Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

There have been a variety of published and accepted clinical presentations of COVID-19: from lack of taste, GI disturbances, muscle aches, to the usual fever and shortness of breath. But this COVID-19 affect a woman’s menstrual cycle? There is increased chatter on the ever accurate Internet regarding this. But is there data? In this session we will go over the possible association between COVID-19 and irregular cycles.

Are you still treating urogenital gonorrhea with ceftriaxone and azithromycin? That was a standard for over a decade. But things have now changed. In December 2020, the CDC updated the treatment regimen for urogenital infections with neisseria gonorrhea. Is “dual-agent” still a therapy? Does cefixime still have a treatment role? What about test of cure? We will cover these questions and more in the session.

We all know there is a national opioid epidemic. This, like the current viral pandemic, is robbing people of their lives. Pregnant women are not immune to opioid use disorder. Is methadone endorsed for use in pregnancy? What about buprenorphine? Is naltrexone safe as an alternative treatment during pregnancy? In this session, we will review the updated literature regarding opioid use disorder and medical assisted treatment options (MATs).

Historically, CS prophylactic antibiotics were given after umbilical cord clamp and cut to prevent exposure of the neonate to antimicrobials. The recommendation then changed, in line with typical surgical practice, to give prophylactic antibiotics before skin incision. However, new data published in December 2020 is calling this practice into question. In this session we will review this new publication, co-authored from Rutgers university, which has some surprising results.

It’s the holiday season, but the holidays can exacerbate depression/anxiety and even increase suicidal ideation in some individuals. Suicide deaths are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the US, yet the prevalence and trends in suicidality (suicidal ideation and/or intentional self-harm) among childbearing individuals remain poorly described. Oddly, the CDC data excludes deaths from "accidental or incidental causes," such as suicide, overdose, or homicide in their maternal mortality reporting. In this session, we will review US maternal mortality rates and review new data regarding perinatal suicidal ideation and acts.

A brief explanation regarding our podcast just released, “Ovaries In or Out”!

Debating the benefits of keeping ovaries during hysterectomy, focusing on survival benefits and potential risks. Exploring implications of postmenopausal ovaries on overall health, including bone, cardiovascular, and cognitive function. Emphasizing the importance of optimal timing for benign ovary removal and discussing implications of prophylactic oophorectomy.

Considered controversial, traditionally steroids for fetal lung maturation were not given in patients with clinical chorioamnionitis. But is this really evidence-based? And since most patients will be delivered quickly after this diagnosis, how fast can steroids be expected to have a benefit on the child? In this session we will summarize a December 2020 Expert Review from the AGOG on that subject.

In the very near future, possibly just days away, the FDA is anticipated to approve at least 1 new COVID-19 vaccine. Were pregnant and/or lactating women included in the phase III vaccine clinical trials? What is the safety data for the vaccine in pregnancy? Are pregnant and/or lactating women part of the vaccine distribution framework? These are tough, and even controversial, aspects that must be considered. In this session, we will review the current state of the vaccine and how it applies to pregnant/lactating women.

A woman dies every 12 hours in this country from pregnancy-related complications. 2/3rds of these deaths are preventable! Let that sink in. On December 3, 2020, the US Surgeon General released a CALL TO ACTION to rectify this reality. In particular, ONE race is carrying this burden more than others. In this podcast we will summarize the main points of this 71 page monograph, and tie in potential solutions.