Researchers coordinated by Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) have highlighted the effectiveness of non-pharmacological analgesic techniques during childbirth in a review recently published in the journal Eukaryotic Gene Expression.
Tag: Childbirth
Preterm birth, prolonged labor influenced by progesterone balance
New research by the National Institutes of Health found that unbalanced progesterone signals may cause some pregnant women to experience preterm labor or prolonged labor. The study in mice — published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — provides novel insights for developing treatments.
Exposure to Vitamin D in the Womb Might Minimize Risk of High Blood Pressure for Children Born to Mothers with Preeclampsia
Children appear to be at greater risk of having high blood pressure when their mothers had the high blood pressure condition called preeclampsia during pregnancy—but this adverse association may be reduced or even eliminated for children who were exposed to higher levels of vitamin D in the womb.

The Medical Minute: Cesarean birth raises questions about type of second delivery
Many women pregnant for a second time wonder if they can have a vaginal birth if they previously had a cesarean delivery. Penn State Health experts say it depends a great deal on their first birth experience.
Nature’s epidural: Genetic variant may explain why some women don’t need pain relief during childbirth
Women who do not need pain relief during childbirth may be carriers of a key genetic variant that acts a natural epidural, say scientists at the University of Cambridge.

More than medicine: pain-relief drug delivers choices for mothers in labour
Choice and control are important factors for ensuring a positive childbirth experience, yet until recently, little was known about the impact of alternative administrations of fentanyl – one of the pain relief drugs used during labour– on both mother and baby.

RNA Molecules in Maternal Blood May Predict Pregnancies at Risk for Preeclampsia
UC San Diego researchers have identified small molecules in the blood of asymptomatic pregnant women that may predict risk for preeclampsia, responsible for a significant proportion of maternal and neonatal deaths, low birth weight and is a primary cause of premature birth.
Study: Water births are as safe as land births for mom, baby
A new study found that water births are no more risky than land births, and that women in the water group sustain fewer first and second-degree tears.

Ultrasound Techniques Give Warning Signs of Preterm Births
Ultrasound can be used to examine cervix tissue and improve diagnostics, which is essential for predicting preterm births, and ultrasound data is used to compare two techniques for evaluating changes in cervical tissue throughout pregnancy. Researchers are looking at ultrasonic attenuation coefficients that can help scientists characterize cervical changes throughout pregnancy and in preparation for birth before other symptoms, such as contractions or dilation, occur. They will discuss their work at the 178th ASA Meeting.