scholarly journals Time of quickening is associated with the placental site and BMI in nulliparous women

Author(s):  
Negin Jaafar ◽  
Lars Henning Pedersen ◽  
Olav Bjørn Petersen ◽  
Lone Hvidman

AbstractIntroductionQuickening, the first sensation of fetal movements, is an important milestone for pregnant women. Information on the expected gestational age at quickening may reduce anxiety and prevent delayed detection of intrauterine demise but the available data are from the 1980s before the emergence of modern ultrasound techniques.Materials and methodsProspective observational study on nulliparous women blinded for placental location in two hospitals in Denmark. The pregnant women were enrolled at the time of nuchal translucency scan, placental location was determined at time of second trimester scanning.. The women were blinded to placenta location before time of quickening. Time of quickening were reported by 122 women, 65 with an anterior and 57 with a posterior placenta. Thirteen women had a BMI >30 (10.7%).ResultsThe mean gestational age for quickening was 19 + 0 weeks for nulliparous women. The timing depended on placental site; women with an anterior placenta experienced quickening 6.4 days later than the women with a posterior placenta. BMI > 30 was associated with a later time of quickening.ConclusionsAnterior placental location is associated with delay in experience of fetal movements of 6.4 days and this may further be delayed in women with a BMI>30.

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1072
Author(s):  
Dan Navolan ◽  
Mirela Nicolov ◽  
Simona Vladareanu ◽  
Ioana Ciohat ◽  
Marius Craina ◽  
...  

Screening of fetal aneuploidies in early pregnancy is a well-established method in the materno-fetal medicine. The aim of our study was to analyze if the medians recommended by the manufacturers are adequate to perform an accurate screening or if there is a need for own laboratory medians calculation in second trimester biochemical marker screening.Sera were collected between 14 wp and 22 wp from 3374 singleton pregnancies. We analyzed three second trimester biochemical markers (AFP, hCG and free Estriol) concentration in all pregnant women and in a subgroup of pregnant women in which gestational age was determined based on crown-rump length. Our results showed that for all biochemical markers the difference between the manufacturer and the own calculated median was lower than 10% excepting the hCG value in the group of pregnant women in which the gestational age was determined on basis of crown-rump-length. Our results show it is recommended to replace the values of the median for hCG measurement with the own laboratory calculated medians. This does not seem to be necessary in the case of AFP and free Estriol measurement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Akbas ◽  
Faik Mumtaz Koyuncu ◽  
Burcu Artunç-Ülkümen ◽  
Gökce Akbas

AbstractObjectivesIncreased placental stiffness is associated with various pathological conditions. Our objective was to evaluate the relation between the second-trimester placental elasticity value in low-risk pregnant women and poor obstetric outcomes.MethodsA total of 143 pregnant women were enrolled. Placental elasticity values were measured using the transabdominal point shear wave elastography method. 10 random measurements were obtained from different areas of the placenta. The mean was accepted as the mean placental elasticity value. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables associated with obstetric outcomes.ResultsSecond-trimester placental elasticity value was significantly and positively associated with the poor obstetric outcomes (p=0.038). We could predict a poor outcome with 69.2% sensitivity and 60.7% specificity if we defined the placental elasticity cut-off as 3.19 kPa. Furthermore, in the multiple regression model, the placental elasticity value added significantly to the prediction of birth weight (p=0.043).ConclusionsOur results showed that the pregnancies with a stiffer placenta in the second trimester were associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting poor obstetric outcomes. Also, placental elasticity was independently associated with birth weight.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Caixia Liu ◽  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yu Wang

Abstract Background Due to metabolic changes in the second trimester and the increasing number of pregnant women with obesity and advanced maternal age, the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains high. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function, and to determine whether these changes increase with increasing estimated fetal weight (EFW). Methods Fifty-eight women with GDM (GDM group) and 58 women with a healthy pregnancy (control group) were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Each group included subgroups of 31 pregnant women with a gestational age between 24+0 weeks and 27+6 weeks as well as 27 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28+0 weeks and 40+0 weeks. For all fetuses, a cine of 2–3 s in the four-chamber view was obtained, and online speckle-tracking analysis was performed using the GE Automatic Fetal Heart Assessment Tool (fetal HQ; General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound, Zipf, Austria) to measure the global sphericity index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), 24-segment sphericity index (SI), and 24-segment end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, as applicable. Results The GDM group (mean HbA1c value was 5.3 ± 0.57 mmol/L) showed a lower GSI value than the control group (1.21 vs. 1.27, P = 0.000), which indicated a rounder shape of the heart. In addition, fetuses in the GDM group demonstrated significant impairment in cardiac function compared to those in the control group (LV-GLS: -18.26% vs. -22.70%, RV-GLS: -18.52% vs. -22.74%, LV-FAC: 35.30% vs. 42.36%, RV-FAC: 30.89% vs. 36.80%; P = 0.000 for all). Subgroup analyses according to gestational age (24+0–27+6 weeks and 28+0–40+0 weeks) showed that the statistical differences were retained between the GDM and control groups in each subgroup. Conclusions Fetuses of women with GDM present with signs of biventricular systolic dysfunction according to deformation analysis using fetal HQ. Additionally, the heart had a rounder shape in the GDM group than in the control group. This study showed that fetal HQ can be used to assess fetal cardiac morphology and function easily and quickly, and the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function appeared from the second trimester. Thus, whether earlier and stricter clinical intervention was necessary remained to be further studied. Furthermore, future studies will need to supplement the effects of blood glucose levels on GLS, FAC, GSI, and 24-segment SI. Additionally, the long-term follow-up after birth should also be improved to observe the influence of changes in the indicators on the prognosis.


Author(s):  
Hale Göksever Çelik ◽  
Engin Çelik ◽  
Gökhan Yıldırım

Background: Digital cervical evaluation has been used to determine the likelihood of vaginal delivery which is considered by many women to be non-tolerable. Recently, transperineal ultrasound allowing direct visualization of the fetal skull has been using for the prediction of labor route. Authors aimed to study whether measurements on transperineal ultrasound are predictive for vaginal delivery in pregnant women induced with dinoprostone at 40.0-42.0 gestational weeks.Methods: A total of 55 pregnant women at 40.0-42.0 gestational weeks were enrolled in this prospective observational study. All participated women were examined before the induction with dinoprostone to measure the head-perineum distance (HPD), the head-pubis distance and the angle of progression of fetal head (AOP).Results: The greater AOP, the shorter HPD and the head-pubis distance were associated with vaginal delivery in the nulliparous women. The HPD and the head-pubis distance were shorter, whereas the AOP was greater in the multiparous women giving birth by vaginal route.Conclusions: Transperineal ultrasound can be applied at the beginning of labor to predict whether vaginal delivery will occur or not. As shown in our study, the pregnant women with shorter HPD and wider AOP might have a high possibility to achieve vaginal delivery.


Author(s):  
I. L. Okoroiwu ◽  
Jane Ugochi Chinedu-Madu ◽  
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu ◽  
C. C. N. Vincent ◽  
O. M. T. B. Ochiabuto ◽  
...  

The study was done to determine iron status, haemoglobin and protein levels of pregnant women in owerri metropolis. A total of 100 pregnant women were recruited for this study. The mean Hb levels in group 1, group 2, and group 3· were 12.00±1.68g/dl, 10.06±1.J4g/dl and 10.96±1.19g/dl respectively. The mean Serum ferritin level of group 1 was 67.00±88.38ng/ml, group 2, 52.48±52.47ng/ml and group 3, 51.26±48.70ng/ml. The mean Serum iron in group 1, 2 and 3 were 46.72±16.41 g/dl, 79.59±63.24 g/dl and 83.35±53.04 g/dl respectively. In group 1, 2 and 3 the mean results. ( g/dl) of TIBC were 295.58 ± 109.53, 324.06 ± 178.00 and 319.88 ± 92.95 and % T.S (%) were 18.78 ± 11.77,26.59 ± 19.40 and 17.97 ± 10.87 percent respectively. The mean total protein was group 1,6.83±l1.77g/dl, group 2,6.39±0.70g/dl and group 3, 6.39 ±0.98 g/dl while the mean albumin (g/dl) in group 1, 2 and 3 were 4.84±0.47, 4.13±0.28 and 4.14±0.29 respectively. The mean values of globulin (g/dl) were 1.98 ± 0.91, 2.29 ± 0.87 and 1.89 ± 0.90 in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. As gestational age increased; serum ferritin, total protein, and albumin levels decreased while serum" iron and TIBC increased. The differences in the mean results between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) while % T.S and globulin levels when compared showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Iron status showed no statistical difference with increasing parity (p>0.05). However, from this study iron deficiency anaemia was most prevalent in second trimester; hence iron status estimation should be an integral part of routine antenatal care test during second trimester of each pregnancy for proper assessment and management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1774-1779
Author(s):  
Sanaz Nehbandani ◽  
Hajar Salehi ◽  
Khadije Rezaie Keikhaie ◽  
Hossein Rashki Ghalenow ◽  
Fatemeh Mirzaie ◽  
...  

Introduction & Objective: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that more than 85% of pregnant women experience. However, controlling and treating this complication is still one of the most important issues in antenatal care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ear acupressure at Shen Men point on relieving nausea, vomiting and retching during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 100 pregnant women with a gestational age of less than 16 weeks attending the health clinics of Zabol city during 2019-2020 were studied in two control and intervention groups (n = 50 in each group). The samples in the intervention group were trained to apply pressure on their ears’ Shen Men point with the thumb for three minutes three times a day (morning, noon, and night), for a duration of one month. At the end of second and fourth weeks, the data were collected using the Rhodes index form and then, were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: According to the results, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gestational age, occupation and education. The difference in the mean scores of nausea, vomiting and retching was not statistically significant between the control and intervention groups before the study. But four weeks after the study, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of vomiting, nausea and retching between the two groups, so that the mean scores of vomiting, nausea and retching were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion: The ear acupressure medicine at the Shen men point can be used as a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive method to relieve nausea, vomiting and retching during pregnancy. Keywords: Acupressure medicine, Shen Men, Vomiting, Pregnancy, Nausea, Retching, Rhodosis


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiqin Huang ◽  
Wei Han ◽  
Yajing Fan

Abstract Background We aimed to analyze the correlation between increased fetal movements in the third trimester and neonatal outcomes. Methods We enrolled pregnant women (n = 219) who reported increased/excessive fetal movements in the third trimester in our hospital. A control group of healthy women (n = 278) who had undergone regular childbirth and delivery in our hospital during the same period and did not report abnormal fetal movements were also recruited. All pregnant women underwent fetal non-stress test. We analyzed the neonatal weight, appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration score, degrees of amniotic fluid contamination, amniotic fluid volume, conditions of umbilical cord around the neck and cord length, and incidence of small for gestational age. In addition, the incidence of preterm delivery, cesarean section rate, postpartum hemorrhage, and other postpartum complications were also analyzed. We then analyzed the correlation between increased/excessive fetal activity and neonatal outcomes. Results Women with complaints of increased/excessive fetal movements exhibited increased fetal movements mainly around 31 and 39 weeks of gestation. Several pregnancy variables, including number of previous delivery, gestational age (less than 34 weeks and more than 37 weeks) and vaginal birth rate, were associated with increased/excessive fetal movements. In addition, women who reported increased/excessive fetal movements had higher odds of large for gestational age (LGA), particularly those with gestational age over 37 weeks. Conclusion Increased/excessive fetal movements may be used to predict adverse neonatal outcome such as LGA.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
HL Roy ◽  
S Nargis ◽  
SH Mahmud ◽  
NWB Jahan ◽  
MS Hossain ◽  
...  

Preeclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Reduced serum magnesium level is found to be associated with elevated blood pressure in preeclampsia. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the serum magnesium level in preeclamptic women. For this study 50 preeclamptic patients, with age range 20 to 40 years having gestational age range from 20 to 40 weeks and 50 age and gestational age matched normotensive pregnant women having no proteinuria were enrolled. Serum magnesium was measured by colorimetric method. The mean(±SD) age and mean(±SD) gestational age of preeclampsia was not significantly different from those of normotensive pregnant women (p=0.203 and p=0.251 respectively). The mean(±SD) body mass index of the preeclamptic patients was significantly higher compared to that of normotensive pregnant women (p<0.001). The mean(±SD) serum magnesium level was 3.37±2.05 mg/dl in preeclamptic group and 2.87±1.38 mg/dl in normal pregnant women; the level did not differ significantly between the subject of preeclampsia and normal pregnant women (p=0.153). Findings of this study suggest that serum magnesium has no association with preeclampsia.Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2017; 10(1): 10-15


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1763-1767
Author(s):  
Fouzia Perveen ◽  
Lubna Ali ◽  
Afshan Hasan

Objective: To find out the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in our pregnant population during 1st Trimester and the mean TSH level in first trimester of pregnancy. Study Design: Cross Sectional Descriptive study. Setting: Dow University Hospital and Dr Ruth KM Pfau CHK. Period: June 2015 to May 2016. Material & Methods: All Pregnant women with <14 weeks gestation were screened for Serum TSH level. Data were recorded after informed consent and institutional ethical approval. Variables recorded were age, parity, gestational age and serum TSH level. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 16. Mean and SD were calculated for quantitative variables ie. Age, parity, gestational age, serum TSH level and serum free T4 level. Mean TSH level according to age group, parity and gestational age groups were determined by applying ANOVA test. Correlation of Serum TSH level with the maternal age, parity and gestational age groups were also assessed by Pearson Correlation test. Significant P-value was taken as <0.05. Results: The frequency of SCH found was 19.35% by taking cut off limit of <2.5 IU/L and 3.55% by taking cut off limit of <4.5 IU/L among total of 310 pregnant women. Mean TSH level was 1.84±1.36 IU/L. The mean maternal age was 27.22 ± 4.43 yrs. while median parity was 1. Mean gestational age of these patients were 9.41 ± 2.748 weeks and out of these 160 (51.61%) were between 4-9 weeks and 150(48.38%) between 10-14 weeks. Majority (74%) of these women belonged to lower middle socioeconomic class. Mean TSH level coorelation between different age groups, parity groups and gestational age groups were found to be insignificant. Conclusion: The prevalence of SCH is not so high and mean TSH level in our population was 1.84 IU/L. But to establish reference range for Pakistani population, further studies in population of different backgrounds and geographical distribution needs to be evaluated.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
parvaneh sharifipour ◽  
Masoomeh Kheirkhah ◽  
Mojgan Rajati ◽  
hamid haghani

Abstract Background Childbirth is a unique experience that affects women’s life. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effect of delivery ball and warm shower on the childbirth experience of primiparous women. Methods This study is a clinical trial that was carried out on primiparous pregnant women referred to Motazedi Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. Sampling was done by continuous method and pregnant women were divided into three groups of delivery ball-warm shower (n = 33), delivery ball (n = 33) and control (n = 33). Exercise with ball at the dilation of 4 cm was similar in the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and delivery ball, but the first group also used warm shower at the dilatation of 7 cm. The control group only received the routine delivery care. Demographic information form consisting of pregnancy history and information about the mother and infant were completed and the childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ) were completed by the women two hours after the childbirth. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of childbirth experience after the intervention between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.001), and also between the delivery ball and control groups (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of professional support between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.02) and also between the delivery ball and control groups (p = 0.02). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of participation between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.003) and also between the delivery ball and control groups (P = 0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of sense of security between the two groups of delivery ball-warm shower and control (P = 0.01). Conclusion Delivery ball and warm shower were effective interventions to create a positive childbirth experience. This method was more effective than using delivery ball alone in childbirth experience. To achieve a positive experience of childbirth in mothers, the use of both intervention (delivery ball and warm shower) is recommended.


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