Physical complaints and emotional stress related to routine diagnostic procedures of the fertility investigation.

The aim of this study was to map out the extent of the physical complaints and emotional stress due to diagnostic routines of the infertility work-up. To this end a questionnaire was sent to 96 consecutive couples visiting an infertility clinic of a university hospital. The results indicate that women often have physical complaints as a result of the hysterosalpingography (59%) and the diagnostic laparoscopy (47%) and mostly experience these diagnostic procedures as very stressful. Both the postcoital test and the semen analysis caused a moderate amount of stress. The other diagnostic procedures, including physical examination of both sexes, recording of the basal temperature and taking blood for hormonal determinations, were accompanied by fewer complaints and much less stress. It is concluded that the role of the hysterosalpingography and the diagnostic laparoscopy in the routine infertility work-up needs to be reconsidered in view of the burden they pose to the women involved.

A randomized controlled trial on the clinical value of umbilical Doppler velocimetry in antenatal care.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the clinical value of umbilical Doppler velocimetry with regard to maternal hospitalization policy, obstetric management, and perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a university hospital population. A total of 1598 women participated, of whom 809 were allocated to the Doppler group and 789 to the control group. In the Doppler group umbilical Doppler studies were performed only when indicated. Abnormal pulsatility index values prompted intensified (clinical) fetal monitoring. In the control group Doppler velocimetry was not available. RESULTS: The use of umbilical Doppler velocimetry did not show any clinical or economical benefit with regard to maternal admission rate and duration or neonatal admission policy and requirements of ventilatory support. Neither did the use of Doppler have any beneficial effect on obstetric management during labor and the occurrence of fetal distress during labor. In the control group a higher perinatal mortality rate was observed. In the Doppler group the risk ratio of perinatal mortality of fetuses and infants weighing > or = 500 gm was 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.21 to 0.94), as compared with the control group. Neonatal mortality was equal in both groups; therefore the reduction in perinatal mortality was not the result of a delay in timing of fetal death. CONCLUSION: Selective use of umbilical Doppler velocimetry in pregnancies "at fetal risk" may be of benefit in antenatal care by a reduction of perinatal mortality and especially late fetal mortality.