Automatic measuring of uterine activity in labour. The relationship between this new parameter, fetal cardiac rhythm and the state of the infant at birth
Elhaik, S.; Danin, M.; Barrier, J.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et biologie de la Reproduction 9(2): 219-224
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 7451894 Document Number: 166907
In 163 cases uterine activity in labor was measured in 15 min periods, with a new monitoring apparatus that works out the sum of the areas of uterine contraction. In this way a regular statistical estimation of labor is given in kilopascals/s. The fetal state during labor and at birth is studied as a function of this new parameter. Uterine activity apparently should be damped down when this exceeds 1500 kilopascals/s over 15 min. Fetal cardiac rhythm alterations occur very frequently in these cases during the 1st stage of labor (55% of cases). In labor it would seem to be worth while, if caesarean operation is not necessary, to deliver the baby by instruments (to lessen the length of time of expulsion) when the mean of uterine activity over the 15 min has exceeded 1500 kilopascals/s, if this is associated with even the smallest variations of the heart rate during the 1st stage of labor. A low Apgar score and an acidotic pH occur frequently in these cases.