Background: Fetal weight estimation (FWE) is an important factor for clinical management decisions, especially in imminent preterm birth at the limit of viability between 23^0/7 and 26^0/7 weeks of gestation. It is crucial to detect and eliminate factors that have a negative impact on the accuracy of FWE. Data Sources: In this systematic literature review, we investigated 14 factors that may influence the accuracy of FWE, in particular in preterm neonates born at the limit of viability. Results: We found that gestational age, maternal body mass index, amniotic fluid index and ruptured membranes, presentation of the fetus, location of the placenta and the presence of multiple fetuses do not seem to have an impact on FWE accuracy. The influence of the examiner's grade of experience and that of fetal gender were discussed controversially. Fetal weight, time interval between estimation and delivery and the use of different formulas seem to have an evident effect on FWE accuracy. No results were obtained on the impact of active labor. Discussion: This review reveals that only few studies investigated factors possibly influencing the accuracy of FWE in preterm neonates at the limit of viability. Further research in this specific age group on potential confounding factors is needed.

Since TCM is related to emotional and physical stress, the surroundings during cesarean section should be kept quiet and smooth. Adrenergic stimulants (adrenaline, phenylephrine, ergonovine, ephedrine) and anticholinergics (atropine) should be used with caution and adequate volume substitution prior to the onset of spinal analgesia for the prevention of hypotension should be provided. If signs of an acute coronary syndrome during cesarean section do occur, echocardiography is obligatory for diagnosis of TCM.

Purpose Peripartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the main causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Treatment includes administration of packed red blood cells (RBC) in severe cases and patient blood management (PBM) may reduce it significantly. In our study, we wanted to retrospectively assess red blood cell administration in PPH to evaluate the impact of PBM in Switzerland. Methods Using data from the Swiss obstetric hospital registry (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schweizer Frauenkliniken, ASF), we included patients with deliveries from 1998 to 2016. We examined available obstetric data as well as blood loss and RBC administration in the acute and subacute peripartal phase. We categorized data into two time intervals: 1998-2011 and 2012-2016, as new PPH guidelines in Switzerland were established in 2012. Results PPH incidence increased between 1998 and 2016 significantly. The number of vaginal instrumental deliveries and cesarean sections increased as well. Administration of three or more RBC units, as defined in the ASF registry, in the acute and subacute phase in Switzerland has decreased after 2012. Conversely, we saw an increase in the administration of one to two RBC units in the acute and subacute phase. Nevertheless, overall RBC administration has been decreasing from 1998 to 2016. Conclusion The increase of patients obtaining one or two units of RBC for PPH suggests that there may be a potential for effective implication of PBM in obstetrics. Reduction of RBC transfusion in the context of PPH may not only decrease maternal morbidity, but decrease economic costs as well.

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