Article Abstract:
Amniotomy seems to shorten the first stage of labor without causing health risks to the fetus. Amniotomy is the surgical rupture of the membranes that surround the fetus in the uterus. Patients in active labor with no evidence of complications were recruited to take part in a study to assess the effects of amniotomy on fetal heart rate. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 235 were assigned to the amniotomy group, 224 were assigned to the other group. Patients assigned to the amniotomy group had the procedure performed as soon as they entered the labor room. The other patients only had amniotomy if it was medically necessary. Fetal heart rate monitoring indicated that there were slight differences between the groups during first stage labor only. First stage labor for women in the amniotomy group lasted an average of one hour and 23 minutes less than for women in the other group. The neonatal complication rate was similar between the two groups.
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Article Abstract:
Increased likelihood of recurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with parity of one or more, obesity, early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus, insulin required in the index pregnancy, and a shorter interval and larger weight gain between pregnancies. Of 78 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus in an index pregnancy, 54 or 69% had a recurrence of the condition in a subsequent pregnancy.
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Article Abstract:
Giving pregnant women more fluid during labor may speed delivery and possibly avoid the need for a cesarean delivery, according to a study of 195 pregnant women. Fluid intake is usually restricted during childbirth so the woman will not aspirate fluid into her lungs if she has to be anesthetized.
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