TGF-b plays a critical role in normal mammary development and morphogenesis. Decreased TGF-b signaling has been associated with increased mammographic density. Percent mammographic density (PMD) adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI) is a strong risk factor and predictor of breast cancer risk. PMD is highly heritable, but few genetic determinants have been identified. We investigated the as...

Title of dissertation: THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERNAL CONFIDENCE FOR LABOR AMONG NULLIPAROUS PREGNANT WOMEN Julia Ann Kish, Doctor of Philosophy, 2003 Dissertation directed by: Robin G. Sawyer, Ph.D. Department of Public Health and Community Health Certain levels of fear and anxiety about childbirth are expected, especially among first-time mothers. However, problems arise when these feelings nega...

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is a major clinical burden affecting 25% of women, with vaginal delivery a major contributing factor. We hypothesised that increasing parity weakens the vagina by altering the extracellular matrix proteins and smooth muscle thereby leading to POP vulnerability. We used a modified POP-quantification (POP-Q) system and a novel pressure sensor to measure vaginal wall we...

A study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia investigated the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its predictors in a high-parity group of pregnant women (n = 633, 50.1% grand multiparas). The prevalence of GDM was 12.5% and 3.8% by World Health Organization and American Diabetes Association criteria respectively. Multiparous women were 8.29 times more likely to have GDM than nulliparous w...

This study at the Logan Hospital, Australia, compared the outcome of induction of labour (IOL) in nulliparous women following replacement of Cervidil with Prostin. Eighty-two nulliparous women were identified for this retrospective cohort study over a period of three months on either side of the changed practice. Forty-four women received Prostin and 38 received Cervidil. Baseline characteristi...

BACKGROUND Primigravidas with unengaged foetal head at term should be regarded as high risk cases. It is seen that nuglliparous women with the floating foetal head demonstrate higher rates of caesarean section than those with dipping or engaged head in early labour. These cases should be regarded as high risk and identified early and should be referred to a tertiary care centre where good facil...

Endocrine and reproductive influences significantly affect the lifetime risk of breast cancer. Nulliparity is one of the most firmly established risk factors for breast cancer, whereas early full-term pregnancy and parity confer a significant protection. The breast attains its maximum development during pregnancy and lactation. After menopause the breast regresses in both nulliparous and parous...

background & aim: the fear of childbirth is defined as the fear experienced before, during and after birth. this study was carried out to study the relationship between fear of childbirth and obstetric variables . methods & materials : : this cross sectional study was conducted in a state hospital in kars, turkey on 403 pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery ward. the convenience s...