Background Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) involves the separation of the midline abdominal muscles and linea alba and affects more than half of postpartum women. This study aimed to assess the effect of a split tummy exercise program (STEP) on DRA closure in postpartum mothers.
Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2008 to 2020 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Primigravida mothers diagnosed with DRA were selected and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=21) or control (n=20) group. The intervention group underwent a home-based STEP consisting of three phases of nine abdominal exercises. DRA size was assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks postpartum using two-dimensional ultrasound.
Results The mean age of the participants was 28 years (standard deviation, 3.6), with the majority of Malay ethnicity (87.8%) and working mothers (78%). After 8 weeks, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in DRA size of up to 27% (mean difference, 6.17 mm; 95% confidence interval, 3.7–8.7; P<0.001). No significant intergroup DRA changes were observed after 8 weeks of follow-up.
Conclusion Early postpartum screening for DRA should be advocated to allow early STEP intervention to ensure favorable outcomes. STEP intervention is an effective postnatal training program for managing DRA.
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Background Galohgor nutraceutical lactation cookies (NLC) contain polyherbal which is believed and consumed by postpartum mothers of Sundanese Ethnic in Indonesia to increase breast milk production. This study was aimed to analyze the effects of NLC cookies on breast milk volume and lactose concentrations of postpartum mothers.
Methods The experimental study with post-controlled design was conducted. Twenty eligible mother-infant pairs were enrolled and divided into two groups. They were randomly assigned to receive NLC (n=9) or original cookies (ORC, n=11). Each subjects consumed 4 pieces/d of NLC which containing 1 g galohgor nutraceutical powder/ pieces or ORC (without galohgor nutraceutical powder), for 14 days intervention period since the first day of giving birth. The measurement of breast milk production was carried out by baby weighing method using SECA 334 digital baby scale (SECA, Hamburg, Germany). A high-performance liquid chromatography method was used to determine lactose concentrations in breast milk. Data were analyzed by parametric Independent T-test or the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and adjusted analysis of covariance.
Results NLC significantly increased (P<0.05) breast milk production, as shown by average breast milk volume of NLC compared to ORC, i.e., 557.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 497.3–616.6) mL/d vs. 435.9 (95% CI, 382.3–489.6) mL/d. This result was supported by lactose concentration in breast milk of mothers who consumed NLC significantly higher (P<0.05), compared to ORC, i.e., 6.03% (95% CI, 5.66%–6.40%) vs. 5.18% (95% CI, 4.85%–5.51%).
Conclusion NLC which containing galohgor nutraceutical can be recommended to increase breast milk volume and lactose concentration in the early postpartum period.
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“Rusty pipe syndrome” is a condition that needs to be considered in a primiparous woman who presents with bilateral bloody nipple discharge in the early postpartum period. Its prevalence is low and can occur due to physiological condition that arises primarily in primiparous women with increased alveolar and ductal vascularization associated with the onset of lactation. Here, we report a case of a 29-year-old primigravida who presented with bilateral painless bloody nipple discharge after delivery. Her breast examination showed no signs of infection or structural changes, and breast ultrasound did not reveal any significant observations except for a bilateral simple breast cyst. Six days after the onset of lactation, the bloody nipple discharge ceased and lactation continued on demand.
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Review of Rusty Pipe Syndrome with a Case Report Tolga Kalayci, Murat Kartal Indian Journal of Surgery.2022; 84(S3): 832. CrossRef
Rusty pipe syndrome: a case report and review of the literature Huanna Tang, Wenting Zhu, Jianpeng Chen, Dan Zhang BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Background : Retention of gestational weight can be a significant contributor to obesity related complications. Few studies have assessed the impact of behavioral factors in Korea. This study was performed to identify the impact of factors on weight change at 1 year postpartum.
Methods : A questionnaire was sent twice by mail to 635 women who delivered singleton infant without complications in Seoul Asan Hospital from January 2002 to March 2002 and 97 available responses were received. Parity, pre-pregnancy weight, fullterm weight and postpartum behaviors were collected from routine medical records and questionnaire.
Results : Mean age was 30.5 years and mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 20.9 kg/m2. Mean total weight gain during pregnancy was 13.6±4.3 kg and mean weight change at 1 year postpartum was 1.9±3.8 kg. Nearly 17.5% of women experienced a major weight gain of 4.5 kg at 1 year postpartum. Women who had higher pre-pregnancy BMI (≥23 kg/m2) were at high risk for major weight gained at 1 year postpartum (OR: 4.14). Women who gained 13.6 kg or more during pregnancy and with lower income were at high risk for major weight gain at 1year postpartum (OR: 5.28, 4.13 respectively).
Conclusion : Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and household monthly income are significantly associated with weight change at 1year postpartum. These findings support the need of the guidelines for preventing major weight retention associated with pregnancy.
Background : This prospective study was performed to evaluate factors influencing weight changes pregnancy period and postpartum period.
Methods : A total of 195 women followed by prenatal care of the department of OBGY at Ajou University hospital. Suwon, Korea, between march, 1998 and march, 2000. Parity, activity, alcohol, smoking, age of menarche, and age of first and last pregnancy were recorded for prenatal information. Anthropometric measurements was checked at regular visits until 6 weeks after delivery and by telephone call at 6 months and 1 year postpartum. Rerults : Mean age was 30.1 years old and mean body mass index was 21.1 ㎏/㎡, Mean total weight gain during pregnancy was 13.6±4.63 ㎏ and wide range was at third trimester. It shows that weight reduced gradually until 6 months postpartum but increased after that time. 1 year postpartum weight gain had high correlation(R=0.999, p<0.01) with 6 months postpartum weight gain. Total pregnancy weight gain, weight retention on 6 week postpartum were not significantly correlated with 1 year postpartum Weight gain. OR for becoming overweight on 1 year postpartum(≥5.2 ㎏) with excessive rate of gain on 6 months postpartum(≥2.9 ㎏) was 5.41(95% CI 2.20-13.31) adjusted by multiple logistic regression analysis (age, activity level, parity). OR for becoming overweight on 1 year postpartum with excessive rate of Total pregnancy weight gain(≥13.6 ㎏ was 4.4895% CI 1.84-10.89) by multiple logistic regression analysis.
Conclusion : 1 year postpartum weight gain had the correlation with only 6 months postpartum weight gain.
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