• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.436-443
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• 2007

Purpose: An exploratory study was done to examine the validity of the new Ballard scale with extended scoring system(eNBS) in estimating gestational age(AG) in full-term newborns. Method: The eNBS scoring system was extended to include all numbers of total score of NBS and GA to allow a 3-days variation in GA estimatio compared to the original scale which has a 2-week variation due to the application of a 5-score interval for the total NBS score and only even numbers for GA. GA by eNBS(GA-eNBS) was compared with GA by LMP(GA-LMP) and GA by standard NBS(GA-sNBS) in 133 full-term newborns. Difference between GA-LMP and GA-eNBS was analyzed for each GA. Results: Positive correlations were observed in GA-sNBS and GA-eNBS with GA-LMP. There was no difference between GA-LMP and GA-eNBS at 39GA and 40GA. At 37GA and 38GA, GA-eNBS overestimated GA-LMP up to 1 week, while underestimating up to 1 week at 41GA. Conclusions: The accuracy of eNBS was validated within 3 days of variation in GA estimation at 39-40GA. Overestimation by eNBS suggests the possible acceleration of fetal maturity in premature newborns, while underestimation, of the deceleration of fetal maturity in postterm newborns.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.2020-2028
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• 2015

This study was conducted in order to identify factors influencing maternal-fetal attachment among pregnant women, considering the factors presented in Mercer's theory: Becoming a Mother(pregnancy stress, self-esteem, dyadic adjustment, sense of mastery, antepartum stress). The data was collected through structured questionnaires from 140 pregnant women who visited the obstetric clinic and public health centers in a metropolitan area to have prenatal tests from August 23th to November 25th 2014. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software using descriptive statistics, the t-test, ANOVA, the Pearson's correlation coefficients and a stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows: Maternal-fetal attachment in the group of pregnant women under 30 years of age was significantly higher than that in the group of over the age of 31(t=2.79,p=.004). Primiparas had higher maternal-fetal attachment than multiparas(F=3.27, p=.041). There was a negative correlation between pregnancy stress(r=-0.22, p=.009) and maternal-fetal attachment. Self-esteem (r=0.45, p<.001), dyadic adjustment(r=0.42, p<.001), sense of mastery(r=0.24, p=.005) and maternal-fetal attachment were, however, positively correlated. It was found that self-esteem, dyadic adjustment and age were some of the factors influencing maternal-fetal attachment among pregnant women. These variables explained 26.1% of the variance in maternal-fetal attachment. Findings of this study indicate needs for comprehension and assessment of self-esteem and dyadic adjustment in pregnant women through prenatal tests. Also, the intervention programs to improve maternal-fetal attachment among older mothers should be developed and implemented.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 2011

Purpose: To examine delivery type of mother who have had a previous cesarean and identify maternal factors related to type of delivery. Methods: The study sample included 60,504 mothers who had delivered through cesarean section. Related variables were categorized as sociodemographic factors (age, residence, health insurance type, income level) and clinical characteristics (14 maternal factor, 4 fetal factor and pre-term). For data analysis, $x^2$ and multivariate logistic regression were conducted. Results: Among the 60,504mothers, 3,075 were delivered through Vaginal Birth After C-Section (VBAC) and the VBAC rate was 5.1%. Underage 34, the VBAC rate increased according to age increases up to 3%. Mothers residing in urban areas had VBAC more frequently than mothers in rural area. Mothers in the high and middle income levels had a greater possibility of having VBAC than mothers in lower income levels. A greater likelihood of increase in repeated cesarean section were found in mothers with maternal and fetal factors. Conclusion: Evidence based nursing practice guidelines and education programs for previous cesarean section mothers and health policy are needed to increase VBAC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1633-1639
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on the growth and development of ovine fetal visceral organs. One hundred Mongolian ewes were mated at a synchronized oestrus and divided into three groups and offered 0.175 MJ ME $kgw^{-0.75}\;d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group1; RG1), 0.33 MJ ME $kgw^{-0.75}\;d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group2; RG2) and ad libitum access to feed (Control Group; CG) during late pregnancy (90 days). Selected animals in each group were slaughtered immediately at d 90 of pregnancy and after parturition (neonatal lambs), and major visceral organs were removed and weighed separately. The results indicated that the weights of lung (p<0.01), spleen (p<0.01), heart (p<0.05), liver (p<0.05) and abomasum (p<0.01) in RG1 were significantly lighter than those of CG. For RG2, only the weights of the lung (p<0.05) and spleen (p<0.01) were significantly lighter than those of CG; when expressed as a percentage of body weight, significance was retained in the spleen (p<0.01) for both restricted groups, but the percentage of brain in RG1 was significantly higher than that in CG (p<0.01). For lung and spleen, the amount of DNA was significantly lower (p<0.01) in both groups of restricted neonatal lambs compared to CG; however, there was a significant difference only between RG1 and CG for protein: DNA ratio (p<0.01). The DNA content of kidney, abomasum and jejunum were decreased (p<0.05) in RG1 neonatal lambs, but protein: DNA ratio in the liver was decreased compared with that of CG (p<0.05). The plane of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy had a significant effect on the growth and development of fetal visceral organs, which altered ontogeny of fetal organ growth and development. These perturbations in fetal visceral development may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.123-129
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• 1986

Fetal weight data from 84 litters of Sprague-Dawley rats were statistically analyzed for the effect of position in the uterine horn on fetal weight. The standard score obtained from the mean weight and standard deviation of all fetuses in a uterine horn were studied for position effect. In control group, the heaviest fetus occupied the middle position with a progressive decrease in weights toward the ovarian and cervical ends of the horn. But the effect related to position for the fetal weight was not statistically significant. In contrast, rats acutely or chronically exposed to carbon monoxide showed statistically significant positional differences of fetal weight within the uterine horns. The findings that the intrauterine position effect on fetal weight which is not signicant in control group may act one of confounders at the situation of transplacental toxicological studios.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 1991

The combined effect of radiation and ultrasound has been studied in mouse embryos. Radiation and/or ultrasound were adminstered to ICR mice on day 8 of gestation. Intrauterine death, gross malformation, and fetal body weight were selected as indicators of effects. Does of whole-body ${\gamma}-irradiation$ were 0.5 to 2.5 Gy and those of ultrasound were $0.5\;W/cm^2$ to $3\;W/cm^2$. Intrautrine mortality increased with increasing radiation dose ; this trend was more remarkable in combination with ultrasound. Gross malformations such as exencephaly and anophthalmia/microphthalmia appeared frequently in the fetuses treated with both radiation and ultrasound. Decreased fetal weight was observed even in mice treated with 1.5 Gy of radiation or $1\;W/cm^2$ of ultrasound. There was a linear relationship between dose and reduction of fetal weight. The fetal weight was sensitive, precise and easy-to-handle indicator for the effects of growth retardation. Intrauterine mortality and frequencies of exencephaly and anophthalmia/microphthalmia were higher than the sum of those induced by radiation and by ultrasound. The results indicatied that the combined action of radiation and ultrasound on intrauterine death and malformations was synergistic.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2000

In modern society, the amount of alcohol ingestion is increasing at a dangerous level, especially among women. One of reason for increased alcohol consumption is stress caused by social pressures. Alcohol is a kind of depressant of centric nervous system, so it can induce relaxation of body and decrease the stress. The evidence on the effects of alcohol on the fetus is somewhat hazy, whereas that of smoking is quite clear. The literature on the ingestion of alcohol strongly suggests that drinking during pregnancy is associated with teratogenic effect and low birth weight. Therefore, the adverse effect of alcohol ingestion during pregnancy must be informed to public. More remarkable warning sign about alcohol ingestion must be attached on the top of bottles. This can be an effective measure for public education. Also legal sanction or tax imposition for the production of liquor be required. First of all, drinking habit or drinking culture must be changed. In fact, the strongest motivation of drinking in adolescent is a peer pressure which is related to drinking habit or culture. Secondly, early detection and treatment must be required to prevent from fetal alcohol syndrome. Accordingly, drinking history of pregnant women must be assessed as early as possible and health professional should give a warning about the abstinence of alcohol to drinking women. Thirdly, to minimize the adverse effects for mother, withdrawal syndrome by alcohol ingestion must be treated. to correct the malformation by fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS) can be corrected. Sometimes surgical intervention may be required for this purpose.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.191-203
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• 1999

A clinical study was made on 365 low birth weight infant and 406 normal birth weight infant who had been born at Kangnam St. mary's Hospital during past 3 years from Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1997. the data of this study were gathered through reviewing of medical records. 1. Comparison of general characteristic with of obstetric characteristic 1) Old maternal age, previous abortion and previous LBWI delivery in the group of low birth weight infant(LBWI) mother were more prevalent than those in the group of normal birth weight infant(NBWI)mother 2) Cesarean section, abnormal presentation and multiple pregnancy in the group of LBWI mother were prevalent than those in the group of NBWI mother. 3) regular antenartal care and visiting rate of tertiary hospital in the group of LBWI mother were more prevalent than those in the group of NBWI mother. 2. Frequency of low birth weight infant 1) Anmual average frequency of LBWI was 6.5% and monthly frequency was the highest in January and december. 2) The frequency of LBWI was the highest in 37-40wks of gestational age and was the highest in 2251-2500 gm of birth weight. 3) The frequency of congenital anomaly in the group of LBWI was more prevalent than that of NBWI. 3. Mortality rate of LBWI The mortality rate of LBWI was 9.2%. The highest mortality rate was noted before 27wks of gestational age, less than 1000gm of birth weight and within 12hrs of delivery. 4. The most common complication of pregnant women was pre-term labor, the most complication relating to placenta was premature rupture of membrane(PROM) and the most fetal complication was fetal distress in delivered LBWI. 5. Significant relating factors of low birth weight infant delivery were associated with maternal age, previous delivery, previous low birth weight delivery, pre-eclampsia, anemia, oligohydramnios, PROM, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, fetal sex, fetal distress and congenital anomaly.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was a comparative study to understand the levels of anxiety, pain and maternal-fetal attachment between women who became pregnant after infertility treatment and became pregnant naturally. Methods: This study used a comparative survey design. Data were collected by 50 couples of natural pregnancy and of who became pregnant after infertility treatment who visited delivery room in C Medical hospital, Seoul. These couples were to have first baby, and cervix dilatation of women was less than 3 cm regardless of diagnosis. Results: The score of anxiety of infertile women was significantly higher than that of naturally pregnant women; however, that of spouses showed no difference. The pain score for infertile women was significantly higher in both the active and transition phases. Pain scores that reported by their spouses did not show differences in either phase. The score of maternal-fetal attachment showed no difference between two groups of women. Conclusion: The result showed the importance of nursing intervention to reduce women's anxiety and pain, through both antenatal-childbirth education programs and assertive nursing interventions. It is necessary to develop and evaluate new intervention which would be more effective for reducing pain and anxiety for couples who became pregnant after infertility treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.1 s.25
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• pp.71-80
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• 1989

The adverse effect of diving on the fetus may extend beyond n gestational process and outcome. Primiparous Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of ten exposure schedules during gestatred $PO_2$ level, the following question about the effect of exposing a pregnant female to high partial pressure of inspired oxygen has been raised. 'What effect does an increased maternal $PIO_2$ have on fetal arterial $PO_2$ and therefore on possible fetal oxygen poisoning?' This study was carried out to observe the effects of maternal hyperoxia on gestational process and outcome. Primiparous Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of ten exposure schedules during gestation. The treatment groups were subjected to either the high concentration of oxygen, or the high atmospheric pressure. On day 21 of gestation, laparotomy was performed to examine for number and distribution of implantations and live and resorbing embryos. Fetuses were weighed, and examined for gross malformations. Subsequently, they were fixed, measured in physical parameters, and examined for visceral anomalies. Minor visceral anomalies and anatomical variation was not found. Similarily, there were no significant differences when number of resorptions, mean fetal weights, pregnancy interruption rate were compared by analysis of variance. These results indicate that exposing rats to oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure doese not affect fetal health or survival.