[Evaluation of the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in laparotomy patients during 1991-2001]

Ectopic pregnancy [EP] is one of the major causes of maternal death during pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the risk factors of EP in Mahdiyeh Hospital over 10 years. This case-control study included 200 women who underwent laparotomy with the diagnosis of EP in Mahdiyeh Hospital between the years 1991 and 2001. Also, 400 randomly selected pregnant women with normal vaginal delivery were included as controls. A direct relationship was found between EP and history of abortion, previous EP, PID, pelvic surgery, appendectomy, infertility, using clomiphene, current IUD and IVF. The chance of developing an EP [odds ratio with 95% confidence interval] was 26.7 [9.01-79.06] in women using clomiphene, 21.16 [2.71-164.8] in women with a previous history of EP, 3.29 [1.94-5.58] in those with prior appendectomy, and 9.63 [5.24-17.67] times greater in women who got pregnant while having an IUD. It is concluded that among outpatients, previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, current IUD, history of previous EP, and history of using clomiphene increase the risk of developing an EP. This study did not find any association between EP and previous usage of IUD, mini-pill or age

[Evaluation of anxiety and fear of labor in postpartom period]

Pregnant women are exposed to biological, physiological, and psychological changes. Furthermore in many patients referred to the medical care [as pregnant women], psychiatric problems are the main causes or complications. Our aim in this descriptive study is to determine the prevalence of fear and anxiety of childbirth in pregnant women referred to four educational hospitals in Tehran; this study was performed from Mar 2003 to Jul 2003. 300 pregnant women who were in 20 to 40 days after childbirth completed 4 questionnaires. Prevalence of the fear of childbirth in our study was 59.7%. And prevalence of anxiety of childbirth was 14.7% mild, 26% low moderate, 23% high moderate, 23.7% slightly severe and 12.7% severe. Also demonstrated was that an increase of age, decrease of the rate of fear and anxiety of childbirth. The rate of fear and anxiety of childbirth in employed women is more than unemployed [housewife's] women, and it was demonstrated that increase rate of gravidity and parity of pregnant women, decreased the rate of fear and anxiety of childbirth . The rate of fear and anxiety of childbirth in women who had difficult labor in the past is more than other women. Also the rate of fear and anxiety of childbirth in women with cesarean section delivery is more than in women with vaginal delivery