title: An analysis of uterine activity in spontaneous labour using a microcomputer.
abstract: A microcomputer was used to analyse uterine activity during spontaneous labour in 30 nulliparous and 30 parous patients. The intrauterine mean active pressure (MAP) in the nulliparous group was 1.51 kPa (SD 0.45) in the first stage and 2.71 kPa (SD 0.77) in the second stage. For the parous group, the MAP in the first stage was 1.22 kPa (SD 0.37) and in the second stage was 2.92 kPa (SD 0.98). A significant parity difference in MAP and contraction frequency was observed in the first stage but not in the second stage. Epidural analgesia did not appear to influence uterine activity in the first stage but was associated with a lower MAP, contraction frequency and intensity in the second stage. During the first stage, MAP increased by 21% in nulliparas and by 39% in multiparas. The rise in MAP was mainly due to an increase in contraction frequency.
authors.affiliation: Royal Maternity Hospital, Glasgow.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fairlie
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Calder
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology; D001724:Birth Weight; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008838:Microcomputers; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics