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1
Klinger, Ingrid. "The nutritional status of pregnant women in relation to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16365.
Abstract:
Thesis (MVoeding)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy is teratogenic.49-51 A woman’s nutritional requirements increase during pregnancy.4 The dangers of heavy drinking in the presence of malnutrition may put the fetus at a further disadvantage to normal development and life. Objectives: To determine the nutritional status of pregnant women in relation to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome. To relate the combined effect of maternal alcohol consumption and nutritional status to pregnancy outcome. Study design: Prospective, longitudinal and cohort. Study population: Pregnant women attending Hanover Park MOU for pre-natal care. They were classified as subjects (heavy drinkers) or controls (light drinkers or abstainers), and 15 pairs were matched according to race, parity and gestational age at the onset of their participation in the study. Methodology: A skilled FARR worker determined the alcohol consumption of the individuals through a validated questionnaire, whilst the investigator gathered the study data blinded to the participants’ alcohol consumption status. The investigator conducted three interviews with the pregnant individuals. Anthropometrical, clinical and biochemical investigations were done and questionnaires completed to determine dietary intake, sociodemographics, health and eating habits. An experienced FARR paediatrician examined the newborns, assessing their anthropometric status, health and the presence of any alcohol-related signs. Results: The nutritional status of the matched subjects and controls did not differ significantly in terms of dietary intake, anthropometric or clinical assessment. There were significant differences between the 2 groups’ serum vitamin A values (p<0.0097). Significant associations were found between the mother and newborn data; specifically energy intake and gestational age at birth (p<0.0083), MUAC and birth weight (p<0.04), and weight gain and weight for age (p<0.0056). The participants’ energy intake also had a significant correlation with their weight gain during pregnancy (r=0.0389, p<0.01). The prevalence of FAS in the total population was 6.67%; a finding that confirms previously reported data in nearby Wellington, Western Cape.49 Conclusion: Some mothers’ good nutritional status did not protect their offspring against alcohol’s teratogenic effects. Nutritional status did have a few statistical significant effects on pregnancy. However, the investigator is of the opinion that the few significant findings were not enough to accept or reject the hypothesis; therefore, making the results inconclusive.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Swaar alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap is teratogenies.49-51 Vroue se voedingsbehoeftes verhoog met swangerskap.4 Die gevare van swaar alkoholgebruik in die teenwoordigheid van wanvoeding mag die fetus verhoed om normal te ontwikkel en groei. Doelwitte: Om die voedingstatus van swanger vroue te bepaal in verhouding met alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap, en die swangerskapsuitkoms. Asook om die gekombineerde effek van die moeder se voedingstatus en alkoholgebruik op haar swangerskapsuitkoms te bepaal. Studie-ontwerp: Prospektief, longitudinaal en kohort. Studiepopulasie: Swanger vroue wat Hanover Park MOU besoek vir voorgeboorte sorg. Hulle is of as toetslinge (swaar drinkers) of as kontroles (ligte drinkers of geheelonthouers) geklassifiseer, en 15 pare is gepaar na aanleiding van ras, pariteit en gestasionele ouderdom by die aanvang van deelname aan die studie. Metodologie: ‘n Ervare SAVN lid het die individue se alkoholgebruik bepaal deur middel van ‘n gevalideerde vraelys. Die navorser was geblind vir die individue se alkoholgebruik. Die navorser het drie onderhoude gevoer met elke individu. Antropometriese, kliniese en biochemiese ondersoeke is gedoen. Vraelyste is voltooi om dieetinname, gesondheid, sosiodemografiese en eetgewoonte- inligting te versamel. ‘n Ervare SAVN pediater het alle pasgeborenes ondersoek om hulle antropometriese status, gesondheid en die teenwoordigheid van enige alkohol-verwante tekens te bepaal. Resultate: Die voedingstatus van die gepaarde toets-en kontrolegroepe het nie beduidend verskil in terme van dieetinname, antropometriese of kliniese evaluering nie. Daar was ‘n beduidende verskil tussen die 2 groepe se serum vitamien A vlakke (p<0.0097). Beduidende assosiasies is gevind tussen die moeder en pasgebore se data; naamlike tussen energie-inname en gestasionele ouderdom by geboorte (p<0.0083), bo-armomtrek en geboortegewig (p<0.0056), en gewigstoename tydens swangerskap en die baba se gewig vir ouderdom (p<0.0056). Die deelnemers se energie-inname het ook ‘n beduidende positiewe korrelasie met hul gewigstoename tydens swangerskap gehad (r=0.0389, p<0.01). Die prevalensie van FAS in die totale populasie was 6.67%; wat ook gevind is onlangs in die nabygeleë Wellington, Weskaap.49 Gevolgtrekking: Sommige moeders se goeie voedingstatus het nie hul kinders teen alkohol se teratogeniese effekte beskerm nie. Voedingstatus se effek op swangerskapsuitkoms was statisties beduidend in ‘n paar gevalle. Tog is die navorser van mening dat daar nie genoeg beduidende bewyse is om die nulhipotese te aanvaar of verwerp nie; dus is die gevolgtrekking onopgelos.
2
Rangiah, Julie. "The experiences of pregnant teenagers about their pregnancy." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/19965.
Abstract:
Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The alarming rate of teenage pregnancies among South Africans became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this particular phenomenon. The goal of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of pregnant teenagers about their pregnancy. Guided by the research question “ What are the experiences of pregnant teenagers about their pregnancy?” a scientific investigation was undertaken. The objectives set for the study were to determine their experience of their current pregnancy; to determine their knowledge of contraceptives; and to explore their experience regarding the services delivered by the health care workers. A phenomenological descriptive design with a qualitative approach was the most suitable scientific method to describe the experiences of pregnant teenagers who attend an antenatal clinic in Chatsworth, Kwazulu Natal. An interview guide or protocol that includes a list of open-ended questions based on the objectives, the literature review, and the professional experience of the researcher was designed and used to explore during each interview. The final sample consisted of ten participants. Experts in the field of nursing and research methodology were consulted to determine the feasibility and content of the study, to evaluate the research process and outcome. The researcher collected the data personally. Data was collected by means of individual interviews. The researcher did the transcription of the interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University and the relevant health authorities. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants. Parental permission was obtained for participants under the age of 18 years. Participants younger than 18 years of age also completed an assent form. Data that emerged from the data analysis was coded and categorised into sub-themes and themes. The researcher compiled a written account of the interpretations that emerged from the data analysis. In addition, member checking was done with each participant after individual interviews, to validate the transcribed data. The conceptual framework for this study was adapted from Maslow (1968). The findings suggest that there is a need for parental intervention as far as teenage pregnancy is concerned, financial difficulties associated with poverty was identified as one of the major contributing factor to teenage pregnancy, and attitudes of providers of contraceptives led to teenagers, not using contraceptives in some cases. It is recommended that services at the clinic be improved; health care workers undergo extensive training and education regarding teenage health and sexuality needs. Furthermore review and revitalisation of education programs at schools, to meet the needs of teenagers, which are constantly changing according to the times, are recommended. The involvement of parents and the community in combating issues surrounding teenage pregnancy is vital. Further research is recommended to find solutions to alleviate this problem of teenage pregnancy. All stakeholders need to work together to remedy this social problem as it is not an issue that can be dealt with in isolation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die veronrustende voorkoms van tienerswangerskappe onder Suid-Afrikaners was die motiverende faktor vir die navorser om die studie te onderneem. Die doel van die studie was om die ervaringe van swanger tieners ten opsigte van hul swangerskap te identifiseer en te beskryf. Die wetenskaplike ondersoek is gelei deur die navorsingsvraag, “wat is die ervaringe van swanger tieners betreffende swangerskap?” Die doelwitte vir die studie was om te bepaal: die ervaringe van die huidige swangerskap; kennis betreffende voorbehoedmiddels sowel as die ervaring ten opsigte van die dienste soos gelewer deur die gesondheidswerkers. 'n Fenomenologiese, beskrywende ontwerp met 'n kwalitatiewe benadering is as die mees geskikte wetenskaplike metode beskou om die ervaringe van swanger tieners wie 'n voorgeboorte-kliniek in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal bywoon, te beskryf. Die navorser het gebruik gemaak van 'n vooraf opgestelde onderhoud gids, protokol bestaande uit 'n lys van oop vrae gebaseer op die doelwitte, die literatuuroorsig en die professionele ervaring van die navorser. Die finale steekproef was tien deelnemers. Kundiges op die gebied van verpleging en navorsingsmetodologie is geraadpleeg ten opsigte van die haalbaarheid, inhoud van die studie sowel, as om die proses en uitkoms van die navorsing te evalueer. Die data is persoonlik deur die navorser versamel. Data is ingesamel deur middel van individuele onderhoude. Transkripsie van die onderhoude is deur die navorser self-gedoen. Etiese goedkeuring is vooraf verkry vanaf die Universiteit van Stellenbosch sowel as die betrokke gesondheidsowerhede. Ingeligte skriftelike toestemming is verkry van die deelnemers sowel as van die ouers in geval van minderjaige tieners. Tydens die data-analise is data gekodeer en in temas en sub- temas kategoriseer. 'n Skriftelike verslag is saamgestel ooreenkomstig die interpretasie uit die data-analise. Die navorser het na transkripsie met elke onderskeie deelnemer gekontroleer ten einde geldigheid van die data te verseker. Maslow (1968) se teorie is gebruik as konseptuele raamwerk vir die studie. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat daar 'n behoefte is aan ouerlike tussentrede betreffende tienerswangerskappe. Finansiële probleme in verband met armoede is ïdentifiseer as een van die groot bydraende faktore tot tienerswangerskappe, sowel as dat houdings van diegene wat kontrasepsie verskaf daartoe kan lei dat tieners nie wil gebruik maak van voorbehoedmiddels nie. Dit word aanbeveel dat die dienste by die kliniek moet verbeter; gesondheidswerkers uitgebreide opleiding en onderrig moet kry ten opsigte van tienergesondheid en seksualiteit behoeftes. Hersiening en vernuwing van opvoedkundige programme by skole om in die voortdurende veranderende behoeftes van tieners, te voldoen. Die betrokkenheid van ouers en die gemeenskap in die bestryding van kwessies rondom tienerswangerskappe is noodsaaklik. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel om oplossings te vind om hierdie probleem van tienerswangerskappe aan te spreek. Alle belanghebbendes moet saamwerk om hierdie sosiale probleem op te los.
3
Thomas, Amy N. "Pregnancy intendedness among a low income population." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2000. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1311.
4
Romaniuk, D. G. "Dental status of pregnant women in different trimester of pregnancy." Thesis, БДМУ, 2020. http://dspace.bsmu.edu.ua:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/17830.
5
Macleod, Catriona. "Teenage pregnancy." Springer, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015906.
Abstract:
In a book on preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes in developing countries, the World Health Organisation (2011) declares that ‘adolescent pregnancy’ contributes to maternal, perinatal and infant mortality, and to a vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health. This statement reflects the common public assumption that ‘teenage pregnancy’ represents an individual, social, health, educational and financial risk that requires remediation. This kind of public perception is spurred by media coverage in which young girls with large protruding stomachs are etched in profile and stories of calamity are told (e.g. Time (21 June 2005) magazine). And yet the very notion of 'teenage pregnancy' is a relatively recent one. Depending on the country one talks about, it has been around since between the 1960s and 1980s. In the United States, for example, the rise of ‘teenage pregnancy’ as a social problem was associated with a shift in gendered power relations. Prior to the late 1960s the morally loaded concepts of 'unwed mother' and 'illegitimate child' were used to describe young women who conceived. For the most part, young pregnant women were excluded from society, with the accompanying shame around the lack of proper conjugal arrangements. The use of the term 'teenage pregnancy' removed the implied moral judgment and replaced it with seeming scientific neutrality. Young pregnant women now became publicly visible and thus the object of scientific scrutiny (Arney & Bergen, 1984).
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Oviedo, Sonia. "Adolescent Pregnancy: Voices Heard in the Everyday Lives of Pregnant Teenagers." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1995. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc279259/.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine the problems that pregnant teenagers encounter at school and at home while they are trying to complete their high school education. Data were collected by in-depth interviews. Twenty pregnant adolescents, who were between the ages of 15 through 18, and were participants in a special teen pregnancy program were interviewed.
The major findings in this study included the respondents': 1) unstable family life histories, 2) denial that they were pregnant, 3) need for self-identity as an adult, 4) conflict with parents and 5) motivation to complete their high school education. This study points to the need for more research on the problems that pregnant adolescents encounter in their everyday lives.
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McKeating, Daniel R. "Elemental Metabolomics in Pregnancy." Thesis, Griffith University, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/403231.
Abstract:
Nutrition is fundamentally important for human health and development; in particular, an adequate supply of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins as well as specific elements in the form of vitamins and minerals. An insufficient intake of macronutrients or micronutrients leads to poor metabolism and physiological changes associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Maternal nutrition is perhaps the most important determinant in foetal development in all mammalian species including humans. Additionally, nutrition in pregnancy can have long term effects on the developing infant and has been associated with development of chronic disease later in life. Changes in micronutrient status have been associated with gestational complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia (PE), foetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm birth. Pregnancy disorders such as these are poorly understood despite extensive research, and novel research into this field is desperately required. Recent advancements in technology have allowed the simultaneous measurement of large numbers of elements and metabolites. Currently, we only know how a handful of elements affect pregnancy outcomes, even though many are likely to be essential to human development. This research aimed to determine the elemental nutrition status of pregnant woman and correlate this with (1) weeks gestation, (2) pregnancy health and (3) mechanisms that may contribute to disease, with the ultimate goal of using these values to determine gestational outcomes. This was to be conducted through series of cohort analysis, providing detailed baseline information on micronutrient levels in non-pregnant and pregnant Australians, to then determine if aberrant changes in nutrition are present, and how this may contribute to any disease state.
It was critical to establish a means of multi-elemental analysis on ICP-MS that was reproducible and conformed to rigorous quality control standards, ensuring the validity of measurements. This was done through the use of placental cord blood plasma, and in collaboration with an externally accredited laboratory for elemental measurements, ensuring the laboratory facilities and ICP-MS methodologies in place at Griffith University are comparable to a nationally accredited analytical facility. For post method validation, elements within a healthy population had to be determined, to then discern what can be considered abnormal. Elemental reference ranges were established in healthy non-pregnant donors attending the Red Cross Blood Bank (Queensland Red Cross Blood Service). Generally, the levels of elements were comparable to other countries and within published reference ranges. Age was associated with increases in Fe, Se, Cd, Cs, and Pb; whilst Cu, I, and Tl decreased. Sex specific differences included higher levels of Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, Cs, and Pb in males; whilst females had higher concentrations of Co, Cu, As, and Cd. What was interesting, was the varied concentrations of some elements between some regions within the same country, a trend that would be repeated across different studies in this thesis. Having measured the concentrations of elements in a non-pregnant population, it was essential to quantify elements in pregnant women across gestation for comparison and to determine what may be considered normal for gestation. Due to the constant growth and change that is associated with pregnancy, non-pregnant, 18-, 28-, and 36-week pregnant women were tested. There were no signs of elemental deficiencies, or over nutrition in either the non-pregnant or pregnant samples in these studies; nor was there any evidence of pollutants, contaminants, or abnormal levels of heavy metals. It was established that the changes that occur across gestation are extensive, with concentrations varying throughout gestation. However, it appears that there are a number of key factors that may influence these gestational concentrations that need to be considered, namely environmental exposures and collection methods. Further this project then highlighted changes of elements that occurred across gestation, and in pregnancy outcomes such as PE, GDM, FGR, and preterm birth. It assessed the use of elements as a means of predicting gestational outcomes at 18 and 36-weeks, indicating that earlier gestation measurements may provide a better means of discrimination, though validation is required in order to confirm these results. This thesis also evaluated small molecule metabolites and their ability to characterise and differentiate, non-pregnant, healthy pregnant, and poor gestational outcomes, noting significantly better results than elemental analysis. Specifically, in discrimination capabilities with data analysis models, small molecule metabolites outperformed the models constructed based on elements. Although further validation is required before these methods could be applied clinically. Knowledge of the influence of region, collections methods, and time of sample collection were also highlighted through cohorts from across Australia. This thesis proposes the use of a standard operating procedure for elemental and metabolic analysis to ensure the consistency of measurements, aiming to minimise preventable variance in the future.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Medical Science
Griffith Health
Full Text
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Saewyc, Elizabeth Marie. "Meanings of pregnancy and motherhood among out-of-home pregnant adolescents /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7318.
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Al-Rasasi, Buthaina. "Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcome." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2003. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/843490/.
Abstract:
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), which is known to affect nearly 70% of all pregnant women, has been associated with favourable pregnancy outcomes such as decreased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and premature delivery. The aim of this research was to determine the mechanism by which these protective effects of NVP may be brought about. Women suffering from NVP may decrease their intake due to the symptoms, may increase their intake to alleviate symptoms, or may change the quality of their diet. Both a retrospective questionnaire survey (n=201) and a prospective cohort study (n=52) were carried out between April 1999 and August 2001. Women were recruited mainly from two GP clinics in Guildford. It was found from both studies that the prevalence of NVP in the Guildford area is similar to that reported in other studies. Although this study found no relationship between NVP and birth weight and gestational age, women with NVP had higher cord IGF-1 levels compared to women without NVP (p=0.044). In addition, duration of NVP was inversely related to birthweight to placental ratio (p=0.011). Forty three women provided complete dietary information. It was found that energy intakes did not differ between women who had NVP compared with women who had no NVP, however the quality of diet varied between women with NVP and those without NVP. This is probably due to the fact that women with NVP had a high risk of cravings and aversions in pregnancy, leading to the difference in intake of certain nutrients such as riboflavin, calcium, zinc and copper. The strong association between NVP and aversions in pregnancy (P= 0.026) found in the retrospective study could lend further support to the "Embryo protection" hypothesis, which states that NVP is a protective mechanism, which has evolved to prevent the mother from the ingestion of foods that could be harmful to the fetus. Further studies using larger sample sizes, covering a range of socio-economic status and different regions are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn.
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Heimstad, Runa. "Post-term pregnancy." Doctoral thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-1925.
Abstract:
Overtidig svangerskap er å betrakte som et risikosvangerskap. Studier har vist at det ved overtid er økt risiko for død i mors mage og i nyfødtperioden. I mange land settes derfor fødselen i gang en uke etter at terminen er passert, men i Skandinavia er det tradisjon for å la svangerskapet fortsette 2-3 uker etter at terminen er passert. Studier har vist at det å sette fødselen i gang også er forbundet med komplikasjoner for mor og barn. Behandlingen av det ellers ukompliserte overtidige svangerskap er kontroversiell.
Avhandlingen består av 4 delstudier.
I den første studien undersøkte vi hvordan det gikk med mor og barn i forhold til hvilken svangerskapsuke fødselen skjedde. Vi undersøkte også om det var forskjellige resultater for mor og barn om fødselen startet av seg selv eller ble igangsatt. Alle kvinner som fødte etter 37. svangerskapsuke ved St.Olavs Hospital i perioden 1990-2001 ble inkludert. Resultatene viste at komplikasjoner hos mor varierte med svangerskapslengden, og var lavest en uke før termin og høyest når svangerskapet var overtidig. Komplikasjoner for barnet varierte med svangerskapslengde bare hvis fødselen startet av seg selv. Igangsetting av fødsel var en risiko for komplikasjoner uavhengig av svangerskapslengde.
Den andre studien sammenlignet sykelighet hos barna og komplikasjoner hos mor hvis fødselen ble satt i gang en uke over termin eller svangerskapet ble kontrollert hver 3. dag til hun var nesten 3 uker over terminen. Kvinnene trakk lodd om hvilken gruppe de skulle komme i, og til sammen deltok 508 kvinner. Sykeligheten hos barna var den samme i begge grupper. Det var flere raske fødsler i gruppen som fikk fødselen igangsatt, men det var det ingen forskjell på forekomsten av komplikasjoner mellom gruppene. Keisersnittfrekvensen var lav.
Kvinnene som deltok i den andre studien ble intervjuet om sitt syn på overtidig svangerskap når de ble inkludert. Dette ble gjentatt 6-8 måneder etter fødselen, og de ble da også spurt om hvilke erfaringer de hadde gjort seg og hvordan de ønsket å bli fulgt opp i et evt. fremtidig overtidig svangerskap. En uke over termin svarte 74% at de ønsket å få fødselen igangsatt. De fleste (84%) som fikk fødselen igangsatt rapporterte at dette var en positiv opplevelse, og 74% ønsket å bli igangsatt hvis de skulle bli overtidige i et fremtidig svangerskap. Bare 38% av de som kom i ventegruppen ønsket å vente. I gruppen som ble igangsatt var det flere raske fødsler, og kvinnene anga at riene var mer intense og hyppige i denne gruppen sammenlignet med ventegruppen.
I den siste studien så vi på data fra Medisinsk Fødselsregister for alle fødsler etter 41 uker i Norge i perioden 1999-2005. Vi ønsket å studere forekomsten av fosterdød i mors mage og død i tidlig nyfødtperiode og regne ut hvor mange fødsler man måtte sette i gang for eventuelt å unngå 1 dødsfall. Forekomsten av dødsfall var lav, men økte med svangerskapslengden. Ved uke 41 må man sette i gang > 500 fødsler for å unngå 1 dødsfall, ved uke 43 < 200. Hvis vi i Norge skal sette alle fødsler i gang ved 41 uker, vil dette medføre > 14.000 igangsettinger i året.
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Stafne, Signe Nilssen. "Exercise During Pregnancy." Doctoral thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, barne- og kvinnesykdommer, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-17094.
Abstract:
Friske gravide anbefales å trene regelmessig under svangerskapet for å fortsette å oppnå de samme helsegevinstene som ved trening i ikke-gravid tilstand. Når det gjelder forebygging og behandling av svangerskapsrelaterte plager, har det ikke tidligere vært gjennomført store randomiserte kontrollerte studier for å studere mulig effekt av trening i svangerskapet. Dagens kunnskap er hovedsakelig basert på observasjonsstudier. TRIP-studien er en to-armet, to-senter, randomisert kontrollert studie og ble gjennomført i perioden 2007-2010. Studien inkluderte 855 friske, gravide kvinner fra Trondheim og Stavanger. Kvinnene ble tilfeldig fordelt i en treningsgruppe og i en kontrollgruppe. Kvinnene i treningsgruppen ble tilbudt et 12-ukers standardisert treningsprogram med ukentlig gruppetrening, ledet av fysioterapeut, og to dager egentrening. Kvinnene i kontrollgruppen fulgte vanlig svangerskapsomsorg. Kvinnene ble testet i svangerskapsuke 18-22 og retestet i svangerskapsuke 32-36. Målet med denne studien var: I) å undersøke om deltagelse i treningsprogrammet kunne redusere forekomsten av svangerskapsdiabetes og gi bedre insulinresistens, II) å undersøke om kvinner i treningsgruppen rapporterte mer rygg- og bekkensmerter enn kvinner i kontrollgruppen, III) å undersøke om kvinner i treningsgruppen som ble tilbudt et generelt treningsprogram inkludert bekkenbunnstrening, rapporterte mindre inkontinens enn kontrollgruppen og IV) å undersøke om energiforbruket, målt med en fysisk aktivitetsmonitor, SenseWearTM Pro2 Armband, er forskjellig fra energiforbruket målt med indirekte kalorimetri. Totalt 55 % av kvinnene i treningsgruppen trente tre ganger per uke eller mer på moderat til høy intensitet på slutten av svangerskapet. Til sammenligning trente 10 % i kontrollgruppen tilsvarende (p<0.001). I) Det var ingen forskjell på gruppene i forekomst av svangerskapsdiabetes eller insulinresistens. II) Andelen kvinner med rygg- og bekkensmerter var lik i begge gruppene, men færre kvinner i treningsgruppen var sykmeldt på grunn av ryggog bekkensmerter. III) Forekomsten av urininkontinens var mindre i treningsgruppen, og treningsprogrammet viste seg å ha både forebyggende og behandlende effekt. Det var ingen forskjell på gruppene i andel kvinner som rapporterte analinkontinens. IV) SenseWearTM Pro2 Armband viste seg å være en god fysisk aktivitetsmonitor for å registrere totalt energiforbruk hos gravide. Resultater fra TRIP-studien understøtter de generelle anbefalingene om at gravide kvinner bør trene i svangerskapet. En grundig instruksjon i korrekt bekkenbunnstrening og et bekkenbunnstreningsprogram bør inngå i treningsgrupper for gravide kvinner
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Granfors, Michaela. "Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för kvinnors och barns hälsa, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-247090.
Abstract:
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. On a global level, iodine deficiency is still the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Also genetic variations, in particular SNP rs4704397 in the PDE8B gene, are responsible for a significant proportion of TSH variations. Untreated hypothyroidism has significant adverse effects on pregnancy and fetal outcome. Most international guidelines suggest targeted thyroid testing in pregnant women with risk factors for thyroid disturbances. In a case-control study, an association between homozygous A/A as well as homozygous G/G carriers of SNP rs 4704397 in PDE8B and recurrent miscarriage was found. The explanation for this association is unknown. In a nationwide survey, all guidelines for thyroid testing and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy in Sweden were collected and compared with international guidelines. The local guidelines were variable and poorly compliant with the international guidelines. In a follow-up in one district, 5,254 pregnant women were included for subsequent review of their medical reports. We found a targeted thyroid testing rate of 20.1% in clinical practice, with an overall frequency of women with trimester-specific elevated TSH of 18.5%. More disturbingly, half of the women who were on levothyroxine treatment at the time of conception had an elevated TSH level at thyroid testing. In a subsequent cohort study of the 5,254 women, we found the prevalence of trimester-specific elevated TSH and overt hypothyroidism to be equal in targeted thyroid tested and untested women. In a cross-sectional study, a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of 98 μg/l was found in the study population. According to WHO/UNICEF/IGN criteria, the population-based median UIC during pregnancy should be 150-249 μg/l. In conclusion, genetic variations may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In clinical practice, thyroid testing and the management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy is unsatisfactory, regarding the whole chain from development of local guidelines to their implementation and to targeted thyroid testing. Moreover, our results indicate insufficient iodine status in the pregnant population of Sweden.
13
MacDonald, Donald John. "Gluconeogenesis in pregnancy." Thesis, Glasgow Caledonian University, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.382733.
14
Semenyak, A. V. "Overweight and pregnancy." Thesis, БДМУ, 2021. http://dspace.bsmu.edu.ua:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/18720.
15
Veenstra, van Nieuwenhoven Angélique L. "Immunology of pregnancy." [S.l. : [Groningen : s.n.] ; University of Groningen] [Host], 2009. http://irs.ub.rug.nl/ppn/.
16
Knights, Penelope Anne. "Magnesium status in normal and diabetic pregnancy : pregnancy outcome and lactation." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.263332.
17
Major, Virginia Smith. "Pregnancy in the workplace stigmatization and work identity management among pregnant employees /." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/1899.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2004.Thesis research directed by: Psychology. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
18
Kane, Nicole M. "Stromal cell function in non-pregnant endometrium and decidua of early pregnancy." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/24751.
Abstract:
The aims of this research project have been to investigate the role of TGFβ1 in mediating factors involved in decidualization, with particular regard to expression of nuclear progesterone receptor (PR), the Wnt antagonist, Dickkopf-1 (DKK) and markers of decidualisation in order to identify a potential role for TGFβ1 in decidualisation and menstruation, and to further characterise the uNK cell to extrapolate how uNK cells may interact with other uterine hormones and ESCs during the secretory phase and early pregnancy. In primary human ESC cultures, both non-decidualised and decidualised in vitro PR and DKK expression levels were downregulated after TGFβ1 treatment in both non-decidualised and decidualised cells but TGFβ1 was without effect on progesterone binding to the progesterone response element (PRE). In addition TGFβ1 treatment of in vitro decidualised ESCs and stromal cells from 1st trimester decidua inhibited production of classical decidualisation markers. SMAD4 knockdown employing siRNA techniques revealed that TGFβ1 was not acting via the SMAD signalling pathway and may be acting via alternative pathways e.g. Wnt, MAP kinase and JNK signalling. Primary cultures of human uNK cells have been used for studying the possibility that LH and hCG may be the hormones responsible for the influx and proliferation of uNK cells. LH/hCG receptors were not expressed on the uNK cells, however, mannose receptors, which have been proposed to bind hCG, were localised to uNK cells. Furthermore, when uNK cells were treated with hCG, colocalisation with hCG and mannose receptors was observed. Further investigation into the interactions between the mannose receptor and LH/hCG would be important in clarifying the mechanisms controlling uNK influx and proliferation. The interactions between ESCs and uNK cells need to be clarified further to assess the roles of uNK cells in reproductive processes. This work has thus revealed a potential novel mechanism for the influx and recruitment of uNK cells mediated by the mannose receptor.
19
Bottoman, Phathiswa Esona. "Pregnant women’s construction of social support from their intimate partners during pregnancy." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62560.
Abstract:
There is a growing body of research aimed at understanding social support during pregnancy in South Africa. Pregnancy is constantly referred to as one of the challenging and stressful periods affecting women’s physical and psychological well-being. Various research studies on social support argue that social support is paramount at this stage. Research on social support indicates that having adequate and quality social support impacts on how pregnant women experience pregnancy. My interest in social support comes in the wake of absent fathers in South Africa and with the emerging trend of “new” fathers. Although there is a volume of research on social support, it tends to be realist. Using a social constructionist framework, I explore other ways of talking about social support in an attempt to expand the discourse around social support. I explore how pregnant women talk about social support during pregnancy from their intimate partners in the small rural municipality of Elundini, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Intimate partner support was limited to heterosexual partners regardless of their marital status. The sampling procedure followed a non-probability sampling method. Participants of the study were between 24 and 32 years old. Their gestational age ranged between five and eight months. Fourteen in-depth interviews using photo-elicitation were conducted with seven participants and were analysed using a social constructionist informed thematic analysis. The major theme that emerged from the analysis was partner involvement and absence during pregnancy. The analysis of results suggests that expectant father presence translates to social support. Participants constructed his presence as reassurance in the context of possible abandonment. Absence was constructed in different ways: participants constructed absence as unjust and unfair, absence and marriage, temporary absence in the form of cultural phenomenon of ukwaliswa/ukubukubazana, absence as normal but burdening to the pregnant women’s social network. Participants reported that social support from the expectant father affected pregnancy wantedness.
20
Price, Tabitha. "Periodontal Disease and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Treatment Recommendations for the Pregnant Patient." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2010. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/2530.
21
Nwi-ue, Letam. "Predictors of Poor Pregnancy Outcomes Among Pregnant Women in Island Maternity, Nigeria." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7245.
Abstract:
Pregnancy outcomes have improved tremendously in developed countries. Notwithstanding, it is still a huge challenge in developing countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015 in Nigeria, about 145 women died daily from pregnancy-related causes. Similarly, nearly 2,300 children under 5 years were lost in the same year. Nigeria consistently underperformed in some of the critical pregnancy indicators such as maternal and neonatal mortality, second worst only to India in the world. Studies on poor pregnancy outcomes are scarce in Nigeria. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective cross-sectional study was to use local evidence to ascertain the risk factors that predict poor pregnancy outcomes for women of childbearing age (15-49 years old) in Nigeria. The theoretical framework for this study was the social cognitive theory. Secondary data from 400 pregnant women from Island Maternity Hospital, Nigeria, was used for this study. Five central research questions were analyzed through univariate and multiple logistic regressions. The results indicated moderate to strong statistically significant associations between outcomes of last pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, and the timing of antenatal care booking with maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and low birth weight, even after controlling for other covariates. Findings from this study may foster positive social change by further enhancing the understanding of poor pregnancy outcomes, especially in Nigeria. It will help public health practitioners, policymakers, community leaders and other stakeholders to design strategies and interventions that will take advantage of cultural and religious norms and educational status of women of childbearing age in promoting reproductive health in Nigeria.
22
Tong, Stephen. "Investigation of novel endocrine markers of early pregnancy and later pregnancy health." Monash University, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2004. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9689.
23
Allen, Norma Reynolds. "Teen Pregnancy: What Brings Teens To Family Planning Clinics For Pregnancy Tests." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 1998. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/AllenNR1998.pdf.
24
Staufer, Lorry E. "Teen pregnancy prevention programs a systematic review of effects on pregnancy rates /." [Denver, Colo.] : Regis University, 2008. http://165.236.235.140/lib/LStaufer2008.pdf.
25
Meaney-Delman, Dana. "A Systematic Review of Bacillus anthracis in Pregnant and Postpartum Women." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2012. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/iph_theses/216.
Abstract:
Objective: To describe the worldwide experience of Bacillus anthracis infection reported in pregnant and postpartum women.
Data Sources: Studies were identified through MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, EMBASE, and GLOBAL HEALTH databases from inception until April 2012. The keywords [(“anthrax” or “anthracis”) and (“pregna*” or “matern*” or “post partum” or “postpartum” or “puerperal” or “lact*” or “breastfed*” or “fetal” or “fetus” or “neonate” or “newborn” or “abort*” or “uterus”)] were used. In addition, all references from selected articles were reviewed, hand searches were conducted and relevant authors were contacted.
Methods of Study Selection: The inclusion criteria were: 1) published articles referring to women diagnosed with an anthrax infection during pregnancy or within six months postpartum, 2) any article type reporting patient-specific data, 3) articles in any language, and 4) non-duplicate cases. Non-English articles were professionally translated. Duplicate reports, unpublished reports and review articles depicting previously identified cases were excluded.
Tabulation, Integration and Results: Two authors independently reviewed articles for inclusion. The primary search of the 4 databases yielded 800 articles and the secondary cross-reference search revealed 146 articles. Seven articles from these searches met inclusion criteria. By contacting the lead author of the largest systematic review of inhalation anthrax to date, 6 additional articles, published before the databases’ inception, were identified that met inclusion criteria. In total, 19 cases of anthrax infection were found, 16 in pregnant women and 3 in postpartum women.
Conclusions: Based on these case reports, anthrax infection in pregnant and postpartum women is associated with high rates of maternal and fetal death. Evidence of possible maternal-fetal transmission of B. anthracis was identified in early case reports. Transmission of B. anthracis through breast milk has not been reported. This review provides important insight to guide anthrax treatment and prophylaxis recommendations for pregnant and postpartum women.
26
Noftall, Alice. "The experience of men whose partners are hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies : a phenomenological study /." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape4/PQDD_0016/MQ55532.pdf.
27
Williams, N. R. "Zinc in human pregnancy." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.517756.
28
Ledwaba, Lesetsa Joel. "Dismissal due to pregnancy." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/433.
Abstract:
Previously, our workplaces were characterised by serious hardships emanating from labour laws which did not always cater for all areas of the employment relationship. South African female employees were without a clear legitimate remedial right precluding any severe violation and infringement to their fundamental rights resulting from their pregnancy; a task they did not opt for in the first place, but was instead, naturally imposed on them as a result of their gender category. Undoubtedly, many female employees were victims of unfair discrimination. The legislature therefore saw it fit to democratise the workplace by making rapid statutory interventions. As a result, a number of significant changes in various spheres of our labour laws were brought in. Amongst the greatly notable valuable changes was the introduction of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. This piece of legislation has generally reformed our industrial society by bringing in the elimination of unfair discrimination and thereby enhancing the principle of equity in the workplace. The act has further touched a place within hearts of female employees for fear of discrimination as a result of their pregnancy status or any reasons related to their pregnancy. The act further codified Industrial Court decisions that were already established under the discrimination law jurisprudence from the Labour Relations Act 28 of 1956. The application of the provisions of the Act has made the employment relationship no longer to be a comfort zone for employers. These general changes to the law also impact on the dismissal law regime. The purpose of this treatise is to give an overview of the applicable legislation and contributions made by the Labour Courts in developing pregnancy dismissal and discrimination law. The Labour Courts have handed down few judgements that have helped in clarifying the provisions of both the current Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act around the topic. One should hasten to say that this has never been a smooth process by the courts. It is further shown in this treatise that some of the court decisions were not well accepted in the light of other important considerations, such as the equality provisions of the Constitution. For the purpose of effectively dealing with this topic, this treatise contains a discussion of the historical context of discrimination law in the form of common-law position, and the discrimination law before the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. It then endeavours to identify the legislative provision of the Act when it comes to discrimination law provisions. At the same time the important court decisions that were made are identified and examined.
29
Hill, Becky Carolynn. "Eating disorders during pregnancy." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq22744.pdf.
30
Sutherland, Suzanne M. "Pregnancy, a social construction." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ33455.pdf.
31
Katz, Anne. "HIV screening in pregnancy." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape4/PQDD_0020/NQ56153.pdf.
32
Lindqvist, Rune. "Smoking cessation during pregnancy /." Stockholm : [Karolinska Univ. Press], 2001. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2001/91-7349-034-2/.
33
Thorell, Eva. "Physical Fitness and Pregnancy." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Allmänmedicin och preventivmedicin, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-203630.
Abstract:
Objectives To assess physical fitness in pregnancy and to evaluate its effect on perceived health, back pain, blood pressure and duration of gestation. Also, to evaluate the effect of serum relaxin levels on blood pressure and duration of gestation. Material and methods A prospective cohort of 520 pregnant women were examined in early pregnancy and five months postpartum with regard to socio-demographic characteristics and estimated peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak, est.). Serum concentrations of relaxin were carried out in early pregnancy. Physical exercise, possible back pain and blood pressure were measured repeatedly throughout pregnancy. Results Absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy was positively correlated to perceived health, which was lower during than after pregnancy. The average absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy of 2.4 l/minute was 0.02 l/minute less than the V̇O2 peak, est. postpartum, while regular physical exercise decreased throughout pregnancy. Absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy was not associated to the incidence of any low back pain location in pregnancy or postpartum, but inversely to intensity of back pain and diastolic blood pressure and positively with duration of gestation. Elevated serum relaxin levels were associated with decreased diastolic blood pressure and higher duration of gestation among women with miscarriage. Conclusions Perceived health, diastolic blood pressure and duration of gestation were positively affected by physical fitness while no effect was shown on the incidence of back pain. The effect of physical fitness on duration of gestation and diastolic blood pressure might have clinical implications as well as the increased serum relaxin levels on miscarriages.
34
Brocard, Pauline. "Anaemia and pregnancy outcome." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.426212.
35
Albilal, Nawal. "Nanomaterials for pregnancy detection." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/50708.
Abstract:
Point of care (POC) is a powerful tool as a diagnostic test because of its advantage of being small, portable device and rapid results obtained. One major class of POC is the lateral flow assay (LFA), which is widely used for protein determinations. A home pregnancy test is the most successful example of the LFAs. A limitation of being quantitative or at best semi quantitative assay leads to improve the assay performance and to enhance its sensitivity. Hence, for this project, a switch from visual detections to electrochemical measurements is the primary goal, which occurred by developing the assay’ concept with keeping the ease and robustness of the traditional LF assay. The integration of streptavidin lateral flow with electrochemical measurements (in particular voltammetric techniques) is the key element to introduce an electrochemical lateral flow assay (ELFA). This concept was based on the amplification of the polymer nanoparticles. A pH responsive eudragit S- 100 was synthesized by nanoprecipitation process. These PNPs are encapsulated with redox active probe such as hydroxylmethyl ferrocene. Eudragit S-100 is dissolved at pH > 7 and it is insoluble in an acidic condition. This dissolution mechanism is preferable since the release of entrapped probe can be controlled until it is being detectable at the test line. Our findings summarized as follows; nanoprecipitation process is able to synthesis PNPs encapsulated both hydroxylmethyl ferrocene and methylene blue. These small-sized particles (~200 nm and ~300 nm) have a highly value negative zeta potentials (-34 mV and -29 mV). These two proprieties respectively, are important in enhancing the probe loading efficiency and in efficient adsorption with the antibody. From our data, it was found that more than 50% of the probes were encapsulated. Further characterizations were performed to investigate the probes’ electroactivity as well as their electrochemical behavior. These voltammetric techniques include cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry, the results suggested good electrochemical behaviors of both probes in respect of their release form the PNPs in immobilized format as well as in the aqueous phase. Importantly, an electrochemical lateral flow assay (ELFA) was investigated the FcMeOH-PNPs and was successfully demonstrated in the presence of varied concentrations of hCG compared to the control (absence of hCG). This indicates that the applied approach was proven. However, further improvements are needed. This led to move toward the screen-printed technology to realize a point of care device.
36
Kourieh, Jacqueline. "Optical immunoassays for pregnancy." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2015. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.709004.
37
Mitchell-Hardt, Molly J. "Pregnancy Within the Patriarchy." Thesis, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2019. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13806330.
Abstract:
This thesis explores the evolution of consciousness through the lens of the relationship between masculine and feminine from the Neolithic era to the present and the impact on pregnancy and birth within the current patriarchy. Using heuristic and hermeneutic methodologies, the author"s experience through her pregnancy is explored as an example of the often dysfunctional and disempowering interplay between masculine and feminine in the modern era. The author specifies possible avenues of healing, integration, and awakening into a new state of consciousness. In an overarching traumatized collective culture that is characterized by the patriarchal system, how does the current medical model of childbirth, governed by the same rules of the patriarchal system in which it was born, distort the feminine experience? What is the impact of being pregnant and having a baby within this cultural paradigm on humanity at large as well as on individuals including mothers and babies?
38
Sarberg, Maria. "Sleep disorders during pregnancy." Doctoral thesis, Linköpings universitet, Avdelningen för kliniska vetenskaper, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-117869.
Abstract:
Background Sleep disorders are known to increase in prevalence during pregnancy, and associations between disturbed sleep during pregnancy and adverse outcomes for mother and child have been reported in a number of studies. However, most of these studies were retrospective and too small to satisfactorily demonstrate the association. Aims To prospectively investigate the development of snoring during pregnancy and assess if there is an association between snoring and sleepiness or adverse pregnancy outcomes. To study the development of restless legs syndrome during and after pregnancy, and whether it is associated with snoring or other pregnancy-related symptoms. To investigate the possible association between depressive symptoms in the postpartum period and sleep related problems during pregnancy, using screening instruments. To objectively evaluate sleep disordered breathing in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls and to evaluate differences in Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores between the two groups. Methods Questionnaires containing subjective rating of snoring, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and symptoms of restless legs were used in all studies. Information from the medical records of the pregnant women was also utilized. For objective evaluation of sleep disordered breathing, nocturnal respiratory recordings were used. In the research for the first three papers the same cohort of 500 pregnant women was followed on three occasions during pregnancy and also after delivery, and for the last paper, 100 other pregnant women were compared to 80 nonpregnant controls. Results and conclusions Both snoring and restless legs syndrome increase during pregnancy, but this had no convincing impact on obstetric outcome. Sleep recordings could not verify an increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among pregnant women. Restless legs syndrome was associated with snoring and could persist after delivery. Women who had high scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in the last trimester of pregnancy showed more depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. No difference in item scoring of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was found between pregnant women and controls.
39
Stock, Sarah J. E. "Natural antimicrobials in pregnancy." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/4387.
Abstract:
Natural antimicrobials are peptides that are essential components of the innate immune system, providing broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, yeasts and some viruses. In addition to their innate immune activity, they exhibit properties suggesting they interact with the adaptive immune system. These functions imply they may be of particular importance in pregnancy. Intrauterine infection is responsible for approximately one third of cases of preterm labour, and normal labour is considered an inflammatory process, associated with leukocyte invasion of the uterine tissues and increased cytokine production. Little is known, however, about natural antimicrobial expression in pregnant reproductive tract. The aim of this thesis was thus to characterize natural antimicrobial production in pregnancy. The study focused on two main areas - the lower genital tract, comprised of the vagina and cervix; and the innermost fetal membrane, the amnion. In the lower genital tract, levels of natural antimicrobials were determined in samples of cervicovaginal secretions collected from pregnant women, using enzyme linked immunosorbance assay (ELISA). In addition Taqman quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to investigate natural antimicrobial production by cell lines derived from endocervical, ectocervical and vaginal epithelium. It was found that elafin and secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were found at high concentrations in cervicovaginal secretions, but levels were diminished in women with the common vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis (p<0.05). Cells derived from the vaginal epithelium expressed greater amounts of elafin than cervically derived cells. However, elafin and SLPI production could be stimulated in endocervical cells by the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide, a response that was not seen in the vaginal cell line. Natural antimicrobial production in the amnion was examined in tissue explants and primary cultured amnion cells, using a combination of Taqman PCR and ELISAs. In addition, cDNA microarray was carried out to investigate factors controlling amniotic antimicrobial production, and the involvement of signalling pathways was studied using specific pathway inhibitors. It was shown that the amnion expressed five antimicrobials: human beta defensins (HBD) 1, 2 and 3, SLPI and elafin. Expression of HBD2 was significantly upregulated following normal labour (p<0.05), with production in primary amnion epithelial cells dramatically increased by IL-1ß. The pattern of HBD2 expression in response to IL-1ß was biphasic, which suggested involvement of a secondary gene product. Several putative influential factors were identified by cDNA micorarray, including the NF-kappaB cofactor NFkappaBinhibitorζ. Its relationship to HBD2 was explored. The involvement of both NF-kappaB and mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 signalling appeared crucial in the response. This work has shown that natural antimicrobials are expressed by both the lower genital tract, where infections that are associated with preterm labour originate, and in the amnion, which is the fetus last line of defence to infection. They may have an important role in the prevention of infection associated preterm labour. Further characterization of these responses may increase understanding of the physiology, and pathophysiology of labour, and lead to strategies for the prevention of premature delivery.
40
Lørup, Lise. "Physiological patterns in pregnancy." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2016. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:d14b1507-140e-4647-889f-d6b98237100d.
Abstract:
The Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the UK have highlighted an urgent need for development of a national Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (MEOWS) to aid the more timely recognition and treatment of complications in pregnancy. Six vital signs are used to assess the clinical status of women presenting acutely during and immediately after pregnancy: heart rate, oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate. In the case of MEOWS, these define the thresholds that determine if a woman requires further medical review. Dynamic changes in maternal vital sign physiology associated with pregnancy complicate the use of vital signs to detect physiological deterioration. These changes are currently poorly described in the literature. The aim of this work is to establish the normal physiological response to pregnancy in low-risk pregnant women, in terms of expected changes in vital signs. Using this knowledge, we will propose the first evidence-based, gestation-specific MEOWS chart. To achieve this, we have set up the Prediction of Physiological Patterns in Pregnancy (4P) study. Using a custom-designed digital health system, healthcare professionals and women self-monitoring at home collect large numbers of vital sign measurements electronically. In particular, as respiratory rate currently is the only vital sign measured manually in routine clinical care, we propose two methods for electronic measurement of respiratory rate: using the in-built accelerometer of a smartphone and using the photoplethysmogram signal output by a pulse oximeter. These methods are validated against the current reference standard derived from a 15-second nurse count of breaths. This thesis uses a dataset of 2,645 sets of vital sign measurements, collected from 439 women during pregnancy, in the 4P study. Using the electronic methods for measurement of respiratory rate, we obtain respiratory rate estimates with a mean absolute error of 2.9 respirations per minute compared to the reference measurement. From these data, we design reference ranges for changes in all six vital signs conditional on gestational age. Using a centile-based approach, we propose gestation-specific thresholds of normality for each vital sign, which will form the basis of a new MEOWS score to alert for physiological deterioration. Defining normality is the first step in recognising abnormality.
41
Mika, Katelyn Marie. "Molecular Evolution of Pregnancy." Thesis, The University of Chicago, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10817198.
Abstract:
Unraveling the molecular etiology of a novel phenotype is still a major challenge. Mammalian pregnancy, a novel phenotype, preserves its stepwise evolution in extant species, which gives us additional tools to use to begin to unravel its evolution. Within this thesis, the evolution of three components of pregnancy are explored- the regulation of TAP2 expression, the regulation of HLA-F expression, and the possible role of transposable elements in rewiring the regulatory networks underlying major gene expression shifts at the maternal-fetal interface.
42
Nevin, James. "Pregnancy-associated cervical cancer." Thesis, University of Cape Town, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26272.
43
Brodeur, Estelle M. "Adolescent Pregnancy and Loneliness." VCU Scholars Compass, 1990. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/4379.
Abstract:
This descriptive study explored loneliness among pregnant adolescents in a southeastern metropolitan area. Numerous psychosocial variables of the special population of pregnant teens remain to be studied. One such variable is loneliness, a feeling often experienced by adolescents. The present study hypothesized that loneliness may occur during adolescent pregnancy. To date, one study exists (Diiorio & Riley, 1988) of loneliness and adolescent pregnancy.
The problem statement was: Does loneliness exist among pregnant adolescents? Three research questions were addressed:
Within this sample:
1. To what extent does loneliness exist?
2. Is loneliness more frequent during certain ages?
3. Do pregnant black and white adolescents differ in the extent to which they experience loneliness?
Participants between the ages of 14 and 18 receiving prenatal care in public health clinics and a university affiliated obstetric clinic were selected for the study. The final sample size was 78. The loneliness study was conducted as part of a larger longitudinal study, Nursing Role Supplementation for Adolescent Parents (NIH #1R01NR01939-01A1).
The dependent variable, loneliness, was measured by the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980), a 20-item Likert-type instrument. Possible scores on the tool ranged from 20 to 80, with 80 constituting the loneliest end of the continuum. The extent of loneliness was determined by the summation of numerical responses.
Data were analyzed by two methods: (a) analysis of variance (ANOVA), to determine any differences between age and loneliness score, and (b) the t-test for two independent samples, in order to examine differences in mean loneliness scores between blacks and whites in the sample.
Scores ranged from 25 to 58. "Low" to "moderate" loneliness existed among the sample; however, loneliness did not exist in greater amplitude than among nonpregnant adolescents in other studies reviewed. No significant relationship was found between age of participants and loneliness scores. Furthermore, differences in loneliness scores between blacks and whites were not statistically significant.
Finally, pregnancy may not intensify loneliness for adolescents. On the other hand, pregnancy did not diminish loneliness among pregnant adolescents in this sample.
44
Nikolova, Vanya Toncheva. "Metabolic adaptations of pregnancy." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2015. http://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/metabolic-adaptations-of-pregnancy(4711e974-0c1a-46e3-aa3a-8fd60af90b8a).html.
Abstract:
Pregnancy is a complex biological condition associated with profound changes in the metabolism of the mother, essential for the growth and development of the fetoplacental unit. We aimed to study molecular pathways that contribute to the gestational alterations in lipid metabolism. The data in this report show that adaptations in lipid homeostasis during mouse pregnancy include raised hepatic cholesterol content, decreased levels of circulating cholesterol and elevated serum triglycerides. Moreover, LXR signalling contributes to the enhanced lipogenesis in early mouse pregnancy by increasing fatty acid biosynthesis in the liver. There is a gradual down-regulation of LXR targets involved in hepatic lipogenesis, cholesterol uptake and clearance following mouse placenta formation. Pharmacological activation of LXR not only blunted the reduction of these genes but also reversed the changes in hepatic and serum lipid profiles observed during normal murine pregnancy. Our results strongly suggest that LXR signalling is altered during mouse pregnancy and this is an essential adaptation to facilitate altered maternal lipid homeostasis. Investigations were performed to establish whether maternal metabolic adaptations in energy homeostasis result from altered diurnal fluctuations in peripheral metabolic pathways. We show that pregnancy alters the activity of core clocks in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Early and advanced pregnancy changes the diurnal fluctuations in the expression of key metabolic genes in the liver in order to enhance or dampen lipogenesis respectively during these gestational periods. We present preliminary data suggesting that the temporal oscillations in bile acid metabolism are shifted during pregnancy independently of feeding patterns. Moreover, fatty acid homeostasis in skeletal muscle is changed during early pregnancy possibly as a consequence of the REV-ERBβ-dependent downregulation of Cpt1β-mediated lipid oxidation. Also, placenta lipid homeostasis exhibits robust temporal oscillations so that pathways mediating fatty acid and cholesterol transport as well as triglyceride hydrolysis become activated during the dark phase. Subcutaneous and visceral white adipose tissue depots were examined to determine whether metabolic pathways in these tissues are differentially regulated during non-complicated pregnancy and gestational cholestasis. We show evidence that although both of these depots expand in the course of gestation in order accommodate triglyceride accrual, subcutaneous fat develops a pro-inflammatory phenotype whereas visceral fat remains quiescent. Feeding of pregnant mice with a cholic acid-supplemented diet raises their serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels and reduces adipose tissue lipogenesis. Gestational cholestasis also decreases white fat inflammation in a depot-specific manner and interferes with adipose tissue remodelling and expansion. We concluded that failure of fat to grow and store surplus lipids that normally accrue during pregnancy could contribute to the development of cholestatic dyslipidaemia.
45
Loukovaara, Sirpa. "Diabetic retinopathy and pregnancy." Helsinki : University of Helsinki, 2003. http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/laa/kliin/vk/loukovaara/.
46
Karasawa, Y. "The impact of betel quid chewing during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes in Bhutan." Thesis, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (University of London), 2017. http://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/4189861/.
Abstract:
Betel (areca) nut is the fourth most widely used psychoactive substance globally, accounting for 10-20% of the world’s population. Its most basic form is betel ‘quid’ which consists of betel leaf, betel nut (the main psychoactive ingredient) and slaked lime. Evidence that betel quid and betel nut alone are associated with oral cancer has been established. Background: While there is a substantial body of evidence on the impact of health-risk behaviours including smoking and drinking alcohol on adverse pregnancy outcomes, studies on the impact of betel quid chewing on pregnancy outcomes are sparse and heterogeneous. Although several studies report the negative impact of betel quid chewing on pregnancy outcomes, the evidence is inconclusive. One of the challenges in understanding the impact of betel quid is to distinguish the impact of betel quid chewing from the impact of smoking. Bhutan, where low prevalence of smoking and high prevalence of betel-quid chewing are reported, provides a natural experimental environment for taking a close look at the impact of betel quid chewing alone. As a part of the global agenda to address preterm births (PTB) as a public health priority and in order to provide evidence to inform efforts to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality in Bhutan, this study explores the impact of betel quid chewing on birth outcomes and its importance in relation to other risk factors. Methods: This study used a multi-centre case-control design. A case was defined as a mother of a singleton live born infant whose gestational age is less than 37 completed weeks and/or an infant whose birth weight is less than 2500 g. A control was defined as a mother of singleton live born term babies whose birth weight was more than 2500g and gestational age was greater than 37 weeks. Information was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from February 2015 to the beginning of March 2016 at the three referral hospitals in Bhutan. Study participants were recruited by a trained interviewer during their post-delivery stay before discharge from each hospital. A statistical approach and a causal directed acyclic graph (DAG) approach were used for building logistic regression models. Results: Of the 669 study participants, 55% of the case mothers and 52% of the control mothers chewed betel quid during pregnancy. About 22% of cases and 22% of controls used commercial betel products during pregnancy. In total, 60% of the case mothers and 57% of the control mothers chewed either betel quid or packaged betel products during pregnancy. Neither the statistical approach nor DAG approach provided clear evidence of an association between betel quid use and low birth weight (LBW) or PTB. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of term LBW was 1.07 (95% CI: 8 0.54-2.13, p=0.845) in the statistical approach while the aOR of term LBW was 1.30 (95% CI: 0.74-2.27, p=0.439) in the DAG approach. Using the DAG approach, the aOR of PTB in association with betel quid chewing during pregnancy was 1.20 (95% CI: 0.72-2.00, p=0.614). When the total number of betel nuts consumed during the last three months of pregnancy was used as an exposure variable, the aOR for mothers who consumed more than one nut per day was 1.39 for term LBW (95%:0.52-3.68, p=0.514) and the aOR of PTB was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.27-1.66, p=0.383) compared to non-chewers. For a secondary outcome, the data suggest betel quid chewing is associated with increased odds of anaemia (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.27-3.43, p=0.004). Using the DAG approach, tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy, low gestational weight gain, and urinary tract infection showed a clear association with term LBW and PTB. Conclusion: In the present study, the results provide no clear evidence of an association between term LBW or PTB and betel quid chewing during pregnancy. For a secondary outcome, the data suggest betel quid chewing is associated with increased odds of anaemia. The present study provides rich baseline data for mothers and established a cohort of cases and controls, which could be followed up to understand the short- and long-term effects of LBW and PTB and may help design effective interventions.
47
Karthikeyan, Vellore J. "Vascular biology of pregnancy : a study of endothelial markers in hypertension in pregnancy." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2012. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/3875/.
Abstract:
Hypertension is one of the most common medical conditions complicating pregnancy, with significant implications on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Abnormalities in placentation have been implicated as the primary pathology responsible for the development of hypertension during pregnancy and its effects such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. With advancing research, the focus is now gradually shifting towards abnormalities in the maternal vasculature, including endothelial damage/dysfunction and impaired repair as a probable cause for this, with the latter also being implicated in the development of cardiovascular disorders in later life in these women. Hypertensive disorders occur in 6-8% of pregnancies. They also determine and influence the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the mother in later life. Hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome and CVD are commoner in women with pre-eclampsia and preterm deliveries, whereas the risk of cerebrovascular disease is much higher in those with recurrent spontaneous abortions. This research thesis is a study of the various processes occurring in the maternal vasculature, including angiogenesis, apoptosis, endothelial damage and regeneration/repair, the extra-cellular matrix and the haem oxygenase systems, the abnormalities that occur in them and their associations with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their complications.
48
Bayingana, Claude. "The prevalence of members of the "red complex" in pregnant women as revealed by PCR and BANA hydrolysis." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
Abstract:
Increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy may lead to periodontal disease. The anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria called red complex (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola) are frequently associated with periodontal disease. Periodontopathogens produce toxins and enzymes which can enter the bloodstream and cross the placenta to harm the foetus. The response of the mother&rsquos immune system to infection by these periodontopathogens, brings about the release of inflammatory mediators which may trigger preterm labour or result in low birth-weight infants. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of red complex, using BANA and PCR in subginginval plaque samples from pregnant women. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from pregnant women between the ages of 17 to 45 years attending a Mitchells Plain ante-natal clinic. Plaque samples were analyzed by the enzymatic BANA-test for detection of the presence of red complex and DNA was extracted and analyzed using 16 rDNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Seventy-nine percent of pregnant women showed gingival index scores of &ge
1 of which 74.24% harboured by at least one of the members of the red complex. P.gingivalis was the most prevalent of the three members of the red complex. Findings of this study confirmed a need for dental preventive measures in pregnant women and microbial monitoring of suspected periodontopathogenes. This could be achieved by joint cooperation between Maternity Obstetric Units (MOU), Dentistry and oral microbiology departments. The results of this study revealed that although PCR is more sensitive than BANA in detecting members of the red complex, BANA showed a better association with the indices used to diagnose periodontal disease.
49
Lohstroh, Peter Norton. "Chorionic gonadotropin patterns during early human pregnancy and an early marker for pregnancy outcome /." For electronic version search Digital dissertations database. Restricted to UC campuses. Access is free to UC campus dissertations, 2005. http://uclibs.org/PID/11984.
50
Sato, Alvin H. "Pregnancy intendedness in Hawaiʻi: findings from the Hawaiʻi pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system, 1999." Thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/3036.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between unintended pregnancies and demographic factors in Hawaiʻi, and to investigate the relationship between unintended pregnancies and violence in Hawaiʻi. This study used an observational, cross-sectional probability sample drawn women from June 1999 through December 1999. Women who were selected received Hawaiʻi Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) questionnaires generated from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. The main variables from the PRAMS questionnaire investigated in the study were maternal pregnancy intendedness, physical abuse 12 months before pregnancy and physical violence during pregnancy. Controlling variables investigated were maternal age, maternal education, marital status, geographical location, maternal ethnicity, parity status, Quest status, source of prenatal care, and contraceptive use. This dissertation supports the proposed ecological conceptual framework for understanding unintended pregnancies and physical violence during and around the time of pregnancy. Using this model, it could be hypothesized that women with unintended pregnancies tend to live in less stable environments and therefore unintended pregnancies and physical violence could be part of the same social problems. In general, bivariate analysis showed unintended pregnancies were significantly associated with SES factors. However, controlling for all variables in the model, only maternal age, parity status, marital status and contraceptive use were significantly associated with unintended pregnancies. Crude odds ratio showed a significant association between maternal pregnancy intendedness and physical abuse twelve months prior to pregnancy. However, when controlling for all variables in the study model proved to be not significant. A better understanding of unintended pregnancies and physical abuse around the time of pregnancies would help professionals in Hawaiʻi to screen for at risk individuals.Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 20##.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-115).
Electronic reproduction.
Also available by subscription via World Wide Web
xiii, 115 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm