Effects of oral maternal hydration on amniotic fluid index, uteroplacental circulation, fetal blood flow, and urine output in pregnant women with oligohydramnios

To evaluate the effects of oral maternal hydration on amniotic fluid index, uteroplacental perfusion, fetal blood flow and urine output in pregnant women with oligohydramnios. Prospective interventional cross-sectional study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, El Minia University Hospital, El Minia, Egypt. Thirty pregnant women with third trimester oligohydramnios. Oral maternal hydration with 21 of water. AF index, maternal uterine artery resistance index, fetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries pulsatility indices together with baseline fetal heart rate and maternal urine specific gravity; were measured before and after oral maternal hydration. Amniotic fluid index increased significantly after oral hydration than before [8.15 +/- # 3.15 +/- 1.23 Cm, respectively, P < 0.01]. Uterine artery resistance index decreased significantly after hydration compared to before [60.8 +/- 4.50 # 56.4 +/- 3.3%, respectively, P < 0.01]. Fetal umbilical artery pulsatility index decreased significantly after hydration compared with before [0.95 +/- 0.21 # 1.07 +/- 0.21, respectively, P < 0.01]. Maternal urine specific gravity decreased significantly after oral hydration compared with before [1010.9 +/- 3.2 # 1020.4 +/- 4.6, respectively, P < 0.01]. Fetal hourly urine production increased significantly after hydration compared with before [3.27 +/- 0.9 # 2.88 +/- 1.1 Cc, respectively, P < 0.01]. Maternal oral hydration is an effective, cheap and non-invasive treatment option in oligohydramnios in the third trimester. This, simple method increases the amniotic fluid volume, uteroplacental blood flow and fetal blood flow. Large scale randomized controlled trials are recommended to establish the guidelines of maternal hydration in the management protocol of oligohydramnios

Association of bacterial vaginosis with adverse pregnancy outcome

Objective was to examine whether there is a relationship between bacterial vaginosis, premature rupture of membranes [PROM] and preterm labor [PTL]. Two hundred pregnant women at less than 34 weeks gestation were screened for bacterial vaginosis. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis [B.V] was based on vaginal pH >/- 4.5 and gram stain of vaginal smears. The occurrence of [PROM] and [PTL] was recorded for each case. Setting: El- Minia University Hospital. The prevalence of [B.V] among healthy pregnant women, women with [PROM] and those delivering prematurely was [13/125 = 10.4 percent], [7/23=30.43 percent] and [14/52= 26.73 percent] respectively. Women with bacterial vaginosis were found to be more likely to develop PROM and preterm labor when compared to healthy pregnant women [P-value = 0.0026 and 0.0030] respectively. Bacterial vaginosis [B.V] occurs in a significantly higher proportion of women with adverse pregnancy outcome compared to those with healthy pregnancy. Bacterial vaginosis should be thought of when dealing with a case of adverse pregnancy outcome especially if it is of unknown origin