Ying Ye

and 9 more

Abstract Objective: We aimed to preliminarily assess whether low-dose aspirin(LDA)is beneficial in preventing preeclampsia in twin pregnancies. Design: An observational cohort study. Setting: Two hospital centers in Chongqing, China. Population: 932 twin-pregnant women. Methods: Among 932 participants, 277 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were routinely treated with aspirin (100mg daily) from 12-16 weeks to 35 weeks of gestational age, while 655 in Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children were not taking aspirin during the whole pregnancy. We followed each subject and the individual details were recorded. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome was to compare the incidence of preeclampsia in women with or without aspirin intaking. Results: LDA significantly reduced the risk of PE (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24-0.95, p=0.048) and <34 weeks preterm birth (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29-0.86, p=0.013), but showed possible benefits to lower the rate of SGA babies (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55-1.00, p=0.063). Moreover, the risk of postpartum hemorrhage was not increased by LDA (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.35-2.26, p=1.000). Conclusions: Treatment with low-dose aspirin in women pregnant with twins could offer some protection against adverse pregnancy outcomes in the absence of any significantly increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Funding: The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1002900), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (81520108013, 81771613, 81671488, 81871189). Keywords: Twin pregnancy, low-dose aspirin, preeclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age

Xiyao Liu

and 11 more

Objectives: To investigate the mental status of pregnant women and to describe their obstetrical choices during the outbreak of COVID-19. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Wuhan and Chongqing, two different epidemic areas. Population: A total of 1947 valid questionnaires were received. Methods: We collected information on demographic, pregnancy, and epidemic, along with their attitudes towards the epidemic, anxiety status and obstetrical choices. We described and compared the city-based distribution of all above factors, aiming to explain how anxiety and obstetrical choices existed and differed. Main Outcome Measures: To explore why differences existed, we estimated the impact of the epidemic on women’s anxiety by multivariable analysis. Results: Distribution differences could be seen between cities in employment status, household income, gestational age, fetal number, and exposure history. Women’s attitudes towards COVID-19 in Wuhan were more extreme than that in Chongqing. The anxiety rate was more than double in Wuhan (24.47%) compared to that in Chongqing (10.44%). Generally speaking, obstetrical choices were similar among the 1947 participants, but more obvious in Wuhan. Conclusions: Our study found that the outbreak aggravated prenatal anxiety, and the influence factors could be targets of mental care. Synchronously, vital obstetrical choices changed, followed by pertinent professional advice to prevent irreversible adverse pregnancy outcomes. Online platforms may play crucial roles to address patients’ needs in future PHEs. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81771614 and No. 81771613), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC1000407). Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnancy; Prenatal Anxiety; Obstetrical Choices.

Hongbo Qi

and 10 more

Since December 2019, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has swept 200 countries and regions worldwide1 and has become a ”Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC). Pregnant women are susceptible to COVID-19 due to the changes in their physiology and the adaptability of their immune system2. During the outbreak of COVID-19, prenatal examinations may be postponed, however, delivery cannot be delayed, and the delivery room should work as usual. During this period, it is particularly important to quickly identify high-risk groups and to provide appropriate protection for childbirth and the puerperium. In accord with experience in China (Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infections in Medical Institutions issued by the National Health Commission ), we strongly recommend that during the outbreak of COVID-19, all medical institutions should conduct graded, staged, comprehensive and continuous training of all staff, based on the particular epidemic prevention and control needs of for of different positions, to constantly improve staff’s awareness of the prevention and control of COVID-19. To strengthen staff comprehension of the necessary precautions during a COVID-19 epidemic, an assessment method that combines theory with scenario testing should also be applied 3,4. At the same time, based on our experience of delivery room management, we recommend a delivery room processing flow (Fig.1) and graded protection 5 (Table 1) for pregnant women with different infection risks,as detailed below:(1) Primary screening of all women (First level protective equipment should be applied): Check the axillary temperature and the fetal heart rate, and enquire whether there is fever, respiratory symptoms (cough, chest tightness, etc.), gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and other symptoms before allowing women to sit in the maternity waiting area. Ask whether there is increased risk of contact with a COVID-19 positive patient (fever of any family member within two weeks, a history of traveling to the epidemic area or contact with a suspected or confirmed patient). Any positive history of the above indicates ‘potential risk’ status.(2) Pregnant women with potential-risk and/or suspected infection merit further screening (Second level protective equipment should be applied): attending staff should immediately apply second or third level of protective equipment, screening tests (which include respiratory pathogens tests like adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus and parainfluenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae, blood routine tests, and C-reactive protein) should be undertaken and the new coronavirus nucleic acid test for pregnant women with potential-risk/suspected infection should be performed. A chest CT scan with informed consent to observe the lungs should be performed if signs or symptoms provide any indication (inform the patients about the necessity of chest CT and ask them to cover their abdomen properly). Obstetric management should not be delayed by testing for COVID-19.(3) Delivery room management (for vaginal delivery): ① Pregnant women suspected to be COVID-19 positive should be immediately transferred to an isolated delivery room (avoiding contact with other patients) or negative pressure delivery room and be required to wear surgical mask6. Accompanying family must not be permitted. Patients should be managed by specific experienced senior medical specialists, and third level protective equipment must be applied to avoid cross-infection; ② pregnant women at potential risk of infection: Accompanying family should not be allowed. Patients are recommended to wear surgical masks6 and should be transferred to isolated delivery rooms, with management/supervision by specific experienced senior medical specialists. Second level protective equipment should be applied to prevent cross-infection, if availability of protective materials is adequate. ③ low-risk pregnant women (those without any history of epidemiological exposure or clinical symptoms) should be transferred to an ordinary delivery room for delivery (avoiding contact with other patients). Second level protective equipment should be applied. It is recommended that these women wear disposable medical masks 6. Only family members who have no history of epidemiological contact and clinical symptoms within the past 2 weeks are allowed to attend the childbirth, and accompanying family members are also required to wear disposable medical masks.As fetal compromise is relatively common in pregnancies complicated by COVID-19 infection, continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labor is recommended for all women suspected with COVID-19, following transfer to the appropriate delivery room.7We advocate attempts to deliver vaginally without undue obstetric intervention and recommend caution regarding procedures such as episiotomy and ventouse/forceps delivery. Currently, we do not recommend water deliveries for pregnant women with suspected infection. There is no evidence that epidural analgesia or spinal anesthesia is contraindicated, therefore, epidural analgesia should be recommended to pregnant women suspected of COVID-19 infection before or in early labor to minimize the need for general anesthesia in emergency situations7.(4) Emergency caesarean section treatment:Suspected COVID-19 infection is not an indication for cesarean section, unless the woman’s respiratory condition demands urgent delivery, or pregnant women have other indications. Multi-disciplinary consultation involving anaesthetists, neonatologists, obstetricians, and infectious disease physicians is required before deciding to deliver prematurely in cases of suspected infection, and if Caesarean section is indicated, the procedure should be performed in a negative pressure isolation operating room (third level protective equipment should be applied). The choice of anesthetic mode is determined by the anaesthetist, based on the patient’s respiratory function. For pregnant women with potential infection (potential-risk), their pregnancy can be terminated in the isolated operating room (second level protective equipment should be applied) if properly protected. First level protective equipment is recommended when performing cesarean section for pregnant women with low-risk infection.(5) Postpartum management: postpartum vital signs, uterine contractions, maternal mental health and other conditions of the mother should be monitored, and attention paid to the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, thrombosis, etc. For pregnant women with suspected infection, the neonatologist should be notified at least half an hour before delivery to take appropriate measures to isolate the newborn. Delayed cord clamping is still recommended given a lack of evidence to the contrary, unless there are other contraindications7. 14 days of isolation for newborns is recommended8; there is currently no evidence to support the suspension of breastfeeding in pregnant women with suspected infection, indeed, we advocate breastfeeding, as the wider benefits outweigh the potential risks of transmission through breastmilk 7. Isolation and preventive measures should be undertaken if referral is needed 5. If there are no abnormal signs/symptoms within two hours after delivery, mothers with suspected infection can be transferred to an isolation ward for further observation; ‘potential-risk’ pregnant women can be transferred to the isolation ward (avoiding contact with other patients) and low-risk mothers managed according to conventional procedures. Pregnant woman with suspected or potential infection should undergo diagnostic testing immediately. If infection is confirmed, the corresponding management should follow the previous guidelines for dealing with confirmed cases of COVID-192.(6) After-delivery protection procedures: After the mother was transferred to the ward, routine cleaning should be undertaken. The surfaces of the equipment (including the obstetric table, ultrasound machine, and neonatal warm bed) in the isolation delivery room and the negative-pressure delivery room need to be wiped and disinfected immediately, preferably with 1000 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant; 75% ethanol can be used for the non-corrosion resistance instruments7,9. Spraying is not a recommended method of disinfecting the equipment as this can affect the components. Dedicated cleaning tools are required to avoid cross contamination. The inspection room should be disinfected with ultraviolet light, ≥60 min each time, once or twice a day, with at least 30 min ventilation after irradiation. The ultrasound probe should be protected with a dark cloth during the irradiation. The room should be vacated when ultraviolet lamps are used.(7) Medical waste disposal: Protective supplies used by medical personnel and all patient waste should be regarded as infectious medical waste, which requires double-layer sealing, clear labeling, and airtight transport 10. If testing of the placenta and/or amniotic fluid is required, strict sampling and sealing should be carried out to avoid contamination of the surface of the container and the spread of infection. The surface of the container should be disinfected before sample inspection to further avoid infection of any personnel.

Xiyao Liu

and 8 more

Objectives: A change in the child policy could trigger a new baby boom with changes in birth-related characteristics. Besides, the adaption of the medical system to the policy needs demonstrating. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Chongqing, China, in a comprehensive institution. Population: A total of 51,062 pregnant women with 52,589 neonates were included. Methods: All medical records involving delivery were obtained. The records of care-providers were from the HR department. Main Outcome Measures: The temporal patterns of deliveries, births and care-providers were displayed. The additional births and care-providers’ workload was calculated. The mothers’ constitution was described and the influence factors of obstetrical characteristics were identified. Results: The policy-leading upwards trends of deliveries and births were obvious. The percentage of mothers aged 35 and over increased (10.1% to 10.8% to 15.8%, p<0.001) and that of multipara also rose (17.8% to 25.9% to 37.6%, p<0.001). This new constitution of mothers was associated with additional births, and with a concurrent variation in CS rate (60.4% to 52.3% to 56.3%) but not sex ratio. The workload of care-providers decreased during this period. Conclusions: The baby boom and following pregnancy changes after the shifts of policies is obvious. The target women with hyper-age and multiparity contribute considerably to the additional births and to the policy’s general effects on various outcomes. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81771614 and No. 81771613), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC1000407). Keywords: China’s Family Planning Policy; birth; obstetrical characteristics; pregnancy complications.