title: Coupling of uterine contractions during labor: a pilot study.
abstract: A review of 2167 cardiotocograms revealed 53 (2.5%) with coupling of contractions. The data of these patients was compared to the data of 53 patients with cardiotocograms without coupling. In the coupling group there were more primigravidas (45 vs. 18), and a lower incidence of normal vaginal deliveries (11.3% vs. 83.0%). Vacuum and forceps deliveries occurred in 49.1% in the coupling group and cesarean births in 39.6%. The corresponding figures in the control group were 9.4% and 7.5%, respectively. Coupling seems to be a sign of dysfunctional labor associated with a high incidence of abnormal deliveries, but several confounding variables could not be ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tygerberg Hospital, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cronjé
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Westhuizen
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D015148:Cardiotocography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin