The data of uterine contraction pressure is the information source for extracting uterine contractions status. Because there is a variety of interference existing in contraction pressure data, commonly used methods such as uterine contraction intensity integration method can not obtain decent evaluation results. We used the bior 2.4 biorthogonal wavelet to decompose and reconstruct the pressure data in order to obtain the best denoising effect. Combining with the denoised results, we proposed an algorithm of the wavelet energy value. Based on the algorithm, we calculated the curve of wavelet energy value. It was proved that using the curve of wavelet energy value can better identify contractions waveform and evaluation contractions intensity.
Algorithms ; Artifacts ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Uterine Contraction ; physiology ; Uterine Monitoring ; Wavelet Analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect and applying value of Hegu (LI 4) for inertia of uterus.

METHODSIn three centers, 276 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to a western medicine group and an acupuncture and western medicine group. The western medicine group were treated with intravenous drip of oxytocin, and the acupuncture and western medicine group were treated with electroacupuncture at Hego (LI 4) and intravenous drip of oxytocin. Changes of inertia of uterus and duration and interval of uterine contraction were investigated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 97.1% in the acupuncture group, and 70.3% in the western medicine group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0. 01). There was a significant difference in the duration and the interval of uterine contraction between the two groups (P < 0.1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElecoroacupuncture at Hego (LI 4) can be adopted for treatment of dystocia due to abnormality of force of labor.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors ; Uterine Contraction

In gynecology, it is very important to obtain the parameters of women's uterine musculature, such as its deformation size and contraction frequency, etc. This paper proposes a type of sensor for measuring these parameters and also analyzes its force situation. The sensor is flexible, deformable, and can adjust itself to the shape of the uterus. It can be put into the women's uterine cavity easily. The experiment shows that the sensitivity of the left and right sets coils of the sample sensor achieves 22.38 nH/mm2, while that of the top set coils achieves 22.84 nH/mm2, and the reaction time of the sensor is less than 200 ms. These results can meet the requirements of sensitivity and reaction time for testing the contraction situation of uterine musculature. The sensor has been applied in some medical fields.
Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems ; instrumentation ; Uterine Contraction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery under continuous epidural block anesthesia.

METHODSTotaling 213 parturients in spontaneous labor under epidural block anesthesia with dilated cervical orifice of 3 cm were monitored for the contraction cycle, duration, intensity and curve types of uterine contraction, and recordings were made for 30 min before and 30, 60 and 120 min after the anesthesia took effect, respectively. The duration of the active phase in the first, second and third stages of labor was compared between 421 cases with anesthesia and 237 without anesthesia.

RESULTSSignificant difference was noted in the objective indexes of uterine contraction recorded after anesthesia had taken effect (P<0.05) in comparison with those before anesthesia, suggesting significantly attenuated uterine contraction after anesthesia, whereas these indexes underwent no significant further variation as compared between different time points after anesthesia (P>0.05). The average active phase in the first stage was significantly shorter in anesthesia group than that in the control group (P<0.05), but the average duration of the second and third stages of labor differed little between the two groups with appropriate use of oxytocin under strict monitoring (P>0.05). The rates of obstetric forceps utilization and use of oxytocin were higher in anesthesia group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEpidural block anesthesia produces certain influences on uterine contraction and stages of labor during delivery, for which appropriate treatment measures may prove beneficial.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; methods ; Anesthesia, Obstetrical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Labor, Obstetric ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Time Factors ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupoint Sanyinjiao (SP6) moxibustion (S-Mox) on the duration of the first labor stage and uterine contractive pain in primiparae.

METHODSSixty primipara women in labor were equally assigned according to their choice to three groups: women in the S-Mox group received bilateral S-Mox for 30 min, women in the non-acupoint group received moxibustion (Mox) applied on non-acupoints for 30 min, and those in the control group did not receive Mox intervention. The duration of the first labor stage was recorded and the degree of labor pain was estimated by a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after Mox.

RESULTSThe duration of the first stage active phase in the S-Mox group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the VAS score after Mox was lower in the S-Mox group, showing a statistical difference in comparison with the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSApplying S-Mox could markedly shorten the active phase of the first stage of labor and lower the VAS score of uterine contractive pain, which means alleviating the pain caused by vaginal delivery. Its mechanism is worthy of further study.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Labor Stage, First ; physiology ; Moxibustion ; Pain Measurement ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Contraction ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bio-activity of Qinlian Siwu decoction on in vitro uterus contraction model and exploit the relationship between chemical components and the bio-activity.

METHODThe samples were prepared by macroporous adsorptive resins. The in vitro uterus contraction model was adopted to appraise the bio-activities of Qinlian Siwu decoction and its different separated fractions. HPLC-DAD- ESI -MS method was applied to analyze and identify the components in the fraction QL-3.

RESULTIt was found that five active fractions (QL-1, QL-3, QL-5, QL-7 and QL-11) were separated from Qinlian Siwu decoction, mainly contributed to the observed antagonismto the contraction of the mouse uterus. 28 compounds in the fraction QL-3 were identified as malic acid, gallic acid, catalpol, protocatechuic acid, aucubin, chuanxiongzine hydrochloridum, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, paeoniflorin, berberastine, albiflorin, tetrahydropalmatine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, leonuride, worenine, ferulic acid, palmatine, berberine, scutellarin, baicalin-7-0-glucoside, baicalin, rehmannioside C, wogonoside, chrysin-7-glucuronide, ttetuin, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin-A.

CONCLUSIONIn vitro inhibiting the contraction of the isolated mouse uterine of Qinlian Siwu decoction was mainly attributed to the fraction QL-1 and QL-3. The active fractions (QL-5, QL-7 and QL-11) were obtained from QL-3 on the macroporous adsorptive resins by the gradient elution using ethanol.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Statistics as Topic ; methods ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of the acupoint catgut implantation on postpartum pain of uterine contraction with qi and blood deficiency.

METHODSOne hundred and ten primiparas of natural delivery differentiated as qi and blood deficiency pattern in TCM were selected as the subjects. They were randomized into an acupoint catgut implantation group (55 cases) and a routine nursing group (55 cases). In the acupoint catgut implantation group, the catgut was implanted in Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20) and Geshu (BL 17) in 6 h after delivery; additionally, the routine post-delivery nursing was adopted. In the routine nursing group, the routine post-delivery nursing was applied simply. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain relief time of uterine contraction were compared in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS Scores in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation in the acupoint catgut implantation group were lower apparently than those in the routine nursing group (3.31 +/- 0.39 vs 4.31 +/- 0.29, 1.86 +/- 0.29 vs 2.66 +/- 0.25, 0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 1.59 +/- 0.24, 0.35 +/- 0.10 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, all P < 0.05). The pain relief was achieved in (72.06 +/- 6.83) h in the acupoint catgut implantation group and was (123.42 +/- 11.12) h in the routine nursing group. The pain relief in the acupoint catgut implantation group was achieved more quickly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe intervention of acupoint catgut implantation in 6 h after natural delivery in primiparas prevents effectively postpartum pain of uterine contraction.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Postpartum Period ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Qi ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEAlthough the only objective finding of intrapartum fetal distress is obtained through the measurement the fetal scalp pH, this invasive procedure is not available in every institution. The careful examination of fetal heart rate tracings for abnormalities, especially of the most commonly seen one, variable decelerations gains great importance under these circumstances. The aim of the present study is to determine the prognostic significance of variable decelerations in intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring.

METHODSA total of 96 fetal heart rate tracings were analysed to assess the prognostic significance of variable decelerations. Sixty-six percent (64/96) of cases exhibited atypia characterised with (1) slow return of the fetal heart rate to the baseline; (2) loss of variability during the decelerations; (3) loss of initial and/or secondary accelerations; (4) persistence of secondary acceleration (overshoot); and (5) continuation of the baseline fetal heart rate at a lower level; (6) biphasic deceleration. One and five-minute Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH were used to assess the final fetal condition.

RESULTSAdverse fetal outcome characterised by fetal acidosis and Apgar score lower than 7 at one and five minutes were uncommon with pure variable decelerations. Typical and atypical variable decelerations were associated with low Apgar scores (< 7) at one minute in 9.3% and 54.6% of cases (p < 0.001) and at five minutes in 6.25% and 25% of cases (p < 0.05), respectively. In addition umbilical artery pH found to be lower than 7.2 in these cases ( 18.75% - p < 0.05). There was no danger for the fetal haemodynamic conditions when typical uterus contraction/variable deceleration ratios were two or more than two. However, risk of fetal hypoxia damage was quite high when this ratio was lower than two in atypical variable 5th minute low Apgar scores and pH (81.8% and 36.6% respectively). Atypical features are helpful in the identification of distress characterised by low Apgar scores in fetuses with variable decelerations. Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was more common in patients with atypical variable decelerations in comparison with typical variable decelerations (34.3% versus 3.1%).

CONCLUSIONWhile typical variable decelerations are frequently harmless, atypical variations pose a significant risk of fetal hypoxia.

Acidosis ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Fetal Monitoring ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; physiology ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prognosis ; Uterine Contraction

BACKGROUNDAdenomyosis (AM) has impaired contraction. This study aimed to explore the expression of potassium channels related to contraction in myometrial smooth muscle cells (MSMCs) of AM.

METHODSUterine tissue samples from 22 patients (cases) with histologically confirmed AM and 12 (controls) with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were collected for both immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of large conductance calcium- and voltage-sensitive K + channel (BKCa)-α/β subunits, voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) 4.2, and Kv4.3. Student's t-test was used to compare the expression.

RESULTSThe BKCa-α/β subunits, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 were located in smooth muscle cells, glandular epithelium, and stromal cells. However, BKCa-β subunit expression in endometrial glands of the controls was weak, and Kv4.3 was almost undetectable in the controls. The expression of BKCa-α messenger RNA (mRNA) (0.62 ± 0.19-fold decrease, P < 0.05) and Kv4.3 mRNA (0.67 ± 0.20-fold decrease, P < 0.05) decreased significantly in the MSMCs of the control group compared with the AM group. However, there were no significant differences in BKCa-β subunit mRNA or Kv4.2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSThe BKCa-α mRNA and the Kv4.3 mRNA are expressed significantly higher in AM than those in the control group, that might cause the abnormal uterus smooth muscle contractility, change the microcirculation of uterus to accumulate the inflammatory factors, impair the endometrium further, and aggravate the pain.

Adenomyosis ; metabolism ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Shal Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Uterine Contraction ; physiology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism

PURPOSE: The association between tenaculum application to the cervix just before embryo transfer and lower pregnancy rate has been reported. However, studies on the use of tenaculum in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles are not available. This study attempted to investigate whether the use of tenaculum affects the clinical outcomes of IUI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty three CC/hMG/IUI cycles of one hundred and forty three couples were recruited at Seoul National University Hospital from October 2006 to December 2008. Mock insemination and IUI with or without tenaculum application to the cervix were also performed, and clinical pregnancy rate was compared. RESULTS: The incidence of difficult mock insemination at the beginning of cycle was higher in the tenaculum use group (p < 0.001). No significant statistical difference in the clinical pregnancy rate was observed between the groups with or without tenaculum application (12.1% vs. 18.5%; p = 0.175), which was not influenced by the difficulty of mock insemination. CONCLUSION: The use of tenaculum during IUI may not affect the pregnancy outcome. Our results need to be confirmed by a prospective study in a larger population.
Adult ; Cervix Uteri/*physiopathology ; Female ; Hormones/blood ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility, Female/physiopathology/*therapy ; Insemination, Artificial, Homologous/*instrumentation ; Male ; Ovary/physiology ; Ovulation Induction ; Physical Stimulation/instrumentation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Uterine Contraction/*physiology