Methylergonovine Maleate

This research study is being done to learn what effect a single dose of calcium gluconate will have on blood loss at the time of cesarean delivery in pregnancy patients at high risk for uterine atony.

Uterine fibroids are a common condition that can cause heavy and/or painful menstrual bleeding. There are many treatment options, but they vary in efficacy, side effects, short-term recovery and long-term implications for future fertility. Patients can have difficulty deciding between these options. In this study, the investigators will randomly assign patients seeking treatment for fibroids to receive an educational video on fibroids and their treatment, versus usual care (no video). The investigators will assess their decisional conflict with and without exposure to the video using a validated survey to see if exposure to the educational video helps them make decisions.

Oli is a predictive, non-invasive device, intended to be placed on the participant's maternal abdomen during the intrapartum period, which can alert healthcare professionals of an impending cumulative blood loss of ≥500 ml (abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding) or cumulative blood loss of ≥1000ml (postpartum haemorrhage) at least 1 hour in advance of birth. This study is being undertaken to assess the performance of Oli measuring cumulative blood loss ≥500ml and ≥1000ml, as well as evaluate its safety profile.

This research project aims to enhance the safety of childbirth by using advanced computer models to predict the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). PPH is a significant concern for mothers during and after delivery. Current risk assessment tools are basic and do not adapt to changing conditions. This study will investigate whether a new and recently validated model for predicting PPH, combined with a provider-facing Best Practice Advisory (BPA) regarding currently recommended strategies triggered by an increased predicted risk, can improve perinatal outcomes. This study will compare the current category based risk assessment tool with a new, enhanced prediction model which calculates risk based on 21 factors, automatically updates as new information becomes available during labor and, if elevated, provides a provider-facing Best Practice Advisory (BPA) recommending consideration of strategies that are institutionally agreed to represent high-quality practice. Investigators hypothesize that the enhanced care approach will result in improved perinatal outcomes. The goal of the study is to improve the wellbeing of mothers during childbirth by harnessing the power of modern technology and data analysis.

Oxytocin is the first-line drug to promote contraction of the uterus and prevent atony immediately after delivery. Nonetheless, unpredictable uterine atony refractory to oxytocin affects roughly 250,000 parturients annually in the U.S. and rates are increasing. This two-part study will measure the action of oxytocin at cesarean delivery. The first part will measure the pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous (IV) dose of deuterium-labeled oxytocin. The second part will measure the pharmacodynamics of all plasma oxytocin to see how concentrations correspond to the contractile effect on the uterus. After delivery of the fetus, study subjects will receive a bolus of IV deuterated oxytocin followed by an unlabeled oxytocin infusion. Venous blood samples drawn at multiple time points (within 1 hour after delivery) will be analyzed for plasma concentrations of labeled and unlabeled (endogenous + exogenous infused) oxytocin over time. Plasma concentrations will be compared with 0-10 uterine tone scores measuring uterine contraction strength, to describe the concentration-effect relationship. The goal of this study is to define both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxytocin in parturients to help identify the cause(s) of failed first-line oxytocin therapy.

In part 1 of the study, the investigators conducted a prospective, open-label, dose finding pharmacokinetic (PK) study in 43 pregnant 3rd trimester women scheduled for non-emergent cesarean section. The investigators administered three doses of the drug (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg) in an escalating fashion by cohort with the lowest dose first. The drug was administered intravenously at the time of umbilical cord clamping for a non-emergent cesarean section. A maximum of 1 gram was administered. TXA serum levels at several time points after delivery were assayed to see if they reach the target plasma concentration of 10 microg/mL. A PK model was constructed for determining the optimal TXA dose administered at parturition. In part 2 of the study, the investigators aim to compare PKPD endpoints using prophylactic TXA via IV and IM routes administered pre-cord clamp. The investigators will administer 1000 mg TXA within 10 minutes of skin incision via intravenous infusion (up to n=15), intravenous bolus \< 2 minutes (up to n=15) and intramuscular injection (up to n=15). The investigators will target women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery greater than 34 weeks gestation, women undergoing vaginal delivery \> 34 weeks of gestation and morbidly obese women (BMI\>=40) undergoing either a vaginal or cesarean delivery. The investigators will use advanced modeling techniques to determine time to achieve PKPD targets and duration remaining at those targets. The goal will be to determine how the optimal dose may vary if route of administration is modified. The investigators plan to enroll 45 patients in addition to the 43 that were enrolled during part 1. Our goal is to 30 participants, but the investigators will enroll 45 to account for lost to follow-up. The investigatorsalso aim to enroll 30 patients undergoing vaginal delivery and 30 morbidly obese women (BMI \> 50) undergoing either a vaginal or cesarean delivery but the investigators will enroll 45 patients for each of these groups to account for loss to follow up. In addition, the investigators will enroll 30 pregnant patients receiving no medication acting as the control group, but the investigators will enroll 45 to account for loss to follow up.