INTRAPARTUM FETAL PULSE OXIMETRY - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Oxygen saturation monitoring (pulse oximetry) has markedly improved me dical care in many fields, including anesthesiology, critical care, an d newborn intensive care. In obstetrics, fetal heart rate monitoring r emains the standard for intrapartum assessment of fetal well-being. Fe tal heart rate monitoring is sensitive but nonspecific for detecting f etal compromise. Additional clinical information is needed to discern those fetuses not at risk for development of intrapartum acidosis to a void unnecessary intervention. Fetal oxygen saturation monitoring is a new technique currently under development. This article reviews the e volution of intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation monitoring and propose s directions for future investigation.