“BIRTH IS LIKE A MARATHON” REVISITING CHILDBIRTH BY USING SPORT BIOMECHANICS APPROACHES

Childbirth is a sport according to women who have experienced it. The physiological demand of this specific sport activity is indeed close to what is measured in many other sport activities. From a biomechanical point of view, it also seems possible to consider childbirth as a sport activity that can be optimized. After explaining how childbirth is similar to a sport activity, we will present the methodology and preliminary results of an innovative approach in delivery biomechanics. A biomechanical analysis of childbirth as performed in many sport activities seems to be appropriate in order to optimize some parameters of this sport activity so special in a lifetime

How to Adapt Anesthetic Human Resources to Health Emergencies Such as the COVID-19 Outbreak: Replacing a Pre-anesthetic Consultation With a Questionnaire in a University Obstetric Unit

To manage referrals to the pre-anesthetic consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic, a screening questionnaire was created and sent to parturients with anesthetic risk during the pre-anesthetic consultation. This innovative approach enabled the redistribution of medical anesthetic resources in units that were heavily affected by the pandemic

Postpartum Hemorrhage: Differences in Definition, Data and Incidence

Introduction Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Geo-temporal comparisons of in-hospital PPH incidence remain a challenge due to differences in definition, data quality and the absence of accurate, validated indicators. Objectives and Approach To compare the incidence of PPH using different definitions to assess the need for a validated indicator. Singleton births from 2014-2016 at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, were included. PPH was defined based on 1) clinical diagnosis using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-GM) PPH diagnostic codes, 2) volume of blood loss ≥500ml for vaginal births and ≥1000ml for cesareans 3) peripartum Hb change >2g/dl in vaginal births and ≥4g/dl in cesareans and 4) fulfillment of criteria from definition one, two or three. Data were extracted from hospital discharge data and linked with electronic health records. Results There were 2529, 2660 and 2715 singleton births in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, 28.8% were cesareans. Peripartum change in Hb was available for 17% of births. The incidence (95% CI) of PPH in 2014, 2015 and 2016 was, respectively: 1)6.0% (5.1, 7.0), 6.3% (5.4, 7.3) and 7.9% (6.9, 9.0) based on diagnostic codes; 2)7.9% (6.8, 9.0), 7.1% (6.2, 8.2) and 7.2% (6.3, 8.3) based on blood loss volumes; 3)2.4% (1.8, 3.1), 2.7% (2.1, 3.4) and 3.5% (2.9, 4.3) based on change in Hb; 4)11.3% (10.1, 12.6), 10.4% (9.3, 11.6) and 11.0% (9.9, 12.3) based on the combined definition. Differences in PPH incidence by year between definitions one and four, two and four and three and four were all statistically significant (McNemar p-values Conclusion/Implications Incidence varied widely according to definition and data availability, not to mention data quality. Our results highlight the need for a validated PPH indicator to enable monitoring. Future prospects include the validation of a diagnostic code based PPH indicator aided by text mining in electronic health records

Advancing the understanding of obstetrical mechanics in childbirth : a biomechanics analysis of segmental postures

Lorsque l'on s'intéresse aux positions d'accouchement, les avis sont très partagés. D'après la littérature, les positions dites verticales parmi lesquelles figure la position accroupie semblent aboutir à des issues materno-fœtales plus favorables que les positions horizontales qui comprennent la position gynécologique. Seulement, l'origine de ces bénéfices notamment du point de vue de la mécanique obstétricale reste incertaine. Il apparait que ce manque de clarté provient avant tout d'un manque de définition des postures segmentaires retrouvées lors de ces positions d'accouchement. L'objectif premier de ce travail était donc de définir les postures segmentaires au cours de différentes positions d'accouchement et de préciser en particulier le rôle de la posture des cuisses sur des éléments jugés importants en mécanique obstétricale à savoir l'orientation du plan du détroit supérieur et la courbure lombaire. En premier lieu, une enquête épidémiologique régionale a été effectuée afin d'attester les positions d'accouchement les plus fréquemment adoptées et d'identifier les facteurs associés à leur adoption. Par une méthode dérivée entre autres des méthodes d'analyse du mouvement par système optoélectronique, l'influence de la posture des cuisses (flexion et abduction) sur la posture du plan du détroit supérieur et du rachis lombaire a été analysée tout d'abord en position gynécologique puis en position accroupie. Enfin, l'importance de la posture initiale des cuisses sur les mouvements segmentaires a été évaluée au cours d'une manœuvre obstétricale (Mac Roberts), manœuvre couramment utilisée en cas de dystocie des épaules.Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence l'importance de la caractérisation des postures segmentaires pour la compréhension des bénéfices d'une position d'accouchement sur une autre.When looking at birthing positions, opinions are strongly divided. According to the literature, the so-called vertical positions, which include the squatting position, seem to lead to more favorable maternal-fetal outcomes than the horizontal positions which include the gynecological position. In fact, the origin of these benefits, particularly from the point of view of obstetric mechanics, remains uncertain. It appears that this lack of clarity comes primarily from a lack of definition of segmental postures found in these delivery positions.The primary objective of this work was therefore to define the segmental postures during different birthing positions and to specify in particular the role of the thigh posture on elements considered as important in obstetric mechanics namely, the orientation of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar curvature.Firstly, a regional epidemiological survey was carried out to document the most frequently adopted childbirth positions and to identify the factors associated with their adoption.Using a method derived inter alia from movement analysis methods based on optoelectronic system, the influence of thigh posture (flexion and abduction) on the posture of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar spine was analyzed firstly during gynecological position and then during squatting position. Finally, the importance of initial thigh posture on segmental movements was evaluated during an obstetric maneuver (Mac Roberts), a maneuver commonly used in cases of shoulder dystocia.This work has highlighted the importance of the characterization of segmental postures for understanding the benefits of one delivery position on another

Pour une meilleure compréhension du rôle des positions d'accouchement en mécanique obstétricale : analyse biomécanique des postures segmentaires

When looking at birthing positions, opinions are strongly divided. According to the literature, the so-called vertical positions, which include the squatting position, seem to lead to more favorable maternal-fetal outcomes than the horizontal positions which include the gynecological position. In fact, the origin of these benefits, particularly from the point of view of obstetric mechanics, remains uncertain. It appears that this lack of clarity comes primarily from a lack of definition of segmental postures found in these delivery positions.The primary objective of this work was therefore to define the segmental postures during different birthing positions and to specify in particular the role of the thigh posture on elements considered as important in obstetric mechanics namely, the orientation of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar curvature.Firstly, a regional epidemiological survey was carried out to document the most frequently adopted childbirth positions and to identify the factors associated with their adoption.Using a method derived inter alia from movement analysis methods based on optoelectronic system, the influence of thigh posture (flexion and abduction) on the posture of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar spine was analyzed firstly during gynecological position and then during squatting position. Finally, the importance of initial thigh posture on segmental movements was evaluated during an obstetric maneuver (Mac Roberts), a maneuver commonly used in cases of shoulder dystocia.This work has highlighted the importance of the characterization of segmental postures for understanding the benefits of one delivery position on another.Lorsque l'on s'intéresse aux positions d'accouchement, les avis sont très partagés. D'après la littérature, les positions dites verticales parmi lesquelles figure la position accroupie semblent aboutir à des issues materno-fœtales plus favorables que les positions horizontales qui comprennent la position gynécologique. Seulement, l'origine de ces bénéfices notamment du point de vue de la mécanique obstétricale reste incertaine. Il apparait que ce manque de clarté provient avant tout d'un manque de définition des postures segmentaires retrouvées lors de ces positions d'accouchement. L'objectif premier de ce travail était donc de définir les postures segmentaires au cours de différentes positions d'accouchement et de préciser en particulier le rôle de la posture des cuisses sur des éléments jugés importants en mécanique obstétricale à savoir l'orientation du plan du détroit supérieur et la courbure lombaire. En premier lieu, une enquête épidémiologique régionale a été effectuée afin d'attester les positions d'accouchement les plus fréquemment adoptées et d'identifier les facteurs associés à leur adoption. Par une méthode dérivée entre autres des méthodes d'analyse du mouvement par système optoélectronique, l'influence de la posture des cuisses (flexion et abduction) sur la posture du plan du détroit supérieur et du rachis lombaire a été analysée tout d'abord en position gynécologique puis en position accroupie. Enfin, l'importance de la posture initiale des cuisses sur les mouvements segmentaires a été évaluée au cours d'une manœuvre obstétricale (Mac Roberts), manœuvre couramment utilisée en cas de dystocie des épaules.Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence l'importance de la caractérisation des postures segmentaires pour la compréhension des bénéfices d'une position d'accouchement sur une autre

Temporary cervical sling and uterine twist before B-Lynch for massive uterine bleeding after delivery

Massive uterine bleeding occurring after delivery is in most cases unpredictable and can have fatal consequences. This article presents the technique of combining the twisting of uterus on a 90° rotation on its axis and positioning a sling around the cervix, allowing to decrease incoming blood flow from uterine and ovarian arteries. The aim of this easy-to-use procedure is to enable surgeons and anaesthesiologists to respectively ensure the presence of an experienced surgeon and to stabilise the haemodynamic of the patient. It is a modus operandi of particular interest in resources’ challenged environments

Urinary incontinence in women: study of surgical practice in France.

International audienceOBJECTIVE: To assess the number and the types of surgical intervention for urinary incontinence among women in France. We are assuming that techniques by suburethral sling (SUS) have replaced Burch colposuspension. MATERIAL: Using French hospital discharge data from the 2009 medical information system program (PMSI), we analyzed with regard to three relatively homogeneous diagnosis-related groups of patients (DRG) comprising the majority of stress urinary incontinence surgical interventions (cervicocystopexy, repair of the female genital apparatus, and hysterectomy) the detailed distribution of the different operations indexed in that information system. RESULTS: More than 42,000 cervicocystopexies (42,223) were carried out in France in 2009, and a SUS was used in 92% of the procedures (n=38,929). In 58% of the cases (n=24,387) this surgery was the only one, and in the others, it was associated with static pelvic intervention in 25% of the cases (n=10,741) or with a hysterectomy in 16% (n=6671). When a cervicocystopexy was the only operation performed, the average age of the women was 56.5 years and the average stay in hospital was 12.9 days. Fifty-seven percent of the cervicocystopexies by SUS (n=24,037) were carried out in private sector. Mean durations of stay were significantly shorter in the private sector than in the public sector for the diagnosis-related groups undergoing cervicocystopexy or repair of the female genital apparatus. CONCLUSION: In 2009, 10 years after its introduction in France, the suburethral sling is used in the overwhelming majority of cervicocystopexies in France. Among an estimated 4,000,000 incontinent women in France in 2009, this surgery was undergone by approximately 1% of them each year

Is there an impact of feet position on squatting birth position? An innovative biomechanical pilot study

International audienceThe squatting birth position is widely used for “natural” birth or in countries where childbirth occurs in non-medical facilities. Squatting birth positions, like others, are roughly defined so a biomechanical assessment is required with the availability of noninvasive technology in pregnant women. In practice, we can observe spontaneously two kinds of squatting birth position: on tiptoes and with feet flat.ObjectiveTo compare the impact of foot posture on biomechanical parameters considered essential in obstetrical biomechanics during a squatting birth position: on tiptoes versus with feet flat on the floor.Study designThirteen pregnant women beyond 32 weeks of gestational age who were not in labor were assessed during squatting birth position firstly spontaneously and secondly with the foot posture that was not taken spontaneously (on the tiptoes vs with feet flat). For each position, ANGle of flexion on the spine of the plane of the pelvis external conjugate (ANGec), hip flexion and abduction, and lumbar curve were assessed using an optoelectronic motion capture system and a biomechanical model adapted from the conventional gait model as well as a measuring system of the lumbar curveResultsSpontaneously, 11 out of 13 women squatted on tiptoe at the first test. On tiptoes the hip flexion was lower than with feet flat (p < 0.02), whereas hip abduction was not significantly different (p = 0.28). A lower ANGec angle (p = 0.003) was noticed for the tiptoe position than feet flat. The lumbar curve (lordosis) was more marked for the squatting position on tiptoes than for the position with feet flat (p < 0.001). On tiptoes no woman had a pelvic inlet plane perpendicular to the spine and none had a flat back or kyphosis. No woman on tiptoes fulfilled the two conditions necessary for the position that we consider optimal.ConclusionIn squatting birth position, foot posture has a biomechanical impact on lumbar curve and pelvic orientation. When comparing squatting positions (on tiptoes vs feet flat), feet flat on the ground is closer to optimal birth conditions than on tiptoes

Position for labor and birth: State of knowledge and biomechanical perspectives

International audienceThis review aims to examine how childbirth position during labour affects maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Epidemiological data suggest that vertical birthing positions have many benefits. But when we consider the players and mechanisms of delivery, including the forces generated to move the fetus and obstacles to its progression, many questions remain about the advantage of one position over another. Thus, childbirth could be considered in a way as an athletic feat that probably requires the choice of optimal positions. These should be individually suited to each woman at different stage of labour to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Tweetable abstract: Beyond epidemiological data, biomechanical investigations is necessary to assess birth's position