The effect of maternal oxygen administration during the second stage of labor on umbilical cord blood gas values: a randomized controlled prospective trial

Article Abstract:

Administering oxygen for longer than 10 minutes during pushing appears to have an adverse effect on the fetus. Eighty-six women in normal labor with a healthy, term fetus were randomly assigned to receive oxygen via mask during the pushing phase of labor. A blood sample was taken from the umbilical vein after birth and analyzed. As the length of oxygen therapy increased beyond 10 minutes, the pH of the baby's blood declined. Low pH is a symptom of decreased oxygen, although no baby experienced fetal distress. Results may not be applicable to different situations, as, for example, when the baby already lacks oxygen. Several studies have shown that although oxygen is often administered liberally in labor to the mother to improve fetal oxygenation, its use can have this adverse effect. Laboratory studies have shown that umbilical and placental blood vessels constrict in the presence of abnormally high amounts of oxygen, which may be the cause of this phenomenon.

Health aspects, Oxygen therapy, Labor (Obstetrics)

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Umbilical cord blood gas analysis at delivery

Article Abstract:

Routinely analyzing blood gas levels in the artery of newborns' umbilical cords appears to be warranted. Measurements should at least include relative acid and base levels as measured by blood pH as well as carbon dioxide and carbonate levels. Many factors appear to affect the normal ranges for blood gas measurements. Measurements done routinely may be less likely to be forgotten than those done selectively. The cost of routinely using this test outweighs the legal costs associated with defending potential malpractice suits. These costs could be offset by the more selective use of fetal monitoring.

Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, Blood gas analysis

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The relationship between oxygen saturation and pH in umbilical blood: implications for intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation monitoring

Article Abstract:

Future studies that use pulse oximeters to monitor blood oxygen levels during delivery should use 30% saturation as the appropriate threshold for safely continuing labor. Pulse oximeters measure blood oxygen levels with a non-invasive infrared light beam. Standard blood gas measurements, pulse oximetry measurements, and pH levels were obtained on 1,101 infants. Ninety-nine percent of the standard oxygen measurements greater than 30% saturation corresponded with a pH greater than 7.13 with a similar degree of correspondence with pulse oximetry measurements.

Standards, Methods, Measurement, Fetal monitoring, Hydrogen-ion concentration, Oximetry, pH measurement

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