The association between epidural labor analgesia and the fetal outcome and mode of delivery of the second twin : a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association between epidural labor analgesia and the mode of delivery for the second twin and to analyze the health outcomes of the second twin. Methods: In this nationwide, retrospective, register-based cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register (MBR) of Finland (2004–2018) were used to analyze the association between epidural analgesia and delivery mode (emergency and urgent cesarean section, and assisted vaginal delivery) and fetal outcomes (neonatal mortality and need for intensive care unit admission) for the second twin. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the delivery mode and fetal outcomes of the second twin. Results: A total of 3242 twin pregnancies with epidural analgesia were compared with a control group consisting of 2780 twin pregnancies without epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia was associated with lower odds for all cesarean delivery (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.92) for the second twin and for emergency cesarean delivery (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.79) when compared with the odds for the second twin in the control group. Epidural analgesia was associated with lower odds of neonatal mortality for the second twin (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.90). Conclusion: This study found epidural labor analgesia was associated with a lower rate of emergency cesarean delivery and neonatal mortality for the second twin. These results should be acknowledged by obstetricians and anesthesiologists when planning optimal peripartum management for mothers with twin pregnancies.Peer reviewe

Use of labor analgesia in trials of labor after previous cesarean section : A nationwide register-based analysis in Finland

Objectives: The literature concerning the overall use of labor analgesia among women with trials of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to report the rate of different labor analgesia methods among women with TOLAC. The secondary aim was to compare the use of labor analgesia between women with the first TOLAC and control group consisting of nulliparous women. Study design. Data from the National Medical Birth Register was used to evaluate the usage of labor analgesia in TOLACs. The use of labor analgesia in the first TOLAC is compared to the pregnancies of nulliparous women. The analgesia methods were stratified into neuraxial analgesia, pudendal, paracervical, nitrous oxide, other medical, other non-medical, and no analgesia. These are analyzed as categorized dichotomy (yes or no) variables. Results: A total of 38 596 TOLACs as second pregnancy of the mother was found during our study period. The control group consisted of a total of 327 464 pregnancies of nulliparous women. Epidural analgesia (61.6% vs 67.1%), nitrous oxide (56.1% vs 62.0%), and non-medical analgesia (30.1% vs 35.0%) were less consumed among women with TOLAC. The rate of spinal analgesia was higher among women with TOLAC (10.1% vs 7.6%) when compared to the control group. However, when only vaginal deliveries were included, the rate of labor analgesia increased especially in the TOLAC group. Conclusions: The main finding of this study is that women with TOLAC had a generally lower rate of labor analgesia. However, the rate of spinal analgesia was higher among women with TOLAC when compared to the control group, however. The results of this study inform midwives, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists on current practices and how to improve the analgetic treatment in TOLAC.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Fear of childbirth and use of labor analgesia : A nationwide register-based analysis in Finland

Objective: To calculate the rates of labor analgesia among women with fear of childbirth (FOC) in multiparous and nulliparous women, because FOC might be associated with higher rates of labor analgesia. Methods: In this retrospective register-based cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register was used to evaluate the usage of labor analgesia in pregnancies with FOC, when compared with those without. The analgesia methods were stratified into neuraxial analgesia, pudendal, paracervical, nitrous oxide, other medical, other non-medical, and no analgesia. Results: A total of 19 285 pregnancies with diagnosed maternal FOC were found during our study period. The control group consisted of 757 997 pregnancies without diagnosed maternal FOC. Nulliparous women with diagnosed FOC had a higher rate of epidural analgesia (70.2% vs 67.1%), spinal analgesia (12.3% vs 7.6%), and pudendal block (17.6% vs 9.6%). Multiparous women with FOC had a notably higher rate for epidural analgesia (47.0% vs 29.0%). Conclusion: The main finding in this study was that women with diagnosed FOC had a higher rate of labor analgesia. The results of this study can be used by midwives, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists to provide optimal pain relief for mothers with FOC.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

High BMI and the risk of lower extremity fractures in fertile-aged women : A nationwide register-based study in Finland

Objectives: Both high and low body mass index (BMI) is known to be associated with increased risk for osteoporotic fractures in the postmenopausal population. However, the association between BMI and risk for fracture in the fertile-aged (15–49 years) population is not well studied. We aim to examine how increased BMI affects the risk for fracture leading to hospitalization after delivery in fertile-aged women. Material and methods: In this nationwide registry-based study, data on all women aged 15–49 years with fractures leading to hospitalization were retrieved from the Care Register for Health Care for the years 2004–2018. The data were linked with data from the National Birth Register, where the BMI status is collected for each pregnancy. Cox regression was used to examine the effect of increased BMI on the risk for fracture within five years after delivery. Risks were analyzed separately for upper extremity, spine and pelvis, and lower extremity fractures. The results were interpreted with hazard ratios (HR), adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 529 992 pregnant women with 3276 fractures leading to hospitalization within 5-year follow-up were included in this study. Of these, a total of 548 fractures required surgical treatment. Patients with BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more had a higher rate of fractures in the lower extremity (≥50%). In lower extremity fractures, risk for fracture increased with increasing BMI. The risk fracture was highest in the group with BMI of 35–40 kg/m2 (overall lower extremity aHR 2.43 95% CI 1.92–3.06; knee aHR 2.04, 95% CI 1.45–2.87; ankle aHR 3.01, 95% CI 2.16–4.20). Conclusions: Higher BMI was associated to the increased risk for lower extremity fractures, especially ankle fractures, within five years of delivery. Information gained from this study is important in the clinical setting, as patients can be informed of the negative effect of obesity on the post-delivery risk for fractures.Peer reviewe

Previous induced abortion or miscarriage is associated with increased odds for gestational diabetes : a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between previous induced abortion or miscarriage and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using high-quality register data. Methods: In this retrospective nationwide register-based cohort study, data from the national medical birth register (MBR) were used to evaluate the association between a history of miscarriage or induced abortion and GDM. We included all first pregnancies ending in delivery in which the oral glucose tolerance test was performed between 2004 and 2018. A logistic regression model was used to assess the development of GDM in the first pregnancy ending in delivery. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were compared between groups. Results: In total, 15,873 nulliparous women with a history of induced abortions, 22,337 with a history of miscarriages and 3594 with a history of both were found. The reference group consisted of 138,869 women without a history of induced abortions or miscarriages. Women with a history of induced abortions (24.7%, aOR 1.15 [CI 1.11–1.20]), a history of miscarriages (24.8%, aOR 1.14 [CI 1.10–1.18]) and a history of both (27.7% aOR 1.18 [CI 1.09–1.28]) had higher odds for the development of GDM when compared to the reference group (20.8%). The odds for GDM increased along with the increasing number of previous induced abortions and miscarriages. Conclusion: Women with a history of induced abortions or miscarriages had higher odds for GDM in their first pregnancy leading to birth. Knowledge of this association will be helpful in the prevention and screening of GDM.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Previous traumatic brain injury is associated with an increased odds for gestational diabetes : a nationwide register-based cohort study in finland

Aims: Despite recent findings that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a possible risk factor for type 2 diabetes (DM2) and that a strong association exists between gestational diabetes (GDM) and the risk for the development of DM2, no previous studies have investigated the effects of TBI on the risk for the development of GDM. Therefore, this study aims to determine the possible association between a previous traumatic brain injury and later gestational diabetes. Methods: In this retrospective register-based cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register were combined with data from the Care Register for Health Care. Women who had sustained a TBI before pregnancy were included in the patient group. Women who had sustained previous fractures of the upper extremity, pelvis, or lower extremity were included in the control group. A logistic regression model was used to assess the risk for the development of GDM during pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals between the groups were compared. The model was adjusted by prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal age during pregnancy, the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), maternal smoking status, and multiple pregnancies. The risk for the development of GDM during different periods following the injury (0–3 years, 3–6 years, 6–9 years, and 9+ years) was calculated. Results: In total, a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on 6802 pregnancies of women who had sustained a TBI and on 11 717 pregnancies of women who sustained fractures of the upper extremity, pelvis, or lower extremity. Of these, 1889 (27.8%) pregnancies were diagnosed with GDM in the patient group and 3117 (26.6%) in the control group. The total odds for GDM were higher after TBI compared to the other traumas (aOR 1.14, CI 1.06–1.22). The odds were highest at 9 + years after the injury (aOR 1.22, CI 1.07–1.39). Conclusion: The total odds for the development of GDM after TBI were higher when compared to the control group. Based on our findings, more research on this topic is warranted. Moreover, a history of TBI should be considered a possible risk factor for the development of GDM.Peer reviewe

The rate of elective cesarean section after pelvic or hip fracture remains high even after the long-term follow-up : A nationwide register-based study in Finland

Introduction: There are only few studies on the effects of pelvic or hip fractures on subsequent delivery outcomes. The aim for this study is to evaluate in a nationwide sample whether the rate of elective CS and emergency CS would decrease during the time after maternal hip and pelvic fracture. Material and Methods: In this nationwide registry-based study, data on all women aged 15–49 years with pelvic or hip fractures leading to hospitalization were retrieved from the Care Register for Health Care for the years 1998–2018. Wrist fractures were used as a control group. The data were linked with data from the National Birth Register, where each first pregnancy during the 14-year follow-up is collected. The delivery outcomes of these pregnancies were analyzed. The results were interpreted with odds ratios (OR), adjusted odds ratios (aOR), and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 2878 women with pelvic fracture, 1330 women with hip fracture, and 29 580 with wrist fracture found in the Care Register for Health Care. Of these, a total of 586 (20.4 %) women gave birth during the following 14 years after pelvic fracture, 147 (11.0 %) women after hip fracture, and 5255 (17.7 %) women after wrist fracture. Women with pelvic fracture had higher odds for CS during each time period. The aOR for CS was 1.62 (CI 1.22–2.12) during first 5 years, 1.87 (CI 1.33–2.62) during years 5–10, and 1.97 (CI 1.11–3.41) during years 10–14. Women with hip fractures had notably higher odds for CS during first 5 years after fracture (aOR 1.64, CI 1.40–2.67). Conclusions: The results of this study advocate that vaginal delivery is generally possible rather quickly after hip or pelvic fracture. Unplanned CS after hip fractures was more common at the beginning, but the exact reason for this remains unknown and further research should be made on this topic.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Higher odds of gestational diabetes among women with multiple pregnancies : a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland

Introduction: The association between multiple pregnancies and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been moderately studied. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether women with multiple pregnancies are at a higher risk of developing GDM using nationwide high-quality registers. Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register (MBR) was used to evaluate the odds of GDM as a result of multiple pregnancies. We included all pregnancies with a tested GDM recorded in the MBR between 2004 and 2018. A total of 397,810 pregnancies were included in this study. Logistic regression model was used to assess the odds for GDM among multiple pregnancies, when compared to singleton pregnancies. Odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the groups were compared. The model was adjusted with maternal BMI and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments. Results: A total of 5825 multiple pregnancies and a tested GDM were observed. In the control group, there were 391,985 singleton pregnancies with a tested GDM. Of these, 1791 (30.7%) multiple pregnancies were associated with a diagnosis of GDM. GDM was more common among women with multiple pregnancies (30.7 vs. 25.9%, aOR 1.28; CI 1.21–1.36). Conclusion: The results of this study show that women with multiple pregnancies have a higher odds of developing GDM and should be monitored to prevent the development of GDM.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Pregnancy and delivery after traumatic brain injury : a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland

Objectives: Few studies have assessed pregnancies and deliveries after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We report the incidence of TBIs and TBI-related surgeries in fertile-aged females and investigate subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Methods: All fertile-aged (15–49) women with TBI diagnosis during our study period (1998–2018) were retrieved from the Care Register for Health Care and combined with data from the National Medical Birth Register. TBIs were categorized into three subgroups based on the length of the hospitalization period and the need for neurosurgery. Logistic regression was used to analyze preterm deliveries, cesarean sections (CS) and neonatal health. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The incidence of TBIs increased from 103 per 100 000 person-years in 1998 to 257 per 100 000 (149.5%) in 2018. The incidence of TBI-related surgeries remained stable during our study period. The rate of preterm deliveries was 5.6% in the TBI group and 3.0% in the control group (AOR 1.23, CI 1.17–1.28). The CS rate in the TBI group was 19.2% and 15.9% in the control group (AOR 1.23, CI 1.18–1.29). The use of labor analgesia was higher among women with previous TBI. The rate of neonates requiring intensive care in the TBI group was 13.1% and 9.9% in the control group (AOR 1.30, CI 1.24–1.37). Conclusion: The incidence of TBI hospitalizations increased during our study period, whereas the number of surgically treated TBI remained stable. Preterm deliveries, CS, instrumental vaginal deliveries and labor analgesia were more prevalent in women with previous TBI. Furthermore, more neonates required intensive care in this group. Therefore, a history of TBI should be acknowledged as a possible factor affecting the delivery and health of the neonate.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Factors associated with fear of childbirth in a subsequent pregnancy : a nationwide case–control analysis in Finland

Background: Fear of childbirth can develop due to the concerns or adverse maternal or foetal outcomes experienced in a previous pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine the main risk factors associated with the development of fear of childbirth during subsequent pregnancies and deliveries. Methods: In this case–control study, data from the National Medical Birth Register were used to evaluate the events in previous pregnancies that were potential risk factors for fear of childbirth in subsequent pregnancies. The first and second pregnancies of women registered during our study period (2004–2018) were included. The exposure variable was delivery mode, obstetric challenge or adverse neonatal outcomes during the first pregnancy. The outcome was the development of FOC during the second pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CIs were used for comparison. Results: A total of 13 064 pregnancies were included in the case group and 195 351 in the control group. Previous emergency caesarean section was the strongest risk factor for the development of FOC in the second pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio 5.27, CIs 4.83–5.75). In addition, unplanned CS (adjusted odds ratio 3.93, CIs 3.77–4.10) and vacuum delivery (adjusted odds ratio 1.69, CIs 1.61–1.77) also increased the odds of fear of childbirth. Of the obstetric complications, third- or fourth-degree tear of the perineum was the strongest risk factor (adjusted odds ratio 2.99, CIs 2.69–3.31), followed by shoulder dystocia (adjusted odds ratio 2.82, CIs 2.16–3.62). Neonatal mortality also increased the odds for the development of FOC (adjusted odds ratio 2.17, CIs 1.77–2.64). Conclusion: The main risk factors for the development of fear of childbirth in the second pregnancy were previous fear of childbirth, unplanned CS, vacuum delivery, perineal tear or shoulder dystocia. The results of this study can be used in a clinical setting to improve the prevention of fear of childbirth.publishedVersionPeer reviewe