Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

The ACOG, CDC, and WHO currently do not recommend universal screening for thrombophilia in the general population before starting oral contraceptive pills. However, a new publication in AJOG (March 2024) is challenging that stance. In this episode, we will review this new prospective population-based study to see if it makes the case for universal screening for thrombophilia variants before starti...

Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is vastly more prevalent in pregnancy compared to pre-existing diabetes. In 2009, the ACOG states that 7% of all pregnancies were complicated by a diabetes diagnosis, with 86% being GDM. The prevalence of GDM keeps rising in the US and globally. Metformin is increasingly prescribed in pregnancy, yet its long-term effect on the neurocognitive development of the offspring...

On this podcast, we have been following this story of the OPill for several months. Previous episodes on the subject can be found in our podcast library. As expected, this first ever daily use progestin only pill is now available over-the-counter in the US. 👏👏. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the ACOG released its Practice Advisory presenting some key reminders for clinicians regarding this new ove...

Use of second-line noninsulin diabetic medications, like Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, is rapidly increasing for treatment of T2D and other indications. As these drugs are being used by an increasing group of fertile women, it is expected that a few of them will get pregnant and data on their safety when used in the first trimester...

Using mechanical options as a way to prime/ripen the cervix for labor is nothing new. Balloon catheters have been used for labor induction as far back as the 1890s. Embrey and Mollison reinvigorated the method in 1967 using it in combination with extraamniotic prostaglandins. Since then numerous studies have been performed worldwide, mostly using the Foley catheter. Then, in 1990, the double ballo...

It’s very important to stay up-to-date and current with new data. But sometimes you read something that is hot-off-the press and it makes you just stop and say, “hmmm”. In this episode, we will discuss the new USPSTF position statement on screening/treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. We will also review the ACOG August 2023 clinical consensus #4 regarding UTI in pregnancy. In doing so, w...

The “traditional“ Parkland management protocol for GDM included the immediate initiation of medical therapy for those with abnormal fasting blood sugar, in addition to another additional value, on the 3 hour GTT. These patients were automatically labeled as A2 GDM at time of diagnosis, rather than waiting the 1 to 2 weeks of nutritional/diet therapy. Does fasting hyperglycemia on the 100g GTT trul...

Yes, the subject of RhoGAM/RHIG administration to RH negative patients under 12 weeks gestational age is a continuously controversial issue. We have covered this issue in past episodes, most recently- last month- on January 4, 2024. Today, February 26, 2024, the SMFM released their position statement on the subject. As you would guess, the controversy continues! In this episode, we will review thi...

February 2024 has seen its share of medical and mainstream media stories highlighting hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. While some of this can be considered “old news”, there is “new news” and new developments on the horizon. We have covered hypertensive disorders in pregnancy on several past episodes; however, in this episode, we are going to pick up where we left off and review what the curre...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) has a reported incidence of approximately 0.3–3% of pregnancies. Without prompt recognition and treatment, severe maternal dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially altered fetal neurodevelopment may result. Recently, HG made medical and general media news as new data has pinpointed 2 likely culprits of its origin- and neither one is e...

Women whose fetuses are in the occiput posterior head position at the time of delivery are known to have longer second stages of labor and more complicated deliveries, including more operative assisted births, more 3rd and 4th degree lacerations, PPH, and in some studies lower Apgar scores and lower umbilical cord arterial pH. At what point in labor should the healthcare provider attempt to rotate...

The ACOG has long-held that shoulder dystocia is “unpreventable and unpredictable”. Nonetheless, as it is a devastating obstetrical occurrence, researchers have attempted to identify a reproducible mathematical formula using ultrasonographic, anthropometric factors to better predict it. What is the data behind these math models? Does the ACOG recognize their use? What is their positive predictive...

The ACOG has consistently recommended universal screening for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 gestational weeks. Although controversial, the ACOG does endorse earlier screening for GDM in patients with additional risk factors. But what about patients who present for prenatal care after the 28th or 29th week? Should screening for GDM be done in the 3rd trimester? And if we do screen in the t...

On February 6, 2024, a new publication in the Lancet Planetary Health received national and international headlines. This study, funded through the NIH, revealed a striking association between certain chemicals in our environment and preterm birth. But is this data really new? We have known that certain chemical components, called phthalates, have a strong association with preterm birth for over 1...

YES, it’s true… Not even Super Bowl Sunday 🏈🏈can stop us from getting our podcast episode up and out! In this episode, we will summarize the key findings of a newly released RCT (ahead of print, Obstetrics and Gynecology) that is yet another “nail in the coffin” for late pre-term/early term steroids. This is perfect timing, as we just covered this topic on a separate episode last week. So listen...

We are still in an opioid crisis. The number of women with opioid-related diagnoses at delivery has increased by 131% over the last several years (CDC, Data and Statistics, 2023). The ACOG has recommended the use of opioid agonist pharmacotherapy for MOUD during pregnancy. Traditionally, medically supervised withdrawal has not been endorsed for pregnancy. However, some patients may elect to discon...

It is completely natural, and part of the human experience, to have some anticipatory concern about an upcoming delivery/childbirth. However, when that concern becomes overwhelming, it can develop into a debilitating phobia called Tokophobia. First coined as a term in 2000, there’s been growing awareness of this specific type of anxiety disorder/phobia. Even though it was first described in 2000,...

In 1972, Liggins and Howie published their landmark study on the benefits of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) regarding their reduction of prematurity’s morbidity and mortality. This led to the weekly administration of ACS until 34 weeks. Weekly courses of steroids are no longer given, but the steroid story keeps evolving. In 2016, the ALPS trial demonstrated reduction in short-term respiratory mor...

On January 28, 2021, a non-inferiority RCT was published in the NEJM, “Levonorgestrelvs Copper T Device for Emergency Contraception”. This study concluded that the LNG 52mg IUD was “noninferior” to the CopperT IUD for emergency BC up to 120 hours after ill-protected intercourse. Since that time, use of the LNG 52mg IUS has remained controversial with some organizations endorsing its use as EC whil...

On January 18, 2024, the FDA cleared a novel new device for osteopenia treatment. This is a vibrating belt (wearable device) that transmits low-amplitude, high-frequency (20 to 40 Hz) vibration to the spine and hips. This belt is called Osteoboost. Osteoboost previously received a breakthrough designation from the FDA in Dec 2020. This FDA clearance has already generated a lot of commentaries rega...

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal aberrant condition in women, in the general population. Even still, the majority of women with BV are asymptomatic. If BV is found at time of elective IUD/S placement, can the device still be inserted? Or is it an independent risk factor for upper tract infection? What category in the CDC MEC is vaginitis/vaginosis for IUD placement? There defini...

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) affect 5 to 15% of women worldwide, and their increasing incidence is likely related to the growing levels of obesity, metabolic syndrome and advancing maternal age. It is widely accepted that women who have preeclampsia are at increased risk of future hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and even diabetes in later life. Bu...

Uterine wall perforation at time of IUD placement has been published to occur, in general, about 1-2/1,000 cases. It happens! While there are some risk factors for uterine perforation (very antiflexed, retroflexed, recent postpartum state, lactating), sometimes uterine perforation can happen even with the best of technique and no risk factors. While most providers are concerned about immediate sho...

Yep, Medicine moves fast! On Friday, January 5, 2024, I participated in a medical news report published in “The Guardian”. In that news commentary I stated that “Bicillin-LA is the only medication approved for syphilis during pregnancy”. We’ve all heard that statement, and it is a true statement. However, 5 days later on January 10, 2024, the FDA announced the importation allowance of “Extencillin...

If you had 5 reproductive age women, all late on their menstrual cycle, who were having unprotected sex, and all have a positive pregnancy test… What would be your diagnosis? The most likely diagnosis would be that there are five pregnancies! Right?! But what if 1 of those patients had end stage renal disease (ESRD), on hemodialysis. Is there anything else to consider? While ruling out pregnancy i...