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.
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Contact the centres that already use the Pregnolia System or ask your trusted doctor.
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].
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The following health insurances cover the examination through their supplementary insurances:
myFlex Outpatient Insurance
Supplementary insurance
PRIMEO​​
Supplementary insurance Classic, Family, Jump​​
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].
The Pregnolia System
in use
The following gynaecology practices and clinics use Pregnolia's measuring device:
Dr. med. Michael M. Rabner, Zurich
Dr. med. Fides Küng Straumann, Zurich
Dr. med. Maja Rohrbach, Männedorf
Dr. med. Matti S. Kuronen, Aarau
Dr. med. Svea Klein, Medbase Uster
Dr. med. Lucian Stroie, Dübendorf
Dr. med. Magali Lechénne, Delémont
Aarau
Zurich
St.Gallen
Biel
Lucerne
Bern
Basel
If you are interested in a measurement, please contact the practice directly.
Is your gynaecologist missing from the list? New practices are being added all the time and will be listed here. Contact her/him! Download the brochure for your next consultation. Your gynaecologist can contact us at any time.
Questions and answers about Preventive examination with the Pregnolia System
References
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[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.
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[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
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[5] Word K., et al., Dynamics of Cervical Remodeling during Pregnancy and Parturition: Mechanisms and Current Concepts. Semin. Reprod. Med., pp. 69–80, 2007.
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[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.
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[7] Federal Statistical Office: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/gesundheit/gesundheitszustand/gesundheit-neugeborenen.html
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