External four-channel tocography during delivery.
OBJECTIVE
A four-channel tocographic technique was developed in order to improve present knowledge of spatial uterine motility.


METHODS
Fifty-four women were monitored during labor. Four pressure transducers were attached in a square around the umbilicus.


RESULTS
The origin of uterine contractions was generally determined to be in the upper right segment of the uterus. The rate of operative deliveries was decreased in the case of predominant upper right origin of labor. Most of the contractions with clear propagation patterns originated on the upper right side, continued to the left and then spread to the lower right part of the uterus. The highest relative intensity was also measured on the upper right side.


CONCLUSIONS
Predominant upper right origin of labor may be important for unassisted or spontaneous delivery.
Spätling
L
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitäts-Frauenklinik Bochum, Marienhospital, Herne, Germany.
Fallenstein
F
F
Danders
R
R
Hasenburg
A
A
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018590:Uterine Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*