Glycemic control during pregnancy — A predictor of vitamin C status at labor in type 1 diabeticwomen?

Several experimental studies have suggested that vitamin C (vitC) deficiency during pregnancy may be detrimental to fetal development, and observational studies have shown that vitC status is lower during pregnancy and in people with diabetes. A cross-sectional study in pregnant type 1 diabetic women found that poor maternal vitC status was a significant predictor for obstetric complications of pregnancy when measured within four weeks before labor. The plasma vitC concentration was significantly negatively correlated to HbA1c, the biomarker of glycemic control well-known to be associated with the outcome of the diabetic pregnancy. Here, we evaluated HbA1c during pregnancy in relation to the measured vitC levels in late pregnancy based on data from 46 women from the same cohort. Regression analysis showed that HbA1c of first trimester, the combined mean HbA1c of first and second trimester, mean HbA1c of the whole pregnancy (first, second and third trimester combined), and HbA1c of third trimester alone were all associated with vitC in late pregnancy (p = 0.03, n = 45; p = 0.034, n = 43; p = 0.017, n = 42; and p = 0.008, n = 46, respectively). In third trimester, when adjusted for creatinine clearance, the association between vitC and HbA1c persisted (p = 0.029). Women in third trimester with HbA1c above 7.0% had an increased risk of having poor vitC status compared to women with HbA1c below this level (11 out of 21 vs. 2 out of 25 women, p < 0.001). The results suggest that high HbA1c is associated with poor maternal vitC status and potentially inadequate supply of vitC for the neonate. HbA1c may thus be a relevant substitute biomarker for identifying pregnant women who might benefit from vitC supplementation

Breastfeeding among parous women offered home-visit by a midwife after early discharge following planned cesarean section: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Introduction Early discharge holds several advantages and seems safe after planned cesarean section among low-risk women. However, breastfeeding rates are lower after cesarean section. Thus, concern has been raised that early discharge among these women may affect breastfeeding even further. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of early discharge the day after planned cesarean section on breastfeeding, among parous women when a home-visit by a midwife was provided the day after discharge. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized trial. Parous women (n=143) planned for cesarean section were allocated to either discharge within 28 hours after planned cesarean section followed by a home visit the day after (early discharge) or discharge at least 48 hours after planned cesarean section (standard care). The participants filled in questionnaires approximately 2 weeks before delivery and 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months postpartum. Results The proportions of women initiating breastfeeding were 84% versus 87% (early discharge vs standard care). After 6 months, 23% versus 21% were exclusively breastfeeding, while 29% versus 42% were partially breastfeeding. The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 3.4 months (SD=2.3) in both groups. None of these differences was statistically significant. In both groups, the women’s breastfeeding self- efficacy score before cesarean section correlated with the duration of breastfeeding. After 4 weeks, low-score rates were 28% versus 30%. Conclusions Early discharge with follow-up home visits by a midwife after planned cesarean section in parous women is feasible without compromising breastfeeding