Ductus venosus Doppler measurement during labor

OBJECTIVES: To assess ductus venosus (DV) indices during the first stage of labor and the effect of ruptured membranes, meconium stained liquor and epidural analgesia (EDA). METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. Eighty-one women with low-risk singleton term pregnancies participated, 51 had normal labor (Group 1), and 30 experienced ruptured membranes and/or stained liquor (Group 2). Of the latter group 14 received EDA. The effect of various interventions and application of EDA on the ductus venosus index (DVI) and pulsatility index for veins (DV PIV) were tested. RESULTS: The feasibility rate was 94%. A significant increase of DV indices (DVI, DV PIV) was found in group 2 (P<0.001 and P<0.0005, respectively). The A-velocity was also significantly lower in group 2 (P<0.02). A markedly significant increase of DV indices (P<0.0001) among participants receiving EDA was observed in group 2. The mean+/-SD indices were: 0.53+/-0.10 for the DVI and 0.68+/-0.14 for the DV PIV in those women. There was a significant positive correlation of DV indices with the duration of amniorrhea in group 2 (PIV: r=0.66; P<0.002; DVI: r=0.68; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term amniorrhea seems to affect the fetal venous circulation reflected in increased DV waveform indices.