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Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine temporal trends in forceps and vacuum delivery and factors associated with operative vaginal delivery., Design: Retrospective cohort., Setting: Population-based study of US birth records., Population: US births from 2005 to 2013., Methods: This study evaluated forceps and vacuum extraction during vaginal delivery in live-born, non-anomalous singleton gestations from ≥ 36 to < 42 weeks of gestation. The primary outcomes were vacuum, forceps and overall operative delivery. Obstetric, medical and demographic characteristics associated with operative vaginal delivery were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to determine factors associated with forceps/vacuum use., Results: A total of 22 598 971 vaginal deliveries between 2005 and 2013 were included in the analysis. In all, 1 083 318 (4.8%) were vacuum-assisted and 237 792 (1.1%) were by forceps. Both vacuum and forceps deliveries decreased over the study period; vacuum deliveries decreased from 5.8% in 2005 to 4.1% in 2013, and forceps deliveries decreased from 1.4% to 0.9% during the same period. The adjusted odds ratio for forceps delivery was 0.70 (95% CI 0.69-0.72) in 2013 with 2005 as a reference. For vacuum delivery the odds ratio was 0.68 (95% CI 0.67-0.69) comparing the same years., Conclusion: Forceps and vacuum deliveries decreased during the study period. Low rates of operative delivery pose a challenge for resident education and may limit the degree to which women have access to alternatives to caesarean delivery. Initiatives that allow future generations of obstetricians to develop expertise in performing operative deliveries in the setting of decreased volume are an urgent resident education priority., Tweetable Abstract: Forceps and vacuum delivery decreased significantly in the USA from 2005 to 2013., (© 2017 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

Objective: To determine how well antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) were timed, based on the indication for administration for women delivering preterm., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: Tertiary medical centre., Population: Six hundred and thirty women who had singleton preterm births between 24 and 34 weeks' gestational age., Methods: Charts from 2006 to 2011 were reviewed for indications for ACS administration, which included premature rupture of membranes, threatened preterm labour, risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth such as short ultrasound cervical length, positive fetal fibronectin, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Charts were reviewed for timing of ACS administration in relation to delivery., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was optimal timing, defined as administration of ACS ≥ 24 hours to ≤ 7 days prior to delivery., Results: Of 630 women who delivered preterm, 589 (93%) received ACS prior to delivery. ACS timing was optimal in 40% (238 of 589) of cases. Women with hypertensive disorders were most likely to have steroids optimally timed (62%). Asymptomatic women at increased risk for preterm delivery were less likely to receive optimally timed ACS (12%). The majority of women who received steroids >2 weeks prior to delivery (57%) received a second course., Conclusion: A majority of women who delivered preterm did not receive optimally timed ACS. Diagnostic tools that identified women at risk for preterm birth were not able to identify patients for appropriate steroid timing. Given the range of clinical scenarios in which patients are at increased risk for preterm delivery, further research is needed to assist clinicians in optimising steroid administration., Tweetable Abstract: Optimal timing of antenatal steroids prior to delivery does not occur in most cases., (© 2015 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)