Symphysiotomy is an operation carried out to increase pelvic outlet size and to permit vaginal delivery of a baby. The surgical procedure involves dividing the cartilage of the symphysis pubis.
Symphysiotomy
(Image: Think Globally Act Locally: The Case for Symphysiotomy Verkuyl DAA PLoS Medicine Vol. 4, No. 3, e71 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040071)
Note that there is a growing worldwide trend in developed countries toward caesarean section delivery.
Page Links: Introduction | Some Recent Findings | Birth Models | Reading | Gestation Period | Preterm Birth | Birth Date Calculator | Birth Terms | References | Glossary
Verkuyl DA. Think Globally Act Locally: The Case for Symphysiotomy. PLoS Med. 2007 Mar 27;4(3):e71
"sub-Saharan Africa suggest to the local doctors and midwives that symphysiotomies should sometimes be done..."If symphysiotomies are such good operations why don't you perform them at home?" Here is why."
Bjorklund K. Minimally invasive surgery for obstructed labour: a review of symphysiotomy during the twentieth century (including 5000 cases). BJOG. 2002 Mar;109(3):236-48.
The median duration of gestation for first births from assumed ovulation to delivery was 274 days (just over 39 weeks). For multiple births, the median duration of pregnancy was 269 days (38.4 weeks).
"...one should count back 3 months from the first day of the last menses, then add 15 days for primiparas or 10 days for multiparas, instead of using the common algorithm for Naegele's rule." Reference: Mittendorf R, Williams MA, Berkey CS, Cotter PF. The length of uncomplicated human gestation. Obstet Gynecol. 1990 Jun;75(6):929-32
Historically, Franz Carl Naegele (1777-1851) developed the first scientific rule for estimating length of a pregnany.
This topic has been separated into pages related to the whole signaling process overview.
There is a specific page online Premature Birth being currently prepared.
A study has shown that risks of preterm birth in low abnormal birth weight (intrauterine growth restriction) and high (large for gestational age) categories are 2- to 3-fold greater than the risk among appropriate-for-gestational-age infants.
In another study of placenta previa, low birth weight is due mainly to preterm delivery and to a lesser extent with fetal growth restriction.
(More? HSTAT - Management of Preterm Labor)
Reference: Lackman F, Capewell V, Richardson B, daSilva O, Gagnon R. The risks of spontaneous preterm delivery and perinatal mortality in relation to size at birth according to fetal versus neonatal growth standards. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Apr;184(5):946-53.
Ananth CV, Demissie K, Smulian JC, Vintzileos AM. Relationship among placenta previa, fetal growth restriction, and preterm delivery: a population-based study. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Aug;98(2):299-306.
(More? Premature Birth)
Process Overview | Birth Abnormalities | Birth Caesarian | Clinical Growth Charts | WWW Links | ABC Health Reports
Breech fetal buttocks presented first and can also occur in different forms depending on presentation (complete breech, frank breech, footing breech, knee breech).
Decidual Activation increased uterine proteolysis and extracellular matrix degradation.
Dilatation opening of the cervix in preparation for birth (expressed in centimetres).
Effacement shortening or thinning of the cervix, in preparation for birth.
Forceps mechanical "plier-like" tool used on fetal head to aid birth.
Membrane Rupture breaking of the amniotic membrane and release of amniotic fluid (water breaking).
Presentation how the fetus is situated in the uterus.
Presenting part part of fetus body that is closest to the cervix.
Second stage of labour passage of the baby through the birth canal into the outside world.
Vacuum Extractor suction cap device used on fetal head to aid birth.
Vertex Presentation (cephalic presentation) where the fetus head is the presenting part, most common and safest birth position.
Links require internet connection.
NCBI Bookshelf
Health Services/Technology Assessment Text (HSTAT) Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), 2003 Oct.
Reviews
Articles
Ochedalski T, Lachowicz A. Maternal and fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis: different response depends upon the mode of parturition. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2004 Aug;25(4):278-82.
Search PubMed Now: childbirth | parturition
International and Australian Population Statistics
WHO Normal Population Statistics
Global Perinatal and Maternal Causes of Death
Population Comparisons between Countries
Normal population statistics derived from a number of different sources (as shown on individual pages).
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Page under Development (notice removed when completed)
This page introduces only a few topic areas related to birth and should give you a feel for the topic.
Please email Dr Mark Hill if you wish to make a comment about this current project.
