Objective To evaluate the hypothesis that intrapartum ultrasound (ITU)

Introduction Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography is a non‐invasive alternative that, despite its poor specificity, is often first choice for intrapartum monitoring. Doppler ultrasound suffers from signal loss due to fetal movements and is negatively correlated with maternal body mass index (BMI). Reported accuracy of fetal heart rate monitoring by Doppler ultrasound varies between 10.6 and 14.3 bpm and reliability between 62.4% and 73%. The fetal scalp electrode (FSE) is considered the reference standard for fetal monitoring but can only be applied after membranes have ruptured with sufficient cervical dilatation and is sometimes contra‐indicated. A non‐invasive alternative that overcomes the shortcomings of Doppler ultrasound, providing reliable information on fetal heart rate, could be the answer. Non‐invasive fetal electrocardiography (NI‐fECG) uses a wireless electrode patch on the maternal abdomen to obtain both fetal and maternal heart rate signals as well as an electrohysterogram. We aimed to validate a wireless NI‐fECG device for intrapartum monitoring in term singleton pregnancies, by comparison with the FSE. Material and methods We performed a multicenter cross‐sectional observational study at labor wards of 6 hospitals located in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Laboring women with a healthy singleton fetus in cephalic presentation and gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks were included. Participants received an abdominal electrode patch and FSE after written informed consent. Accuracy, reliability, and success rate of fetal heart rate readings were determined, using FSE as reference standard. Analysis was performed for the total population and measurement period as well as separated by labor stage and BMI class (≤30 and >30 kg/m2). Results We included a total of 125 women. Simultaneous registrations with NI‐fECG and FSE were available in 103 women. Overall accuracy is −1.46 bpm and overall reliability 86.84%. Overall success rate of the NI‐fECG is around 90% for the total population as well as for both BMI subgroups. Success rate dropped to 63% during second stage of labor, similar results are found when looking at the separate BMI groups. Conclusions Performance measures of the NI‐fECG device are good in the overall group and the separate BMI groups. Compared with Doppler ultrasound performance measures from the literature, NI‐fECG is a more accurate alternative. Especially, when women have a higher BMI, NI‐fECG performs well, resembling FSE performance measures.

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The design of optimal courses for obstetric undergraduate teaching is a relevant question. This study evaluates two different designs of simulator-based learning activity on childbirth with regard to respect to the patient, obstetric manoeuvres, interpretation of cardiotocography tracings (CTG) and infection prevention. This randomised experimental study which differs in the content of their briefing sessions consisted of two groups of undergraduate students, who performed two simulator-based learning activities on childbirth. The first briefing session included the observations of a properly performed scenario according to Spanish clinical practice guidelines on care in normal childbirth by the teachers whereas the second group did not include the observations of a properly performed scenario, and the students observed it only after the simulation process. The group that observed a properly performed scenario after the simulation obtained worse grades during the simulation, but better grades during the debriefing and evaluation. Simulator use in childbirth may be more fruitful when the medical students observe correct performance at the completion of the scenario compared to that at the start of the scenario. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? There is a scarcity of literature about the design of optimal high-fidelity simulation training in childbirth. It is known that preparing simulator-based learning activities is a complex process. Simulator-based learning includes the following steps: briefing, simulation, debriefing and evaluation. The most important part of high-fidelity simulations is the debriefing. A good briefing and simulation are of high relevance in order to have a fruitful debriefing session. What do the results of this study add? Our study describes a full simulator-based learning activity on childbirth that can be reproduced in similar facilities. The findings of this study add that high-fidelity simulation training in childbirth is favoured by a short briefing session and an abrupt start to the scenario, rather than a long briefing session that includes direct instruction in the scenario. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The findings of this study reveal what to include in the briefing of simulator-based learning activities on childbirth. These findings have implications in medical teaching and in medical practice.

Aim This study explored the association between the presence of uterine fibroids (UF), as determined by ultrasound, and preterm birth (PB) risk. Methods Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Studies reporting women with and without UF demonstrated by an ultrasound exam. The primary outcome was the risk of PB < 37 weeks of gestation in pregnancies with UF diagnosed by an obstetric ultrasound exam. Effects for dichotomous and continuous outcomes are, respectively, reported as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Eighteen studies were included comprising 276 172 pregnancies to whom obstetric ultrasound assessment was performed for the presence/absence of UF. Women with UF were older (mean difference = 2.40 years, 95% CI 0.94–3.85) and were at higher risk of PB before 37 (RR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.27–1.60), 34 (RR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.32–2.42), 32 (RR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.33–2.85) and 28 (RR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.48–3.17) weeks as compared to those without UF (P < 0.01). In addition, women with UF were at higher risk of threatened preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, fetal malpresentation, placental abruption, lower gestational age and birthweight at delivery and a higher cesarean delivery rate. Conclusion Pregnant women with UF are at increased risk of PB and other adverse obstetric outcomes.

A correct differential diagnosis between extragastrointestinal stromal tumors and other similar pathologies such as leiomyomas or schwannomas is imperative based on their histology and immunohistochemistry. The correct diagnosis of extragastrointestinal stromal tumors allows to start adequate treatment and follow-up, preventing recurrence that determines their poor prognosis.

Introduction The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that transperineal ultrasound can be used to decide whether to admit a pregnant woman due to labor. Material and methods In this analytical cross‐sectional observational study, transperineal ultrasound was performed on pregnant women with intact membranes who came to the hospital due to contractions. A decision was made to admit women due to labor based on the ultrasound measurements. The ultrasound measurements were used to determine cervical dilation, the angle of progression, and fetal head position. The managing midwives were blinded to the results and made the final decision to admit the women based on digital vaginal examination. Results It was possible to decide whether a woman had to be admitted for delivery or discharged due to the latent phase of labor according to the ultrasound examination in 55 of the 57 cases (96.5%). In four of the 55 cases, the decision based on ultrasound differed from the midwife's decision (7.3%). There was strong agreement between the decision to admit the pregnant women based on ultrasound measurements and the digital vaginal examination (Cohen's kappa: 0.844). It was possible to measure cervical dilation with ultrasound in 52 of the 57 cases (91.2%). The intraclass correlation coefficient for the cervical dilation measurements was 0.736 (95% confidence interval 0.539‐0.848). Conclusions There was strong agreement between the ultrasound and digital vaginal examination results in the decision to admit singleton pregnant women at term due to labor. A large number of vaginal examinations could be avoided by using intrapartum ultrasound.

Our study failed to define any criteria followed by obstetricians when performing a Kristeller maneuver in cases of prolonged second stage of labor. There was no relation between the angle of progression and the decision to perform a Kristeller maneuver.