TRANSCERVICAL INTRAPARTUM AMNIOINFUSION - A SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE

Objective: To test a simple method of intrapartum amnioinfusion to rep lace amniotic fluid during labor in cases of prolonged labor and sever e variable fetal heart rate decelerations or thick meconium. Study des ign: We conducted a prospective study of intrapartum amnioinfusion in sixteen consecutive patients. A simple transcervically placed Foley bl adder catheter was used for intrauterine infusion of saline solution, while monitoring was performed by external cardiotocography. Results: In twelve patients, catheter placement was easily performed; the remai ning four required stabilization by a mandrel for insertion. Amnioinfu sion was effective in ten out of thirteen patients for relief of fetal heart rate anomalies. No complications were observed; all had good ne onatal outcome. Conclusions: In our small, uncontrolled study, this am nioinfusion method proved to be a simple, inexpensive, effective and s afe technique for the relief of severe heart rate anomalies in prolong ed labor. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.