• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2020

Objectives: Some animal studies have reported that methyl mercury causes developmental toxicities such as placental and fetal weight loss, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicities of methyl mercury, focusing on placental endocrine function and fetal growth retardation in rats. Methods: Positively same-time-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased on gestational day (GD) eight and treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 ppm of methyl mercury (n=5) dissolved in tap water from GD eight through 19. During treatment, the drinking water (methyl mercury) intake and body weight of each pregnant rat was measured daily. On day 19, caesarean sections were performed and blood samples were collected. Developmental data such as placental and fetal weights, fetus numbers, and placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) were also collected. Placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family, such as placental lactogen (PL) -Iv, II, and prolactin-like protein (PLP) -B, levels in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Also, placental tissues were assigned to histochemistry. Results: The mean cumulative methyl mercury exposure for the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 2.37, 4.63, and 9.66 mg, respectively. The mean daily exposure of the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 0.24, 0.47, and 0.97 mg, respectively. Maternal body weight increased in accordance with GD. There was no significant difference in weight gain among the experimental groups. Histopathologic changes were not observed in placental tissues among the experimental groups. However, mean placental and fetal weights were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Placental efficiency was also lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Serum PL-Iv and II levels were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups than the control, in accordance with the changing pattern of placental and fetal weights and placental efficiency. Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of methyl mercury on the serum levels of placental PRL-GH family such as PL-Iv and II may be secondary leads to the reduction of placental efficiency and fetal growth retardation in rats.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.335-344
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• 2002

Providing visual information about the fetus to the mother by the ultrasound examination was found to be an effective nursing intervention to promote Maternal-Fetal Attachment. In keeping with the purpose of the study, to evaluate the effect of providing visual information by ultrasound on level of Maternal-Fetal Attachment, a non-equivalent experimental group quasi-experimental design was used. The data were collected using Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale(1981) with a research questionnaire that consisted of 16 items on general characteristics and 23 items on Maternal-Fetal Attachment from November 2, 2000 to August 11, 2001. Subjects were 126 pregnant women who were received visual information by ultrasound and 123 pregnant women who did not receive visual information by ultrasound after finishing examination. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS/PC+ window 10.0 version program. The results of this study were as follows: There was no statistical difference in general characteristics between both groups. The scores on Maternal-Fetal Attachment at second trimester show no statistical difference (t=1.123, p=0.263). The scores on Maternal-Fetal Attachment in both groups increased between the second trimester and third trimester. However, the increase was greater in the group receiving visual information by ultrasound as compared to the group which did not receive the visual information(t=-2.152, p=0.032). This result shows that providing visual information about the fetus by the ultrasound examination is effective in increasing Maternal-Fetal Attachment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.501-505
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• 2008

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 9 Miniature Schnauzer bitches from day 15 of gestation until parturition to determine the ultrasonographic measurement of gestational structures. Ovulation was designated the day that plasma progesterone concentration exceeded 4.0 ng/ml (day 0). Extra-fetal structures were measured from day 17 or 18 to 60. Outer uterine diameter (OUD) increased from $6.50{\pm}1.06mm$ ($Mean{\pm}SD$) to $50.89{\pm}5.62mm$, inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICCD) increased from $2.10{\pm}0.15mm$ to $37.15{\pm}4.36mm$, and length of placenta (PL) increased from $7.50 {\pm}1.41mm$ to $40.62{\pm}3.27mm$. OUD and ICCD were significantly and linearly relative to gestational age especially through day 37, whereas PL was not significantly relative to gestational age. Of the extra-fetal structures, ICCD was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age before day 38 of gestation. Fetal structures increased at a linear rate to parturition. Fetal crown-rump length (CRL) increased from $2.55{\pm}0.07mm$ on day 22 to $85.25{\pm}9.89mm$ on day 48. Fetal head diameter (HD) increased from $3.43{\pm}0.64mm$ on day 27 to $25.06{\pm}0.41mm$ on day 63. Fetal body diameter (BD) increased from $ 5.96{\pm}0.84mm$ on day 30 to $43.76{\pm}3.36mm$ on day 63. Of the fetal structures, HD was the most accurate for estimation of gestational age after day 38 to parturition.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of self-differentiation, psychological discomfort, and marital dyadic adjustment on maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida. Methods: In total, 108 primigravida participated in this descriptive correlational study. The participants answered self-report questionnaires. Data were collected from January to May, 2020, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS for Windows ver. 23.0. Results: The mean age of the primigravida was 31.66 years. The mean score for the degree of maternal-fetal attachment was 76.81 out of 96 points. Participants' scores for maternal-fetal attachment differed significantly based on age (t=2.08 p=.039) and marital status (t=2.05, p=.043). Maternal-fetal attachment was significantly negatively correlated with psychological discomfort (r=-.39, p<.001), and significantly positively correlated with self-differentiation (r=.36, p<.001) and marital dyadic adjustment (r=.36, p<.001). Self-differentiation explained 24.1% of variance in participants' maternal-fetal attachment, and its effect was statistically significant (F=7.79, p<.001). Conclusion: In primigravida, more self-differentiation was associated with stronger maternal-fetal attachment. To strengthen maternal-fetal attachment in primigravidae, educational program that increases the level of self-differentiation and minimizes psychological discomfort may be helpful for first time pregnant women. Additionally, it is recommended to provide nursing interventions to encourage couples to work together throughout the gestational period.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2022

Purpose: The incidence of high-risk pregnancies is increasing in Korea as the birth age increases due to late marriage. Maternal-fetal attachment is an important factor that affects children even after childbirth, but it is difficult for high-risk pregnant women to form maternal-fetal attachment. The current study aimed to explore whether taegyo practice (i.e., pregnant women's efforts for fetal good growth and development), self-esteem, and social support influenced the degree of maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Methods: The participants included 226 pregnant Korean women at ≥20 gestational weeks, hospitalized with 15 high-risk pregnancy conditions as defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Recruitment via convenience sampling was done at four sites in Busan, Korea. Surveys were distributed and collected from February 1 to 28, 2022. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-factor analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: On average, participants were 33.97±4.23 years of age and at 31.65±6.23 gestational weeks. Preterm labor (35.4%) and gestational diabetes (21.0%) were the most common high-risk conditions. Maternal-fetal attachment was positively correlated with taegyo practice (r=.70, p<.001), self-esteem (r=.53, p<.001), and social support (r=.53, p<.001), all with statistical significance. Taegyo practice (β=.50, p<.001) and social support (β=.17, p=.030) explained 53% of variance in maternal-fetal attachment in women with high-risk pregnancies. Conclusion: Nurses caring for women with high-risk pregnancies during hospitalization can use these findings by promoting taegyo practice and enhancing social support to increase maternal-fetal attachment.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the stress, depression, and fetal attachment of pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment, and to identify factors associated with fetal attachment. Methods: As a correlation survey design, data were collected from 136 pregnant women who underwent infertility treatment. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Stress, depression, and fetal attachment averaged $3.01{\pm}0.60$ (range of scale 1~5), $10.02{\pm}6.51$ (out of a possible 63), and $3.64{\pm}0.55$ (range of scale 1~5), respectively. Level of fetal attachment was higher when mother's age was less than 35, having other children, and having prenatal education experience. Lower score of depression and client's age less than 35 were significant factors affecting fetal attachment. Conclusion: Infertility is a life-affecting trauma for the individual, and personal and social changes due to infertility cause physical and psychological difficulties even after a successful pregnancy with infertility treatment. Therefore, prenatal management programs need to be developed giving consideration to the emotional and physical changes in order to promote physical and psychological stability in the women pregnant following infertility treatment.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2016

Purpose: Smoking during pregnancy contributes to the risk of negative health outcomes in mothers and babies. The purposes of this study were to review the harmful effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on fetal and child development, to discuss if maternal smoking should be criminalized as a form of child abuse, and to explore advocating for fetal rights. Methods: A variety of published literature and legal documents including the Korean constitution, criminal laws, and children's welfare laws were reviewed and critically analyzed. Results: Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience abortion related to placental dysfunction. Their unborn risk premature birth, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, neurobehavioral disturbances, and/or other complications and newborn babies are also at risk for complications. The advocates for fetal rights can assert that maternal smoking should be regarded as a crime. Conclusion: Findings show that maternal smoking during pregnancy is a major risk factor for many adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effective strategies and health policies for smoking cessation during pregnancy are required to protect pregnant women and their babies.

• 모자간호학회지
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 1993

The purpose of the study was to identify the maternal & paternal-fetal attachment. The subjects were 130 pregnant women and 85 their husbands. Data were collected in OB & GY clinic by modified Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. The results were as follows : 1. The mean scores of maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) was 75.57(range: 48-92). The most frequently practiced attachment item was "I can hardly walt to hold the baby(mean 4.32)". The mean scores of paternal-fetal attachment (PFA) was 65.48(range : 48-92). The most frequently practiced attachment item was "I can hardly wait to hold the baby(mean 4.25)". 2. There were significant difference in the degree of MFA, namely, gestational period(p=.020), whether the women had been special things(p=.000) and had experiened on ultrasound scan(p=.001). In the PFA, gestational period(p=.013) gravida(p=.016), duration of marriage(p=.001), family type(p=.036) and whether the women had a health problem(p=.035) were significant difference in degree of attachment. In conclusions, it can be said that parent demonstrated mid-level of attachment to their fetus during pregnancy. Several other factors seemed to be related, indicating a need for further study on maternal & paternal-fetal attachment. It will designed and managed parental class to promoting maternal & paternal-fetal attachment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2004

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were daily performed on 12 Shih-tzu bitches from 15 days after ovulation until parturition to determine the time of first detection and ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal and extra-fetal structures and to determine the size of gestational structures. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. The gestational length in 12 Shih-tzu bitches was 62.1 (range:60-64) days. The initial detection of the fetal and extra-fetal structures were: gestational sac at days 19.2 (16-21); zonary placenta in the uterine wall at days 25.9 (24-28); yolk sac membrane at days 24.1 (22-26); amniotic membrane at days 26.6 (24-28); embryo initial detection at days 22.3 (21-24); heartbeat at days 23.8 (23-25); limb buds at days 29.3 (27-31); fetal movement at days 32.3 (31-34); stomach at days 32.6 (29-34); urinary bladder at days 33.1 (29-35); skeleton at days 35.9 (34-38) and kidney at days 45.8 (45-48).

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.467-468
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• 2007

In this paper, we have proposed a new method to extract the fetal ECG from a pregnant woman's abdominal signal using least square acceleration (LSA) filter and adaptive impulse correlation (AIC) filter. To evaluate the performance, the proposed method and other fetal ECG extraction techniques were processed using the real ECG data and then the results were compared. According to comparative results, the proposed method is powerful and successful for extracting the fetal ECG. It was able to separate perfectly even though the fetal beats overlap with the QRS wave of the maternal beats and to extract fetal ECG using any single-channel abdominal signal measured from pregnant woman's abdominal surface. Also, it could be implemented easily by fast computation time and simple structure. It is sure that our method could be useful for portable fetal monitoring system.