British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
-
Twelve patients with persistent fetal bradycardia were referred for echocardiographic assessment; in 10 patients the fetus had complete heart block, six isolated and four with associated structural heart disease. In the remaining two patients an atrial arrhythmia was producing a fetal sinus bradycardia. ⋯ A sinus bradycardia due to atrial ectopic beats is a benign arrhythmia. Echocardiographic assessment of the heart can give an accurate prognosis in fetal bradycardia and provide a basis for appropriate obstetric management.
-
Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 1985
Computerized histories facilitate patient care in a termination of pregnancy clinic: the use of a small computer to obtain and reproduce patient information.
An inexpensive microcomputer has been programmed to obtain histories from patients attending a pregnancy termination clinic. The system is nurse-interactive; yes/no and multiple-choice questions are answered on the visual display unit by a light pen. Proper nouns and discursive text are typed at the computer keyboard. ⋯ The computer provides a much more complete history with an average of 42 more items of information than the pre-existing manual system. This system is demanding of nursing time and possible conversion to a patient-interactive system is discussed. A confidential questionnaire revealed a high degree of consumer acceptance.
-
Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Jan 1985
Baseline fetal heart rates from 15 to 38 weeks gestation in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies.
To determine whether the fetal heart behaves differently in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies, the changes in baseline fetal heart rate were investigated prospectively from 15 to 38 weeks gestation in 16 women who were normotensive at the time of booking in the antenatal clinic. Fetal heart rate recordings were made ultrasonically, and were computer-processed by the programs TELEPLOT and BASELINE. Those women who remained normotensive exhibited a decrease of fetal heart rate with advancing gestational age, but this did not occur in the six women who eventually developed hypertension.
-
Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Nov 1984
Clinical TrialControlled study of 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester vaginal pessaries prior to suction termination of first trimester pregnancies.
A pessary containing the prostaglandin analogue, 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester (Cervagem) was inserted into the vagina of primigravid women 2 h before suction termination of pregnancy. The cervix was softer, easier to dilate and more widely dilated at the start of the procedure than in a control group of women who received placebo pessaries containing the vehicle alone. ⋯ The incidence of pre- and post-operative abdominal cramps was increased in the Cervagem-treated group. No gastrointestinal side-effects were noted.
-
Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Nov 1984
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe use of 16,16-dimethyl-trans delta 2 prostaglandin E1 methyl ester (gemeprost) vaginal pessaries for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester. A comparison with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2.
The use of gemeprost pessaries has been compared in an open randomized trial with the extra-amniotic infusion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for the termination of pregnancy between 12 and 16 weeks gestation. The success rates were 77% and 79% for the pessary and infusion group respectively, and these rates were unaffected by parity. ⋯ Side-effects, experienced both during treatment and during the 6 weeks after abortion, were similar in both groups. Gemeprost vaginal pessaries are an effective alternative to the extra-amniotic infusion of PGE2 for the termination of pregnancy in the early second trimester.