Intrauterine Contraction Monitoring in Chorioamnionitis: A Secondary, Blinded Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial Cohort.

Objective: To study the effects of chorioamnionitis on uterine activity and to investigate associations between external and intrauterine monitoring methods and neonatal outcomes.

Design: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial cohort.

Setting: Two labour wards, in a university tertiary hospital and a central hospital.

Gluten-free diet during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: A gluten-free diet (GFD) is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young females, and including those without diagnosed celiac disease (CD). Whether a GFD is appropriate during pregnancy remains unclear. Our primary aim was to evaluate the association of a GFD and neonatal birthweight and incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA).

Comparison of balloon catheter, oral misoprostol, or combination of both for cervical ripening in late-term and post-term nulliparous women: A Finnish randomized controlled multicenter pilot trial.

Introduction: Nulliparous women beyond term have high rates of induction failure. The aim of this study was to compare delivery outcomes for balloon catheter, misoprostol, and combination of both in nulliparous late- and post-term women with unfavorable cervices. We intended to explore whether the combination strategy has lower cesarean section rate and is as safe as either method alone.

Vegetarian diet and pregnancy outcome.

Objective: Vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular. Our aim was to evaluate the association of a vegetarian diet with pregnancy, labor, and newborn's outcome.

Study Design: This retrospective case-control study included 150 women on a vegetarian diet and 300 omnivores.

Delayed versus early delivery leads to similar outcome in selected cases of preeclampsia in the Finnish Genetics of Pre-eclampsia Consortium (FINNPEC) cohort.

Objectives: Most guidelines recommend induction of labor after 37 weeks of gestation in preeclampsia. This study assessed the effect of interval between diagnosis of preeclampsia and delivery on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: A cohort of 1637 women with preeclampsia recruited at five university hospitals in Finland was studied.

Uterine contractile activity and neonatal outcome - A blind analysis of a randomized controlled trial cohort.

Introduction: Sufficient contractions are necessary for a successful delivery but each contraction temporarily constricts the oxygenated blood flow to the fetus. Individual fetal or placental characteristics determine how the fetus can withstand this temporary low oxygen saturation. However, only a few studies have examined the impact of uterine activity on neonatal outcome and even less attention has been paid to parturients' individual characteristics.

Tafoxiparin, a novel drug candidate for cervical ripening and labor augmentation: results from 2 randomized, placebo-controlled studies.

Background: Slow progression of labor is a common obstetrical problem with multiple associated complications. Tafoxiparin is a depolymerized form of heparin with a molecular structure that eliminates the anticoagulant effects of heparin. We report on 2 phase II clinical studies of tafoxiparin in primiparas.

Labor induction at 41 gestational weeks or expectant management for the nulliparous woman: The Finnish randomized controlled multicenter trial.

Introduction: Neonatal and maternal risks increase in term pregnancy as gestational age advances and become increasingly evident post-term. Management practices of late- and post-term pregnancies vary, and the optimal time point for intervention by labor induction is yet to be determined.

Material And Methods: This randomized controlled trial of 381 nulliparous women with unripe cervices compared labor induction at 41 gestational weeks (early induction) with expectant management and labor induction at 41 to 42 gestational weeks (expectant management).

Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with pain relief and birth experience among induced and spontaneous-onset labours ending in vaginal birth: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess pain relief and overall birth experience in induced vs. spontaneous-onset labours and to clarify variables among induced parturients determining satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Study Design: A prospective study of 2042 women.

Thromboelastometry-guided treatment algorithm in postpartum haemorrhage: a randomised, controlled pilot trial.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage causes significant mortality among parturients. Early transfusion of blood products based on clinical judgement and conventional coagulation testing has been adapted to the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, but rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) may provide clinicians means for a goal-directed therapy to control coagulation. We conducted a parallel design, randomised, controlled trial comparing these two approaches.

Association of dietary fiber, liquid intake and lifestyle characteristics with gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy outcome.

Objectives: Heartburn and constipation are common gastrointestinal symptoms during pregnancy. High fiber and liquid intake have beneficial effects on these symptoms in non- pregnant population. Our aim was to evaluate the association of dietary fiber, fluid intake and lifestyle characteristics with constipation, heartburn, and pregnancy outcome.

Twin birth: The maternal experience.

Objective: Twin birth is a special setting for women giving birth, and the experience of childbirth can be different from singleton birth. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the childbirth experiences of twin mothers and singleton mothers. We also aimed to identify the risk factors of a negative childbirth experience in the whole study population.

Bullying at 8 years and violent offenses by 31 years: the Finnish nationwide 1981 birth cohort study.

This study explored the associations between bullying perpetration and victimization at 8 years of age and violent offenses by the age of 31. Data were obtained for subjects enrolled in a population-based longitudinal birth cohort study. In 1989, 5813 8-year-old children (attrition 3.

Optical power detector with broad spectral coverage, high detectivity, and large dynamic range.

Optical power measurements are needed in practically all technologies based on light. Here, we report a general-purpose optical power detector based on the photoacoustic effect. Optical power incident on the detector's black absorber produces an acoustic signal, which is further converted into an electrical signal using a silicon-cantilever pressure transducer.

Impact of obesity on uterine contractile activity during labour: A blinded analysis of a randomised controlled trial cohort.

Despite higher strength of uterine contractions among obese parturients, they reach the active stage of labour less often than leaner ones. : This article is commented on by Mikko Tarvonen, pp. 1798 in this issue.

How does uterine contractile activity affect the success of trial of labour after caesarean section, and the risk of uterine rupture? An exploratory, blinded analysis of a cohort from a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the impact of uterine contractile activity on the outcome of trial of labour after caesarean section (TOLAC).

Design: Secondary, blinded analyses of a prospective TOLAC cohort.

Setting: Two labour wards, one in a university tertiary hospital and the other in a central hospital.

Photoacoustic characteristics of carbon-based infrared absorbers.

We present an experimental comparison of photoacoustic responsivities of common highly absorbing carbon-based materials. The comparison was carried out with parameters relevant for photoacoustic power detectors and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy: we covered a broad wavelength range from the visible red to far infrared (633 nm to 25 μm) and the regime of low acoustic frequencies (< 1 kHz). The investigated materials include a candle soot-based coating, a black paint coating and two different carbon nanotube coatings.

Angiogenic Effect of Pravastatin Alone and with Sera from Healthy and Complicated Pregnancies Studied by in vitro Vasculogenesis/Angiogenesis Assay.

Objective: To determine the direct effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis and to study the interaction between pravastatin and maternal sera from women with early- or late-onset pre-eclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction, or healthy pregnancy.

Methods: We collected 5 maternal serum samples from each group. The effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis was assessed with and without maternal sera by quantifying tubule formation in a human-based in vitro assay.

Incidence and comorbidities of disruptive behavior disorders diagnosed in Finnish specialist psychiatric services.

Purpose: Disruptive behavior disorders (DBD), including oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD), are some of the most common psychiatric conditions in childhood. Despite this, there has been limited research on DBDs. We examined the incidence, comorbidity and gender differences of DBDs diagnosed by specialist services.

Impact of mode of delivery on perinatal outcome in moderately and late preterm twin birth.

Objective: To examine the impact of the mode of delivery on neonatal and maternal outcomes in moderately and late preterm twin birth.

Methods: This single-center cohort study included 275 live diamniotic moderately and late preterm twin deliveries at 32 -36  weeks of gestation. These twin deliveries were divided into two groups according to the planned mode of delivery: trial of labor (TOL) (N=199, 72.

Therapeutic doses of metformin do not have impact on angiogenesis in presence of sera from pre-eclamptic, IUGR and healthy pregnancies.

Recent evidence suggests that metformin may prevent pre-eclampsia by reverting the angiogenic imbalance in maternal sera. In this study, we investigated effect of metformin on angiogenesis by quantifying tubule formation in a human-based in vitro test with co-culture of human adipose stromal cell (hASC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). A total of 20 pregnant women were recruited in the study.

Intrauterine versus external tocodynamometry in monitoring labour: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of intrauterine tocodynamometry versus external tocodynamometry (IT versus ET) during labour reduces operative deliveries and improves newborn outcome. As IT provides more accurate information on labour contractions, the hypothesis was that it may more appropriately guide oxytocin use than ET.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Risk factors of unsuccessful vaginal twin delivery.

Introduction: Twin trial of labor presents a challenge to obstetricians, as it is associated with a greater number of adverse birth outcomes compared with singleton deliveries. The risk of poor outcome has shown to be highest with unsuccessful vaginal twin delivery. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical risk factors associated with intrapartum cesarean section in late preterm and term twin births.

Oral versus patient-controlled intravenous administration of oxycodone for pain relief after cesarean section.

Purpose: The optimal postoperative analgesia after cesarean section (CS) remains to be determined. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether oral oxycodone provides the same or better pain control and satisfaction with pain relief as oxycodone given intravenously using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion device. The secondary objectives were to compare the gastrointestinal symptoms and postsurgical recovery of the two groups.