脐血乳酸水平及胎心监护图形预测胎儿窘迫的价值

目的　探讨新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平及胎心监护图形预测胎儿窘迫的价值。方法　测定 73例胎心监护图形为不良图形 (胎心基线异常、重度变异减速、轻度变异减速、心动过速 )的新生儿(病例组 )和 118例产前无胎儿窘迫征象 ,出生后 1分钟Apgar评分≥ 9分的新生儿 (对照组 )出生后脐动脉血乳酸水平。结果　病例组中产钳助产率明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,顺产率低于对照组 (P<0 0 1)。病例组中 ,胎心重度变异减速多发于第二产程 ;胎心基线异常的新生儿Apgar评分≤ 7分的发生率高于重度变异减速、轻度变异减速、心动过速的新生儿 (P <0 0 5 )。病例组中 ,胎心基线异常者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (4 5 5± 0 2 3 )mmol/L ;重度变异减速者为 (3 84± 0 40 )mmol/L ,出现以上两种图形的新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平均明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1)。轻度变异减速者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (2 63± 0 3 2 )mmol/L ;心动过速者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (2 5 5± 0 46)mmol/L。并且轻度变异减速与心动过速者脐动脉血乳酸水平与对照组比较 ,差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　测定新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平是一种有效、准确的诊断胎儿窘迫的方法。胎心基线异常、重度变异减速与胎儿窘迫的发生密切相关 ;轻度变异减速、心动过速与胎     

胎心监护基线静止型220例分娩结局分析

目的了解足月妊娠胎心监护基线静止型与胎儿宫内缺氧的关系。方法选择胎心监护图形胎心基线变异为静止型的初产妇220例为观察组，胎心基线变异为波浪型的初产妇对照组，比较两组分娩过程及新生儿结局。结果基线变异静止型产程中出现羊水Ⅱ-Ⅲ度污染，羊水过少，胎心监护出现晚期减速或重度变异减速以及新生儿窒息均明显高于波浪型，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论胎心基线变异静止型提示胎儿储备能力下降，常合并羊水过少，存在胎儿宫内潜在缺氧的可能，临床应给予高度重视。     

第一产程异常胎心监护图形的分析

目的:探讨第一产程异常胎心监护图形的临床意义。方法:选自第一产程胎心监护图形异常的患者348例为观察组,367例第一产程胎心监护正常者为对照组。观察并比较两组间孕妇并发症及胎儿合并症的情况。结果:①电子胎心监护显示早期减速(ED)所占比例最高,为55.2%,然后依次为变异减速(VD)、晚期减速(LD)、心动过速、心动过缓、基线变异减弱及延长减速(PD)。②观察组中,伴有脐带绕颈及羊水量异常的患者分别占28.4%和10.3%,其比例均明显高于对照组,两组之间均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。③观察组中羊水粪染(Ⅱ-Ⅲ度),Apgar评分≤7分(出生1min),胎儿窘迫及剖宫产的比例均明显高于对照组,两组之间均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论:不同电子胎心监护异常图形有不同的临床意义,应该结合临床资料综合分析。     

第二产程胎心监护异常的处理及临床意义

目的 探讨第二产程胎心监护异常者的分娩方式,及其与产妇并发症和围产儿结局的关系。方法 回顾性分析我院足月单胎头位分娩产妇第二产程中胎心率（FHR）正常的111例（对照组）和胎心率异常的121例（观察组）的资料。结果 FHR异常的发生率为52.2%（121／232）,异常胎心率类型包知中、重度变异减速（VD）81例,占66.9%;晚期减速（LD）27例,占22.3%,其中仅1例发生连续LD;延长减速（PD）4例,占3.3%;VD合并LD2例,占1.7%;VD合并PD3例,占2.5%;基线变异减弱4例,占3.3%。对照组中,阴道助产13例（11.7%）,顺产98例（88.3%）;观察组中,顺产86例（71.1%）,阴道助产35例（28.9%）,其中29例（82.9%）为FHR异常而施术者,两组间比较,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。观察组、对照组新生儿窒息的发生率（分别为5.0%、1.8%）及产伤的发生率（14.3%、15.4%）比较,差异均无显著性（P＞0.05）;观察组中有1例产妇会阴Ⅲ度撕伤。结论 第二产程中FHR异常的发生率高,多为产程中胎头受压或脐带受压而引起的迷走神经反射或暂时性子宫胎盘血流减少,并非缺氧所致,不必急于干预,以免造成母、儿损伤。     

羊水乳酸水平及胎心监护预测胎儿窘迫的价值

目的　探讨羊水乳酸水平及胎心监护图形预测胎儿窘迫的价值。方法　 2 0 0 3年 8月至 2 0 0 4年 8月暨南大学医学院第二附属医院测定 90例第一产程活跃期出现不良胎儿监护图形 (观察组 )和 10 0例正常胎儿监护图形 (对照组 )的羊水及新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平 ,其中对照组 30例同时进行母血、脐血及羊水乳酸水平检测。结果　脐血乳酸水平明显高于母血乳酸水平 ,但较羊水为低 (P <0 0 1)。羊水与脐血乳酸水平存在正相关关系(r =0 92 3,P <0 0 1) ,而母血与脐血乳酸水平无相关关系 (r =- 0 15 7,P >0 0 5 )。观察组中自然分娩率低于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,剖宫产率及新生儿窒息率均高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。胎儿监护异常减速羊水乳酸水平为(10 6 0± 1 6 9)mmol/L ,明显高于对照组的 (7 18± 0 91)mmol/L(P <0 0 1) ,轻度变异减速及心动过速羊水乳酸水平分别为 (7 5 0± 1 4 6 )mmol/L ,(7 36± 1 14 )mmol/L ,与对照组比较 ,差异无显著性意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　胎儿监护异常减速与胎儿窘迫密切相关。羊水乳酸水平可望成为一种简便、有效的判断胎儿窘迫的生化指标。     

胎心监护在产程中的应用

目的减少围产儿的病残率和死亡率，熟练地识别胎心监护图，正确地指导产程中的处理。方法分析我院2002年1月-2004年12月在产程中采用胎心率电子外监护587例，出现异常胎心宫缩图形243例，其中基线率异常89例，胎心率各类减速94例，其中新生儿轻度窒息21例，重度窒息3例。结果产程中出现晚减(ID)、可变减(VD)、频发早减(ED)及基线率异常都是胎儿缺氧的表现。结论产妇产前应常规进行胎心监护，以便及时发现异常胎心变化，减少围产儿的死亡率及病残率。     

羊膜腔输液治疗在产时应用的临床分析

目的 :分析羊膜腔输液 (amnioinfusion,AI)治疗产时羊水过少、胎膜早破和胎粪性羊水的临床意义。方法 :选择产程中发生胎心异常合并羊水过少、胎膜早破和羊水胎粪污染的孕产妇 1 0 1例 ,随机分为治疗组 51例 ,对照组 50例。治疗组在胎心监护下行羊膜腔输液或羊水置换 ;对照组给予吸氧 ,改变体位 ,静滴 5% Na HCO3等治疗。结果 :治疗组经羊膜腔输液 50 0～ 1 0 0 0 ml,胎心可变减速 (variable deceleration,VD)和长时减速 (period long deceleration,PL D)消失或明显改善 44例 ,有效率占 86 .3% ,明显高于对照组 (2 2 % ) ,两组比较差异有显著性 (P<0 .0 1 )。治疗组 1 9例胎粪性羊水行羊水置换 ,有 1 7例羊水转为清亮或 度混浊。治疗组产程时间比对照组缩短 ,治疗组和对照组剖宫产率分别为 1 3.7%和 34.0 % ,新生儿窒息率分别为 3.9%和 42 .0 % ;对照组胎粪吸入性肺炎 9例 ,新生儿死亡 3例 ,治疗组仅一例发生胎粪吸入性肺炎 ,无新生儿死亡。产褥病率两组比较 ,差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5)。结论 :羊膜腔输液是治疗产时羊水过少、胎膜早破、胎粪性羊水的有效方法     

胎儿脐带绕颈产时连续胎心监护132例体会

目的 探讨超声提示胎儿脐带绕颈孕妇临产后连续胎心监护对围生儿预后的影响。方法 对2004年12月至2005年4月辽宁盘锦市第四人民医院产前诊断脐带绕颈的132例孕妇，入产房后，常规采用外监测法进行连续性产时胎心监护。结果 132例超声提示脐带绕颈孕妇中发现重度变异减速及频发晚期减速不祥图形30例（占22．7％），发生在潜伏期者6例（占20％），活跃期21例（占70％），第2产程3例（10％），均及时改行急诊剖宫产。无重度新生儿窒息，轻度新生儿窒息3例，全部复苏成功，无围生儿死亡。结论 对产前超声提示脐带绕颈孕妇进行全产程胎心监护，有助于及时发现胎儿窘迫并及早处理，可有效避免新生儿重度窒息和围生儿死亡。     

远程胎儿心率监护网络在高危妊娠中的临床应用

目的　探讨远程胎儿心率监护网络作为高危妊娠围生期孕妇家庭自我监护方法的临床应用价值。方法　 2 0 0 1年 1月至 2 0 0 4年 7月深圳市第二人民医院选择 1 36例高危妊娠孕妇 ,采用远程胎儿心率监护网络进行无负荷试验 (NST)监测 (研究组 ) ,选择同期进行常规胎儿心率监护的高危孕妇 1 4 0例作为对照 (对照组 ) ,分析两组胎儿心率监护的监测结果和围生儿结局。结果　研究组NST异常检出率 (36 6 %)较对照组 (2 8 3%)明显增高 (P <0 0 5 )。研究组NST异常图形为变异减速、基线变异减少或胎儿心率 (FHR)过缓 ,与对照组比较 ,差异均有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。研究组新生儿窒息和早产儿的发生率低于对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。两组剖宫产率的差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　应用远程胎儿心率监护网络进行高危妊娠的监测 ,可改善围生儿预后 ,是高危妊娠孕妇自我监护的新选择。     

脐血乳酸水平、产时胎心监护不良图形和新生儿结局关系的研究

目的:研究脐动脉血乳酸水平与产时胎心监护不良图形及新生儿结局之间的关系。方法:229例足月妊娠、单胎、头位产妇根据产时胎心宫缩图(cardiotocography,CTG)分为两组,观察组:轻度变异减速(variable deceleration,VD)68例、不良CTG包括中、重度VD、不典型VD、胎心基线变异减弱或消失、延长减速、重度晚期减速及心动过缓84例。对照组:产时CTG无VD及不良图形、新生儿脐动脉血pH≥7.20的产妇77例,检测新生儿脐动脉血乳酸浓度及生后20项行为神经评分(neonatal behavioral neudogioal as-sessment,NBNA)。结果:对照组脐动脉血乳酸99%参考值范围为1.31~4.05mmol/L,不良CTG脐血乳酸水平明显高于对照组(P<0.01);pH、BE值显著低于对照组与轻度VD组(P<0.01,P<0.05),脐血乳酸水平与pH、BE呈显著负相关(P<0.01)。以对照组x-±2.58s为界值,观察组脐血乳酸超过界值者不良CTG占73.33%,其中不良结局儿占68.18%。结论:脐动脉乳酸水平与pH、BE值有较好的相关性。产时重度VD或VD并存其它异常CTG,胎心基线变异减弱,尤其伴发羊水粪染、脐带异常时与围生儿脐血高乳酸水平、不良结局有关。     

Predictive value of electronic fetal monitoring for intrapartum fetal asphyxia with metabolic acidosis

Objective: To determine the predictive value of each fetal heart rate (FHR) variable and of patterns of FHR variables for fetal asphyxia during labor.Methods: This matched case-control study included an asphyxia group of 71 term infants with umbilical artery base deficit greater than 16 mmol/L and a control group of 71 term infants with umbilical artery base deficit less than 8 mmol/L. Each FHR record available for the 4 hours before delivery was scored in 10-minute cycles for each FHR variable. Selected patterns of important FHR variables were examined during the last hour before delivery for their predictive value for fetal asphyxia.Results: The FHR variables associated with fetal asphyxia included absent and minimal baseline variability and late and prolonged decelerations. Fetal heart rate patterns with absent baseline variability were the most specific but identified only 17% of the asphyxia group. The sensitivity of this test increased to 93% with the addition of less specific patterns. The estimated positive predictive value ranged from 18.1% to 2.6%, and the negative predictive value ranged from 98.3% to 99.5%.Conclusion: A narrow 1-hour window of FHR patterns including minimal baseline variability and late or prolonged decelerations will predict fetal asphyxial exposure before decompensation and newborn morbidity. Thus, with careful interpretation, predictive FHR patterns can be a useful screening test for fetal asphyxia. However, supplementary tests are required to confirm the diagnosis and to identify the large number of false-positive patterns to avoid unnecessary intervention.     

Fetal heart rate during labour: definitions and interpretation

Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is widely used during labor even in low risk pregnancies. Consensus is necessary to define and interpret accurately the different FHR patterns. The normal FHR tracing include baseline rate between 110-160 beats per minute (bpm), moderate variability (6-25 bpm), presence of accelerations and no decelerations. Uterine activity is monitored simultaneously: contractions frequency, duration, amplitude and relaxation time must be also normal. Abnormal baseline heart rate during 10 minutes or more is termed tachycardia above 160 bpm (except for FIGO above 150) and bradycardia below 110 bpm. Variability is minimal below 6 bpm and absent when non visible. Decelerations are classified as early, variable, late, and prolonged. Early and late decelerations have an onset gradual decrease of FHR, in contrast variable decelerations have an abrupt onset. Early deceleration is coincident in timing with uterine contraction. Variable deceleration is variable in onset, duration and timing, and may be described as typical or non reassuring. Late deceleration is associated with uterine contraction; the onset, nadir, and recovery occur after onset, peak and end of the contraction. Prolonged deceleration is lasting more than two but less 10 minutes, with almost onset abrupt and no repetition. Electronic fetal monitoring is a method to detect risk of fetal asphyxia; analysis and interpretation of FHR patterns are difficult with a high false positive rate, increasing operative deliveries. The patterns who are predictive of severe fetal acidosis include recurrent late or variable or prolonged decelerations or bradycardia, with absent FHR variability, and sudden severe bradycardia. The other FHR patterns are not conclusive and defined as non reassuring; obstetrical risk factors must be considered and other method (like scalp sampling for pH) utilised to evaluate fetal state.     

Abnormal fetal heart rate tracing patterns during the first stage of labor: effect on perinatal outcome

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate perinatal outcomes of infants who had pathologic fetal heart rate tracings during the first stage of labor, in comparison with pregnancies with normal tracings. STUDY DESIGN: The perinatal outcomes of 301 infants born at 37 to 42 weeks of gestation with pathologic fetal heart rate patterns during the first stage of labor were compared with 300 infants with normal fetal heart rate tracing patterns. The data were collected prospectively. Tracings were interpreted with the use of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development fetal heart rate monitor guidelines. RESULTS: Hydramnios (odds ratio, 7.68; 95% CI, 1.75%-33.63%), oligohydramnios (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.01%-7.39%), and the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.03%-3.3%) were independent factors that were associated with pathologic fetal heart rate monitoring during the first stage of labor in a multivariable analysis. The occurrences of umbilical arterial pH of <7.20, a 1-minute Apgar score of <7, a base deficit of 12 mmol/L or higher, and operative deliveries were significantly higher in the study group as compared with subjects with normal fetal heart rate monitoring. Late decelerations and severe variable decelerations (<70 bpm) during the first stage of labor were independent risk factors (odds ratio, 17.5; 95% CI, 1.61%-185.7% and odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.36%-11.7%, respectively) that were associated with fetal acidosis (determined by both pH of <7.2 and a base deficit of 12 mmol/L or higher) in a multiple logistic model, controlled for hydramnios, oligohydramnios, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, augmentation by oxytocin, nulliparity, duration of first stage of labor, and birth weight. CONCLUSION: The operative delivery rate was higher among patients with abnormal first-stage fetal heart rate patterns. Late decelerations and severe variable decelerations were significant factors associated with fetal acidosis.     

A Maternal Walking Test for the Evaluation of Fetal Well-Being

Maternal exercise is a simple and convenient way of inducing maternal cardiovascular stress. This report describes a technique for assessing fetal well-being during maternal ambulation using a newly developed multidirectional beltless ultrasound transducer system and a beltless tocotransducer. Fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern during and after a brief period of maternal ambulation was examined for presence of fetal tachycardia with loss of FHR variability or late decelerations. Maternal walking test, nonstress test, and biophysical profile results from 85 patients were compared using the FHR pattern observed in early labor as the end-point. Of the 13 patients with abnormal walking tests, 9 had abnormal early labor FHR pattern, while only 1 of the 72 patients with normal walking tests were abnormal in early labor (sensitivity = 90% (P < 0.05), specificity = 94.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 69%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 98.6%). By contrast, the NST detected 5 nonreactive fetuses, 4 of which showed abnormal FHR pattern in early labor; 6 of 80 reactive NST cases developed abnormal early labor FHR (sensitivity = 40%; specificity = 98.6%; PPV = 80%, NPV = 92.5%). The biophysical profile was much less sensitive than either tests: Only 1 fetus received a low score (=s6). Maternal ambulation enhances the sensitivity of antepartum FHR testing when compared to resting NST, with a reasonable false-positive rate (3 1%).     

Relationship of early intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns to subsequent patterns and fetal outcome

This study evaluated subsequent fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns and fetal outcome in laboring women with normal or abnormal initial FHR patterns. Four hundred term gravidas presenting in the latent phase of labor were studied. Ninety (22.5%) exhibited abnormalities on the initial tracing, with the majority of those abnormalities (58.9%) including mild variable decelerations, either alone or in combination with other abnormalities. An analysis of the outcome for those patients revealed a significant increase in cesarean delivery for fetal distress and depressed one-minute Apgar scores when compared to patients with initially normal tracings. Analysis of subsequent FHR patterns in that group showed a significant increase in the incidence of atypical variable declerations and bradycardia. Patients with more than one abnormality on the initial FHR tracing showed a greater incidence of loss of variability, loss of reactivity and bradycardia on subsequent FHR tracings. Likewise, pregnancy outcome for this group was remarkable for an increased risk of meconium staining, cesarean delivery for fetal distress and depressed one-minute Apgar scores. An abnormal initial FHR tracing seems to be associated with the subsequent development of ominous FHR patterns and increased fetal morbidity, particularly when more than one abnormality is present on the initial tracing.     

Evaluation of fetal heart monitoring in the first stage of labor

Objective : To evaluate the usefulness of continuous electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring in the first stage of labor. Methods : A total of 814 pregnant women in labor without identifiable risk factors was divided into two groups. In group A (468 cases), continuous FHR monitoring began in the earliest phase of the first stage of labor (cervical dilatation &#104 4 cm), while in group B (346 cases) it began when the cervical dilatation was > 4 cm. Initial FHR tracings were normal in all 814 cases. The fetal monitoring findings were analyzed at 10-min intervals, and comparisons were made between the two groups concerning FHR findings and their correlation with the state of the newborns. Results : No significant difference was found between the two groups in the incidence of repetitive variable decelerations (1.9% and 1.7%, respectively); sporadic variable decelerations (9.2% and 8.7%, respectively); persistent repetitive late decelerations that resulted in Cesarean section (1.1% and 1.4%, respectively); or sporadic late decelerations (8.3% and 8.1%, respectively). One newborn from each group required intensive neonatal care. Conclusions : The same tracing sufficiency of fetal stress was observed in the two groups. However, the manner of labor supervision in group B seemed to be more beneficial, because of greater maternal comfort, a lower necessity for personnel, lower consumption of cardiotocographic materials and the possibility of labor induction for more women. Since fetal monitoring is widely used, it is preferable to start continuous FHR monitoring when the dilatation of the cervix approximates 4-5 cm (second phase of the first stage of labor) without risk of fetal loss.     

Changes in fetal heart rate and uterine patterns associated with uterine rupture

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine patterns preceding complete uterine rupture. STUDY DESIGN: FHR and uterine patterns of 50 women with uterine rupture were compared with 601 tracings of controls without scarred uteri. Tracings were interpreted using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Research Planning Workshop guidelines. RESULTS: Interobserver and intraobserver agreements of FHR and uterine tracings in the uterine rupture group were excellent (kappa of .96 for both variables). Comparing tracing patterns during the first stage, higher rates of severe fetal bradycardia (4.0% vs. 1.0%, P = .064), fetal tachycardia (8.0% vs. 2.3%, P = .042), reduced baseline variability (24.0% vs. 12.5%, P = .021), uterine tachysystole (10.0% vs. 0.8%, P < .001) and disappearance of contractions (6.0% vs. 0, P < .001) were noted among patients with uterine rupture as compared to the controls. During the second stage of labor, patients with uterine rupture had significantly higher rates of reduced baseline variability (47.8% vs. 7.7%, P < .001), severe variable decelerations (26.1% vs. 6.4%, P = .004), uterine tachysystole (22.0% vs. 0.5%, P < .001) and disappearance of contractions (13.0% vs. 0, P < .001). Using a backward, stepwise multiple logistic regression model, severe fetal bradycardia (OR = 8.2, 95% CI 2.2-31.0, P = .002) and uterine tachysystole (OR = should alert the 8.0, 95% CI 1.7-37.9, P = .008) were found to be independent patterns preceding uterine rupture during the first stage of labor. Likewise, during the second stage, reduced baseline variability (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.3, P = .009) and uterine tachysystole (OR = 42.3, 95% CI 10.6-168.3, P < .001) were independently associated with uterine rupture in another multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Abnormal monitor patterns among women presenting with risk factors for uterine rupture, specifically uterine tachysystole, reduced baseline variability and severe bradycardia, should act as warning signs to the obstetrician.     

Higher rates of tachysystole among patients with clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine uterine and fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing patterns associated with clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas. STUDY DESIGN: Uterine and FHR patterns of 44 women with diagnosed uterine leiomyomas were compared with 601 tracings of controls. Tracings were interpreted during the first stage of labor, using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Research Planning Workshop guidelines. Stratified analysis that used the Mantel-Haenszel technique was performed to control for confounders. RESULTS: Patients with leiomyomas had higher rates of uterine tachysystole as compared with those without leiomyomas (22.7% vs 1.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 21.8, 95% CI 7.4-65.6; P < .001). No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding FHR patterns. Higher rates'of prostaglandin induction and oxytocin augmentation were noted in the uterine leiomyomas group (6.8% vs 0.8%; P = .005 and 52.3% vs 10.5%; P < .001, respectively). However, controlling for prostaglandin induction and oxytocin augmentation, with the use of the Mantel-Haenszel procedure, did not change the significant association between uterine leiomyomas and tachysystole (weighted OR 12.5, 95% CI 6.2-75.1, and weighted OR 8.7, 95% CI 3.6-43.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas, although not coupled with abnormal FHR patterns, are associated with higher rates of tachysystole.     

Mechanism of reduction of newborn metabolic acidemia following application of a rule-based 5-category color-coded fetal heart rate management framework

Objective: We have reported a 7-fold reduction in newborn umbilical arterial (UA) metabolic acidemia after adoption of a rule-based 5-category color-coded fetal heart rate (FHR) management framework. We sought evidence for the relationship being causal by detailed analysis of FHR characteristics and acid–base status before and after training.

Methods: Rates of UA pH and base excess (BE) were determined over a 5-year period in a single Japanese hospital, serving mainly low-risk patients, with 3907 deliveries. We compared results in the 2 years before and after a 6-month training period in the FHR management system. We used a previously published classification schema, which was linked to management guidelines.

Results: After the training period, there was an increase in the percentage of normal patterns (23%), and a decrease in variable decelerations (14%), late decelerations (8%) and prolonged decelerations (12%) in the last 60?min of labor compared to the pre-training period. There was also a significant reduction in mean UA pH and BE in the groups with decelerations after introduction of the FHR management framework.

Conclusions: The adoption of this FHR management system was associated with a reduction of decelerations and metabolic acidemia, without a change in cesarean or vacuum delivery rates. These results suggest that the obstetrical providers were able to better select for intervention those patients destined to develop more severe acidemia, demonstrating a possible causal relationship between the management system and reduced decelerations and metabolic acidemia.