Simulation of the uterine contractions and foetus expulsion using a chemo-mechanical constitutive model

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

M. C. P. Vila Pouca (Author) Other; João P. S. Ferreira (Author) Other; Dulce A. Oliveira (Author) Other; Parente, MPL (Author) FEUP; Maria Teresa Mascarenhas (Author) Other; Renato Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology

Vol. 18 No. 3

Pages: 829-843

ISSN: 1617-7959

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-2HJ

DOI: 10.1007/s10237-019-01117-5

Abstract (EN): During vaginal delivery women sustain stretching of their pelvic floor, risking tissue injury and adverse outcomes. Since studies in pregnant women are limited with ethical constraints, computational models have become an interesting alternative to elucidate the pregnancy mechanisms. This research investigates the uterine contractions during foetus expulsion without an imposed trajectory. Such physical process is captured by means of a chemo-mechanical constitutive model, where the uterine contractions are triggered by chemical stimuli. The foetus descent, which includes both pushing and resting stages, has a descent rate within the physiological range. Moreover, the behaviour of the foetus and the uterus stretch agree well with clinical data presented in the literature. The follow-up of this study will be to obtain a complete childbirth simulation, considering also the pelvic floor muscles and its supporting structures. The simulation of a realistic rate of descent, including the pushing and resting stages, is of significant importance to study the pelvic floor muscles due to their viscoelastic nature.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15