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Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of the uterocervical angle, which we examined ultrasonographically before misoprostol treatment, which we used in first-trimester pregnancy terminations, and its relationship with the abortion time. Material and Method: This prospective study includes 207 pregnant women diagnosed with an ex-fetus in utero hospitalized for medical termination in a single center. These patients were divided into two groups patients whose treatment was completed in the first cycle and who needed additional cycles. The characteristics of all pregnant women, abortion times, and misoprostol doses used were compared with uterocervical angle and cervical length and analyzed between groups. Results: The mean age of the patients in the entire study group was 30.1±6.3, the median uterocervical angle was 112 degrees, and the cervical length was 36 mm. Increasing cesarean number and increasing uterocervical angle degree were positively correlated with increasing abortion time. The number of cesarean sections and the degree of uterocervical angle differ significantly between the group whose treatment was completed in the first cycle and the groups that needed additional cycles. In the treatment groups with elevated uterocervical angle degrees, the first cycle was higher than the successful group. Additional dose and cycle requirements arise if the uterocervical angle is >110 degrees. Conclusion: Evaluation of the uterocervical angle in first-trimester medical terminations may guide the clinician in the early completion of treatment. With this evaluation before medical treatment, the duration of hospitalization can be shortened, and the need for surgical intervention for patients can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The fact that nurses involved in prenatal care have an adequate level of knowledge about these issues will lead to more effective and positive health outcomes in societies where they serve. There is limited research in Turkey on the knowledge levels and attitudes of nurses and student nurses involved in prenatal care. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge level of nursing students about prenatal tests and foetal rights. Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 252 3rd and 4th-grade students studying at a public university. Frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed in the analysis of the data. Results: 47.6% of the students reported that they would reach the delivery decision of a baby with a high risk of an anomaly. A significant difference was found between the test scores of the groups in terms of student gender (p <0.05). The socio-demographic variables of the students were found to not affect their decisions on the delivery of a baby with a high risk of anomalies and their prenatal test knowledge scores (p> 0.05). Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Foetal rights, is recommended to be included in the nursing curriculum to raise the knowledge and awareness levels. Efforts aimed at contributing to facilitative student-patient relationships have a crucial role in shaping students' competency and in promoting high-quality patient care. Thus, in order to improve students' perceptions of prenatal tests and fetal rights, it is thought that students' awareness should be increased on these topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the indications for termination of pregnancy (TOP) in pregnant patients who were followed up with suspicion of fetal anomaly in a Turkish tertiary referral center. Material and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in patients who were followed up with suspicion of fetal anomaly between May 2016 and May 2019 at the Perinatology Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in Pamukkale University Hospital, which is a tertiary hospital in Denizli province in Turkey. Women were divided into two depending on gestational period: group 1 ≤22 weeks; and group 2 (>23 weeks of gestation). Results: Four hundred and seventeen pregnant women were evaluated and TOP was performed at a mean gestational age of 27.7±6.3 weeks. There were 308 (73.8%) women in group 1 and 109 (26.2%) in group 2. The decision to terminate pregnancy was due to fetal anomaly in 117 (28.1%). The majority of termination pregnancies in group 2 were performed because of multiple malformations and/or central nervous system defects. All chromosomal diseases were detected in group 1. Conclusion: With a good perinatal screening program, fetal anomalies can be diagnosed early. Therefore, early TOP is possible. Thus, pregnancy termination can be made before reaching the life limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present the termination of pregnancy (TOP) rates and elucidate the decision-making process following a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 in Turkey. This retrospective single-center study was conducted with 146 pregnant women between January 2016 and December 2019 in a tertiary hospital. Data on maternal characteristics, sonographic findings, indications for chromosome analysis, and educational, religious, and economic factors that can influence the parental decision process were collected. The TOP rate of Down syndrome (DS) in our center was 78.8%. We concluded that maternal age, earlier diagnosis, indication for chromosome analysis, and previous pregnancies had no effect on the TOP decision. On the other hand, not having a minor or a major sonographic sign, employed mothers, middle- and high-income families, and families having a secondary or higher education tended to terminate the pregnancy affected by DS at statistically higher rates. There are many studies worldwide investigating the TOP preferences for DS. However, there is limited data about TOP rates and influential factors affecting the decision-making process in Muslim countries. This study contributes by clarifying the factors in the decision-making process and elucidating perspectives about TOP in a Muslim country with a unique status: Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to evaluate congenital heart disease (CHD) cases according to EUROCAT subgroup classification that were diagnosed during the prenatal period in our center.Methods: CHDs that were prenatally diagnosed using ultrasonography and confirmed by fetal echocardiography were reviewed over a 10-year period. Subgroup classification was finalized at the post-partum period in terms of the EUROCAT guide 1.3. Congenital heart defect subtypes and obstetric outcomes (gestational week at delivery, birth weight, gender, extracardiac structural abnormalities, karyotype results if performed) were analyzed.Results: The data of 180 cases with CHD were examined. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOT) was the most common CHD subtype (57/180; 31.6%), which included 48, five, and four cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), coarctation of the aorta, and aortic valve atresia/stenosis, respectively. Eighteen pregnancies were terminated; the most common CHD subtype among patients of terminated pregnancies was hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) (n = 7, 38.8%). The most common extracardiac malformations were a single umbilical artery, esophageal atresia, and situs inversus in our study group. Eighteen of the 96 (18.75%) neonates with CHD died during the neonatal period. The most common CHD subtype was HLHS (7/18; 38%) among the newborns who died after birth.Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis of a CHD and subgroup classification is very important for clinical decision making, including prenatal management, recommendations for termination of the pregnancy, postnatal management of the patient, and for early referral to pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a retrospective study of 139 termination of pregnancies (TOPs) between November 2015 and November 2017 to demonstrate the indications. We have shown that 60.4%, 34.5% and 5% of the terminations were performed because of genetic disorders, foetal or obstetrical problems, and maternal causes, respectively. Congenital abnormalities (43.8%), anhydramniosis (17.2%) and chromosomal abnormalities (15.1%) were the most frequent causes of the TOPs. The central nervous system seemed to be the most frequent indicator found in our study. The critical finding is the presence of nine (6.4%) terminations because of foetal reasons beyond the 24th gestational week. A vaginal termination occurred in 91.4% of cases, whereas a hysterotomy was performed in 8.6% of the cases. Previous uterine surgery was the most significant risk factor for a hysterotomy. Knowing the foetal indications is essential to know the aetiological and medico-legal backgrounds of the TOPs for better planning and medical counselling. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Congenital anomalies are most common cause of termination of wanted pregnancies. Terminations beyond 24 weeks are also evaluated as unethical and create an ethical concern. The legal limitations differ between countries in terms of the legal limit in pregnancy for terminations. What do the results of this study add? We have demonstrated the congenital anomalies are the most common reason for pregnancy terminations after excluding fetal demise and unwanted pregnancies. We also showed that congenital anomalies and chromosomal abnormalities are most common indications for terminations of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks. The legal arrangements related to the termination of pregnancies in Turkey are described. Prior uterine surgery is a significant risk factor for hysterotomies in the termination of pregnancies. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It is critical to know the aetiological background of termination of pregnancies for better planning and consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]