BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Multicenter Study
Combined ultrasound and biochemical screening for Down's syndrome in the first trimester: a Scottish multicentre study.
To evaluate the use of ultrasound measurements of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) obtained in a routine antenatal clinic setting in combination with appropriate biochemical markers as a first trimester screening test for Down's Syndrome. ⋯ NT in combination with appropriate serum markers has the potential to detect over 80% of Down's Syndrome fetuses in early pregnancy. However, NT measurement is highly operator-dependent. It requires training, external quality control and adequate time to allow accurate measurement, otherwise suboptimal performance will result.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomised controlled trial of the closure or non-closure of peritoneum at caesarean section: effect on post-operative pain.
To compare the analgesic requirement in the post-operative period after closure or non-closure of the peritoneum at the caesarean delivery with a standardised anaesthetic and surgical technique. ⋯ Non-closure of both visceral and parietal peritoneum at the caesarean section produces a significant reduction in the post-operative use of patient controlled analgesia pump morphine and significantly higher patient satisfaction at 24 hours post-operatively.
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To test the hypothesis that suboptimal factors in perinatal care services resulting in perinatal deaths were more common among immigrant mothers from the Horn of Africa, when compared with Swedish mothers. ⋯ Suboptimal factors in perinatal care likely to result in perinatal death were significantly more common among east African than native Swedish mothers, affording insight into socio-cultural differences in pregnancy strategies, but also the suboptimal performance of certain health care routines in the Swedish perinatal care system.
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To investigate how many women wish to have a caesarean section when asked in early pregnancy, and to identify background variables associated with such a wish. ⋯ Relatively few women wish to have a caesarean section when asked in early pregnancy, and these women seem to be a vulnerable group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Acupuncture treatment during labour--a randomised controlled trial.
To investigate acupuncture treatment during labour with regard to pain intensity, degree of relaxation and outcome of the delivery. ⋯ The results suggest that acupuncture could be a good alternative or complement to those parturients who seek an alternative to pharmacological analgesia in childbirth. Further trials with a larger number of patients are required to clarify if the main effect of acupuncture during labour is analgesic or relaxing.