Analysis of the pressure on the fingers and palms of midwife during second stage of labor

Issue title: Proceedings from the 16th International Symposium on Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics (ISEM 2013)

Guest editors: Xavier Maldague and Toshiyuki Takagi

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kudo, Miu^a | Hojo, Maki^a | Okuyama, Takeshi^b | Yoshizawa, Toyoko^c | Atogami, Fumi^c | Nakamura, Yasuka^c | Tanaka, Mami^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan | [b] Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan | [c] Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan | Université Laval, Canada | Tohoku University, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Mami Tanaka, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-aramaki 6-6-04, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan. E-mail: mami@rose.mech.tohoku.ac.jp

Abstract: In Japan, midwives perform Japanese hands-on (perineal support), which is important to prevent perineal tears and to deliver safely. However, it is difficult for trainee midwives to acquire the procedures. Therefore, the advanced delivery simulator that enables the midwives to evaluate the skill objectively is demanded. In this paper, for realizing the delivery simulator, we focus on the pressure of midwives' fingers and palms during Japanese hands-on. Fundamental experiments were carried out using flexible pressure sensors. In experiments, six experts perform the Japanese hand-on using normal delivery phantom. From the analysis of pressure profile, the cooperation of the left and right hand was investigated.

Keywords: Midwife, perineal support, delivery, simulator, expert skill

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-141898

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 45, no. 1-4, pp. 717-722, 2014