Fetal pulse oximetry during labor and at birth

Abstract

The role of intrapartum FHR monitoring is to detect significant fetal compromise in time to permit intervention. However, prospective trials of intrapartum FHR monitoring versus auscultation have not confirmed the benefit suggested by earlier retrospective reports. Blood gases and pH measurements at the fetal scalp in association with FHR monitoring have enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of FHR (2), but it is still an invasive method, technically difficult to perform and which requires multiple sampling, if labor is prolonged. An alternative method for assessing the fetal well-being has been the introduction in obstetric wards of fetal intrapartum pulse oximetry. We report here the results of a prospective study to assess safety and efficacy of intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry.