Content of selected heavy metals in the umbilical cord blood and anthropometric data of mothers and newborns in Poland: preliminary data.

The ability to accumulate metals in organs and tissues leads to disturbances in the physiological functioning of the body, causing oxidative stress. This negatively affects the functioning of the placenta and may result in miscarriages, premature birth and fetal growth disorders. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the levels of selected heavy metals in umbilical cord blood and anthropometric parameters of mothers and the newborns. Content of elements in umbilical cord blood has been assessed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The study results were collected and statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (PS IMAGO). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test for associations between selected variables. Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of anthropometric parameters of studied women and newborns. The study group consisted of women aged 19-41, whose pregnancy was uncomplicated and were not exposed to heavy metals due to their work or smoking. The following metals were identified in all collected cord blood samples: lead (26.25 ± 9.32 µg/L), zinc (2025.24 ± 717.83 µg/L), copper (749.85 ± 203.86 µg/L), manganese (32.55 ± 13.58 µg/L), chromium (8.34 ± 2.16 µg/L) and selenium (158.46 ± 41.58 µg/L). The conducted statistical analysis indicated the relationship between the copper content in the umbilical cord blood and the weight gain of pregnant women. A significant relationship was observed between newborn head circumference and chromium content. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between the content of zinc and copper, manganese and lead, manganese and selenium, lead and selenium, and lead and chromium in umbilical cord blood. The ratio of zinc to copper concentrations was related to neonatal head circumference. Weight gain in pregnant women is positively correlated with the copper level in umbilical cord blood. There is an association between head circumference at birth and the chromium concentration in umbilical cord blood. Copper and zinc levels in umbilical cord blood are positively correlated with head circumference at birth.

Acceptance of Pregnancy-Induced Disease and Intrapersonal Resistance Resources of Pregnant Women-Preliminary Report.

The health problems complicating pregnancy are a source of anxiety and concern about the developing fetus' health and life. The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance of illness and selected intrapersonal resistance resources for women whose pregnancies are complicated by gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced hypertension and their determinants. The study was conducted from April 2019 to January 2021 in 688 pregnant women who were patients of the pregnancy pathology department and gynecology-obstetrics outpatient clinics in Lublin (Poland), using a diagnostic survey method with the use of the following research tools: Acceptance Illness Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the standardized interview questionnaire. The study group included 337 women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The control group included 351 women with an uncomplicated course of pregnancy. The level of acceptance of illness in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced diseases is on the border between medium and high acceptance (29.36 ± 7.82). The respondents in the control group had lower levels of self-efficacy (28.47 vs. 29.62) and health locus of control in the internal dimension (24.61 vs. 26.25) (p < 0.05). Respondents with pregnancy-induced diseases are characterized by the internal dimension of locus of health control.

Body Esteem and Self-Efficacy of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus provokes a change in a pregnant woman's lifestyle, which may affect her well-being and precipitate a sense of loss of self-control over her own body. The perception of "body image" is not only physical appearance and physical attractiveness but also the emotional attitude to the body and beliefs about it. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors affecting body esteem and analyze the relationship between body esteem and self-efficacy in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted in the period from April 2019 to January 2021 among 287 women with gestational diabetes mellitus with the use of the following research tools: Body Esteem Scale (BES) and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The explanatory variables for the sexual attractiveness variable were age (ß = 0.252; p = 0.006) and education (ß = 0.334; p = 0.007), for the weight concern variable were age (ß = 0.161; p = 0.005), BMI (ß = 0.334; p = 0.005), and education (ß = 0.252; p = 0.033), for the physical condition variable, were age (ß = 0.096; p = 0.004) and education (ß = 0.213; p = 0.006). Positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and body esteem in the aspects of sexual attractiveness (p = 0.350), weight concern (p = 0.296), and physical condition (p = 0.286). Positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and body esteem in the aspects of sexual attractiveness (p = 0.350), weight concern (p = 0.296), and physical condition (p = 0.286). Older women who had better education and a lower BMI rated their bodies better. In women with gestational diabetes mellitus, high self-efficacy determines a better perception of their bodies in all areas: sexual attractiveness, weight concern, and physical condition.

A Review of Aesthetic Gynecologic Procedures for Women.

Aesthetic gynecologic surgery is gaining popularity among women and physicians. Aesthetic genital surgery for women encompasses both minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. Cosmetic genital procedures for women described in this article include perineoplasty, vaginoplasty, vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty, G-spot enlargement, Bartholin gland surgery, clitoral hoodoplasty, clitroplasty, hymenoplasty, and mons pubis plastic surgery. Based on a review of the literature for each procedure, the article discusses procedural methods and techniques, indications for implementation, potential consequences and side effects of the procedure, nursing implications, patients' motives for undergoing the procedure, and positions of scientific institutions relative to the procedure.

A Review of Aesthetic Gynecologic Procedures for Women.

Aesthetic gynecologic surgery is gaining popularity among women and physicians. Aesthetic genital surgery for women encompasses both minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. Cosmetic genital procedures for women described in this article include perineoplasty, vaginoplasty, vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty, G-spot enlargement, Bartholin gland surgery, clitoral hoodoplasty, clitroplasty, hymenoplasty, and mons pubis plastic surgery. Based on a review of the literature for each procedure, the article discusses procedural methods and techniques, indications for implementation, potential consequences and side effects of the procedure, nursing implications, patients' motives for undergoing the procedure, and positions of scientific institutions relative to the procedure.

Determinants of Psychosocial Resilience Resources in Obese Pregnant Women with Threatened Preterm Labor-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of such psychosocial resilience resources as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and health locus of control in pregnant women with obesity with threatened premature labor. Methods: The study was performed in the years 2017-2020 in a group of 328 pregnant women hospitalized due to threatened preterm labor and diagnosed with obesity before the pregnancy. The following instruments were applied: the Life Orientation Test, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results: Obese pregnant women with threatened premature labor have a moderate level of generalized self-efficacy (28.02) and a moderate level of dispositional optimism (16.20). Out of the three health locus of control dimensions, the highest scores were recorded in the "internal control" subscale (26.08). Statistically significant predictors for the self-efficacy variable model included: satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.156; p = 0.004), being nulliparous (ß = -0.191; p = 0.002), and the absence of comorbidities (ß = -0.145; p = 0.008). Higher levels of dispositional optimism were found in women who were married (ß = 0.381; p = 0.000), reported a satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.137; p = 0.005), were between 23 and 27 weeks pregnant (ß = -0.231; p = 0.000), and had no comorbidities (ß = -0.129; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Generalized self-efficacy in obese women with threatened preterm labor is associated with satisfactory socio-economic standing, being nulliparous, and the absence of chronic disease. Dispositional optimism in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor is determined by their marital status, socio-economic standing, gestational age, and the absence of comorbidities.