title: Human birth observed in real-time open magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge about the mechanism of labor is based on assumptions and radiographic studies performed decades ago. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between the fetus and the pelvis as the fetus travels through the birth canal, using an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design of the study used a real-time MRI series during delivery of the fetal head.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Delivery occurred by progressive head extension. However, extension was a very late movement that was observed when the occiput was in close contact with the inferior margin of the symphysis pubis, occurring simultaneously with gliding downward of the fetal head.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This observational study shows, for the first time, that birth can be analyzed with real-time MRI. MRI technology allows assessment of maternal and fetal anatomy during labor and delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany. christian.bamberg@charite.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bamberg
authors.forename: Grit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rademacher
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Güttler
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Teichgräber
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cremer
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bührer
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spies
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hinkson
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Henrich
authors.forename: Karim D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kalache
authors.forename: Joachim W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dudenhausen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007748:Labor Stage, Second / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy