Normal pregnancy is characterized by reduced systemic vascular resistance, which may be mediated by nitric oxide (NO). We compared endothelial vasomotor function in 71 normal pregnant women (13 in first, 29 in middle, and 29 in last trimester) to 37 healthy age-matched controls. With external ultrasound, brachial artery diameter was measured at rest, during reactive hyperemia [with increased fl...

BACKGROUND Thyroid function test results of healthy pregnant women differ from those of healthy non-pregnant women. This study aimed to determine trimester-specific reference ranges for total tetraiodothyronin (T4), free T4, total triiodothyronin (T3) and thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) using electrochemiluminescence techniques from apparently healthy pregnant women in Basrah. MATERIAL AND ...

BACKGROUND Acute biliary diseases during pregnancy have been classically managed conservatively. Advances in minimally invasive surgery and the high recurrence rate of symptoms observed changed this management. METHODS This is a prospective observational study. Initial management was medical. Unresponsive patients were treated with minimally invasive techniques including gallbladder percutane...

Introduction: The Parikh’s formula is a calculation method that considers menstrual cycle duration in women who have an unusual interval of menstruation cycle. Since the accurate estimation of gestational age affects pregnancy outcomes, the present study aimed to compare the first trimester ultrasound and Parikh’s formula in determining the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD). Mate...

Quantitative measurement of mechanical properties of cervix is an effective tool to diagnose cervical insufficiency, specifically in the last trimester of pregnancy when preterm birth is mostly probable to occur. The objective of this study was to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of rat cervix at different displacement levels and rates early in the last trimester of pregnancy. Distinct di...

OBJECTIVE To provide evidence-based guidelines for the management of pregnancy at 41+0 to 42+0 weeks. OUTCOMES Reduction of perinatal mortality associated with Caesarean section at 41+0 to 42+0 weeks of pregnancy. EVIDENCE The Medline database, the Cochrane Library, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, were sea...