Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

LARCS are endorsed by the ACOG due to the high efficacy. However, unpredictable bleeding can affect continuation rates. A new RCT has evaluated the use of tamoxifen to control and prevent future abnormal bleeding with etonogestrel implant use. Does this work? What is the MOA? In this session, we will summarize this new publication (published ahead of print) in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Did you know that silver wire helped to dramatically reduce maternal mortality at cesarean section? And what does the Goodyear Rubber Company have to do with surgical techniques? In this episode we will wrap up our walk through history reviewing CS’s AMAZING History.

What does a pig gelder, a woman dressed as a man, and the Queen of England all have in common? The answer: ALL CONTRIBUTED TO CS’s history! The history of C-section has been called the combination of “death, deceit, and germs“. In this historical review (Part 1), we will take a look at the origin of this all too frequent abdominal surgery.

Prone positioning during invasive mechanical ventilation improves oxygenation, as shown in large randomized clinical trials of patients with ARDS. In an RCT that included 466 patients with moderate and severe ARDS, prone positioning for at least 16 hours per day with protective mechanical ventilation reduced 90-day mortality. Is prone positioning for respiratory support possible in pregnancy? In t...

Gastroschisis occurs in about 1 in 1800 births in the US. Does this abdominal wall herniation usually occur to the right or left of the umbilical cord? Is this condition tied to chromosomal/genetic syndrome? What about antepartum fetal surveillance? Is a cesarean birth required? In this episode, we will review the SMFM and CDC data regarding management of gastroschisis.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is also known as female circumcision. The ACOG and the World Health Organization have issued public statements condemning the practice. What is this procedure? What are the 4 different types of female genital cutting? In this session we will review these answers as well as the immediate and long-term complications of FGM. We will also review the WHO international re...

Is labor affected by polyhydramnios? What is the suggested manner of performing artificial rupture of membranes in this setting? In this session, we will wrap up our discussion of polyhydramnios with a quick summary on intrapartum care.

Polyhydramnios can be mild, moderate, or severe. Is deepest vertical pocket (DVP) or AFI preferred for amniotic fluid assessment? Is antepartum Indocin a valid treatment option? What about antepartum fetal surveillance? In this session, which is Part 1, we will review the SMFM guidance regarding polyhydramnios.

Placenta accreta spectrum, formally known as morbidly adherent placenta, refers to a range of pathologic adherence of the placenta (accreta, increta, and percreta). There is significant risk of maternal morbidity and mortality including risk of blood transfusion, life-threatening hemorrhage, and hysterectomy. In this session, we will review the obstetric care consensus by the ACOG and SMFM regardi...

On May 29, 2020, the U.S. FDA approved an novel oral drug, Oriahnn, for HMB use to fibroids. This medication (elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone acetate) is the first oral medication designed specifically for Fibroid HMB. In this session, we will review this new medication. (No financial disclosures to report).

In this session, we will conclude our summary of the new ACOG clinical expert series, “Female Sexual Dysfunction“. This episode will focus on specific treatments of each of the 4 different DSM5 categories of female sexual dysfunction.

Human sexual response is a highly individual and emotional process. Sexual dysfunction is common among women and leads to personal distress. The ACOG has released a new “clinical expert series“ which currently is published ahead of print. In this session (Part 1), we will review the prevalence, risk factors, and DSM5 categories of female sexual dysfunction.

Unlike fetal thrombocytopenia resulting from maternal ITP, fetal- neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia may occur earlier in gestation and can lead to in-utero fetal intracranial hemorrhage. The condition can be severe. In this podcast, we will review the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this potentially lethal fetal acquired condition. (ACOG Data 2019).

On June 1, 2020, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology released a new publication with surprising results related to maternal oxygen use in labor for Category II fetal heart rate tracings. Although we have covered this in some form in previous episodes, we will provide new up-to-date information on this subject.

Medical information moves fast. Although the increased morbidity with fetal macrosomia has long been known, the ACOG has revised his practice bulletin on the subject (January 2020). In this session, we will review this updated practice bulletin. What’s the new data on exercise and fetal birthweight? Is operative vaginal delivery contraindicated in macrosomic infants? What about TOLAC with a suspec...

Multiple societies and experts have weighed in on whether 2nd stage of labor warrants universal use of respirators (e.g., N95 masks) vs surgical masks. The ACOG/SMFM has petitioned the CDC for clarity on this issue. In May 2020, the AJOG published a new “clinical perspective“ in MFM which is pushing for use of 1 mask over the other. We will highlight this new development in this session.

Some experts have called for universal screening of all patients admitted to labor and delivery. The foundation of this opinion is to decrease exposure to healthcare workers and identification of asymptomatic women for the prevention of horizontal newborn transmission. However, there are some potential negative implications of this proposal. In this podcast, we will review a soon to be released ed...

Examination (macroscopic and microscopic) of the placenta can give valuable insights into the intrauterine environment. The College of American Pathologists has issued guidelines about when to submit a placenta for histological examination. In this session, we will review the “what, when, and whys“ of histological placental referral. We will also review abnormal umbilical cord insertion and it’s l...

Does the ACOG endorse universal screening for thyroid disease in pregnancy? What about treating subclinical hyperthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism? And what about those pesky anti-thyroid autoantibodies? In this podcast, we will highlight the June 2020 ACOG Practice Bulletin (223) covering thyroid disease in pregnancy.

The benefit of antenatal corticosteroids in preterm infants was first reported in 1972, but it took 20 years for widespread adoption. Now, antenatal steroids are recommended by the ACOG up to 36 weeks and 6 days. However, a new study (JAMA May 2020) has raised concerns about steroid exposure in utero and possible behavioral and mental diagnoses in children up to age 5. These outcomes were signific...

Information can be confusing regarding COVID-19. The WHO, CDC, ACOG, AAP all have slightly different recommendations based upon what topic you’re looking at. Is a patient with COVID-19 allowed to breast-feed? In this episode, we will review the CDC/AAP recommendations for breast-feeding regarding a patient under investigation or confirmed positive case.

Sexual assault/rape is a devastating occurrence for all victims. Post exposure infectious disease prophylaxis has been expanded to include hepatitis B and HPV vaccinations. In this session, we will review the medical/vaccine regimens as post exposure prophylaxis after assault. We will also cover HIV prophylaxis. Are 3 anti-retroviral medications more effective than 2 for HIV prevention? The answer...

The ACOG/SMFM does not recommend bedrest in pregnancy for the prevention of preterm birth for women at risk, nor in multiple gestation, or management of hypertensive disorders. Does bedrest actually RAISE PTB risk? In this session, we will summarize updated information about the real physiological, psychological, and possibly OB adverse effects of bedrest in pregnancy. (NEW SMFM Consult Series #50...

Advances in 1st trimester aneuploidy screening have increased the need for early prenatal diagnostic testing. There are only 2 prenatal diagnostic tests : CVS and amniocentesis. In this podcast, we will review these procedures and rates of potential complications. We will also summarize the difference between microarray chromosomal analysis and conventional karyotype.

On May 1, 2020, the FDA authorized the emergency use of Remdesivir for COVID-19. This was based on a preliminary analysis of an NIH clinical trial. However, information is still lacking on safety and efficacy in a larger study population. In this session, we will review the known mechanism of action of this novel antiviral medication and limitations of data.