title: Venous air embolism after using a birth-training device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This case describes a birth-training device used by a pregnant woman to stretch the perineum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A primigravida suffered near cardiovascular collapse and subsequent acute respiratory distress syndrome after using the device at home. Her symptoms and clinical course of disease revealed a high likelihood of venous air embolism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient likely suffered a venous air embolism in association with the use of the birth-training device. The complications suffered by this patient should give caution about use of such devices.
authors.affiliation: New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York 10021, USA. LMN4@Cornell.Edu
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Skupski
mesh_terms: D004106:Dilatation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010502:Perineum; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014621:Vagina