Clinical Research Directory

Intra-abdominal Pressure, Abdominal Circumference, and Spinal Block Level in Cesarean Section

Spinal anesthesia is commonly used for cesarean section and provides effective anesthesia with rapid onset. However, the spread of spinal anesthesia may vary among pregnant women due to physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy. Increased intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal circumference may influence cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and affect the level of sensory block achieved after spinal anesthesia. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure, abdominal circumference, and the maximum sensory block level following spinal anesthesia in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section. Intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal circumference will be measured before surgery, and sensory block levels and hemodynamic parameters will be assessed after spinal anesthesia. The findings of this study may help to better understand factors affecting spinal block spread in pregnant patients.

Oxytocin Bolus Versus Infusion in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section (INBOX-HR)

The goal of this randomized, double-blind clinical trial is to learn if Oxytocin is most effective at achieving adequate uterine tone (important for preventing postpartum hemorrhage) when administered as a bolus or an infusion in patients at high-risk for postpartum hemorrhage in elective cesarean sections. The main questions that will be answered are: 1. Is Oxytocin bolus more effective than Oxytocin infusion at achieving adequate uterine tone at 2 minutes after the baby is born and every minute thereafter? 2. Does Oxytocin bolus cause less maternal side effects than Oxytocin infusion? 3. Does Oxytocin bolus result in less blood loss than Oxytocin infusion in high risk for postpartum hemorrhage patients undergoing elective cesarean sections? 3\. Are patients more satisfied with their cesarean section when they receive Oxytocin bolus or Oxytocin infusion? Researchers will compare the 2 methods of Oxytocin administration, bolus versus infusion, to see which method is more effective or if they are equally effective. Participants will: 1. Be randomized to receive either Oxytocin bolus or Oxytocin infusion during their cesarean section but after the baby is born. 2. Be asked a question about their experience 2 hours after the surgery. 3. Allow the research team to collect information about how they are doing from their hospital medical records.

Effect of Pecha Kucha-Based Normal Birth Education on Birth Beliefs and Birth Preferences Among Pregnant Women Considering Elective Cesarean Section

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pecha Kucha-based normal birth education on birth beliefs and mode of birth preferences among primiparous pregnant women considering elective cesarean section without a medical indication. A total of 76 pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received normal birth education using the Pecha Kucha presentation technique, whereas the control group received the same educational content through a traditional face-to-face oral presentation. Birth beliefs and birth mode preferences were assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. The study aimed to determine whether a brief, structured, and visually supported educational intervention could improve beliefs regarding normal birth and increase preference for vaginal delivery among women considering elective cesarean section.

Impact of White Noise and Stress Balls on Anxiety, Fetal Well-Being, and Surgical Fear in Elective Cesareans

This study aims to determine the effect of white noise and stress balls administered during NST on anxiety, fetal well-being, and fear of surgery in pregnant women scheduled for planned cesarean sections. A total of 168 pregnant women will be included in the study, divided into 4 groups (white noise group, stress ball group, white noise group + stress ball group, and control group).

Gastric Ultrasound Before Elective Cesarean Section

Due to the physiologically delayed gastric emptying in pregnant women, the potential risk of aspiration before cesarean delivery constitutes an important source of perioperative complications, and when it occurs, it is associated with increased maternal morbidity and/or mortality. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have demonstrated that, compared with non-pregnant women, gastric emptying is delayed particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, and that gastric emptying does not occur in cases who have consumed solid food within the last 8 hours and in whom labor has begun. This study aims to evaluate preoperative gastric volumes by ultrasonography in ASA II pregnant women (according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, healthy parturients without complications) scheduled to undergo elective cesarean delivery under general or spinal anesthesia, based on different fasting durations for solid and liquid intake, with the type of liquid. Although previous research in pregnant populations has predominantly focused on the importance of gastric ultrasonography in the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, this thesis study aims to generate data from the general population. The findings are expected to enable individualized preventive measures to reduce aspiration-related complications during cesarean deliveries performed under general or spinal anesthesia, thereby contributing to patient safety.