title: Placental influences on the rate of labour progression: a pilot study.
abstract: Regional variations in intrapartum myometrial contractility were assessed using ultrasound. In 10 women with normal labours, the myometrial thickness increased in all areas during contractions, whilst in 10 women with slowly progressing labour, the retro-placental myometrium thinned during contractions. Locally acting placental tocolytics may be a cause of dysfunctional labour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Jessop Hospital for Women, Leavygreave Road, Sheffield S3 7RE, UK. aweeks@dosctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Weeks
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology*