From four centers in Isfahan, data from 252 insertions of the Cu-T-200 made by midwives and 646 insertions of the same device made by doctors are compared. Although the net cumulative one-year continuation rate for women who had a copper-T inserted by a midwife is significantly lower than for women who had a copper-T inserted by a doctor there are no significant differences between the one-year event rates for the two groups of patients. These data suggest that an expanded role for midwives in IUD insertion programs would be an efficient use of health personnel.

BACKGROUNDOxytocin is used in more than 50% of the deliveries for induction of labour in many delivery units. Currently, there is no consensus whether oxytocin should be continued until delivery or can be discontinued after established active phase of labour. Theoretically, once labour contractions are established, the endogenous production of prostaglandin from the endometrium may be enough to maintain appropriate uterine activity without further stimulation with oxytocin. Our study was formulated to investigate whether discontinuation of oxytocin infusion has any effect on the duration of active phase of labour, mode of delivery, and maternal or neonatal morbidity. METHODSThis open-label prospective randomised controlled trial included 200 pregnant women at term with premature rupture of membranes. Primigravidas >/=18 years of age with a single viable foetus and cephalic presentation at term with cervical dilation

The pleated or intrauterine membrane (IUM) was designed to fit a range of uterine sizes and shapes and to adjust to transient changes resulting from uterine motility. The retention and contraceptive abilities of postabortion IUM insertions are analyzed in this study of 154 IUM insertions made within 3 days of treatment for an incomplete or inevitable abortion. Results indicate low 1-year net cumulative event rates for pregnancy (1.7 per 100 users), expulsion (7.2 per 100 users), and removal for bleeding and/or pain (3.9 per 100 users). These rates were similar to those reported in a study of interval insertions of the IUM; moreover, these results also compared favorably with corresponding rates of postabortion insertions reported in studies using other devices. Thus, the postabortion period is indicated as being an effective time for IUM insertion.