The effect of maternal epidural analgesia on fetal oxygen saturation.
OBJECTIVE
To observe fetal arteriolar oxygen saturation during maternal epidural analgesia.


METHODS
An observation study of 27 epidural top-ups.


METHODS
Labour ward, St James's University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds University, UK.


METHODS
Seventeen fetuses in uncomplicated labour monitored with a N400 fetal pulse oximeter.


METHODS
A change in fetal pulse oximetry reading following epidural analgesia.


RESULTS
There is no change in fetal oxygen saturation following an uncomplicated epidural top-up (F = 0.93; df 35 and 784).


CONCLUSIONS
An uneventful maternal epidural has no measurable effect on fetal oxygen saturation measured with a N400 pulse oximeter.
Johnson
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
van Oudgaarden
E
E
Montague
I A
IA
McNamara
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen