Fetal laser spectroscopy during administration of oxygen to the mother

Objective: Oxygen is frequently administered to women during labor if the f etus is thought to be at risk of hypoxia. We studied the effect of maternal oxygen administration on the fetus with near infrared laser spectroscopy ( NIRS). Methods: 24 patients with normal fetal sonography findings and heart rate p attern were enrolled. After the onset of labor the laser optodes for NIRS w ere applied to record HbO(2) and HbR as parameters of blood oxygen saturati on and cytochrome aa(3) as an indicator of tissue oxygenation. Results: Administration of oxygen to the mother was associated with a signi ficant increase of the oxygenation index in the blood and increased tissue oxygenation. Conclusion: These results suggest that administration of oxygen to the moth er during labor can improve the oxygen supply to the fetus.