Underlying mechanisms of retained placenta: Evidence from a population based cohort study.

Objective: To determine risk factors for retained placenta, and to identify supporting epidemiologic evidence for the three previously-proposed mechanisms: (i) invasive placentation, (ii) placental hypo-perfusion, and (iii) inadequate uterine contractility.

Design: A retrospective population-based cohort study.

Setting And Population: Israeli population in the southern district.

The effects of pravastatin on the normal human placenta: Lessons from ex-vivo models.

Introduction: Research in animal models and preliminary clinical studies in humans support the use of pravastatin for the prevention of preeclampsia. However, its use during pregnancy is still controversial due to limited data about its effect on the human placenta and fetus.

Methods: In the present study, human placental cotyledons were perfused in the absence or presence of pravastatin in the maternal reservoir (PraM).

Induction of labor in twin gestation: lessons from a population based study.

Introduction: The route of delivery and the role of induction of labor in twin gestations are controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of induction of labor in twin gestations.

Methods: This retrospective population based cohort study included 4605 twin gestations divided into following groups: 1) spontaneous parturition (n = 2937, 63.

Can cell proliferation of umbilical cord blood cells reflect environmental exposures?

Environmental hazards were shown to have an impact on cell proliferation (CP). We investigated CP of lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood in relation to prenatal environmental exposures in a sample of 346 Arab-Bedouin women giving birth in a local hospital. Information on subjects' addresses at pregnancy, potential household exposures and demographical status was collected in an interview during hospitalization.

A prior placenta accreta is an independent risk factor for post-partum hemorrhage in subsequent gestations.

Objective: The rate of placenta accreta, a life threatening condition, is constantly increasing, mainly due to the rise in the rates of cesarean sections. This study is aimed to determine the effect of a history of placenta accreta on subsequent pregnancies.

Study Design: A population based retrospective cohort study was designed, including all women who delivered at our medical center during the study period.

Blood flow Doppler velocimetry measured during active labor.

Purpose: To evaluate blood flow Doppler velocimetry during the first and second stages of active labor.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. Patients at term (37-42 weeks gestation), with normal fetal heart rate tracing patterns (categorized as category I) were examined during the first and second stages of labor.

Placenta accreta is an independent risk factor for late pre-term birth and perinatal mortality.

Objective: This study is aimed to identify the risk factors for the development of placenta accreta (PA) and characterize its effect on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: This population-based retrospective cohort study included all deliveries at our medical center during the study period. Those with placenta accreta (n = 551) comprised the study group, while the rest of the deliveries (n = 239 089) served as a comparison group.

DIC score in pregnant women--a population based modification of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were: 1) To determine the component needed to generate a validated DIC score during pregnancy. 2) To validate such scoring system in the identification of patients with clinical diagnosis of DIC.

Material And Methods: This is a population based retrospective study, including all women who gave birth at the 'Soroka University Medical Center' during the study period, and have had blood coagulation tests including complete blood cell count, prothrombin time (PT)(seconds), partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, and D-dimers.

Can we find the perfect oil to protect the perineum? A randomized-controlled double-blind trial.

Objective: To determine whether perineal massage during the second stage of labor using oil enriched with vitamins, increases the chances of delivering with an intact perineum as compared to perineal massage using pure liquid wax.

Method: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted. Women were assigned to liquid wax (jojoba oil) versus purified formula of almond and olive oil, enriched with vitamin B1, B2, B6, E and fatty acids.

Early preterm delivery due to placenta previa is an independent risk factor for a subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

Background: To determine whether patients with placenta previa who delivered preterm have an increased risk for recurrent spontaneous preterm birth.

Methods: This retrospective population based cohort study included patients who delivered after a primary cesarean section (n = 9983). The rate of placenta previa, its recurrence, and the risk for recurrent preterm birth were determined.

Remote prognosis after primary cesarean delivery: the association of VBACs and recurrent cesarean deliveries with maternal morbidity.

Purpose: To determine the effects of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) versus repeated cesarean sections (RCS) after a primary cesarean section (CS), on the rate of intraoperative and postpartum maternal morbidity.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study. During the study period (1988-2005) there were 200,012 deliveries by 76,985 women at our medical center; 16,365 of them had a primary CS, of which 7429 women delivered a singleton infant after the primary CS, met the inclusion criteria, were included in our study, and were followed for four consecutive deliveries.

Primiparity, assisted reproduction, and preterm birth in twin pregnancies: a population based study.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pregnancy complications among primiparous patients with twin gestation in our population and to investigate the association between the increased rates of assisted reproduction (ART) in twin gestation and preterm birth (PTD).

Material And Methods: A retrospective population based cohort study was designed, including all twin deliveries after 24 weeks gestation (n = 2,601). The study group included 666 primiparous women and the comparison group 1,935 multiparous women.

Trial of labor and vaginal birth after cesarean section in patients with uterine Müllerian anomalies: a population-based study.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section among patients with Müllerian anomalies in comparison to the success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section in patients with normal uterus with emphasis on the rate of uterine rupture.

Study Design: A retrospective population-based study was designed, including all patients with a previous cesarean section that attempted vaginal birth after cesarean section during the study period. Women with known Müllerian anomalies were included in the study group.

Preeclampsia in twin gestations: association with IVF treatments, parity and maternal age.

Objective: To identify maternal factors that increase the risk of preeclampsia in twin gestations and to investigate whether twins conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) lead to an increased risk of preeclampsia development.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study of twin deliveries was performed. Maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes were evaluated.

Hydramnios and small for gestational age are independent risk factors for neonatal mortality and maternal morbidity.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the contribution of hydramnios and small for gestational age (SGA) as a combined pathology to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The study population consisted of 192 SGA neonates with hydramnios, 5,515 SGA neonates with a normal amount of amniotic fluids, 3,714 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates with polyhydramnios and 83,763 AGA neonates with a normal amount of amniotic fluid. A cross-sectional population based study was designed between the four study groups.

Lipopolysaccharide induces the expression of interleukin-1alpha distinctly in different compartments of term and preterm human placentae.

The aim of the study was to investigate the stimulatory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on IL-lalpha production in different compartments of term and preterm placental tissues. Homogenates from amnion, chorion, and from fetal (subchorionic placental tissues, maternal decidua, and mid-placental tissue before and after perfusion of isolated placental cotyledons of 5 term placentas and 4 placentas obtained after preterm birth (28-34 W of gestation) were examined. Isolated placental cotyledons were dually perfused LPS (100 ng/kg perfused placental tissue) was perfused into the maternal side during 10 hours.

Noninvasive tests to predict fetal anemia: a study comparing Doppler and ultrasound parameters.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare test characteristics of ultrasound and Doppler parameters in the prediction of fetal anemia in alloimmunized pregnancies.

Study Design: In a prospective cohort study, 16 nonhydropic fetuses with red blood cell alloimmunization were evaluated with ultrasound and Doppler imaging. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) peak systolic velocity, intrahepatic umbilical venous (IHUV) maximum velocity, liver length, and spleen perimeter were measured.