Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Labor Stage, First”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Active-phase arrest in labor: predictors of cesarean delivery in a nulliparous population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical variables associated with cesarean delivery for active-phase arrest with hypotonic labor. METHODS: We reviewed all deliveries at our institution from September 1975 through March 1989. Data were collected from medical records and a computerized data base. Nulliparas with active-phase arrest were identified and those with hypotonic labor (defined as less than 180 Montevideo units) were selected. The clinical characteristics of each parturient were examined. A linear logistic regression analysis was used to examine the incidence of cesarean delivery as a function of clinical variables. RESULTS: The incidence of active-phase arrest was 4.9%, and hypotonic forces were diagnosed in 81% of the cases managed with an intrauterine pressure catheter. Despite the consistent use of oxytocin in hypotonic labor, the cesarean rate was 60%. Four factors correlated with cesarean delivery in this setting: estimated fetal weight, station at the time of arrest, duration of ruptured membranes, and year of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: After an active-phase arrest, cesarean delivery increased when there was suspected cephalopelvic disproportion. In addition, we observed a strong correlation between cesarean delivery and the year of delivery, which suggests a change in physician behavior over time, independent of all other risk factors for cesarean.

Adult↗

Clinical significance of creatine kinase isoenzymes for fetal asphyxia in women at labor.

Creatine kinase-brain isoenzyme activity (CK-BB) was measured longitudinally in the serum of 31 pregnant women in the first stage of labor (early and advanced), at delivery, and 1, 6 and 24 h after delivery, in the umbilical cord and in the serum of their neonates on the first day of life. There was no increase in serum CK-BB values of mothers that delivered normally (n = 15) or had an elective cesarean section (n = 5). Pregnant women with signs of fetal distress had an increase in CK-BB levels in the first stage of labor (mean +/- SD 4.5 +/- 4.9 U/l, p < 0.03) and 6 h after delivery (12 +/- 4 U/l, p < 0.0001). Neonates with intrauterine stress also had an increase in their CK-BB to 144 +/- 116 U/l at 6 h of life, in comparison with babies born without signs of stress. It appears that CK-BB during labor and in the first hours of life may be indicative of intrauterine stress.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗

Fetal scalp catecholamines during labor.

Samples of scalp blood were collected from 129 fetuses during the first stage of labor for analysis of plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography. The catecholamine levels were related to scalp blood pH and fetal heart rate patterns during the 20-minute period preceding the collection of scalp blood. The median norepinephrine level was 9.2 nmol/L (range, 1.3 to 99.7), and the median epinephrine level was 0.5 nmol/L (range, less than 0.5 to 19.2) (n = 111) during the first stage of labor when the pH was above 7.25. The norepinephrine level was considerably higher than that in the resting adult. Significantly higher concentrations of catecholamines were found when scalp blood pH was below 7.26 (p less than 0.001). Maternal analgesia did not influence the fetal catecholamine levels in uncomplicated labor. Significantly higher concentrations of norepinephrine were found during the appearance of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns.

Analgesics↗

Epidural infusions of ropivacaine and bupivacaine for labor analgesia: a randomized, double-blind study of obstetric outcome.

UNLABELLED: Studies have shown better obstetric outcome when ropivacaine 0.25% was used for labor epidural analgesia compared with bupivacaine 0.25%, but it is controversial whether there is any difference at smaller concentrations. In a prospective, double-blind trial, we randomized 350 ASA physical status I and II parturients with term cephalic singleton pregnancies to receive epidural labor analgesia using ropivacaine or bupivacaine. Analgesia was initiated with a 0.25% solution and maintained with a continuous infusion of a 0.1% solution with fentanyl 0.0002%. Supplementary boluses of 0.25% solution were given when requested. Labor was managed according to institutional standard labor ward protocols. Among patients who delivered vaginally, the duration of the first stage of labor was shorter in the ropivacaine group (median, 520 min; interquartile range, 377-745 min) compared with the bupivacaine group (645 min; interquartile range, 460-820 min; P = 0.009), but there was no difference in any other obstetric or neonatal outcomes. The mode of delivery was similar between groups, with operative (instrumental vaginal and cesarean) delivery rates of 61.8% (95% confidence interval, 54.4%-68.8%) in the ropivacaine group and 58.4% (95% confidence interval, 50.9%-65.5%) in the bupivacaine group (P = 0.72). IMPLICATIONS: In a randomized-controlled study, we found no major outcome advantage of continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% with fentanyl 0.0002% over bupivacaine 0.1% with fentanyl 0.0002% for labor analgesia. Although ropivacaine was associated with a shorter first stage of labor, the relative difference is probably of limited clinical importance, and there was no difference in the mode of delivery.

Adult↗

Intrapartum ultrasound for the examination of the fetal head position in normal and obstructed labor.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of transabdominal ultrasound for determining fetal head position in laboring women and compare it to digital examination, and to study ultrasonographically the rotation of the fetal head in normal and obstructed labor. DESIGN: This was an observational prospective study of 148 women in active labor. Ultrasound examinations were performed longitudinally in the first and second stages of labor. RESULTS: Assessment of the fetal head position by digital examination was not possible in 60.7% (122/201) of cases in the first stage and 30.8% (41/133) in the second stage of labor. Difficulty in assessing the position was more likely if the occiput was posterior in comparison to anterior and in the maternal right in comparison to the left side. In the second stage, it was three times more likely for the assessment not to be possible digitally if the occiput was posterior. In the cases when assessment by vaginal examination was possible, the correlation with ultrasound was average in the first stage (kappa = 0.59) and good in the second stage (kappa = 0.77). Overall fetal head position assessment by digital examination was accurate in 31.28% of the cases in the first stage and 65.7% of the cases in the second stage of labor. Rotation of the fetal head is highly unlikely when labor begins in the occipital anterior position. Persistent occipital posterior position developed through failure to rotate from an initial occipital posterior or transverse position. Duration of the first stage of labor was independently related to parity and position of the fetal spine at presentation, and duration of the second stage of labor was independently related to parity, birth weight, position of the fetal head at the beginning of the second stage, rotation and position of the head at delivery. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound assessment of the fetal head position in labor is feasible in a busy labor ward. Digital examination is less accurate than ultrasound, in particular in cases of obstructed labor when medical intervention is more likely to be needed. Ultrasound assessment may prove useful in the prediction and diagnosis of difficult and prolonged labor.

Adolescent↗

The relationship of maternal exercise on labor, delivery and health of the newborn.

Thirty women were interviewed and divided into active and sedentary groups. Pre-delivery data, information regarding labor and delivery, Apgar scores of the newborn and perceived exertion during labor were recorded and statistically analyzed. Neonates of active women showed slightly higher one-minute Apgars and no difference in fetal weight or five-minute Apgars. Active women indicated lower perceived exertion during labor, longer delivery times and no differences in gestational length, maternal weight gain and time during the first stage of labor. Maternal weight gain in both groups correlated positively with fetal weight. A higher fetal weight indicated a slightly higher five-minute Apgar. Primaparas showed no difference in the first stage of labor although longer delivery time was noted. No differences in levels of medication during labor were revealed although the youngest and oldest subjects required cesarean delivery. Obese women labored longer, indicated higher perceived exertion and higher fetal weights.

Adolescent↗

Intrathecal clonidine combined with sufentanil for labor analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal sufentanil provides rapid-onset and complete analgesia for the first stage of labor. The dose required to produce this effect can be associated with maternal respiratory depression, hypotension, nausea, or pruritus. Because clonidine potentiates the analgesic effects of opioids without increasing their side effects, the authors wanted to determine the efficacy of low doses of intrathecal clonidine (15 and 30 microg) combined with sufentanil. METHODS: Ninety-eight parturient requesting labor analgesia were studied. In a combined spinal-epidural technique, patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the following intrathecal solutions: either 15 microg clonidine (n = 10); 30 microg clonidine (n = 10); 2.5 microg sufentanil (n = 13); 5 microg sufentanil (n = 13); 2.5 microg sufentanil and 15 microg clonidine (n = 13); 2.5 microg sufentanil and 30 microg clonidine (n = 13); 5 microg sufentanil and 15 microg clonidine (n = 13); or 5 microg sufentanil and 30 microg clonidine (n = 13). Visual analog scores for pain, blood pressure, heart rate, sensory levels, incidence of nausea and pruritus, and motor blockade, and maternal and cord blood concentrations of clonidine were recorded. RESULTS: Patients receiving 30 microg intrathecal clonidine with 2.5 or 5 microg intrathecal sufentanil had significantly longer-lasting analgesia (145 +/- 36 and 145 +/- 43 min vs. 104 +/- 35 for those receiving 5 microg intrathecal sufentanil alone). Clonidine levels were undetectable in maternal serum. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty micrograms of intrathecal clonidine combined with 2.5 or 5 microg intrathecal sufentanil significantly increased the duration of analgesia during the first stage of labor without adverse maternal or fetal effects.

Adult↗

Is the management of epidural analgesia associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the association of cesarean delivery with epidural analgesia management, specifically with the timing of epidural catheter placement in relation to labor, the type of epidural analgesia, and the use of bolus dosing. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort design was used to investigate 1561 consecutive nulliparous parturients whose labor occurred between November 1, 1996, and June 30, 1997, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and who were delivered of term, singleton neonates in a cephalic presentation. The relationship between the management of epidural analgesia and the risk for cesarean delivery was determined with stepwise logistic regression to control for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: There was a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery associated with decrements in cervical effacement (P =.001), cervical dilatation (P =.001), and fetal station (P =.001) at the time of epidural catheter placement. An increasing number of epidural boluses during the first stage of labor was also associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery (P =.001). After we controlled for maternal age, maternal body mass index, gestational age, infant birth weight, induction of labor, use of magnesium sulfate, and presence of chorioamnionitis, the adjusted odds of cesarean delivery associated with fetal station (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.7) and epidural boluses (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.8) during the first stage of labor remained significant. CONCLUSION: The management of epidural analgesia during labor was associated with the potential for increased risk of cesarean delivery. This risk increased with higher stations of the fetal head at the time of epidural catheter placement and with more frequent epidural boluses of local anesthetic during the first stage of labor.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Effects of epidural lidocaine analgesia on labor and delivery: a randomized, prospective, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Whether epidural analgesia for labor prolongs the active-first and second labor stages and increases the risk of vacuum-assisted delivery is a controversial topic. Our study was conducted to answer the question: does lumbar epidural analgesia with lidocaine affect the progress of labor in our obstetric population? METHOD: 395 healthy, nulliparous women, at term, presented in spontaneous labor with a singleton vertex presentation. These patients were randomized to receive analgesia either, epidural with bolus doses of 1% lidocaine or intravenous, with meperidine 25 to 50 mg when their cervix was dilated to 4 centimeters. The duration of the active-first and second stages of labor and the neonatal apgar scores were recorded, in each patient. The total number of vacuum-assisted and cesarean deliveries were also measured. RESULTS: 197 women were randomized to the epidural group. 198 women were randomized to the single-dose intravenous meperidine group. There was no statistical difference in rates of vacuum-assisted delivery rate. Cesarean deliveries, as a consequence of fetal bradycardia or dystocia, did not differ significantly between the groups. Differences in the duration of the active-first and the second stages of labor were not statistically significant. The number of newborns with 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores less than 7, did not differ significantly between both analgesia groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia with 1% lidocaine does not prolong the active-first and second stages of labor and does not increase vacuum-assisted or cesarean delivery rate.

Journal Article↗

Elective induction versus spontaneous labor: a retrospective study of complications and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was undertaken to identify whether electively induced labor places the mother or her fetus at increased risk as compared with her spontaneous labor cohort. STUDY DESIGN: This study compares the labor, delivery, and fetal outcome of 253 parturients in which labor was electively induced with 253 matched controls who began labor spontaneously. All patients were delivered at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California, during the calendar year 1990. The patients were between 37 and 41 weeks' gestation and had no medical or obstetric conditions necessitating induction. The cases and controls were matched for age group, parity, gestational age, and delivering obstetrician. RESULTS: Epidural anesthesia was used in 83.8% of patients in the induction group versus 55.7% in the spontaneous group. Patients with labor induced had a shorter first stage of labor. Meconium staining was found significantly more often in the spontaneous group than in the induced group (16.2% vs 6.7%). This contributed to a greater rate of neonatal consultations in the spontaneous labor group. Although cesarean section rates between the two groups were similar, nulliparous patients in the induction group with an estimated Bishop score of less than or equal to 5 had a 50% cesarean section rate. Iatrogenic prematurity was not encountered. No differences existed between the two groups with respect to intrapartum maternal complications, fetal complications, or postpartum complications. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with spontaneous labor, elective induction of labor at term does not appear to pose an increased risk to the mother or her fetus in a carefully selected patient population. However, elective induction of labor in a nulliparous patient with an unfavorable cervix should be discouraged.

Cohort Studies↗

Update on epidural analgesia during labor and delivery.

Properly administered epidural analgesia provides adequate pain relief during labor and delivery, shortens the first stage of labor, avoids adverse effects of narcotics, hypnotics, or inhalation drugs and it could be used as anesthesia in case a cesarean section is required. Epidural analgesia should be provided to all patients who need and ask for it with an exception of contraindications such as coagulation disorders, suspected infection or gross anatomic abnormality. The technique must be carried out with care if serious life-threatening complications, such as intravenous or intrathecal injection of local anesthetic, are to be avoided. The aim of many recent investigations has been to reduce the total dose of local anesthetic used. Supplementation of an opioid (mainly fentanyl) and introduction of the patient controlled epidural pump may not only serve this goal, but also reduce the demands on the time of obstetric anesthetists. We conclude that properly and skillfully administered epidural is the best form of pain relief during labor and delivery and we hope that more mothers could enjoy its benefits.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Electronic fetal monitoring. Are we meeting documentation standards?

OBJECTIVE: To test whether fetal heart rate documentation requirements for high-risk pregnancies are too stringent to achieve compliance, especially during the second stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN: Random retrospective chart and monitor strip review of deliveries occurring one year earlier were reviewed. Thirty-four low-risk and 34 high-risk pregnancies were selected and assessed for compliance with nationally accepted documentation guidelines. RESULTS: All monitor strips and charts were successfully retrieved from medical records. Charted documentation of the strips met national requirements in the active phase of the first stage of labor in 97% of cases, as did documentation during the second stage. For high-risk pregnancies, compliance during the active phase of the first stage of labor was 65% as compared to 35% in the second stage. All infants had normal five-minute Apgar scores, and none had umbilical arterial acidemia. CONCLUSION: Given current resources, we cannot reliably meet established documentation standards for high-risk pregnancies. Such overly stringent documentation standards pose a significant risk in cases going to litigation. A standard should be developed that is based on outcome data.

Adult↗

Chronopharmacology of intrathecal sufentanil for labor analgesia: daily variations in duration of action.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of opioids vary throughout the day, as demonstrated for oral morphine in chronic pain. However, little is known about the chronobiology of intrathecal lipid soluble opioids used for labor analgesia. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether the duration of action of intrathecally administered sufentanil is influenced by the time of administration. METHODS: Ninety-one women in the first stage of labor were enrolled. Labor analgesia was first provided by 10 microg intrathecal sufentanil. The duration of action of intrathecal sufentanil was measured and analyzed by the cosinor method to determine periodic intraday variation. RESULTS: Pain assessed by a visual analog score was not different among patients (70 +/- 17 mm) before the injection of intrathecal sufentanil. Rhythm analysis revealed a mean ( +/- SD) duration of analgesia (mesor) of 93.0 +/- 3.8 min. A highly significant 12-h rhythm was found, with two peaks: One was near midnight (0.78 +/- 0.6 h), and the other was near noon (12.78 +/- 0.6 min) (P < 0.01). The amplitude of this 12-h component was 16.1 +/- 5.5 min. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of intrathecal sufentanil analgesia exhibited a temporal pattern with 30% variations throughout the day period. The authors point out that the lack of consideration of chronobiological conditions in intrathecally administered analgesia studies can cause significant statistical bias. Further studies dealing with intrathecal opioids should consider the time of drug administration.

Adult↗