Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate blood flow Doppler velocimetry during the first and second stages of active labor. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. Patients at term (37–42 weeks gestation), with normal fetal heart rate tracing patterns (categorized as category I) were examined during the first and second stages of labor. The sonographic parameters that were measured included the blood flow resistance of the maternal uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA). Wilcoxon-matched pair test was used for the comparison of flows between the first and the second stages of labor. Results: UtA and UA Doppler velocimetry measurements were obtained from 31 parturients. The left (LT) and right (RT) UtA pulsatility index (PI) was lower in the second stage of labor as compared with the first stage. However, only the LT side reached a statistically significant difference (0.88 ± 0.32 and 0.73 ± 0.18; P = 0.005). Compared with the first stage of labor, UA PI was significantly higher during the second stage of labor (0.72 ± 0.17 vs. 0.84 ± 0.33; respectively, P = 0.05). Conclusion: Significant blood flow resistance changes in maternal as well as in fetal blood vessels occur during the second stage as compared with the first stage of active labor.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 837-840 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics |
Volume | 291 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Apr 2015 |
Keywords
- Active labor
- Doppler flow velocimetry
- Umbilical artery
- Uterine artery
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology