FETAL PULSE OXIMETRY AND FETAL HEART-RATE MONITORING DURING STAGE-II OF LABOR

Objective: This study was designed to assess the changes in fetal oxyg en saturation (FSpo(2)) using fetal pulse oximetry when the fetal hear t rate (FHR) monitoring became abnormal during stage II of labour. Stu dy design: FSpo(2) was recorded with the Nellcor N400 Oximeter (FS-14 sensor) and was averaged over the last 10 min of the second stage of l abour. Second stage FHR patterns were assessed according to Melchior's classification. Results: In terms of FHR patterns, FSpo(2)-10 '' meas ured 41.4% in type 0 (n = 5), 42.4% in type 1 (n = 19), 43.3% in type 2 (n = 6), 34.0% in type 3 (n = 4) and 27.6% in type 4 (n = 7) (P = 0. 03). Conclusions: FSpo(2)-10 '' decreases in cases of severe FHR abnor mality during the second stage of labour and could help to decide whet her to perform an instrumental extraction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd.