[Use of contraception among women applying for abortion].

During a period of one year (1988-89), a questionnaire was distributed to women applying for legal abortion at Frederikssund Hospital in Denmark. Two hundred and eight-eight answered the questions about why they had become pregnant. 84% of the women had used contraceptive methods.

Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Thirty women participated in a double-blind randomized cross-over trial of the efficacy of a natural product, the powdered root of ginger (Zingiber officinale), and placebo in hyperemesis gravidarum. Three patients had to be withdrawn. Each woman swallowed capsules containing either 250 mg ginger or lactose q.

Changes in plasmaconcentration of ANP and aldosterone in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Changes in plasmaconcentration of ANP in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia were examined and compared to non-pregnant controls. The maternal plasma concentration increased gradually during normal pregnancy but values did not deviate significantly from non-pregnant women. A further increase was demonstrated post partum.

Plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide in normal pregnant women and in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was determined in pregnant women with preeclampsia, in normal pregnant and in nonpregnant women by a specific radioimmunoassay. Results did not show important differences between nonpregnant controls and normal pregnant women, but a significant rise was seen in women with preeclampsia compared to nonpregnant controls. Marked interindividual variation was found in all three groups.

[Reasons for choosing legal abortion].

During a period of one year (1988-1989), a questionnaire was distributed to women applying for legal abortion at Frederikssund Hospital in Denmark. Two hundred and ninety-one answered the questions on the reasons for their wanting an abortion (91%). 75% were younger than 20 years old, older than 34 years old, had already two children or did not cohabit with a man.