Continuous fetal monitoring following third-trimester amniocentesis.
One hundred forty-six patients were monitored for up to 2 hours after third-trimester amniocentesis. The patterns of uterine and fetal activity, as well as fetal heart rate, were analyzed using the criteria for nonstress and contraction stress testing. There was a clear relationship between these observations and perinatal outcome. Postamniocentesis monitoring was associated with an Apgar score of 6 or less in only 10% of cases with reactive patterns, compared with in 75% of cases with nonreactive patterns and reduced variability and in all cases with late-component deceleration. All cases of immediate fetal jeopardy were detected and there was no fetal loss. Postamniocentesis monitoring appears to offer significant prognostic information for perinatal outcome in high-risk pregnancy.
D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001034:Apgar Score; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005333:Fetus; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012306:Risk; D014590:Uterine Contraction