The effects of water birth on neonatal outcomes: a five-year result of a referral tertiary centre.

OBJECTIVE: As scant information is present about the effect of water birth on newborns, we aimed to detect the fetal outcomes of water birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and ninety one among totally 220 newborns who were born by water birth were enrolled. The demographic and clinical features of the patients, birth complications, infection rates and rates of neonatal intensive care unit attendance were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean gestational week and birth weight were 39.2±1.3 weeks and 3326±409 g. 26% of the mothers was primiparous. Birth trauma was observed in three patients (1.6%) as one brachial nerve paralysis, one cord rupture and one cephal hematoma. Six of the patients (3.1%) were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); four of whom had respiratory tract problems. CONCLUSIONS: Water birth is a safe method of delivery for the neonates when certain criteria are met.  

Successful water birth in a woman with vaginismus.

Vaginismus is a common sexual dysfunction. The case of a successful water birth in a woman with vaginismus is presented. Water birth should be considered as an alternative method of birth in women with vaginismus.

Troponin I, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels in missed abortions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate serum concentrations of troponin I, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and ferritin levels in women with missed abortion and normal pregnancy. MATERIALS & METHODS: The study population consisted of 28 normal pregnancies and 28 pregnancies complicated by missed abortion. In all patients, troponin I, CRP and plasma levels of fibrinogen and ferritin were determined. RESULTS: We found significantly elevated levels of CRP in the sera of the missed abortion group compared to the BMI-matched control group (4.3 +/- 3.9 mg/1 vs 2.4 +/- 2.1 mg/l, p = 0.035). In addition, fibrinogen was decreased in the missed abortion group. No significant differences in troponin I and ferritin levels were detected between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: In this study we found an increase in CRP in women with missed abortion.

IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein concentrations in serum and ovarian follicular fluid do not affect in vitro fertilization outcomes in obese, overweight, and non-obese patients.

Obesity causes the specific upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. One of these cytokines, IL-18, has a well-known association with obesity. Our aim in this study was to test the effect of serum and intrafollicular IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (BP) levels on in vitro fertilization outcomes in obese, overweight, and non-obese patients. Serum and pooled follicular fluid levels of IL-18, IL-18BP, and the IL-18/IL-18BP ratios were evaluated in 21 non-obese (body mass index [BMI] <25), 37 overweight (25or=30) patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. IL-18 and IL-18BP levels in serum and follicular fluid did not change with obesity. There was no correlation among serum intrafollicular IL-18, IL-18BP levels, and the number of oocytes retrieved and transferred, embryo grades or pregnancy ratios. The levels of serum and intrafollicular IL-18, IL-18BP, and the IL-18/IL-18BP ratios do not seem to be related to in vitro fertilization outcomes in obese, overweight, and non-obese patients.