Electronic fetal monitoring in association with paracervical blocks

Three hundred and twenty-six patients in labor were monitored electronically during the administration of paracervical blocks. There were 129 primigravidas and 197 multigravidas in the study. Variable deceleration patterns during labor were observed in 128 patients. Of these, 109 cord problems such as overt and occult prolapse and nuchal entanglement were present. Sixty-five of these babies exhibited an Apgar score of 6 or less at one minute. There were 38 late deceleration patterns, 24 of which had placentas of 400 grams or less. Apgar scores of 6 or less were found in 20 of these infants. One hundred and nineteen infants or 36 per cent had a bradycardia episode after a paracervical block. The low Apgar scores appear to be related to other factors rather than to the paracervical block.