Reproductive and Urinary Physiology Commons^™

Does Administration Of Probiotics To Women Aiming To Get Pregnant Reduce The Risk Of Pregnancy Complications?, Olivia Kreider

Capstone Showcase

This paper aims to assess the role of the vaginal and uterine microbiota in pregnancy complications, specifically miscarriages. With 1% of women experiencing recurrent miscarriages, the need to further research risk factors for miscarriages is evident. The findings of this research revealed there may be a place for probiotics in the prevention of pregnancy complications. Studies have shown that there is an impact of various bacteria within the uterine and vaginal microbiota on conceiving and maintaining healthy, full-term pregnancies. Considering these findings, it is recommended that healthcare providers consider recommending probiotic supplements to anyone aiming to conceive, especially those who …

Associations Of Maternal Plasma Free Fatty Acid Profiles With Markers Of Inflammation In Healthy Pregnant Women, Xinhua Chen Md, Thomas P. Stein Phd, Theresa O. Scholl Phd, Robert A. Steer Edd

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We investigated the relationship between maternal fasting plasma free fatty acid (FFA) profiles and markers of inflammation (MOI) (IL-6, 8, 10, TNF-α, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) and resistin) in healthy pregnant women during early gestation (week 16).

These data suggested that maternal functional long-chain FFAs influence inflammatory response during normal pregnancy. Changes in specific FFA composition may reduce low-grade inflammation and inflammation related poor pregnancy outcomes and complications.

Ramadan & Pregnancy, Omar Rizvi

Celebration of Learning

Fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is fard (obligatory) for all Muslims physically and mentally capable of doing so. In the Qur’an, it is made abundantly clear that religion and its acts of worship are not meant to pose undue difficulty or hardship (Qur’an 22:78, 5:6, 2:185). My paper explores the Islamic definitions for “unnecessary difficulty” and “physically capable” specifically in regards to pregnant women. At what point does fasting incur significant, if any, damage to the fetus that it should prevent the mother from participating in …