title: Obstetric management of the next pregnancy after an unexplained stillbirth: an anonymous postal survey of Australian obstetricians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women who have an unexplained stillbirth are more likely to be delivered early, by induced labour or Caesarean section, in their next pregnancy. It is unclear whether these birth outcomes result from characteristics of the next pregnancy, or represent management strategies of obstetricians.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate obstetricians' management strategies in the next pregnancy after an unexplained stillbirth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anonymous postal survey of Australian obstetricians. Respondents were given a clinical scenario regarding a previous unexplained stillbirth and were asked about management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 69%. Tests of 'fetal well-being' were undertaken by the majority of respondents. Additional third trimester ultrasound surveillance was recommended by 87% of respondents, regular cardiotograph monitoring by 72% and formal fetal movement charting by 39%. Elective induction of labour (in the absence of any other obstetric indication) was recommended by 93% of respondents, and elective Caesarean delivery by 35%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tendency for subsequent pregnancies after an unexplained stillbirth to be delivered earlier, and more often by Caesarean section, may be due in part to altered management strategies, not solely as a result of complications of the pregnancy itself.
authors.affiliation: Australian National University Medical School, Canberrra, Australia. steve.robson@act.gov.au
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ellwood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050497:Stillbirth; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires