Abstract
Fetal scalp, maternal antccubital vein, and umbilical artery and vein blood determinations were performed to ascertain the acid-base status and oxygen saturation of 33 patients and fetuses during labor. To date, no effort has been made to correlate oxygen saturation with scalp blood pH and fetal well-being. Three groups of patients were formed according to the clinical course of the parturient and the status of the newborn as evaluated by the Apgar scoring system. Statistical analysis of the data revealed fetal scalp blood pH to be the best measurement of fetal well-being during labor. The pH of blood from the umbilical vein was a good indicator at the time of delivery. Statistically, oxygen tension values were not significantly different among the three groups and could not be correlated with the other measurements. Oxygen tension is subject to wide and rapid fluctuations which are usually not reflected in subsequent biochemical changes unless the hypoxia is prolonged and sufficiently severe.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 398-404 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Sep 1970 |