Increased synthesis of cervical hyaluronan (HA) from early to late pregnancy has long been proposed to play an essential role in disorganization of the collagen-rich extracellular matrix to allow for maximal compliance and dilation of the cervix during the birth process. Here, we show that HA is not essential for increased cervical distensibility during late pregnancy. Rather, cervicovaginal HA...

BACKGROUND Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes are required for adenosine triphosphate production, with each of five different isoenzymes having varying proficiencies in anaerobic versus aerobic environments. With advancing pregnancy, the isoenzyme profile in uterine muscle shifts toward a more anaerobic profile, speculatively to facilitate uterine efficiency during periods of low oxygen tha...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SP6 acupressure on labor pain and delivery time in women in labor. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. SETTING/LOCATION Delivery room in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-five (75) women in labor were randomly assigned to either the SP6 acupressure (n = 36) or SP6 touch control (n = 39) group. The participants were...

Background: To compare the effects of Dilapan-S versus phloroglucinol on cervical dilation in hysteroscopic polyp resection. Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled non-menopausal patients with endometrial polyps who underwent operative hysteroscopy for transcervical resection between October 2021 and 2022. The were given or dilation. primary outcome was time; secondary outcomes...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is a common cause of oral-pharyngeal dysphagia (OPD). Dilation is a primary treatment, although current techniques are subject to a high rate of failure and recurrence. Devices available for UES dilation are cylindrical and were designed to distend the round lumen of the esophagus. Our objective was to determine the cross...

Labor induction is the stimulation of regular uterine contractions before the spontaneous onset of labor, using mechanical or pharmacologic methods in order to generate progressive cervical dilation and subsequent delivery. Although the term generally refers to patients who are at term, it is also employed for women who are at least 20 weeks' gestation. It is important to distinguish labor indu...