• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.65-78
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the weight change of the high-risk group and the general maternal group and weight-relating factors in the early postpartum period. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of those who received postpartum care from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, in the postpartum care center affiliated with one Korean Medicine hospital. A total of 257 postpartum women's medical charts were included and divided into the high-risk group and the general maternal group. We investigated the weight changes and Body mass index (BMI) of the postpartum women and compared the difference between the two groups after taking the postpartum care. Finally, we used a Pearson correlation analysis to identify the weight-relating factors in the early postpartum period. Results: All the postpartum women showed the following results; 33.81±4.03 years old as the mean age; 22.23±3.28 as pre-pregnancy BMI; 58.21±9.18 kg of pre-pregnancy weight increased into 70.75±9.70 kg in the last month of pregnancy. Of the total 257 patients, 149 (58.0%) of high-risk pregnancy experience and 108 (42.0%) of general pregnancy were included. The edema index right after childbirth was significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the general maternal group (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference in BMI. After treatment with Korean medicine treatments, body weight, BMI, and edema index decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.01). As a result of correlation analysis, weight gain during pregnancy had a significant negative correlation with pre-pregnancy weight and pre-pregnancy BMI and a significant positive correlation with weight and BMI of the last month of pregnancy. In particular, pre-pregnancy BMI and body weight showed a significant negative correlation only in the high-risk group. Postpartum weight loss was significantly positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy BMI, weight & BMI of the pregnancy last month, weight gain during pregnancy, and decrease in edema (p<0.01) Conclusions: The weight during pregnancy of the high-risk group increased in inverse proportion to the pre-pregnancy BMI. The level of edema right after childbirth was significantly higher than that of the general maternal group, but showed a significant decrease after 2 weeks of Korean medicine treatments. Although it implicates the need for active Korean medicine treatments in the early postpartum period, further studies with controlled groups are needed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.459-469
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• 2003

We examined the effects of calcium intake levels on mineral metabolism during pregnancy using calcium-deficient young adult rats. Five week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal Ca (NCa, 0.5%) and low Ca (LCa, 0.15%) diets for five weeks (pre-pregnancy). The low Ca intake group was then divided into three groups and fed low Ca (0.15%), normal Ca (0.5%) and high Ca (1.5%) diets for 3 weeks (pregnancy). All of the rats were mated with normal male rats. The control group was fed a consistently normal Ca (0.5%) diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. On the day after delivery, dams and their pups were sacrificed. We measured total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and mineral content in serum and weight, length, breaking force, ash and mineral content in the femur and lumbar (L2-L4) of the dams. Whole body mineral content was measured in the pups. There was no difference in weight gain and food intake among the groups. Serum total protein and albumin were in the normal range but a little lower during pregnancy. High Ca supplementation decreased serum Mg and Fe during pregnancy. Weight, ash and Ca of the femur and lumbar significantly decreased in rats fed a chronically low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Calcium supplementation levels were above normal during pregnancy and increased the bone weight and breaking force of rats fed the low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy. However, Ca supplementation did not increase the ash and Ca contents in the bones. High Ca supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased Mg in the bones and increased Ca and P in the kidneys. Ash content of pups from dams fed the chronically low Ca diet decreased but there was no difference in whole body Ca among the groups. Mg and Fe in the whole body decreased in pups from dams fed the high Ca diet. Pregnancy performance was reduced in dams fed the low Ca diet. These results suggest that above normal Ca supplementation levels during pregnancy restored maternal bone status to some extent in rats fed the chronically low Ca diet. The same could not be said for mineral content. Also, high Ca supplementation during pregnancy may deteriorate mineral composition in bones and other tissues. Therefore, more detailed research is needed to facilitate sound recommendations on appropriate calcium intake during pregnancy. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 459∼469, 2003)

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.118-125
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• 2018

Purpose: The pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. However, studies on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are rare. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI on VLBW infants. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated singleton VLBW infants born at the CHA Gangnam Medical Center from 2006 to 2016. The neonates were classified into three groups according to the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI: underweight (<$18.5kg/m^2$), normal weight (${\geq}18.5$ to <$23kg/m^2$), and overweight or obese (${\geq}23kg/m^2$). Clinical characteristics and morbidities of mothers and infants were analyzed. Results: A total of 181 infants belonging to underweight (16.6%), normal weight (58.6%), and overweight or obese (24.8%) groups were enrolled. The pre-pregnancy BMI had a significant negative correlation with gestational age (r=-0.198, P=0.001) and a significant positive correlation with the z-score of the birth weight (r=0.078, P=0.001) and body length (r=0.067, P=0.008). The number of extremely preterm infants was significantly higher in the overweight or obese group. The proportion of risk of small for gestational age infants was higher in the underweight group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.958; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.113 to 7.864), whereas that of infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity was higher in the overweight or obese group (adjusted OR, 9.546; 95% CI, 1.230 to 74.109). Conclusion: In our population of VLBW infants, the pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with gestational age, intrauterine growth, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Therefore, proper weight control before pregnancy is important.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was 1) to examine levels of awareness on preconception care and pregnancy, and reproductive health promoting behavior among pre-honeymooners; and 2) to explore the relationship between awareness levels of preconception care and pregnancy, and reproductive health promoting behavior. Methods: This study was a correlation design with a total of 134 participants (67 couples of pre-honeymooners). Data were collected with questionnaire Results: Mean score of self-perception of awareness of preconception care and pregnancy was 2.82 out of 4. Content awareness level was 6.83 out of 13, and reproductive health promoting behavior score was 3.02 out of 4, indicating low to mid-level. Women reported higher scores in all variables than those in men. Self-perception awareness and content awareness of care and pregnancy had a weak positive correlation (r=.18, p=.038). Reproductive health promoting behavior was positively related to self-perception awareness of care and pregnancy (r=.33, p<.001) and content awareness of care and pregnancy (r=.23, p=.008). Conclusion: Based on this results, a variety of nursing intervention strategies may need to promote reproductive health behavior such as raising awareness of the preconception care and pregnancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1993

Since the successful advent of IVF-ET, reproductive surgeons have been forced to compare pregnancy outcomes of surgical procedures for tubal infertility with those of IVF-ET. The current study was designed in an effort to determine the usefulness of pre-operative infertility work-up, especially diagnostic laparoscopy, in predicting the pregnancy rate and in assessing the reversal feasibility. 109 patients who underwent a microsurgical tubal reversal were reviewed. The patients were followed over one year. The total intrauterine pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and ectopic pregnancy rates were 66.4%, 3.7%, and 7.3%, respectively. The result showed that the use of loupe might increase the chance of the ectopic pregnancy. I found that the final tubal length, especially the longest tubal length, the site of reanastomosis, and the methods of sterilization affected the pregnancy rates. A 85% intrauterine pregnancy rate was achieved in the patients with good preoperative assessments(Group II-1). There was only 10% incidence of intrauterine pregnancy in the patients with bad assessments(Group II-2). It is concluded that the pre-operative infertility work-up, especially diagnostic laparoscopy, is a good diagnostic tool in assessing the reversal feasibility.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2013

Objective : We studied whether Antaeeum and Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture had effects of prolonging pregnancy in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia. Methods : We have administered Antaeeum and applied Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture for 8 weeks and the patient stopped taking steroids she had taken before. Furthermore, we observed edema, fatigue, albuminuria and hypertension. Results : In consequence of administering Antaeeum and applying Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture for 8 weeks, edema and fatigue were improved and albuminuria and hypertension were not changed significantly. However pregnancy was prolonged from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and the patient could give birth successfully. Conclusions : In conclusion, Antaeeum and Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture have effects of prolonging pregnancy in patients with pre-eclampsia.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate sperm motility and its changes after preparation as predictors of pregnancy in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Methods: In total, 297 IUI cycles from January 2012 to December 2017 at a single tertiary hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patient and cycle characteristics, and sperm motility characteristics before and after processing were compared according to clinical pregnancy or live birth as outcomes. Results: The overall clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.5% (43/297) and the live birth rate was 10.4% (30/289). Patient and cycle characteristics were similar between pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Sperm motility after preparation and the total motile sperm count before and after processing were comparable in terms of pregnancy outcomes. Pre-preparation sperm motility was significantly higher in groups with clinical pregnancy and live birth than in cycles not resulting in pregnancy (71.4%±10.9% vs. 67.2%±11.7%, p=0.020 and 71.6% ±12.6% vs. 67.3%±11.7%, p=0.030, respectively). The change in sperm motility after processing was significantly fewer in the non-pregnant cycles, both when the comparison was conducted by subtraction (post-pre) and division (post/pre). These relationships remained significant after adjusting for the female partner's age, anti-Müllerian hormone level, and number of pre-ovulatory follicles. According to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an initial sperm motility of ≥72.5% was the optimal threshold value for predicting live birth after IUI. Conclusion: Initial sperm motility, rather than the motility of processed sperm or the degree of change after preparation, predicted live birth after IUI procedures.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.803-813
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• 2003

Literature suggests that iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among pregnant women all over the world. This study was designed to evaluate the iron status of pregnant women during the fist five months, with the intention of determining ways to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women in Korea. We collected dietary information and measured the biochemical status of iron in 171 pregnant women over 16 weeks of gestation (=16.7$\pm$2.34 week). Dietary intakes for 3 days were collected using the 24 hour recall and food record methods. The daily Fe intake was measured using the food frequency method. The Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated by using the pre-pregnancy weight and height, indicated that 31.3% of subjects were under-weight. We divided the subjects into normal and anemic group by using the serum ferritin levels. It appeared that the mean dietary intake of iron was 52.3% of the recommended level for pregnant women. The dietary quality evaluation showed that pregnant women ate only 58% of the recommended amount in the food groups of meat, fish, eggs, beans and milk and dairy products. The hematological indices showed that the mean Hemoglobin (Hb) was 11.9 g/dl, Hematocrit (Hct) was 35.1%, ferritin was 23.9 $ng/ml$, and transferrin was 297.3 ${\mu}g/dl$. The dietary intake of iron was significantly lower and the vitamin C intake was significantly higher in the anemic group. The pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly lower in the anemic group. Variables affecting iron intake were the Fe intake frequency index and the food group score. The Fe index showed significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake and the food group score. Hb showed a significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake. We concluded that strategies to improve iron status be implemented in the pre-pregnant stage so as to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency and that we should stress on the importance of an adequate diet as well as the maintenance of a heathy weight.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.41-54
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze various forms of musculoskeletal pain during different stages such as antenatal, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. The data for this study were collected through a self-administered survey with a structured questionnaire to 113 subjects. The survey was administered from May, 2003 to March, 2004 with subjects selected from postpartum centers in 3 different areas: Kangnam, Kangbook, and Bucheon. Analytical tools used for this study were frequency analysis, crosstabulation, percentage analysis, independent t-test, chi-square, and multiple response analysis. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. Comparison study of musculoskeletal pain according to variables including a pregnant woman's age, delivery techniques, different types of delivery such as primiparity, multiparity, dystocia, easy delivery, shows that these relationships are statistically not significant (p>0.05). 2. A total of 61.9% gave positive responses for the question about the relationship between musculoskeletal pain during postpartum and that in preparation of labor, but shows that this relationship was statistically not significant (p>0.05). 3. Relationships between forms of musculoskeletal pain in different phases are significant (p<0.05). The compared phases are: premarriage and pre-pregnancy, premarriage and antenatal, premarriage and postpartum, premarriage and lactiferous phase, pre-pregnancy and antenatal, pre-pregnancy and postpartum, and pre-pregnancy and lactiferous phase. However, results for the comparison between antenatal and postpartum, antenatal and lactiferous phase, and postpartum and lactiferous phase show that these relationships are statistically not significant (p>0.05). According to this study, musculoskeletal pain which occurred during antenatal is significantly related to the pain occurring during postpartum. Results produced from this study might be used as a helpful tool for developing educational programs aiming at teaching self pain-detection performable at home or at the workplace and body maintenance during the course of antenatal and postpartum.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.99-117
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate weight gain during pregnancy based on pre-pregnant Body Mass Index, to compare eating habits based on the recommended standards for weight gain presented by the Institute of Medicine, and to identify factors affecting the weight gain of pregnant women. The subjects were grouped into three categories according to the recommended weight gain standards presented by the Institute of Medicine: the inadequate group, the adequate group and the excessive group. The excessive group had a significantly higher pre-pregnant Body Mass Index than that of the two other groups. Based on a comparison of the eating habits and nutrient intake of the women to the recommended standards for weight gain, the excessive gain group had large meals and ate more frequently outside of the home when compared to the pre-pregnancy period. Based on an analysis of correlations between weight gain during pregnancy and diet factors, the adequate gain group had positive correlation between weight gain and a "balanced meal" and had negative correlation with "convenience meals". The excessive gain group had a positive correlation with "convenience meals" and had a negative correlation with "meal skipping." All the pregnant women were more frequent in the "overeating categories" and all ate more "fruit," as their weight gain was higher. In particular, the excessive gain group was frequently evaluated as "overeating". These results indicate that the factors affecting weight gain during pregnancy were the Body Mass Index before pregnancy, eating types, and eating habits. As the Body Mass Index before pregnancy was higher, the ingestion of a 'balanced meal' was less, and overeating and gluttony were more frequent. Therefore weight gain was enhanced.