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Epidural Analgesia and Fetal Heart Rate Abnormalities
Author(s) -
Umstad Mark P.,
Ross Andrew,
Rushford Debra D.,
Permezel Michael
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1993.tb02083.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fetal heart rate , heart rate , fetus , anesthesia , lumbar , fetal heart , pregnancy , surgery , blood pressure , biology , genetics
Summary: Lumbar epidural analgesia is frequently associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities. Fluid preloading prior to the procedure significantly reduces the incidence of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (p = 0.02). The mechanisms of these changes are discussed and the importance of maternal hypotension is evaluated. Fluid preloading and continuous electronic fetal monitoring should be considered routine for all women undergoing this procedure.