CASE: A 32-year-old woman, Gravida 1 Para 0, was referred to our center at 7 weeks gestation in 2018 for uncontrolled diabetes mellitus diagnosed during investigation for subfertility. Her poor compliance with the treatment is consistent with an HbA1c of 8%. During the assessment, she was already complaining of lower abdominal pain. Ultrasound showed irregular IUGS with no fetal echo. She had a miscarriage soon; however, due to ultrasound evidence of thickened and irregular endometrium (17 mm) with mixed echogenicity, dilatation and curettage (D + C) were commenced. The first and second tissues were reported as the product of conception (POC) and well differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma, respectively. The first hysteroscopy showed foci area of polypoidal growth at the right posterior endometrium, obscuring the right ostium, with similar histology report. She was commenced on high-dose progestogen with hysteroscopy surveillance 6 months later, which showed disease regression. After two normal hysteroscopies and endometrial biopsies with continuous progestogen therapy for 12 months, cyclical progestogen for 12 months and follow-up for another 6 months, she had spontaneous conception and is currently pregnant at 16 weeks gestation.

POPULATION: Women with singleton, term pregnancies in active labour and immediate postnatal period, at low risk of complications.

SETTING: Healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries.

SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic search and review were conducted on the current guidelines from WHO, NICE, ACOG and RCOG. Additional search was done on PubMed and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to May 2020.

CASE SCENARIOS: Four common intrapartum urinary abnormalities were selected: proteinuria, ketonuria, glycosuria and oliguria. Using reagent strip testing, glycosuria was defined as ≥2+ on one occasion or of ≥1+ on two or more occasions. Proteinuria was defined as ≥2+ and presence of ketone indicated ketonuria. Oliguria was defined as hourly urine output ≤30 ml. Thorough initial assessment using history, physical examination and basic investigations helped differentiate most of the underlying causes, which include diabetes mellitus, dehydration, sepsis, pre-eclampsia, shock, anaemia, obstructed labour, underlying cardiac or renal problems. A clinical algorithm was developed for each urinary abnormality to facilitate intrapartum management and referral of complicated cases for specialised care.

CONCLUSIONS: Four simple, user-friendly and evidence-based clinical algorithms were developed to enhance intrapartum care of commonly encountered maternal urine abnormalities. These algorithms may be used to support healthcare professionals in clinical decision-making when handling normal and potentially complicated labour, especially in low resource countries.