METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 12, 2018, to May 28, 2019. A total of 78 term women scheduled for labor induction with one previous cesarean delivery who had ripe cervixes, singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, intact membranes, and reassuring cardiotocogram were randomized to Foley catheter or dinoprostone insert. The primary outcome was induction-to-delivery interval (in hours) and the secondary outcomes included maternal satisfaction on birth experience (assessed by 100-mm visual analog scale).

RESULTS: Induction-to-delivery intervals were as follows: median 33.5 h (interquartile range [IQR], 26.1-36.2 h) versus 23.5 h (IQR, 12.7-34.5 h) (P = 0.004), and maternal satisfaction on birth process 100-mm visual analog scale was 80 mm (IQR, 64-88 mm) versus 82 mm (IQR, 67-88 mm) (P = 0.919) for the Foley and controlled-release dinoprostone arms, respectively. Cesarean delivery rates were 23 of 39 (59%) versus 20 of 39 (51%) (relative risk, 1.15 [95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.72]) (P = 0.496) and trial device insertion to removal time mean ± standard deviation was 20.1 ± 7.1 h versus 14.2 ± 7.3 h (P = 0.001) for Foley versus controlled-release dinoprostone, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In term women after one previous cesarean delivery with unripe cervixes, controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert compared with Foley catheter shortens the induction-to-delivery interval but maternal satisfaction was not significantly increased.

METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital from May 2019 to December 2020. 128 women at their discharge following hospitalization for HG were randomized: 64 to watermelon and 64 to control arm. Women were randomized to consume watermelon and to heed the advice leaflet or to heed the dietary advice leaflet alone. A personal weighing scale and a weighing protocol were provided to all participants to take home. Primary outcomes were bodyweight change at the end of week 1 and week 2 compared to hospital discharge.

RESULTS: Weight change (kg) at end of week 1, median[interquartile range] -0.05[-0.775 to + 0.50] vs. -0.5[-1.4 to + 0.1] P = 0.014 and to the end of week 2, + 0.25[-0.65 to + 0.975] vs. -0.5[-1.3 to + 0.2] P = 0.001 for watermelon and control arms respectively. After two weeks, HG symptoms assessed by PUQE-24 (Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea over 24 h), appetite assessed by SNAQ (Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire), wellbeing and satisfaction with allocated intervention NRS (0-10 numerical rating scale) scores, and recommendation of allocated intervention to a friend rate were all significantly better in the watermelon arm. However, rehospitalization for HG and antiemetic usage were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION: Adding watermelon to the diet after hospital discharge for HG improves bodyweight, HG symptoms, appetite, wellbeing and satisfaction.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the antenatal clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre from June 2021 to June 2022. Women at 34-36 weeks gestation with self-reported night sleep duration ≤6 hours were recruited. Participants wore an actigraphy device at night for seven consecutive nights (Observation/Baseline week). Only women whose actigraphy-derived night sleep duration was confirmed to be ≤360 minutes were randomized to use EMEP or AL. Actigraphy was continued for another week (Intervention week). Primary outcome was change in actigraphy-derived night sleep duration from observation to intervention week across trial arms. Secondary outcomes include participants' sleep quality, labor, and neonatal outcome. Comparisons were by Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate repeated applications of cold vs room temperature (placebo control) compress to the repaired primiparous perineum on pain upon movement.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a university hospital in Malaysia from May 2022 to February 2023. A total of 224 women with a repaired episiotomy or spontaneous second-degree tear sustained at normal delivery were randomized as follows: 113 to frozen gel pack and 111 to room temperature gel pack, as wound compress. The compress was applied to the perineal repair site at 3 timepoints: immediately after repair, and at 4 and 8 hours after delivery, for 20 minutes at each application. The primary outcomes were pain during movement at 12 and 24 hours after delivery, scored using the 0 to 10 numerical rating scale. The secondary outcomes include duration of hospital stay; analgesic consumption; recovery and functional metrics of reestablishing flatus, mobilization, and urination, breastfeeding; maternal satisfaction with the allocated compress; and after hospital discharge for up to 6 weeks after birth through telephone interview, analgesic consumption, perineal pain, resumption of vaginal sex, and women's perception of perineal wound healing.

RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) of pain at movement scores were 4 (4-5) vs 5 (4-5) (P=.018) at 12 hours and 2 (1-3) vs 2 (2-3) (P=.173) at 24 hours after birth for cold vs room temperature compress, respectively. Maternal satisfaction scores were 8 (7-9) vs 7 (6-8) (P=.119), oral analgesic for perineal pain while at the postnatal ward was taken by 94 of 113 (83.2%) vs 85 of 109 (78.0%) (relative risk, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.21), and time to the first satisfactory breastfeeding episode was 11.6 (7.9-15.5) vs 13.0 (8.0-20.7) hours (P=.303) for cold vs room temperature compress, respectively. At 2 weeks telephone follow-up, analgesic intake and perineal pain were not different. At 6 weeks, analgesic intake, perineal pain, resumption of vaginal sex, exclusive breastfeeding, and maternal perception of perineal healing were not different.