Physiology and electrical activity of uterine contractions

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2007 Jun;18(3):289-95. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2007.05.004. Epub 2007 May 18.

Abstract

Presently, there is no effective treatment for preterm labor. The most obvious reason for this anomaly is that there is no objective manner to evaluate the progression of pregnancy through steps leading to labor, either at term or preterm. Several techniques have been adopted to monitor labor, and/or to diagnose labor, but they are either subjective or indirect, and they do not provide an accurate prediction of when labor will occur. With no method to determine preterm labor, treatment might never improve. Uterine electromyography (EMG) methods may provide such needed diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks
  • Electromyography / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myometrium / physiology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / diagnosis
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Uterine Contraction / physiology*
  • Uterus / physiology