[Intrapartum Foetal Heart Rate Monitoring and Rate of Caesarean Section: A National Survey].

Introduction: The rate of Caesarean section has dramatically increased in recent decades. Foetal scalp blood sampling and computer software analysing foetal heart rate detection should help in the decision-making for or against Caesarean section. The main aim of this study was to examine how these 2 factors influence the Caesarean section rate.

Phase-rectified signal averaging method to predict perinatal outcome in infants with very preterm fetal growth restriction- a secondary analysis of TRUFFLE-trial.

Background: Phase-rectified signal averaging, an innovative signal processing technique, can be used to investigate quasi-periodic oscillations in noisy, nonstationary signals that are obtained from fetal heart rate. Phase-rectified signal averaging is currently the best method to predict survival after myocardial infarction in adult cardiology. Application of this method to fetal medicine has established significantly better identification than with short-term variation by computerized cardiotocography of growth-restricted fetuses.

Stillbirth in week 19 of pregnancy followed by maternal death as a consequence of refused chemotherapy for non-hodgkin's lymphoma--significance of adjuvant chemotherapy in women of reproductive age.

Background: Due to rising cure rates in cancer, the question of preserving fertility in young female patients becomes more important. Especially in lymphomas, incidence and long-time survival have increased. Hematologists and gynecologists have to treat more and more female patients who wish to become pregnant despite their disease and/or after finishing treatment.

Pilot study for periodontal treatment and pregnancy outcome: a clinical prospective study.

Objective: Maternal periodontitis has been suggested as an important risk factor for preterm low birth weight. The aim of the present observational study was to assess whether full-mouth therapy of periodontitis in pregnant women reduces the risk of preterm low birth weight.

Method And Materials: From April 2006 to April 2007, 302 pregnant women who were at less than 22 weeks of gestation were invited to attend a periodontal examination.

Advanced metastatic melanoma during pregnancy: a multidisciplinary challenge.

Background: Metastatic melanoma during pregnancy represents a life-threatening situation not only for the mother but also for the fetus due to aggressive therapy and potential maternal-fetal metastasis.

Case Report: We report the case of a 37-year-old woman with advanced metastatic malignant melanoma during her first pregnancy, with a review of the literature. In this case, a tight and primarily interdisciplinary obstetrical and dermatological case management enabled the delivery of a small but healthy premature infant in the 29th week of gestation by planned Cesarean section.

Prospective randomised multicentre trial with the birth trainer EPI-NO for the prevention of perineal trauma.

Background: In several non-randomised trials training with EPI-NO increased the rate of intact perineum and decreased episiotomy rates, shortened the second stage of labour and lowered use of pain killers.

Aims: To verify the preliminary results with EPI-NO in a prospective randomised trial.

Methods: Randomised, single-blind multicentre trial in four university hospitals in Germany including 276 primigravidae.

Weight gain in pregnancy according to maternal height and weight.

Weight gain during pregnancy is of great importance for the health of mother and child. There is considerable individual variability with regard to the weight gain, with maternal height and pre-pregnancy body weight being important determinants. We aim to assess the usefulness of the maternal body mass index (BMI) and other ways of combining maternal weight and height in predicting weight gain during pregnancy.

Effect of pregnancy on long-term kidney function in renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine and with azathioprine.

In order to investigate the effect of different immunosuppressive regimens and the time interval between transplantation and pregnancy on long-term outcome, we performed a case-control study in pregnant renal allograft recipients. Eighty-one pregnancies of kidney transplanted recipients were identified [cyclosporine (CYA): n = 40; azathioprine (AZA): n = 41]. Controls were matched with respect to important prognostic factors.

Prolongation of pregnancy following eclampsia.

Eclampsia is a serious complication of preeclampsia with high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. The recommended management is induction of labour when convulsions are controlled and the women's condition is stabilised. Here, we report about stabilisation after eclampsia followed by prolongation of a preterm pregnancy for 11 days within early gestational weeks.