title: Vibroacoustic stimulation evokes human fetal micturition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of vibroacoustic stimulation on fetal voiding as a measure of stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal bladder volumes were examined serially by ultrasound 5 and 1 minutes before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation (21 cases) or sham stimulation (20 cases).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the stimulated group, the mean (+/- SD) bladder volume decreased from 21.7 +/- 11.3 mL 1 minute before stimulation to 12.8 +/- 9.4 mL 1 minute after vibroacoustic stimulation, a statistically significant difference (P < .001). There was no significant decrease in bladder volume in the sham-stimulated fetuses. The correlations between bladder volume 1 minute before and 1 and 5 minutes after vibroacoustic stimulation were statistically significant (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vibroacoustic stimulation induces fetal voiding, which may reflect a response to stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Fifer
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration