Percepção sobre o cuidado à perda gestacional: estudo qualitativo com casais brasileiros / Perceptions on pregnancy loss care: a qualitative study with brazilian couples / Percepción sobre la atención a la pérdida del embarazo: estudio cualitativo con parejas brasileñas

Este artigo analisou a percepção e os sentimentos de casais sobre o atendimento recebido nos serviços de saúde acessados em função de perda gestacional (óbito fetal ante e intraparto). O convite para a pesquisa foi divulgado em mídias sociais (Instagram e Facebook). Dos 66 casais que contataram a equipe, 12 participaram do estudo, cuja coleta de dados ocorreu em 2018. Os casais responderam conjuntamente a uma ficha de dados sociodemográficos e uma entrevista semiestruturada, realizada presencialmente (n=4) ou por videochamada (n=8). Os dados foram gravados em áudio e posteriormente transcritos. A Análise Temática indutiva das entrevistas identificou cinco temas: sentimento de impotência, iatrogenia vivida nos serviços, falta de cuidado em saúde mental, não reconhecimento da perda como evento com consequências emocionais negativas, e características do bom atendimento. Os achados demonstraram situações de violência, comunicação deficitária, desvalorização das perdas precoces, falta de suporte para contato com o bebê falecido e rotinas pouco humanizadas, especialmente durante a internação após a perda. Para aprimorar a assistência às famílias enlutadas, sugere-se qualificação profissional, ampliação da visibilidade do tema entre diferentes atores e reorganização dos serviços, considerando uma diretriz clínica para atenção ao luto perinatal, com destaque para o fortalecimento da inserção de equipes de saúde mental no contexto hospitalar.(AU)

This study analyzed couples' perceptions and feelings about pregnancy loss care (ante and intrapartum fetal death). A research invitation was published on social media (Instagram and Facebook) and data collection took place in 2018. Of the 66 couples who contacted the research team, 12 participated in the study by filling a sociodemographic questionnaire and answering a semi-structured interview in person (n=04) or by video call (n=08). All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and examined by Inductive Thematic Analysis, which identified five themes: feelings of impotence, iatrogenic experiences in health services, lack of mental health care, not recognizing pregnancy loss as an emotionally overwhelming event, and aspects of good healthcare. Analysis showed experiences of violence, poor communication, devaluation of early losses, lack of support for contact with the deceased baby, and dehumanizing routines, especially during hospitalization after loss. Professional qualification, extended pregnancy loss visibility among different stakeholders, and reorganization of health services are needed to improve the care offered to grieving families, considering a clinical guideline for perinatal grief care with emphasis on strengthening the insertion of mental health teams in the hospital context.(AU)

Este estudio analizó las percepciones y sentimientos de parejas sobre la atención recibida en los servicios de salud a los que accedieron debido a la pérdida del embarazo (muerte fetal ante e intraparto). La invitación al estudio se publicó en las redes sociales (Instagram y Facebook). De las 66 parejas que se contactaron con el equipo, 12 participaron en el estudio, cuya recolección de datos se realizó en 2018. Las parejas respondieron un formulario de datos sociodemográficos y realizaron una entrevista semiestructurada presencialmente (n=4) o por videollamada (n=08). Los datos se grabaron en audio para su posterior transcripción. El análisis temático inductivo identificó cinco temas: Sentimiento de impotencia, experiencias iatrogénicas en los servicios, falta de atención a la salud mental, falta de reconocimiento de la pérdida como un evento con consecuencias emocionales negativas y características de buena atención. Los hallazgos evidenciaron situaciones de violencia, comunicación deficiente, desvalorización de las pérdidas tempranas, falta de apoyo para el contacto con el bebé fallecido y rutinas poco humanizadas, especialmente durante la hospitalización tras la pérdida. Para mejorar la atención a las familias en duelo, se sugiere capacitación profesional, ampliación de la visibilidad del tema entre los diferentes actores y reorganización de los servicios, teniendo en cuenta una guía clínica para la atención del duelo perinatal, enfocada en fortalecer la inserción de los equipos de salud mental en el contexto hospitalario.(AU)

An EHG-based Preterm Delivery Prediction Algorithm via Convolution Neural Network / 中国医疗器械杂志

Premature delivery is one of the direct factors that affect the early development and safety of infants. Its direct clinical manifestation is the change of uterine contraction intensity and frequency. Uterine Electrohysterography(EHG) signal collected from the abdomen of pregnant women can accurately and effectively reflect the uterine contraction, which has higher clinical application value than invasive monitoring technology such as intrauterine pressure catheter. Therefore, the research of fetal preterm birth recognition algorithm based on EHG is particularly important for perinatal fetal monitoring. We proposed a convolution neural network(CNN) based on EHG fetal preterm birth recognition algorithm, and a deep CNN model was constructed by combining the Gramian angular difference field(GADF) with the transfer learning technology. The structure of the model was optimized using the clinical measured term-preterm EHG database. The classification accuracy of 94.38% and F1 value of 97.11% were achieved. The experimental results showed that the model constructed in this paper has a certain auxiliary diagnostic value for clinical prediction of premature delivery.

Effect of electroacupuncture on postpartum uterine contraction pain and uterine involution: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on postpartum uterine contraction pain and uterine involution.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 patients with postpartum uterine contraction pain were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Dahe (KI 12), Zhongzhu (KI 15), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), etc. for 30 min, once a day, 3 days were as one course, and 2 courses with 1-day interval were required. The control group was treated with oral @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores of 24, 48, 72 h into treatment and after treatment were decreased in both groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture can effectively relieve postpartum uterine contraction pain, accelerate the discharge of residual uterine hemorrhage in the uterine cavity, and promote uterine involution.

Embarazo ectópico intramural: reporte de caso / ntramural ectopic pregnancy: case report

El embarazo ectópico intramural es la gestación a nivel de miometrio sin tener conexión con las trom-pas de Falopio o cavidad endometrial, es extremadamente raro; representa menos del 1% de todos los embarazos ectópicos. Este tipo de embarazo es difícil de diagnosticar, las modalidades diagnósticas incluyen ultrasonido, tomografía computarizada y re-sonancia magnética. Se han descrito factores de riesgo para esta rara gestación ectópica que incluyen trauma uterino previo, ade-nomiosis, cirugía pélvica y fertilización in vitro. Descripción de caso clínico: Primigesta de 32 años que se presentó a consulta con amenorrea y prueba de embarazo positiva, se realiza ultra-sonido donde se observa endometrio lineal sin evidencia de saco gestacional. Se deja como impresión diagnóstica embarazo tem-prano y se cita en 2 semanas, al presentarse se envía a realizar gonadotropina coriónica humana fracción beta que reportó 600 UI/ml. 2 días después se repite la prueba y reporta 5000 UI/ml. La paciente inicia con dolor pélvico de moderada intensidad tipo cólico, acompañado de sangrado transvaginal. Se realiza un ter-cer ultrasonido pélvico que reporta imagen de 1.63 por 1.50 cms heterogénea, irregular compatible con un saco gestacional conte-niendo embrión sin latido cardiaco en su interior correspondiente a un embarazo intramural y presencia de mioma subseroso. Se decide realizar laparotomía exploratoria en donde se extrae saco gestacional y mioma, sin complicaciones. Conclusiones: Los es-tudios de imagen y laboratorio son necesarios para el diagnóstico del embarazo intramural, dado que es altamente inusual no hay un consenso sobre su manejo, en este caso el manejo fue qui-rúrgico...(AU)

Acupuncture as an alternative technique in establishing uterine contractions in contraction stress test: A randomized controlled trial / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background@#Acupressure may stimulate oxytocin release from the pituitary gland, which in turn regulates uterine contractions to improve the progress of labor; hence, studies have shown that acupressure on the Spleen 6 (SP6) point may be a complementary strategy for augmenting labor and/or shortening the first stage of labor without causing adverse effects to the mother or the newborn.@*Objective@#To compare contractions produced by acupuncture technique from the contractions produced by conventional method using oxytocin in terms of: intensity, duration and interval of the uterine contractions and to determine if acupuncture technique at Sanyinjiao (spleen 6) and Hegu (Large Intestine 4) can be used as alternative method in establishing uterine contractions in Contraction Stress Test (CST) as a means of fetal surveillance.@* Methodology@#This is a Randomized Controlled Trial done in University of Santo Tomas Hospital. This included 54 term pregnant patients who met the inclusion criteria and were randomized into two groups: 27 patients in Acupuncture group and 27 patients in Oxytocin group (control group). All recruited patients were hooked to electronic fetal monitor to obtain baseline strips for 20 minutes. Acupuncture needles were applied bilaterally at Sanyinjiao (spleen 6) and Hegu (Large Intestine 4) for 20 minutes to the study subjects.@*Results@#Subjects who received acupuncture had greater intensity (p=0.551) and significant longer duration (p=0.001) of uterine contractions than the oxytocin group. However, there was significant shorter interval of uterine contractions after oxytocin treatment (p=0.013) than acupuncture. Furthermore, subjects who were in the acupuncture group obtained initial uterine contractions and achieved desirable uterine contractions faster than oxytocin.@*Conclusion@#Application of acupuncture in Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao SP6) and Large Intestine 4 (Hegu LI4) can initiate and induce uterine contractions faster. Acupuncture technique when compared to the conventional method using oxytocin, produces stronger and longer contractions. Furthermore, there is shorter mean time to achieve initial and adequate contractions thru acupuncture technique. Contractions also disappear in a much shorter time in acupuncture technique than in oxytocin group hence ideal for outpatient setting.

Anti-inflammatory effect of remifentanil in lipopolysaccharide–stimulated amniotic epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: Sometimes general anesthesia is required for dental surgery in pregnant women. Facial bone fractures or neck abscess should be treated immediately. Dental surgery, however, creates a stressful situation that can cause inflammation. Inflammatory responses are a well-known major cause of preterm labor and preterm birth. Here we demonstrate the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to preterm labor and its mechanism of action on amniotic-derived epithelial cells (WISH cells). METHODS: WISH cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h and co-treated with various concentrations of remifentanil. MTT assays were performed to measure cell viability. To explain the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to inflammation in WISH cells, activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and p38 and the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cyclooxygenase (COX)2, and prostaglandin E (PGE)2 were quantified using western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Remifentanil did not affect WISH cell viability. In western blot analysis, co-treatment with remifentanil resulted in decreased phosphorylation of NF-κB, and expression of COX2 and PGE2 in LPS-induced inflammation, but the results were statistically significant only at low concentrations. Reduction of IL-1β and TNF-α expression was also observed with RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Co-treatment with remifentanil does not affect the viability of WISH cells, but reduces the expression of the factors related to inflammation, which can induce uterine contraction and preterm labor. These findings provide evidence that remifentanil may inhibit uterine contraction and preterm labor in clinical settings.

Exploring Contributing Factors to Psychological Traumatic Childbirth from the Perspective of Midwives: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: As midwives witness and attend the whole process of childbirth, they have a better understanding of which factors may cause traumatic childbirth. However, because most of the studies paid their attention on mothers, little is known about psychological birth trauma from the perspective of midwives. This study aims to gain a full understanding of which factors may contribute to psychological traumatic childbirth from the perspective of midwives.METHODS: A qualitative research was conducted using in-depth interviews, which involved fourteen midwives from the maternal ward of a tertiary hospital. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and then, Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the contents of the interviews.RESULTS: We proposed four themes and eight subthemes on the influencing factors of psychological traumatic childbirth from the perspective of midwives: low perceived social support (lack of support from family and lack of support from medical staff), hard times (protracted labor in the first stage and futile efforts during the second stage), poor birth outcomes (poor birth outcomes of the mother and poor birth outcomes of the baby), and excruciating pain (unbearable pain of uterine contraction and labor pain was incongruent with the mother's expectations).CONCLUSION: Medical staff should pay attention to psychological traumatic childbirth and its effects, and emphasis on the screening and assessment of birthing women with negative feelings so that their psychological traumatic childbirth can be prevented and decreased.

The relaxant effect of nicardipine on the isolated uterine smooth muscle of the pregnant rat

BACKGROUND: Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy or preterm labor. The current study was conducted to investigate the relaxant effects of nicardipine on the isolated uterine smooth muscle of the pregnant rat.METHODS: We obtained uterine smooth muscle strips from pregnant female SD rats. After uterine contraction with oxytocin 10 mU/ml, we added nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) accumulatively every 20 min. We recorded active tension and frequency of contraction, and calculated EC₅ (effective concentration of 5% reduction), EC₂₅, EC₅₀, EC₇₅, and EC₉₅ of active tension and frequency of contraction using a probit model.RESULTS: Nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) decreased active tension and frequency of contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of active tension of the uterine smooth muscle were 2.41 × 10⁻¹⁰ M and 3.06 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle were 9.04 × 10⁻¹¹ and 4.18 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Nicardipine relaxed and decreased the frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent pattern. It might be possible to adjust the clinical dosage of nicardipine in the obstetric field based on our results, but further clinical studies are needed to confirm them.

Terapias complementares no trabalho de parto: ensaio clínico randomizado / Terapias complementarias en el trabajo de parto: ensayo clínico randomizado / Complementary therapies in labor: randomized clinical trial

Resumo OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do banho quente de chuveiro e exercício perineal com bola suíça isolados e de forma combinada, sobre a percepção da dor, ansiedade e progressão do trabalho de parto. MÉTODO: Ensaio clínico randomizado e controlado com 128 parturientes alocadas em três grupos de terapias, banho, bola, isolados e combinados. A percepção da dor e ansiedade foi avaliada antes e trinta minutos após a intervenção terapêutica por meio de escala visual analógica (EVA). RESULTADOS: Houve aumento no escore de dor e redução da ansiedade em todos os grupos, sobretudo quando utilizaram banho de chuveiro. A dilatação cervical, aumentou em todos os grupos de intervenção (p<,001) bem como o número de contrações uterinas, principalmente quem utilizou banho e bola associados como também mostrou menor duração do tempo de trabalho de parto. CONCLUSÃO: As terapias estudadas contribuem para adaptação e bem-estar materno e favorecem a evolução do trabalho de parto.

Resumen OBJETIVO: Evaluar el efecto de la ducha caliente y del ejercicio perineal con pelota suiza, separadamente y de forma combinada, sobre la percepción del dolor, la ansiedad y la progresión del trabajo de parto. MÉTODO: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado y controlado junto a 128 parturientes asignadas en tres grupos de terapias, ducha caliente, pelota suiza separadamente y de forma combinada. La percepción de dolor y de ansiedad se evaluó antes y treinta minutos después de la intervención terapéutica por medio de escala visual analógica. RESULTADOS: Hubo un incremento en la puntuación de dolor y una reducción de la ansiedad en todos los grupos, sobre todo cuando se utilizó la ducha. La dilatación cervical aumentó en todos los grupos de intervención (p<,001) así como el número de contracciones uterinas, principalmente en el grupo que utilizó las dos terapias combinadas, ducha caliente con pelota suiza. Asimismo se constató menor duración del tiempo de trabajo de parto. CONCLUSIÓN: Las terapias estudiadas contribuyen a la adaptación y el bienestar materno y favorecen la evolución del trabajo de parto.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of isolated and combined warm shower bath and perineal exercise with Swiss ball, on perception of pain, anxiety and labor progression. METHOD: Randomized, controlled clinical trial with 128 patients allocated into three groups of therapies: isolated and combined bath and ball. Pain and anxiety perception was evaluated before and thirty minutes after therapeutic intervention through visual analogic scales (VAS). RESULTS: Pain perception score increased, and anxiety decreased in all groups, mainly when using a shower bath. The cervical dilation increased in all groups (p<.001), as well as the number of uterine contractions increased, mainly in the group that used combined bath and ball and also showed shorter labor time. CONCLUSION: The studied therapies contribute to maternal adaptation and well-being and favor labor's evolution.

Effects of remifentanil preconditioning on factors related to uterine contraction in WISH cells

BACKGROUND: Preterm labor and miscarriage may occur in stressful situations, such as a surgical operation or infection during pregnancy. Pharyngeal and buccal abscess and facial bone fractures are inevitable dental surgeries in pregnant patients. Remifentanil is an opioid analgesic that is commonly used for general anesthesia and sedation. Nonetheless, no study has investigated the effects of remifentanil on amniotic epithelial cells. This study evaluated the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to uterine contraction and its mechanism of action on amniotic epithelial cells.METHODS: Amniotic epithelial cells were preconditioned at various concentrations of remifentanil for 1 h, followed by 24-h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. MTT assays were performed to assess the cell viability in each group. The effects of remifentanil on factors related to uterine contractions in amniotic epithelial cells were assessed using a nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot examinations of the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), and RT-PCR examinations of the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).RESULTS: Remifentanil did not affect viability and nitric oxide production of amniotic epithelial cells. Western blot analysis revealed that remifentanil preconditioning resulted in decreased expressions of NF-κB and PGE2 in the cells in LPS-induced inflammation, and a tendency of decreased COX2 expression. The results were statistically significant only at high concentration. RT-PCR revealed reduced expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α.CONCLUSION: Preconditioning with remifentanil does not affect the viability of amniotic epithelial cells but reduces the expression of factors related to uterine contractions in situations where cell inflammation is induced by LPS, which is an important inducer of preterm labor. These findings provide evidence that remifentanil may inhibit preterm labor in clinical settings.

Análise crítica sobre a utilização do Epi-No na gestação e parto / Critical analysis on the use of Epi-No in pregnancy and delivery

Atualmente são reportados métodos que poderiam favorecer o alongamento e prevenir as lesões do assoalho pélvico no parto vaginal, como a massagem perineal e o balão Epi-No. Esse dispositivo é bem aceito pelas pacientes, mas seus resultados para prevenção de episiotomias e lesões perineais são controversos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o propósito, método, frequência, ensino/orientação e resultados da utilização do Epi-No durante a gestação e parto. Foi elaborada uma revisão narrativa com levantamento de bibliografia disponível sobre o uso do Epi-No nas bases de dados PUBMED, BVS e SciELO em português e inglês. 837 artigos foram encontrados, nos quais apenas 9 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Informações desses artigos foram sintetizadas em quadros que contemplaram os aspectos considerados pertinentes. Fatores como o tempo, período, posicionamento e processo de ensino/orientação devem ser melhor descritos e padronizados para que seja possível investigar a eficácia de seu uso nos desfechos perineais no parto vaginal.

Currently methods are reported that favor the stretching and prevent pelvic floor injuries in vaginal delivery, such as perineal massage and the Epi-No balloon. This device is well accepted by patients but results for prevention of episiotomy and perineal lesions at birth are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the purpose, method, frequency, teaching/guidance of the use of the Epi-No during pregnancy and childbirth. A narrative review was prepared with a survey of available literature about the use of the Epi-No during pregnancy and childbirth in PUBMED, BVS and SciELO databases in Portuguese and English. 837 articles were found, only 9 articles met the inclusion criteria established. Information from papers were summarized in tables covering the relevant aspects. Factors such as the time, period, positioning and the process of teaching/guidance should be better described and standardized, so it would be possible to investigate the effectiveness of its use in the outcomes in the perineal vaginal delivery.

Vía de finalización en pacientes con segunda inducción al trabajo de parto en el Hospital Nacional prof. A. Posadas / Postterm pregnancy in patients with second labour induction - Author's experience

The labour induction is an intervention to initiate artificially the uterine contractions to produce the effacement and dilatation of the uterine cervix until the child-birth is achieved. It is indicated when the benefit of the termination of the pregnancy for the mother and the child is greater than its continuation. It is perfored in more or less the 20 % of the women. In our institution the rate oscillates in around the 9 % of the cases. It is understand as an successful induction the termination of the labour through the vaginal delivery. The methods for labour induction more commonly used at present are mechanical and pharmacological. Between the first group we can find the Hamilton maneuver and the amniotomy. And between the pharmacologicals we find the oxytocine. These elements are considered in the article

A successful management after preterm delivery in a patient with severe sepsis during third-trimester pregnancy / 영남의대학술지

A 33-year-old woman visited the emergency department presenting with fever and dyspnea. She was pregnant with gestational age of 31 weeks and 6 days. She had dysuria for 7 days, and fever and dyspnea for 1 day. The vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 110/70 mmHg, heart rate 118 beats/minute, respiratory rate 28/minute, body temperature 38.7℃, and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry 84% during inhalation of 5 liters of oxygen by nasal prongs. Crackles were heard over both lung fields. There were no signs of uterine contractions. Chest X-ray and chest computed tomography scan showed multiple consolidations and air bronchograms in both lungs. According to urinalysis, there was pyuria and microscopic hematuria. She was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI) that progressed to severe sepsis and acute respiratory failure. We found extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in the blood culture and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the sputum culture. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit with administration of antibiotics and supplementation of high-flow oxygen. On hospital day 2, hypoxemia was aggravated. She underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. After 3 hours, fetal distress was suspected. Under 100% fraction of inspired oxygen, her oxygen partial pressure was 87 mmHg in the arterial blood. She developed acute kidney injury and thrombocytopenia. We diagnosed her with multi-organ failure due to severe sepsis. After an emergent cesarean section, pneumonia, UTI, and other organ failures gradually recovered. The patient and baby were discharged soon thereafter.

Effect of Structured Bed Exercise on Uterine Contractions, Fetal Heart Rate Patterns, and Maternal Psychophysical Symptoms of Hospitalized High-Risk Pregnant Women: A Randomized Control Trial

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect on uterine contraction frequency (UCF), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns and psychophysical symptoms (physical discomfort, anxiety, and depression) of structured bed exercise (SBE) in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women prescribed bed rest. METHODS: Forty-five hospitalized high risk pregnant women at >24 weeks of pregnancy prescribed bed rest were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. From January to May 2014, data were collected using electronic fetal monitoring and patient monitoring of UCF, BP, HR and FHR patterns, and psychophysical symptoms were measured using the antenatal physical discomfort scale, state-trait anxiety scale, and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. RESULTS: UCF, BP, HR, and FHR patterns (rate, variability, acceleration, and deceleration) did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group showed a significant increase in baseline FHR after SBE within the normal range, and after SBE, it reduced to the FHR before SBE. The variability, acceleration and deceleration of FHR before and after SBE did not differ significantly between two groups. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference before and after SBE in the experimental group. Also, the experimental group showed statistically significant decreases in physical discomfort score. However, there were no significant differences in depression and anxiety score between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: SBE in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women under bed rest did not increase the risk to the fetus, and relieved physical discomfort and anxiety. Therefore, SBE should be considered as a nursing intervention in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging for clinical evaluation of uterine contractility / Ressonância magnética funcional para avaliação clínica da contratilidade uterina

ABSTRACT Uterine contractility out of the gestational phase, during the menstrual cycle and the habitual functional variations of the organ, this is one of the responsible mechanisms for reproduction and fertility, due to its direct action in the mechanisms conducting the spermatozoa to the ovule and in the decidual implantation. Pathologies such as uterine leiomyoma, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as the use of intrauterine devices and oral contraceptives, may alter a functionality of uterine contractility. Thus, magnetic resonance imaging with ultrafast sequences provides a dynamic evaluation (cine-MRI) and thus the correlation of uterine contractility quality in patients with current infertility or pathologies.

RESUMO A contratilidade uterina fora da fase gestacional, durante o ciclo menstrual e as habituais variações funcionais do órgão, é um dos mecanismos responsáveis pela reprodução e fertilidade, devido sua ação direta nos mecanismos de condução dos espermatozoides até o óvulo e na implantação decidual. Patologias como leiomioma uterino, endometriose, adenomiose, síndrome dos ovários policísticos, bem como o uso de dispositivos intrauterinos e anticoncepcionais orais, podem alterar a funcionalidade da contratilidade uterina. Desta forma a ressonância magnética com sequências ultra-rápidas proporcionam uma avaliação dinâmica (cine-RM) e assim a correlação da qualidade da contratilidade uterina em pacientes com infertilidade ou patologias vigentes.

Anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effect of α-bisabolol on the pregnant human uterus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effect of α-bisabolol on the pregnant human myometrium. Samples from the pregnant human myometrium were used in functional tests to evaluate the inhibitory effect of α-bisabolol (560, 860, 1,200 and 1,860 µM) on spontaneous myometrial contractions. The intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels generated in response to α-bisabolol in human myometrial homogenates were measured by ELISA. The anti-inflammatory effect of α-bisabolol was determined through the measurement of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, in pregnant human myometrial explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forskolin was used as a positive control to evaluate the cAMP and cytokine levels. α-Bisabolol was found to induce a significant inhibition of spontaneous myometrial contractions at the highest concentration level (p 0.05). The anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effects induced by α-bisabolol were not associated with an increase in cAMP levels in pregnant human myometrial samples. These properties place α-bisabolol as a potentially safe and effective adjuvant agent in cases of preterm birth, an area of pharmacological treatment that requires urgent improvement.

Descripción de la Cronología del Dolor de las Contracciones Uterinas para Analgesia del Trabajo de Parto, una tarea pendiente / Description of the chronology of the pain of uterine contractions for analgesia of labor, a pending task

Propósito: Describir la periodicidad del momento de máxima intensidad del dolor de las contracciones uterinas (CUs) durante el trabajo de parto (TDP) para eventualmente permitir el desarrollo de nuevos modelos de administración de analgesia endovenosa. Material y método: Embarazadas de término en TDP, reclutadas desde marzo 2014 por 18 meses, de manera no probabilística consecutiva. Se obtuvo el momento de máximo dolor por autoreporte de las pacientes con cronómetros, previa capacitación. Análisis: Regresión para medidas repetidas de efectos mixtos a los 3-5, 6-7 y 8-10cm de dilatación. La variable respuesta es el intervalo de tiempo desde el momento de máximo dolor de la CU basal al de la contracción siguiente. Resultados: En 64 pacientes, se obtuvo 5 intervalos de tiempo. Para la dilatación de 3-5cm una mediana=140.92 segundos y los coeficientes de regresión (CR) en 4 intervalos de tiempo con respecto al basal de 4.2, 15.9, -2.7 y -5.8 segundos. Para 67cm una mediana=131.16 seg y CR 13.4, 11.3, 2 y -10 seg. Para 8-10cm una mediana=129.3 seg y CR -6.7, 0.49, -2.5 y -7.7 seg. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los coeficientes de regresión. Conclusiones: Con los datos obtenidos podemos señalar que no hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los intervalos de tiempo de los momentos de máximo dolor durante el TDP en fase activa. Esta información es relevante para apoyar el desarrollo de un modelo predictivo del dolor.

Aim: To describe the timing of the moment of maximum intensity of uterine contraction (UC) pain in labor to possibly enable the development of new models for administering endovenous analgesia. Materials and Methods: Full-term pregnant women in labor, recruited from March 2014 for 18 months, using consecutive nonprobability sampling. The moment of maximum pain was ascertained as self-reported by patients previously trained with chronometers. Analysis: Regression for repeated measurements from mixed results at 3-5, 6-7 and 8-10cm of dilation. The response variable was the time interval from the moment of maximum pain of the baseline UC to the following contraction. Results: In 64 patients, 5 time intervals were obtained. For the dilation of 3-5cm, a median=140.92 seconds and regression coefficients (RC) in 4 time intervals relative to the baseline of 4.2, 15.9, -2.7 and -5.8 seconds. For 6-7cm, a median =131.16 sec and RC 13.4, 11.3, 2 and -10 sec. For 8-10cm, a median =129.3 sec and RC -6.7, 0.49, -2.5 and -7.7 sec. There were no significant differences among the regression coefficients. Conclusions: With the data collected we can report that there were no statistically significant differences between the time intervals of the moments of maximum pain during active labor. This information is relevant to support the development of a predictive model for this pain.

Relaxant and anti-inflammatory effect of two thalidomide analogs as PDE-4 inhibitors in pregnant rat uterus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of two thalidomide analogs as phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors in pregnant rat uterus. Uteri from Wistar female rats were isolated at 19 day of pregnancy. Uterine samples were used in functional studies to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the thalidomide analogs, methyl 3-(4-nitrophthalimido)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4NO2PDPMe) and methyl 3-(4-aminophthalimido)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4APDPMe), on prostaglandin-F2α (PGF2α)-induced phasic, K⁺-induced tonic, and Ca²⁺-induced contractions. Accumulation of cAMP was quantified in uterine homogenates by ELISA. Anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by using ELISA for determination of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β, and anti-inflammatory IL-10, from uterine explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nifedipine, forskolin and rolipram were used as positive controls where required. Both thalidomide analogs induced a significant inhibition of the uterine contractions induced by the pharmaco- and electro-mechanic stimuli. Nifedipine and forskolin were more potent than the analogs to inhibit the uterine contractility, but these were more potent than rolipram, and 4APDPMe was equieffective to nifedipine. Thalidomide analogs increased uterine cAMP-levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The LPS-induced TNFα and IL-1β uterine secretion was diminished in a concentration-dependent fashion by both analogs, whereas IL-10 secretion was increased significantly. The thalidomide analogs induced utero-relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, which were associated with the increased cAMP levels as PDE-4 inhibitors in the pregnant rat uterus. Such properties place these thalidomide analogs as potentially safe and effective tocolytic agents in a field that urgently needs improved pharmacological treatments, as in cases of preterm labor.