The Leboyer method of childbirth.
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OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induces cervical ripening. METHODS: Cervical biopsies were obtained immediately postpartum from women successfully treated with PGE2 gel intracervically. Six specimens were incubated with [35S]sulfate and five were used to characterize the nonlabeled proteoglycan composition. In separate experiments, biopsy specimens from three term pregnant women with unripe cervices were incubated with PGE2 in organ cultures. Proteoglycans were isolated and characterized using ion-exchange and gel chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: During PGE2-induced cervical ripening, the synthesis of proteoglycans, especially a large chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and biglycan, increased three- to sixfold. This resulted in a net increase in the large proteoglycan in the PGE2-treated cervices. In organ culture, on the contrary, incubation with PGE2 decreased the proteoglycan synthesis. CONCLUSION: Prostaglandin E2-induced cervical ripening is accomplished by increased remodeling of the cervical connective tissue, involving changed proteoglycan metabolism and composition.
Several mechanical and biochemical methods have been used to induce labor throughout modern obstetrics. We review and compare mechanical and medical methods of labor induction, along with several new uterotonic agents such as mifepristone (RU 486) and misoprostol, which can be conveniently administered orally and managed in the outpatient clinic.
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OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis of this prospective study is that intrapartum vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) is an effective predictor of fetal acidosis during labor. Various clinical conditions, such as term versus preterm gestation, first stage versus second stage of labor, and fetal heart rate (FHR) variable decelerations versus late decelerations will be tested. METHODS: During the study period, 113 patients were studied prospectively in either active phase of first stage (n = 53) or during the second stage of labor (n = 60). They were selected from cases exhibiting moderate to severe FHR variable decelerations or late decelerations. The fetuses of study subjects received a VAS for three seconds and FHR changes were recorded. Fetal scalp blood pH or umbilical arterial blood pH was obtained within 15 minutes of VAS. The relationship between FHR responses to VAS and fetal blood pH in term and preterm gestations, the relationship of two tests (VAS and fetal blood pH) to type of FHR decelerations, and the predictability of neonatal morbidity by two tests were analyzed. Where appropriate, Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05 was considered statistically different) and the odd ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Excellent association between acceleration response to VAS and pH > or = 7.20, and between a negative response to VAS (no acceleration or decelerations) and pH < 7.20 were found in the first stage of labor, the second stage of labor, and the combination of both stages together (p = 0.0001, OR = 10.6 [3.3-34.0]). It was observed that negative VAS responses for predicting fetal acidosis (pH < 7.20) were comparable between term (> or = 37 weeks) and preterm (< 37 weeks, > or = 34 weeks) fetuses. Since the preterm fetuses enrolled in the study were limited in number, it is difficult to draw adequate conclusions. The positive predictive value (PPV) of fetal acidosis was 67% in both groups of FHR variable decelerations and late decelerations, but the false negative rate of acceleration VAS response for predicting no acidosis was significantly higher in the group of late decelerations (29% vs 8%, p = 0.034). Finally, both a negative VAS response and fetal acidosis (pH < 7.20) have equal predictability for neonatal morbidity. The PPV of NICU admission by a negative VAS response was two times higher than that of fetal acidosis (PPV = 61% vs 29%, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: We found that intrapartum VAS was an effective predictor of fetal acidosis in cases of FHR variable decelerations, but its predictability for fetal acidosis in cases of FHR late decelerations was limited. Both VAS and fetal blood pH are good predictors of neonatal morbidity.
Intrathecal narcotics are a relatively recent addition to the list of analgesic options that are available for the management of labor pain. Pain during the first stage of labor is related to repetitive uterine contractions and resultant cervical dilatation, while pain during the second stage is due to stretching of the perineum. Traditionally, continuous epidural analgesia has been used as the reference standard for providing comfort during labor. Intrathecal narcotics represent a safe and effective alternative that provides significant, rapid relief of labor pain during the first stage of labor. The drugs most often used for intrathecal administration include sufentanil, fentanyl, meperidine and morphine. Use of intrathecal narcotics does not significantly affect the natural progression of labor, and no adverse fetal outcomes have been reported.
This study compared the analgesic efficacy of intermittent injections of intrathecal fentanyl (10 micrograms), meperidine (10 mg), or sufentanil (5 micrograms) administered to 65 parturients during the first stage of labor. The groups did not differ in onset or duration of effective analgesia. The meperidine group, however, had significantly lower pain scores once cervical dilation progressed beyond 6 cm. Side effects included mild pruritus and nausea. After intrathecal drug injection, variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate increased in the fentanyl and meperidine groups. All neonates had a 5-min Apgar score of 7 or more. We conclude that intermittent intrathecal injections of fentanyl, meperidine, or sufentanil can provide adequate first-stage labor analgesia. Meperidine appears to provide more reliable analgesia as the first stage of labor progresses.
Levels of 13, 14-dihydro 15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (dhk PGF2alpha) in the plasma of 30 patients as well as in the amniotic fluid of 17 patients, and 5alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy 11-keto tetranor-prostane 1,16-dioic acid (the main urinary metabolite of PGF2alpha [PGF2alpha MUM]) levels in the urine of 30 patients were measured by radioimmunoassay during pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium. During pregnancy, no increase in dhk PGF2alpha (ng/ml) in plasma was detected as the time of delivery approached. The levels of dhk PGF2alpha during the second stage (0.64 +/- 0.15) and also at delivery (0.88 +/- 0.27) were significantly elevated over those in the first stage (0.38 +/- 0.29) (P less than 0.025 and P less than 0.005, respectively). Its level 2 hours after delivery was reduced to predelivery levels. Its levels in umbilical arterial and venous blood were 0.71 +/- 0.26 and 0.67 +/- 0.26, respectively. A significant elevation (P less than 0.01) of dhk PGF2alpha from 0.89 +/- 0.21 before labor to 6.16 +/- 2.40 at delivery was found in amniotic fluid. The hourly excretion of PGF2alpha MUM (microgram/hour) increased significantly from pregnancy levels to 1.06 +/- 0.45 in the first stage (P less than 0.01), to 7.67 +/- 4.31 (P less than 0.005) for the first 2 hours after delivery, and 2.37 +/- 1.08 from 2 to 12 hours after delivery (P less than 0.01). The excretion of PGF2alpha MUM decreased to pregnancy levels 12 hours post partum. These data indicate that during labor the production of PGF2alpha is remarkably increased.
BACKGROUND: There has been some controversy regarding the effect that a long labor can have on fetal well-being. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of duration of labor both the first and second stage on the acid-base variables in the umbilical artery of the newborn. METHODS: Bloodsampling was attempted from all infants born at our department between October 1994 and September 1995. Nineteen hundred and forty-one live infants were delivered during the period. Sampling was unsuccessful in 264 cases and after excluding infants with operative delivery, multiple gestations, breech presentation, prematurity, postmaturity and infants small for gestational age 1255 remained singleton, term infants with vertex presentation and non-operative vaginal birth. RESULTS: We found no correlation between duration of the first stage of labor and neither pH nor base excess in umbilical artery blood. There was a significant correlation between duration of the second stage of labor and both the pH and base excess. For vaginal nulliparas we found that pH=7.30-0.016 x second stage duration in hours and base excess=-3.71-0.692 x second stage duration in hours. For women with previous vaginal births pH=7.31-0.029 x second stage duration in hours and base excess=-2.38-1.306 x second stage duration in hours. CONCLUSIONS: We find no correlation between duration of the first stage of labor and umbilical artery pH or base excess. We do find a correlation between duration of the second stage of labor and the umbilical artery pH and base excess. However, a prolongation of the second stage with as much as three hours would give an expected lowering of the umbilical artery pH with only 0.05 and of base excess with 2.1 mmol/l for vaginal nulliparas and correspondingly with 0.09 and 3.9 mmol/l in women with previous vaginal births. This effect on pH and base excess is so small that it is hardly clinically relevant and we do not find any support for the belief that a long labor -- in the absence of other risk factors -- is to the disadvantage of the fetus.
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Because timing of sampling is crucial in an investigation of the effects of labor and delivery on fibrinolysis we conducted a study of fibrinolytic markers in plasma of 10 healthy multiparous women in whom labor was induced, which allowed standardization of sampling times in relation to the course of labor and delivery. Blood samples were taken 5 min before the start of oxytocin infusion, at full cervical dilatation, and within 5 min after delivery of the placenta. A sample of mixed free flowing cord blood was obtained after delivery with the placenta in situ. Variables determined were tissue-type plasminogen-activator (t-PA) and the plasminogen activator inhibitors type 1 (PAI-1) and type 2 (PAI-2). The only significant change between the beginning of the induction of labor and the end of the first stage of labor was a rise in t-PA antigen (P = 0.01). All variables, except PAI-2 antigen, changed significantly after delivery of the placenta: t-PA antigen and activity showed a rise (P < 0.05), accompanied by a fall in PAI-1 antigen and activity (P < 0.01). T-PA activity in cord plasma was higher (P < 0.01) in comparison with maternal plasma concentrations at the end of the first stage of labor, t-PA antigen levels were similar, and PAI-1 antigen and activity and PAI-2 antigen were lower in cord plasma (P < 0.001). Our study shows that activation of the maternal fibrinolytic system can already be detected during labor, with a marked further increase in fibrinolytic potential after placental separation.
Since the discovery of opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord, considerable research has been performed to include intrathecal opioids for the control of pain. No area has used this knowledge more than the practice of obstetrical anesthesia. Intrathecal opioids have been shown to be very effective in controlling the pain experienced in the first stage of labor but have been ineffective in controlling second-stage labor pain. Intrathecal opioids, especially morphine sulfate, provide long-term analgesia but are associated with a high number of side effects. Research studies have attempted to determine the optimal dose of intrathecal opioids to provide the greatest amount of analgesia with the lowest incidence of side effects. Intrathecal morphine sulfate has been shown to be effective in controlling first-stage labor pain but has been shown to be the most efficacious in controlling the pain experienced in the post-cesarean section period. This article reviews the current literature and provides background of information to understand these developments.
The labours of 8 patients which resulted in the birth of babies with brachial plexus injury were studied. Four of the mothers were Black, 1 was Asian and 3 were White. Seven had instrumental deliveries. All babies were above average birth weight. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 7, with 5 of these showing abnormal partographic patterns. The abnormal active phase on the partogram should serve as a first stage warning of the possibility of shoulder dystocia. Methods of management of this second stage complication are reviewed.