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Schwangere pregnant woman femme enceinte

INFORMATION
FOR Future MOMS

A pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. A birth before 37 weeks is considered a premature birth. In Switzerland, every 13th child is born prematurely. Premature babies are often too light and too small and need medical support to properly develop.

THE CERVIX PLAYS A ROLE

Premature births can come quite suddenly without any previous complications or symptoms. In about half of premature births the cause is unknown.

One of the reasons for premature birth may be a weakness of the cervix. Softer tissue or cervical shortening may be signs of imminent premature birth. Therefore, the condition of the cervix during pregnancy is examined regularly.

THE PREGNOLIA system

Until today, your gynecologist had to determine the stiffness vaginally with his or her fingers (palpation). With the Pregnolia System, they now have a reliable device that can precisely measure cervical stiffness.

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The Pregnolia test supports risk assessment of premature birth.

  • safe for you and your baby

  • pain-free

  • less intrusive and more hygienic than palpation

  • no ultrasounds
     

The Pregnolia System is a new device. Contact your doctor for more information, or reach out to us.

Operating principle of the cervical stiffness measurement
Changes of the cervix

THE CERVIX SOFTENS
BEFORE IT SHORTENS

During the course of a pregnancy, the cervix becomes softer and softer until its complete opening at birth. A very soft cervix can be an indicator of higher risk for premature birth. 
 
A clinical study conducted by ETH Zürich and the University Hospital Zürich has shown that the cervix softens before it shortens. This allows the Pregnolia System to detect ongoing changes in the cervix earlier than ultrasound, which measures its length.

STUDY TO PREDICT PRETERM BIRTH

The SoftCervix study investigates whether cervical weakness can be detected early in pregnancy. In the study, the stiffness and length of the cervix are measured in the 5th month. The stiffness is determined with the Pregnolia System. This examination is supplemented by two ultrasound measurements.

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The study takes place in the following hospitals:

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  • Universitätsspital Zürich

  • Universitätsspital Basel

  • Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève 

  • KU Leuven in Belgium

  • Stadtspital Triemli

  • Kantonsspital Aarau

  • Kantonsspital Baden

  • Kantonsspital Frauenfeld

  • Kantonsspital Luzern

  • Kantonsspital Münsterlingen

  • Kantonsspital St.Gallen

  • Kantonsspital Winterthur

 

The study centers are currently recruiting pregnant women. If you want to participate, you can contact the hospitals.

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