Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Periodically, we respond to podcast family members’ questions as data is available. In this episode, we will cover 3 very clinically relevant questions from our podcast listeners. The first question is regarding our immediate past podcast topic, which was propranolol as a labor stimulant. The question is, “Does the ACOG have a statement on adjuvent propranolol use during labor?“. We’ll answer that...

It has been well reported that rates of elective induction have risen nationally and internationally since the adoption of the ARRIVE trial. But as medicine is at times controversial, some studies have suggested an increase in cesarean section rates with elective induction of labor at 39 weeks. While we will briefly discuss those studies, they are not the focus of this episode. However, as inducti...

On New Year’s Eve 2023 we released “LUST for TOLAC”. LUST stands for lower uterine segment thickness. This is a very enticing, and controversial, approach to TOLAC counseling and direction. I encourage you to go back and listen to that episode, if you have not yet, before listening to this one as this is more data to support those conclusions. In this episode, we will highlight a multi-center, clu...

The gestational age boundary termed viability has shifted dramatically during the past 50 years, and more so in the last 15 years. In 1971, a widely used neonatology textbook stated that, “The lower limit of viability is probably around 28 weeks, at which time most infants weigh two pounds, four ounces (1000 g).” Today, the most immature infants routinely cared for by neonatologists in some parts...

This is NOT our regularly scheduled episode. Based on an incredible comment from Rachel – one of our podcast family members, which I received just moments ago, this was too good to not put out. A brief clarification on NIPTS and “46XX or 46XY”. (This is a supplement to our immediate past episode.) 😊😊🧐🧐

NIPT is a prenatal SCREENING method that involves analysis of cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood. Prenatal screening for sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) has become readily available through expanded non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). NIPTs became commercially available in 2011 and has since been introduced in more than 60 countries around the world and is now part of mainstream ob...

We take pride as healthcare providers in being “evidence based“. But sometimes things that we do, even in 2024, sound, reasonable and sound practical, but actually are NOT evidence-based. But lacking evidence means 2 things: 1. Studies have proven something does not work, or 2. Studies have not been done to confirm or refute the intervention. In this episode, we will discuss 2 common interventions...

Before the 1960s, there was no method available to prevent Rh sensitization during Rh-incompatible pregnancies. Then, in 1968, the FDA approved the use of RhoGAM to help prevent Rh immunization. This was a landmark move in the field of Obstetrics. More recently, ever evolving data and medical genomic technology has brought new insights to RHD alloimmunization care. Can maternal RH typing be avoide...

Historically a range of psychiatric and medical conditions have been erroneously attributed to 2 gynecological organs/function. During the time of Hippocrates, the “wandering womb” theory blamed emotional disturbances in women on this condition. Not only was that erroneous, it was nonsensical. However, certain gynecological conditions can indeed manifest with neuro-behavioral disturbances. One of...

This is our last episode for 2023! A podcast family member reached out to me notifying me of a thread on social media discussing ultrasound measurements of “lower uterine segment thickness” (LUST) for TOLAC candidates. I consider myself pretty social media friendly, but was unaware of this comment thread. Should we be measuring lower uterine segment thickness in the late 3rd trimester as a discrim...

It’s no surprise and understatement to say that the US maternal/neonatal morbidity and mortality rates have to improve. As a way to increase maternal supportive care, an increasing number of states are turning to cover Doula services. Despite this forward thinking, there are still misperceptions, misunderstandings, and “boundary” issues regarding Doulas which must be addressed. Are Doula intervent...

On May 8, 2023, we released an episode called “Slowed Fetal Growth Trajectory and Neonatal Outcome”. That episode highlighted data that slowed fetal growth was an independent risk factor for stillbirth. This is true even though the composite EFW remained above 10 percentile. Now, there is new data which validates this concept and provides a working model which may help predict fetuses with slowed...

On August 26, 2023, we summarized the ACOG update on viral hepatitis in pregnancy and discussed new concepts regarding Hep B viral infection. To follow that up, the SMFM has now released its Consult Series #69 (Hepatitis B in Pregnancy: Updated Guidelines) which was published on December 21, 2023. In this episode, we will reinforce some topics originally discussed back in August 2023 and emphasize...

The average height for men in the U.S. is about 5 feet 9 inches. For women, it’s about 5 feet 4 inches. Height stature has been correlated with some interesting health conditions at a population level: Some research shows that a below-average height may mean you have lower odds of getting some types of cancer. For example, a study of more than 100,000 women in Europe and North America showed that...

Sex has always had its share of misinformation, even as it relates to some medical conditions- like epilepsy. "Coitus brevis epilepsia est" ("Sex is a brief seizure") is an ancient proverb attributed to Galen, the influential Greek physician and philosopher in the Roman Empire. Then, in the 18th and 19th centuries, some physicians, including Samuel-Auguste Tissot and Edward Sieveking, argued that...

BIG. BIG. BIG Update. In March 2014, the ACOG/SMFM released OCC #1 (Safe Prevention of the Primary C-section) which redefined the labor curve. That document has now been WITHDRAWN. It is being replaced with Obstetrical Care Consensus #8 coming out January 2024. In this episode, we will highlight key points from this updated guidance including: 1. ACOG’s new language surrounding the length of laten...

It’s really amazing how fast medical information and discovery happens. For decades, we blamed nausea and vomiting of pregnancy/hyperemesis gravidarum on either estrogen or high levels of HCG. While these 2 hormones definitely have some association with that condition, new evidence has pointed to a separate compound as the likely offender. In this episode, we will review data just published on Dec...

According to ACOG’s CO 773 from 2019, “Currently, serum antimüllerian hormone levels are not part of the accepted diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)”. But medicine moves fast, and that statement is no longer valid, at least it isn’t valid from the ASRM July 2023 Standpoint. Yep, once considered experimental, AMH has now entered the PCOS diagnostic algorithm. Nonetheless, some...

We thought we had endometriosis all figured out. After all, we know it’s a chronic pain syndrome that’s hormone responsive. But there’s more to it than that. Within the last few years, including this year 2023, we have grown even more in our understanding of this pelvic pain condition. We now have new data explaining the link between endometriosis and migraine attacks. Are you familiar with CGRP?...

Advances in obstetrical and neonatal care have allowed for increased survival rates in babies born at extremely premature gestational ages. However, extreme prematurity brings its own set of issues and problems. One of these issues is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Intraventricular hemorrhage is not simply a neonatology issue, but is something that all obstetrical providers should be familiar...

We are definitely a “DIY“ society. And now, consumers can add DIY Insemination to that list! On December 6, 2023 the FDA cleared the first device for at home insemination. This over-the-counter option will be available in 2024. In this episode, we will review this landmark and historic device clearance. We will also clarify the distinction between FDA “approval” and FDA “clearance”. Who is best su...

Amniotic fluid embolism remains one of the most devastating conditions in obstetric practice with an incidence of approximately 1 in 40,000 deliveries. The associated mortality for this condition has been reported to be 20% at the low-end, to 80% at the high-end. The use of atropine (1 mg intravenously [IV]), ondansetron (8 mg IV), and ketorolac (30 mg IV) (AOK) as an adjunctive treatment has been...

Management of CINI is straightforward, as is management of CIN3. CIN1 allows for observation, and CIN3 requires treatment regardless of the patient’s age as it is a true pre-cancerous lesion. But some “gray zone“ exits for CIN2 management. Population-based data has confirmed a high rate of spontaneous resolution within 2 years after CIN2 diagnosis. Is the rate of cervical cancer higher in this sur...

A recent analysis of NHANES data from 2021 found that 40% of US adults aged 18 to 44 are insulin-resistant (IR) based on HOMA-IR measurements. While obesity rates have increased considerably over the past 2 decades, this rapid increase in prevalence was not only associated with increased adiposity. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and limited physical activity also increased insulin resistance. PCOS an...

On July 30, 2023 we released an episode describing the hypertensive “rule of 55” otherwise known as the physiologic approach to hypertension management. The rule of 55 breaks down hypertension into either hyperdynamic/high cardiac output in origin, or systemic vascular resistance in origin. There is plenty of evidence to support this management approach. Late this evening, on November 30, 2023, Ob...