Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Stillbirths occur in approximately 6/1000 pregnancies in the US. Currently, the ACOG recommends placental histological analysis and fetal chromosomal study in these cases. However, as up to 50% (or more) of cases are left “unexplained“, more investigation/options are needed. On September 17, 2020, a new publication in the NEJM adds valuable insights as to how whole exon sequencing may help provide...

Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) has long been associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes. However, is the same true for Advanced Paternal Age (APA)? What is the specific characteristic mutation associated with APA? What does paternal age have to do with chromosomal telomere length and how is that related to cancer in the child? In this podcast, we will review Data from the American College of Medica...

Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality even in the United States. In September 2020, a new device to help treat postpartum hemorrhage was FDA cleared (The Jada System). This is a novel device that uses vacuum pressure for uterine cavity collapse/myometrial compression. In the session, we will review this new data which was published ahead of print September 10, 2020 in Obst...

A prolonged second stage of labor, or failed vaginal vacuum extraction, can lead to a deeply impacted fetal head. Is the “push“ technique better than the “pull“ technique? Have you heard of the Patwardhan method? What is a C-section SPOON? And is the “Fetal pillow” actually helpful? In this podcast we will review each of these techniques in detail.

An EIF is a small echogenic area appearing within the fetal cardiac ventricle that has a sonographic brightness equivalent to that of bone. What are the clinical implications of an isolated EIF? Are structural malformations of the heart more common with EIF? What specific workup is required? In this session, we will review the SMFM management of this ultrasound finding.

A woman in her 20s with preeclampsia has a worse cardiovascular prognosis at 10 years compared to a woman in her 40s without previous preeclampsia. Additionally, preeclampsia is linked to other future maladaptive conditions (even dementia and renal disease) which have severe life impact. In this session, we will review the data on preeclampsia as a risk factor for future morbidity.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage in the neonate and is the most serious. Which antepartum therapy is proven to reduce IVH severity? Does Mag Sulfate reduce IVH? How is umbilical cord “milking” related to IVH? In this session we will cover this in detail and highlight professional societal guidelines.

Recurrent pregnancy loss affects between 3 and 5% of reproductive age couples. Traditionally, the category of “unexplained“ pregnancy loss made up 25% of cases. However, use of Chromosomal MicroArray analysis (CMA) has dropped the category of unexplained to approximately 10%. In this session, we will review the traditional and updated algorithm for recurrent pregnancy loss using CMA for the produc...

There is biological plausibility for vitamin D to play a role in pregnancy outcomes, given the presence of receptors in gestational tissues. Data has progressed since the ACOG committee opinion regarding vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy released in 2011. Does low maternal vitamin D actually affect maternal outcomes? In the session we will review the latest data from “Current Opinions in OB/G...

On August 12, 2020, the ACOG released a revised practice bulletin (226) on screening for fetal aneuploidy. In this session we will focus on cell free DNA genetic screening. How should we counsel younger women on this screening tool? Can cell free DNA be used after an abnormal QUAD screen? How is cell free DNA related to maternal malignancy? We will answer these questions and more in this session.

TOAs are typically considered the end result of severe PID. However, not all cases are PID related. TOAs may also be a harbinger of genital tract malignancy in a subgroup of patients. In this session, we will review the presentation, work-up, and management of TOAs and we will end with who may be at greater risk of genital tract cancer with them.

Fantastic! As healthcare professionals, we have to remember to use “patient centered“ terms when possible. This is a brief commentary describing a very important issue as a follow up to today’s educational podcast released just hours ago.

It is the age old question at Gyn Surgery… Candy Cane leg holders or Boot support? Is it just physician preference? In August 2020, a new RCT published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology addresses this issue. However, as we will discuss, the study raises more questions than answers.

VTE is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy, particularly in postpartum after a cesarean birth. In August 2020, the SMFM released consult series No. 51 on the prevention of VTE. What is the first-line pharmacological agent desired? Should prophylaxis be for 10 days, 2 weeks, or 6 weeks? What about risks of use? We will cover these questions and more, here..

Maternal genetic carrier screening is endorsed by the ACOG. Should this be ethnicity-based or should this be “pan-ethnic” screening of disorders? What are the 2 main genetic disorders that should be universally screened for? In this episode, we will cover the ACOG Committee Opinions 690 and 691.

On July 26, 2020, the AAP updated its guidance regarding infant separation from a COVID19 positive mother in the immediate postpartum interval. In this session, we will review this updated recommendation.

Your patient is a 22 yo female who has tested positive for SARS-CoV2. Will you keep her on her estrogen containing birth control? In this podcast, we will cover the ACOG response to this clinical dilemma as well as provide updated information from a soon to be released commentary in ENDOCRINOLOGY.

Yes, information keeps changing! That is why medical education is so important. In this session, we will review the ACOG updated recommendations for both healthcare providers and patients regarding COVID-19 management. These guidelines were released July 27, 2020.

⭐️Feb 11, 1990. ⭐️ It was a worldwide sports event. It has been called one of the greatest upsets in sports history. This brief recap of the Douglas-Tyson match has a powerful lesson applicable to today’s stressful times. Let this brief episode encourage you and motivate you on your life’s adventure. 🙂

Given the perceived safety of aspirin during pregnancy, there have even been increasing calls to administer aspirin universally to all pregnant women. However, there are no population-based studies addressing whether there is a bleeding risk with aspirin administration during pregnancy. In this session, we will review a recently accepted manuscript (July 2020) in AJOG which will soon be in print w...

In August 2020, the ACOG will release a new Committee Opinion (809) reviewing the HPV vaccination. How many doses are required by age? Can the vaccine be given during pregnancy? What about breast-feeding? We will answer these questions and more in this episode.

CS deliveries are the most frequently performed inpatient surgeries in the US. The ERAS pathway for planned cesarean deliveries does not include preadmission CHG cloths because of the lack of evidence from randomized, controlled trials. In July 2020, the AJOG published the STRIPES RCT to see whether use of these cloths resulted in decreased SSI. We will cover this in this episode.

Pregnancy is a co-adaptive, quasi-symbiotic state. There are a variety of maternal physiological and anatomical adaptations which must not be interpreted as pathological. In this session we will review these vital changes as well as the fetal circulatory system and provide a quick review of fetal acid base status.

On January 1, 2021, the Joint Commission will release new standards for maternal safety at discharge from the hospital. Discharge teaching and postpartum follow up planning will be part of this mandate with a focus on patients with hypertensive disorders. To prepare everyone for this, the SMFM is releasing a new statement and checklist for postpartum discharge of hypertensive patients. In this ses...

COVID19 can have varied clinical manifestations. In pregnancy, new data has highlighted its potential to cause a “preeclampsia like syndrome“. This, together with the increased thrombotic state of COVID-19, elevates the risk for VTE above that of pregnancy alone. Can TXA be used for PPH in these cases? In this podcast we will review these 2 high risk clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnanc...