When do cardiovascular parameters return to their preconception values?

Article Abstract:

To learn more concerning cardiovascular function and pregnancy, 13 women were evaluated before conception and again after delivering their infants. During pregnancy, the heart rate increases, as do stroke volume (the volume of blood pumped with one contraction), end-diastolic volume (the volume left in the ventricle after a contraction), and cardiac output. Of particular interest was the pattern of return of cardiovascular function to prepregnancy levels. The subjects were studied at 6 and 12 weeks after delivery. The women were evaluated with echocardiography and their blood pressure was measured. Results showed that end-diastolic volume and stroke volume were increased over prepregnancy values at both postpartum times. Cardiac output was also elevated, but by a smaller amount that the other two variables. Systemic vascular resistance (a measure of the ease of blood flow) was decreased at 12 weeks compared with baseline values. The subjects were all breastfeeding their infants when studied. It is not known when these elevated variables return to their prepregnancy levels; some investigators have proposed that the cardiovascular system is actually permanently altered by pregnancy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Cardiovascular system, Circulatory system, Pregnancy

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Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the detection of adverse obstetric outcomes in women with unexplained elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels

Article Abstract:

Poor outcomes for pregnant women and their fetuses may be predicted by abnormal Doppler measurements of the uterine artery when mothers concurrently have high alpha-fetoprotein levels. Researchers studied 103 women in the second trimester of pregnancy with high blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein by performing Doppler velocimetry studies. Thirteen women had abnormal Doppler results. Women whose uterine artery had a notch, defined as as a V-shaped waveform in the diastolic measurement, were more likely to have preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. Uterine arteries with a resistance index greater than 95% were associated with preeclampsia and low birth weight infants. High alpha-fetoprotein levels may indicate that the placenta did not form normally, perhaps causing preeclampsia.

Measurement, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Preeclampsia, Doppler ultrasonography, Alpha fetoproteins

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Operative vaginal delivery: A comparison of forceps and vacuum for success rate and risk of rectal sphincter injury

Article Abstract:

The success rate of operative vaginal delivery and risk of rectal sphincter injury forceps or vacuum used was investigated. For both occiput anterior and posterior cases, the use of forceps was found associated with a higher success rate than the use of vacuum.

Science & research, Research, Analysis, Causes of, Colorectal diseases, Vaginal birth after cesarean, Sphincters, Rectal diseases

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