[Impact of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy]

Nausea, vomiting and retching, commonly experienced by women in early pregnancy, have considerable physical and psychological effects on pregnants. This study aimed to examine the effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This single-blind clinical trial was performed on 150 pregnant women [<16 weeks of gestation] referred to Naghavi prenatal clinic for seven days and at two research stages during 2010-11. They were randomly divided into three groups: the acupressure, placebo acupressure and control groups. At first stage, women received no treatment during the first 3 days and on next 4 days a continuous pressure was applied on the P6 point at both wrists using a sea-band in the acupressure and placebo groups. The control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected by the self-trained women themselves using Rhodes index which then were analyzed statistically. There was no statistically significant difference among three groups in age, marriage age, gestational age, occupation and satisfaction with spouse. Although the mean change in Rhodes index was not significantly different between the acupressure and placebo groups, the difference was significant between the control and the other two groups. Acupressure using sea-band is considered as a noninvasive, inexpensive, safe, and effective treatment for the nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

effect of short duration sperm exposure on development of preeclampsia in primigravid women

Preeclampsia is one of the most serious complications, and affecting about 3% of pregnancies. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact short duration of exposure to sperm on development of preeclampsia. The duration of sperm exposure with the biological father [cohabitation without barrier methods] <3, <6 months were evaluated among 120 primigravid women with preeclampsia and 120 women without preeclampsia in a case-control study. The short duration of exposure to sperm was more common in women with preeclampsia compared with controls [29.2 versus 14.2 for <3 months, adjOR 2.6 [95% Cl=1.32-5.13] and [45 versus 29.2 for <6 months, adjOR 2.4 [95% 01=1.35-4.32]. Regardless of the contraceptive method, short duration of cohabitation was more common in preeclamptic group [14.2 versus 5.8 for <3 months, adjOR 3.38 [95% Cl=1.28-8.92] and [29.7 versus 13.3 for <6 months, adjOR 2.64 [95% Cl=1.24-5.79]. It was concluded that short duration of exposure to sperm was more common in women with pree-clampsia compared with controls

[Effect of aspirin for prevention of preeclampsia in women with abnormal ultrasonic findings in uterine artery]

Prevention of preeclampsia is very important in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies with abnormal findings at uterine artery in doppler ultrasound among women referred to Shabih- Khani hospital in Kashan. In this clinical trial study, women predisposed to preeclampsia at 12-16 weeks of gestation were evaluated by uterine artery doppler ultrasound and in the case of abnormal findings, they were randomly divided into two groups, experimental [n=40] and control [n=40] groups. The experimental group was received aspirin 80 mg/day. Groups were followed up until delivery and pregnancy outcomes [e.g. incidence of preeclampsia, IUGR, preterm labour, 1st and 5th min APGAR less than 5, delivery type and birth weight] were analyzed. The incidence of preeclampsia in experimental [aspirin] group and control group were 2.5%, 22.5%, respectively. In addition, the risk of preeclampsia was 9 folds more than that of control group [P=0.007]. No significant difference was seen between the two groups in the type of delivery, birth weight and gestational age. Aspirin administration during 12-16 weeks of pregnancy can decrease the incidence of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancy with abnormal findings of uterine artery as a preventive measure

[Relationship between women's quality of life and type of delivery]

Controversies results in quality of life associated with the type of delivery have been reported. This study was performed to determine the relationship between Women's Quality of life and type of delivery. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 300 women that referring to health center in kashan city during 2007-08. The women were divided in two groups according to the type of delivery whether it was cesarean section or vaginal delivery. Special life quality questionnaire, 2 and 4 months after delivery was completed by women. Scores of aspects in 2 and 4 months after delivery were determined and compared between two groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software, Chi-Square, independent t-test, pair t test and Mann-U Whitey test. Findings showed no differences in aspects of quality of life between cesarean section and normal delivery groups except in 'Mother's satisfaction toward delivery' that results showed higher score 2 months [p=0.03] and 4 months [p=0.018] after normal delivery. Scores of this aspect in 2 months after normal delivery and cesarean section was [4.40 +/- 1.11, 3.76 +/- 1.16] and in 4 months after normal delivery and cesarean section was [4.13 +/- 1.40, 3.82 +/- 1.22] respectively. This study showed there was not significant difference in women quality of life between cesarean section and normal delivery 2 and 4 monthes after delivery

[Influence of closure and non-closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum on post cesarean morbidity]

One of the most important issues in promoting mother and child health is reducing the morbidity rate after cesarean section. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of closure and non-closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum on post cesarean morbidity in women attending Shabihkhani Maternity Hospital in Kashan, Iran. This study was conducted with a single blind randomized clinical trial method on 100 parturient women that underwent emergency or elective cesarean section. Patients with previous cesarean section and or abdominal surgery, diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and premature rupture of membrane and pre operative bleeding, were excluded from this study. Then, the participants were randomly divided into two groups: in one group both peritoneal layers were closed while in the other group, they were not closed. Post operative morbidity including fever, bleeding, post operative pain, analgesic consumption and time of operation were assessed. Data were analyzed with t-tests, and chi2 and a P<0.05 were considered significant. In this study, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, gestational age, the reason for caesarean section and gravidity, nor were there any differences with respect to the incidence of fever or bleeding and was similar between the two groups, but there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding to feeling of severe pain [P=0.0003], analgesic consumption [P=0.0003] and time of operation [P=0.004]. In the non-closure group, dose of analgesic drugs, pain severity and time of operation were less than those of the other group. The Findings showed that non-closure of peritoneal layers as a shorter and simpler procedure has no influence on increasing post cesarean morbidity. Therefore, due to maternal health promotion and early neonatal breastfeeding, non closure of peritoneal layers is recommended

[ use of castor oil on cervical ripening in pregnancies after 40 weeks]

The role of castor oil on cervical ripening is poorly understood and data in examining its efficacy within clinical trial are limited. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of utilizing castor oil on cervical ripening in pregnancies after 40 weeks. A randomized clinical trial study was performed on 200 pregnant women after 40 weeks in Shabikhany Hospital, in the City of Kashan, in 2004 to 2006. Women were divided to two groups [100 women in case group and 100 women in control group]. Case group took 60 ml castor oil, while the control group omitted treatment. Comparison was then compared between the two groups for demographic characteristics: increase of Bishop Score, means of Bishop Score at entrance to study and 24 hours after entrance to study, onset of labor within 24 hours, method and time of delivery and newborns Apgar score by X[2], followed by Fisher's exact test, and paired-samples T and T-tests. Results showed that there were no significant differences in mother's age, education, nationality, gravidity, gestational age, parity between two groups. Paired-sample T test showed significant difference between means of Bishop Score at entrance of study and 24 hours after entrance of study in case and control groups[p=0.00]. Furthermore, the mean increase of Bishop score in the case group was 4.5 +/- 3.63 versus 0.67 +/- 1.25 in the control group during the 24 hour period. During 24 hours after entrance to study, uterine contraction occurred in 70% women in case and 12% women in control groups. Statistical test showed significant difference between the two groups and an increase of Bishop Score at the onset of uterine contractions [P<0.001]. There were no significant differences in method of delivery and Apgar score in their newborns between the two groups. The results of this study showed that use of castor oil may lead to cervical ripening in pregnant women after 40 weeks, without increase in complication of pregnancy, such as caesarean, and decrease Apgar score