Intrapartum fetal oxygen saturation monitoring in a busy labour ward.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the ease of use of a fetal pulse oximeter in a busy labour ward.


METHODS
Descriptive study in the Labour Ward, National University Hospital, Singapore, involving 145 labouring women with singleton pregnancies, and fetuses in cephalic presentation, with cervical dilatation >2 cm and amniotic membranes ruptured.


RESULTS
Placement was comfortable. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) readings were obtained in 127 women (87.5%). Adequate readings were obtained a median of 69% of the time the transducer was in situ. SpO2 values in the last 10 min prior to delivery correlated poorly with parameters of neonatal outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The Nellcor N-400 fetal pulse oximeter and FS14 fetal sensor is a feasible method of intrapartum fetal monitoring in a busy labour ward and is acceptable to labouring women.
Chua
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Yam
J
J
Razvi
K
K
Yeong
S M
SM
Arulkumaran
S
S
D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
D010100:Oxygen