Beetroot juice, exercise, and cardiovascular function in women planning to conceive

OBJECTIVE: Prepregnancy optimization of cardiovascular function may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. We aimed to assess the feasibility and effect of preconception cardiovascular monitoring, exercise, and beetroot juice on cardiovascular parameters in women planning to conceive. DESIGN AND METHOD: Prospective single-site, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two women, aged 18-45 years, were allocated into one of four arms (1 : 1 : 1 : 1): exercise, beetroot juice, exercise plus beetroot juice and no intervention for 12 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured at home daily. Cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were assessed via bio-impedance. RESULTS: Twenty-nine out of 32 (91%) participants completed the study. Adherence to daily BP and weight measurements were 81 and 78%, respectively (n = 29). Eight out of 15 (53%) of participants did not drink all the provided beetroot juice because of forgetfulness and taste. After 12 weeks, exercise was associated with a reduction in standing TPR (-278 ± 0.272 dynes s cm-5, P < 0.05), and an increase in standing CO (+0.88 ± 0.71 l/min, P < 0.05). Exercise and beetroot juice together was associated with a reduction in standing DBP ( 7 ± 6 mmHg, P < 0.05), and an increase in standing CO (+0.49 ± 0.66 l/min, P < 0.05). The control group showed a reduction in standing TPR ( 313 ± 387 dynes s cm-5) and standing DBP ( 8 ± 5mmHg). All groups gained weight. CONCLUSION: Exercise and beetroot juice in combination showed a signal towards improving cardiovascular parameters. The control group showed improvements, indicating that home measurement devices and regular recording of parameters are interventions in themselves. Nevertheless, interventions before pregnancy to improve cardiovascular parameters may alter the occurrence of hypertensive conditions during pregnancy and require further investigation in adequately powered studies

Early re-suturing of dehisced obstetric perineal wounds: A 13-year experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe post-operative outcomes following early re-suturing of obstetric perineal wound dehiscence. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective series of 72 women who underwent re- suturing of a dehisced perineal wound at a tertiary urogynaecology department during a 13-year period (December 2006 - December 2019). RESULTS: Seventy-two women with complete perineal wound dehiscence opted for secondary re-suturing. Other accompanying symptoms included purulent discharge from the wound (22.2 %), perineal pain (23.6 %) and both purulent discharge and pain (26.4 %). The median time taken for the wound to heal completely following re-suturing was 28 days (IQR 14.0-52.0); 49.2 % had healed completely by four weeks, 63.5 % by six weeks and 76.2 % by eight weeks. The median number of out-patient follow-up appointments required was 2 (IQR 1.0-3.0). No post-operative complications were experienced in 63.6 % of women, one complication occurred in 25.8 % and two complications in 10.6 %. Complications included skin dehiscence (33.3 %), granuloma (33.3 %), scar tissue (17.6 %), perineal pain (5.9 %) and sinus formation (5.9 %). Of the women who developed two complications, four developed skin dehiscence with granulation tissue and one had skin sinus formation. One developed granulation tissue with perineal pain. All complications were managed conservatively in an outpatient setting or surgically under local anaesthetic, without further complication. There was no significant difference (p = 0.443) in complication rates between the group (n = 10) with dehisced wounds with signs of wound infection (purulent discharge or the presence of both purulent discharge and pain) pre-operatively versus the group (n = 14) without signs of infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the positive outcomes of early re-suturing of perineal wound dehiscence with faster healing, reduced follow-up requirements and few major complications. It provides information to clinicians who are uncertain about the effects of early re-suturing of perineal wounds which can be used to help counsel mothers with wound dehiscence on their management options

Remote multimodality monitoring of maternal physiology from the first trimester to postpartum period: study results.

OBJECTIVES: Current antenatal care largely relies on widely spaced appointments, hence only a fraction of the pregnancy period is subject to monitoring. Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters could represent a paradigm shift in obstetric care. Here, we analyse the data from daily home monitoring in pregnancy and consider the implications of this approach for tracking pregnancy health. METHODS: Prospective feasibility study of continuous home monitoring of blood pressure, weight, heart rate, sleep and activity patterns from the first trimester to 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Fourteen out of 24 women completed the study (58%). Compared to early pregnancy [week 13, median heart rate (HR) 72/min, interquartile range (IQR) 12.8], heart rate increased by week 35 (HR 78/min, IQR 16.6; P = 0.041) and fell postpartum (HR 66/min, IQR 11.5, P = 0.021). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower at mid-gestation (week 20: SBP 103 mmHg, IQR 6.6; DPB 63 mmHg, IQR 5.3 P = 0.005 and P = 0.045, respectively) compared to early pregnancy (week 13, SBP 107 mmHg, IQR 12.4; DPB 67 mmHg, IQR 7.1). Weight increased during pregnancy between each time period analyzed, starting from week 15. Smartwatch recordings indicated that activity increased in the prepartum period, while deep sleep declined as pregnancy progressed. CONCLUSION: Home monitoring tracks individual physiological responses to pregnancy in high resolution that routine clinic visits cannot. Changes in the study protocol suggested by the study participants may improve compliance for future studies, which was particularly low in the postpartum period. Future work will investigate whether distinct adaptative patterns predate obstetric complications, or can predict long-term maternal cardiovascular health