demonstrated that the risk for spontaneous abortion (RR 1.35, 95%CI 1.10-1.65), fetal growth restriction (RR 1.68, 95%CI 1.34-2.10), stillbirth (RR 1.57, 95%CI 1.17-2.10), preterm delivery (RR 1.29, 95%CI 1.12-1.49), cesarean delivery (RR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03-1.16) and lower mean birthweight (mean difference -176.08, 95%CI -265.79 to -86.38) was significantly higher in pregnant women with CD. The subgroup analysis demonstrated that only undiagnosed CD increased risk for fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, preterm delivery and lower mean birthweight, whereas early diagnosis of CD was not linked to any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions Undiagnosed CD is associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Early CD diagnosis and appropriate management with GFD may ameliorate these associations.

ImportanceObesity is one of the most common clinical entities complicating pregnancies and is associated with short- and long-term consequences for both the mother and the offspring.ObjectiveThe aim of this study were to review and compare the most recently published influential guidelines on the management of maternal obesity in the preconceptional, antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum period.Evidence AcquisitionA descriptive review of guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on obesity in pregnancy was carried out.ResultsThere is an overall agreement among the reviewed guidelines regarding the importance of prepregnancy weight loss with behavioral modification, optimization of gestational weight gain, and screening for comorbidities in improving pregnancy outcomes of obese women. Women with previous bariatric surgery should be screened for nutritional deficiencies and have a closer antenatal surveillance, according to all guidelines. In addition, folic acid supplementation is recommended for 1 to 3 months before conception and during the first trimester, but several discrepancies were identified with regard to other vitamins, iodine, calcium, and iron supplementation. All medical societies recommend early screening for gestational diabetes mellitus and early anesthetic assessment in obese women and suggest the use of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia when additional risk factors are present, although the optimal dosage is controversial. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists point out that specific equipment and adequate resources must be readily available in all health care facilities managing obese pregnant women. Moreover, thromboprophylaxis and prophylactic antibiotics are indicated in case of cesarean delivery, and intrapartum fetal monitoring is justified during active labor in obese patients. However, there are no consistent protocols regarding the fetal surveillance, the monitoring of multiple gestations, the timing and mode of delivery, and the postpartum follow-up, although weight loss and breastfeeding are unanimously supported.ConclusionsObesity in pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity with a constantly rising global prevalence among reproductive-aged women. Thus, the development of uniform international protocols for the effective management of obese women is of paramount importance to safely guide clinical practice and subsequently improve pregnancy outcomes.Target AudienceObstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.Learning ObjectivesAfter participating in this ...

Fetal and perinatal periods are critical phases for long-term development. Early diagnosis of maternal complications is challenging due to the great complexity of these conditions. In recent years, amniotic fluid has risen in a prominent position in the latest efforts to describe and characterize prenatal development. Amniotic fluid may provide real-time information on fetal development and metabolism throughout pregnancy as substances from the placenta, fetal skin, lungs, gastric fluid, and urine are transferred between the mother and the fetus. Applying metabolomics to monitor fetal well-being, in such a context, could help in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions and is a promising area of research. This review shines a spotlight on recent amniotic fluid metabolomics studies and their methods as an interesting tool for the assessment of many conditions and the identification of biomarkers. Platforms in use, such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), have different merits, and a combinatorial approach could be valuable. Metabolomics may also be used in the quest for habitual diet-induced metabolic signals in amniotic fluid. Finally, analysis of amniotic fluid can provide information on exposure to exogenous substances by detecting the exact levels of metabolites carried to the fetus and associated metabolic effects.