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Fetal oxygen saturation during labour
Author(s) -
Chua S.,
Yeong S. M.,
Razvi K.,
Arulkumaran S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb12071.x
Subject(s) - oxygen saturation , fetus , saturation (graph theory) , oxygen , chemistry , pregnancy , mathematics , biology , organic chemistry , genetics , combinatorics
Objective To derive oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO 2 ) values at each cervical dilatation in labour in fetuses with normal neonatal outcome. Participants One hundred and forty‐five women at term in established labour with ruptured membranes and cervical dilatation at least 2 cm who had normal delivery outcome. The infants had 5 minute Apgar scores 7, birthweight 2500 g, umbilical cord artery pH 7.15 and did not require assisted ventilation or admission to neonatal intensive care. Methods Women were monitored continuously with cardiotocography and fetal pulse oximetry using the Nellcor N‐400 fetal pulse oximeter and FS‐14 fetal oxisensor till delivery. Labour was managed according to established protocol without recourse to SpO 2 readings. Results There was a wide range of SpO 2 values during labour hi fetuses with normal outcome. Mean values averaged 50%±10% throughout the first stage of labour, with lower ranges of SpO 2 values above 30%. There was no significant difference in SpO 2 readings at different cervical dilatations in the first stage of labour. Mean SpO 2 values in the last 10 minutes before delivery were also not significantly different from those in the first stage of labour. Conclusion The range of SpO 2 in 115 healthy fetuses during normal labour was wide, but always above 30%. There was no trend of SpO 2 values in this study of 115 fetuses with normal neonatal outcome.