World first in pregnancy care
Many pregnancies are accompanied by certain symptoms: a pulling sensation in the abdomen, abdominal pain or downward pressure. Especially in early pregnancy, these can be worrying symptoms - associated with concerns or even fears of a premature birth. Pregnolia gives professionals a new tool to detect critical cases early or to reassure the expectant mothers - the measurement of cervical stiffness.
The ETH spin-off Pregnolia is taking an innovative step into the future with its measuring device for the stiffness of the cervix. Pregnolia provides gynaecologists with a new device for prenatal care [1] and gives pregnant women a safe feeling for a healthy pregnancy. Current studies also give hope for effective, early detection of premature births [3].
A leap
in the pregnancy care
Until now, gynaecologists have been faced with a mystery: half of premature births occur quite suddenly without any prior symptoms or causes [4]. One of the reasons for a premature birth can be a cervical insufficiency. Softer cervical tissue or shortening can be signs of an impending premature birth [5]. Therefore, the condition of the cervix is examined during pregnancy. Pregnolia now makes it possible to measure cervical stiffness with an uncomplicated procedure - a world first in prenatal diagnostics [1][6].
The following health insurances cover the examination through their supplementary insurances:
myFlex Outpatient Insurance
Supplementary insurance Classic, Family, Jump
Supplementary insurance
Primeo
Supplementary insurance Intense
Supplementary insurance Pulse Top and Pulse Premium
For all self-paying women, the examination costs 150 - 200 CHF.
the cervix softens
before it shortens
During pregnancy, the cervix becomes softer and shorter. Eventually, the cervix will open completely at birth [5]. A very soft cervix can be a sign of an impending premature birth.
A clinical study by ETH Zurich and the University Hospital Zurich has shown that the cervix first softens during pregnancy and only then shortens [1][6]. This means that the Pregnolia System can identify a change in the cervix earlier than an ultrasound exam may detect a change in length. This is possible only with an objective and sensitive measurement device like the Pregnolia System, which is much more precise than the subjective method of palpation [2].
Questions and answers about Preventive examination with the Pregnolia System
References
[1] Badir S. et al., Cervical softening occurs early in pregnancy: characterization of cervical stiffness in 100 healthy women using the aspiration technique.
Prenatal Diagnosis 2013; 33(8): 737-741.
[2] Badir S. et al., Aspiration technique-based device is more reliable in cervical stiffness assessment than digital palpation.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020; 20 (391).
[3] Parra-Saavedra M. et al., Prediction of preterm birth using the cervical consistency index. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2011; 38: 44–51.
[4] March of Dimes, PMNCH, Save the children, Who. Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. Eds CP. Howson, MV Kinney, JE Lawn.
World Health Organization. Geneva, 2012
[5] Word K., et al., Dynamics of Cervical Remodeling during Pregnancy and Parturition: Mechanisms and Current Concepts. Semin. Reprod. Med., pp. 69–80, 2007.
[6] Badir S. et al., A novel procedure for the mechanical characterization of the uterine cervix during pregnancy.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 2013; 27:143-153.
[7] Federal Statistical Office: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/gesundheit/gesundheitszustand/gesundheit-neugeborenen.html