Variability of blood volume and oxygenation after the onset of labour - a laserspectroscopic study

Background: Hemodynamic patterns and the distribution of blood volume are i nfluenced by the onset of labour. This study evaluates patterns of oxygenat ion and changes of blood volume after the induction of contractions. Methods: A prototyp NIR-laser spectrometer was applied in 28 cases. Results: We found a rise of blood volume and oxygen saturation (HbO(2)) dur ing the peak of contractions. Cerebral tissue oxygenation was monitored by registration of relative changes of cytochrome-aa(3). No significant change of tissue oxygenation was detected during variable volume load. Discussion: This implicates compliance of the redox state during labour.