Mode of birth in women with low-lying placenta: protocol for a prospective multicentre 1:3 matched case-control study in Italy (the MODEL-PLACENTA study).

Introduction: The term placenta praevia defines a placenta that lies over the internal os, whereas the term low-lying placenta identifies a placenta that is partially implanted in the lower uterine segment with the inferior placental edge located at 1-20 mm from the internal cervical os (internal-os-distance). The most appropriate mode of birth in women with low-lying placenta is still controversial, with the majority of them undergoing caesarean section. The current project aims to evaluate the rate of vaginal birth and caesarean section in labour due to bleeding by offering a trial of labour to all women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm as assessed by transvaginal sonography in the late third trimester.

Effect of L-arginine supplementation in pregnant women with chronic hypertension and previous placenta vascular disorders receiving Aspirin prophylaxis: a randomized control trial.

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of supplementation with Arginine (L-Arg) 3g, (together with Magnesium (Mg) 350 mg and Salicilate (Sal) 100 mg) on maternal blood pressure (BP), uterine artery doppler PI and neonatal outcomes in women with high-risk pregnancy for chronic hypertension (CH) and other previous placenta vascular disorders (PVD) already treated with low dose of aspirin (LDA), as recommended by guidelines.

Methods: We enrolled women affected by CH and other previous PVD referred to the High-Risk Clinic of the Department of Maternal and Child's Health at the University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia from September 2017 to June 2019. The study design was a controlled, randomized trial of oral supplementation of L-Arg 3g (together with Mg 350 mg and Sal extract 100 mg) + LDA 100 mg/day versus only LDA 100 mg/day.

Effectiveness of Progestogens as Maintenance Tocolysis and Urogenital Cultures: Secondary Analysis of the PROTECT Trial.

 In a recently published multicenter randomized controlled trial, we demonstrated that progestogens are not effective as maintenance tocolysis.  This study was aimed to evaluate if previous finding may be affected by positive urine culture and/or vaginal swab.  We performed a secondary analysis of the PROTECT trial (NCT01178788).

Food glycemic index changes in overweight/obese pregnant women enrolled in a lifestyle program: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The calculation of the glycemic index of food mirrors a rise in blood sugar levels. A low-glycemic index carbohydrate diet in pregnancy has been associated with normal infant birthweight. Thus, strategies to lower the food glycemic index could be successful in improving pregnancy outcomes.

Estimation of fetal weight near term: comparison between ultrasound and symphysis-fundus evaluation by Johnson's rule.

Introduction: The fetal weight estimation is commonly performed by ultrasound but the manual method is also applied in developing countries due to the lack of scan availability and in western countries for the management of low-risk pregnancy managed autonomously by the midwives. The most applied method to estimate fetal weight measures the longitudinal diameter of the symphysis-fundus according to Johnson's rule. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the reliability of the symphysis-fundus method with respect to the ultrasound to estimate fetal weight in low risk pregnancies according to the classification of adequate, small and large for gestational age.

Acupuncture in Postdate Pregnancy Management.

Objectives: Pharmacological labor induction is obtained through prostaglandins application and/or oxytocin infusion; however, the use seems to be related to fetal and maternal side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates the use of acupuncture to soften the cervix and induce uterine contractions. at which presented for The primary outcome was the rate of women admitted for labour induction in case of prolonged pregnancy at 41 + 5 weeks, and the secondary outcome was the rate of induction planning for other indications.

Castor oil for induction of labour: a retrospective study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of castor oil to induce labour.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective observational case control study was conducted over five years. Castor oil was proposed to women referred to the Birth Centre (Castor Oil group (COG)).

Progestogens for Maintenance Tocolysis in Women With a Short Cervix: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of progestogens for maintenance tocolysis in women undelivered after their first preterm labor episode.

Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies between 22 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks of gestation with arrested preterm labor and a cervical length 25 mm or less at hospital discharge were eligible. Patients with a previous preterm birth were excluded.

Vaginal alpha-lipoic acid shows an anti-inflammatory effect on the cervix, preventing its shortening after primary tocolysis. A pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Introduction: Inflammation might be an important underlying cause of preterm birth. Our aim is to explore whether vaginal administration α-lipoic acid reduces cervical inflammation and shortening after primary tocolysis.

Materials And Methods: Singleton pregnancies between 24-30 weeks remaining undelivered after hospitalization for preterm labor were randomly allocated to placebo (20 women, 15 analyzed) or vaginal ALA 400 mg (active ingredient 10 mg) daily (20 women, 17 analyzed) for 30 days.

The l-arginine/nitric oxide pathway is impaired in overweight/obese pregnant women.

Objective: To evaluate the l-arginine/NO system and its role in insulin signaling and endothelial function during the pregnancy of women of different BMI categories.

Study Design: Twelve women with BMI⩾25 were compared with 10 normal-weight women in a fasting condition after the infusion of l-arginine (20g in 3h) and after the evaluation of the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery between the 9th-12th and 24th-27th weeks. Blood samples for insulin and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were collected at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3h after initiating the infusion.