Methods of induction of labour: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rates of labour induction are increasing. We conducted this systematic review to assess the evidence supporting use of each method of labour induction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We listed methods of labour induction then reviewed the evidence supporting each. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library between 1980 and November 2010 using multiple terms and combinations, including labor, induced/or induction of labor, prostaglandin or prostaglandins, misoprostol, Cytotec, 16,16,-dimethylprostaglandin E2 or E2, dinoprostone; Prepidil, Cervidil, Dinoprost, Carboprost or hemabate; prostin, oxytocin, misoprostol, membrane sweeping or membrane stripping, amniotomy, balloon catheter or Foley catheter, hygroscopic dilators, laminaria, dilapan, saline injection, nipple stimulation, intercourse, acupuncture, castor oil, herbs. We performed a best evidence review of the literature supporting each method. We identified 2048 abstracts and reviewed 283 full text articles. We preferentially included high quality systematic reviews or large randomised trials. Where no such studies existed, we included the best evidence available from smaller randomised or quasi-randomised trials.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We included 46 full text articles. We assigned a quality rating to each included article and a strength of evidence rating to each body of literature. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vaginal misoprostol were more effective than oxytocin in bringing about vaginal delivery within 24 hours but were associated with more uterine hyperstimulation. Mechanical methods reduced uterine hyperstimulation compared with PGE2 and misoprostol, but increased maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity compared with other methods. Membrane sweeping reduced post-term gestations. Most included studies were too small to evaluate risk for rare adverse outcomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Research is needed to determine benefits and harms of many induction methods.</p

Measurement of the top-quark mass in the fully hadronic decay channel from ATLAS data at s=7\sqrt{s}=7 TeV

The mass of the top quark is measured in a data set corresponding to 4.6 fb$^{−1}$ of proton--proton collisions with centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events consistent with hadronic decays of top--antitop quark pairs with at least six jets in the final state are selected. The substantial background from multijet production is modelled with data-driven methods that utilise the number of identified $b$-quark jets and the transverse momentum of the sixth leading jet, which have minimal correlation. The top-quark mass is obtained from template fits to the ratio of three-jet to dijet mass. The three-jet mass is calculated from the three jets of a top-quark decay. Using these three jets the dijet mass is obtained from the two jets of the $W$ boson decay. The top-quark mass obtained from this fit is thus less sensitive to the uncertainty in the energy measurement of the jets. A binned likelihood fit yields a top-quark mass of $m_{t}$ = 175.1 $\pm$ 1.4 (stat.) $\pm$ 1.2 (syst.) GeV.publishedVersio

Abordagem fisioterapêutica no pré-parto: proposta de protocolo e avaliação da dor Physiotherapeutic approach in the pre-partum: proposed protocol and evaluate pain

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da abordagem fisioterapêutica no pré-parto e propor um protocolo de intervenção baseado na escala visual analógica (EVA) de dor. Dez parturientes, na primeira fase do trabalho de parto, foram questionadas quanto à dor através da EVA e, com base nas respostas, foi proposto um protocolo, EVA 1-3: cinesioterapia, técnicas respiratórias, relaxamento e estímulo à deambulação; EVA 4-7: massoterapia, técnicas respiratórias, relaxamento e estímulo à deambulação; EVA 8-10: técnicas respiratórias, relaxamento e eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea. Após as intervenções, as voluntárias foram questionadas novamente através da EVA. Os dados da EVA pré- e pós-intervenção foram submetidos ao teste t pareado, atingindo valor médio de 8,8 pré-intervenção e 8,2 pós-intervenção, sem diferença estatística. Os resultados obtidos por meio da análise quantitativa de dor demonstraram que não houve aumento da mesma até uma hora após a intervenção, fato considerado positivo, uma vez que em função da crescente dilatação é esperado um aumento da dor. O protocolo fisioterapêutico proposto mostrou ser de fácil aplicabilidade, podendo auxiliar o fisioterapeuta na escolha da conduta mais adequada à realidade da sala de pré-parto. A abordagem fisioterapêutica no pré-parto parece interferir positivamente sobre a dor e o desconforto materno no grupo estudado.<br>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of physical therapy approach in the antepartum and to propose an intervention protocol based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain. Ten parturients in the first stage of labor were questioned about the pain by VAS. Based on the responses, we proposed a protocol VAS 1-3: kinesiotherapy, breathing techniques, relaxation and stimulation of walking; VAS 4-7: massage therapy, breathing techniques, relaxation and stimulation of walking; VAS 8-10: breathing techniques, relaxation and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. After the intervention, the volunteers were questioned again by VAS. The VAS data pre-and post-intervention were submitted to the paired t test, reaching an average value of 8.8 pre-intervention and 8.2 post-intervention, no statistical difference. The results obtained through quantitative analysis of pain showed no increase of the same until one hour after the intervention, which was considered positive, since due to the increasing expansion is expected to increase the pain. The proposed physical therapy protocol proved easy to apply. It can assist the therapist in choosing the most adequate to the reality of pre-delivery room. The physical therapy approach in the pre-partum seems to positively affect pain and maternal discomfort in the study group