Frequency of Group B Streptococcal Colonization in Pregnant Women Aged 35- 37 Weeks in Clinical Centers of Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: One of the important infectious factors in pregnant mothers and newborns is Group B Streptococcus (GBS). There is no perfect report about prevalence of GBS in Iran and in the case of preterm rupture of amniotic membrane or preterm labor all patients are treated by antibiotics without culture so this has led to adverse taking antibiotics and drug resistance. The present study is intended to determine the frequency of colonization of GBS in the pregnant mother (35-37 weeks), referred to medical centers of Shahed University. METHODS: Overall, 210 pregnant women (35-37 weeks), referred to medical center of Shahed University, Tehran, Iran were selected as sample group and after filling out the questionnaires about demographic data and midwifery status and the related information of post- partum, the rectovaginal culture was done for them. RESULTS: Among 210 samples, 7 (3.3%) included positive culture in terms of GBS colonization while all these cases were sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, nitrofurantoin, and all of the samples were resistant against tetracycline and contrimoxazole. There was no relationship among age, job, education, number of pregnancy, blood pressure background, diabetes and preterm childbirth with positive culture. Similarly, because of limited number of positive cases it was not possible to examine the relationship among GBS colonization and infection in mother and newborn. CONCLUSION: There was a low frequency in GBS colonization in the studied hospitals and the study inside the country also confirms this finding.

Frequency and Perception of Sexual Activity during Pregnancy in Iranian Couples.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy stimulates partners to search for ways to preserve their mutual emotional relations and satisfy their sexual needs, with some limitations. This study evaluates the frequency and perception of sexual intercourse during pregnancy in a group of Iranian couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 155 pregnant women were recruited from two academic clinics in Tehran. The exclusion criteria were: any underlying disease, history of pelvic surgery or gynecologic and obstetric complications, abortion or sterility, and previous preterm labor. A checklist was administrated in the labor room, that included: demographic data, partus and their viewpoints about sexuality. Frequency of sexual activity in each trimester, vaginal intercourse, coitus position, orgasm, breast stimulation, condom usage, and pregnancy outcome were recorded. Data were analyzed with t- and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Women and their husbands with sexual behaviors during pregnancy had a lower mean age; the majority were nulipara (p<0.05). The biggest reason for decreased intercourse in the first trimester was fear of abortion (39.45%). No significant relationship between sexual activity in pregnancy and preterm labor, gestational age, membrane rupture, and fetal outcome was shown. There was a significant negative relationship between intercourse in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and need to induction. CONCLUSION: Although our results showed that sexual intercourse had no adverse effect on the fetus and was a proper stimulus for the induction of delivery, its frequency was reduced during the gestational stage due to parents' fear of adverse effects.

The effects of sleep quality and duration in late pregnancy on labor and fetal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is common during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sleep duration and its quality on labor and fetal outcome. METHOD: In a cross sectional study, primigravida women with singleton pregnancy (gestational age > 37 weeks) were recruited. Women with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or those who needed emergency cesarean section were excluded. Data regarding the type and length of delivery, the quality of sleep as well as the neonates' weight and Apgar scores were recorded. RESULTS: Totally, 457 participants were recruited. There was a significant correlation between the sleep duration and length of delivery stages. In most participants with more than 8 hours sleep, the first stage of delivery lasted between 6 and 10 hours. They had normal vaginal delivery with induction, and their neonates' Apgar score was > 9 (p = 0.029, p = 0.018, and p = 0.001, respectively). Most mothers with refreshing sleep had normal vaginal delivery with induction, their neonates weighted ≥ 2500 g and with Apgar score > 9 (p = 0.010, p < 0.001, and p = 0.005 respectively). CONCLUSION: Sleep duration and quality of sleep can affect the type of delivery, length of labor stages, as well as neonates' Apgar score and birth weight. Such predictors of labor and fetal outcome should be assessed during prenatal evaluations.