Labor Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(6):335-339
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600006
Purpose: to study the sensitivity and specificity based on fetal oxygen saturation (SpO2) values and fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during labor, for the prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth. Patients and Methods: SpO2 values were obtained by fetal pulse oximetry technique. A fetal SpO2 value > or = 30% was considered normal, and an SpO2 which remained <30.0% for more than 10 min between contractions was considered abnormal. Fetal SpO2 and FHR tracings were obtained during the first and second stage of labor. FHR classification used in the study has been derived from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development19. Results: a total of 72 subjects were studied. The sensitivity and specificity, based on SpO2, were 61.5% and 96.6%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity based on FHR patterns were 69.2% and 66.1%. Positive and negative predictive values based on SpO2 were 80% and 91.9%, respectively, and based on FHR patterns were 31% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions: a good fetal SpO2 specificity for prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth was found, if compared with FHR pattern specificity, whereas sensitivity was poor for both methods. However, the number of acidotic fetuses was too small to allow more conclusions
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(6):335-339
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600006
Purpose: to study the sensitivity and specificity based on fetal oxygen saturation (SpO2) values and fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during labor, for the prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth. Patients and Methods: SpO2 values were obtained by fetal pulse oximetry technique. A fetal SpO2 value > or = 30% was considered normal, and an SpO2 which remained <30.0% for more than 10 min between contractions was considered abnormal. Fetal SpO2 and FHR tracings were obtained during the first and second stage of labor. FHR classification used in the study has been derived from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development19. Results: a total of 72 subjects were studied. The sensitivity and specificity, based on SpO2, were 61.5% and 96.6%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity based on FHR patterns were 69.2% and 66.1%. Positive and negative predictive values based on SpO2 were 80% and 91.9%, respectively, and based on FHR patterns were 31% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions: a good fetal SpO2 specificity for prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth was found, if compared with FHR pattern specificity, whereas sensitivity was poor for both methods. However, the number of acidotic fetuses was too small to allow more conclusions
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(9):509-515
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000900003
Purpose: to evaluate the relationship between uterine contractions and premature delivery. Methods: between February 1996 and July 1998, 73 high risk pregnant women for preterm delivery, between the 24th and 34th weeks of gestation, were submitted to uterine contraction monitoring with tokodynamometers for 1 hour twice a week. The positive test was the presence of 4 contractions/h before the 30th week of gestation, and after this time, 6 contractions/h. Result: of 73 women, 17 patients (23.28%) were excluded from the final analysis because they presented obstetric problems or unfavorable development for the final result. The rate of preterm delivery was 21.23% (13/56). The mean frequency of uterine contractions was greater in women with preterm delivery than in those with term delivery. The test presented sensitivity of 69.23%, specificity of 86.04%, positive predictive value of 60% and negative predictive value of 90.24%. Conclusion: negative tests are associated with a low risk of preterm birth. When the test is positive, association with other premature delivery markers is necessary to improve our ability to efficiently identify patients at risk for preterm delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(9):509-515
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000900003
Purpose: to evaluate the relationship between uterine contractions and premature delivery. Methods: between February 1996 and July 1998, 73 high risk pregnant women for preterm delivery, between the 24th and 34th weeks of gestation, were submitted to uterine contraction monitoring with tokodynamometers for 1 hour twice a week. The positive test was the presence of 4 contractions/h before the 30th week of gestation, and after this time, 6 contractions/h. Result: of 73 women, 17 patients (23.28%) were excluded from the final analysis because they presented obstetric problems or unfavorable development for the final result. The rate of preterm delivery was 21.23% (13/56). The mean frequency of uterine contractions was greater in women with preterm delivery than in those with term delivery. The test presented sensitivity of 69.23%, specificity of 86.04%, positive predictive value of 60% and negative predictive value of 90.24%. Conclusion: negative tests are associated with a low risk of preterm birth. When the test is positive, association with other premature delivery markers is necessary to improve our ability to efficiently identify patients at risk for preterm delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(9):561-566
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000900010
Preterm delivery is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. About 75% of preterm births follow preterm labor. The pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth is complex and its clinical management is based on a careful assessment of the risks for mother and infant and on continuing the pregnancy versus delivery. The goal of the present article is to review the diagnosis of preterm labor, the tocolytic treatment, glucocorticoid therapy, antimicrobial treatment, and management of progressive preterm labor.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(9):561-566
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000900010
Preterm delivery is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. About 75% of preterm births follow preterm labor. The pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth is complex and its clinical management is based on a careful assessment of the risks for mother and infant and on continuing the pregnancy versus delivery. The goal of the present article is to review the diagnosis of preterm labor, the tocolytic treatment, glucocorticoid therapy, antimicrobial treatment, and management of progressive preterm labor.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(5):391-398
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000500008
OBJECTIVE: to analyze the maternal blood pressure and heart rate variation of primigravid women during labor and early puerperium. METHODS: sixty primigravid women were included in the study, and submitted to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with SpaceLabs 90207 monitor during labor and the first 12 h of puerperium. The records of blood pressure and heart rate were done every 15 min during labor and every 30 min during the first 12 h of puerperium. Three periods during labor (until cervix dilated 7 cm, cervix dilated between 8 cm and total dilatation, and delivery period) and two during puerperium (first and twelfth hours), were analyzed. First of all the results were analyzed without considering the kind of analgesia used and then the patients were divided into three groups, according to the anesthetic technique: local, lumbar extradural or subarachnoid. Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired Student's t-test for blood pressure and heart rate in each group during labor and puerperium. The nonpaired Student's t-test was used to compare different groups. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: when the results were analyzed without considering the analgesic procedure, the values of systolic blood pressure during labor were significantly higher than in early puerperium. During labor, systolic blood pressure values were higher in the periods of later cervical dilatation and delivery than during early cervical dilatation. In the 12th h of puerperium the systolic blood pressure was lower than in the first hour. Diastolic blood pressure did not change during labor and was higher than in early puerperium. Heart rate increased during labor and decreased during puerperium. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were the same both in local or lumbar extradural anesthesia groups; however, in the subarachnoid group the systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change during labor. CONCLUSIONS: labor increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate. During labor, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher than in early puerperium. Both blood pressure and heart rate significantly fell from the first to the 12th hour of puerperium. The different anesthetic techniques did not affect blood pressure or heart rate, as compared with the primigravid group when the anesthetic technique was not taken into consideration.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(5):391-398
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000500008
OBJECTIVE: to analyze the maternal blood pressure and heart rate variation of primigravid women during labor and early puerperium. METHODS: sixty primigravid women were included in the study, and submitted to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with SpaceLabs 90207 monitor during labor and the first 12 h of puerperium. The records of blood pressure and heart rate were done every 15 min during labor and every 30 min during the first 12 h of puerperium. Three periods during labor (until cervix dilated 7 cm, cervix dilated between 8 cm and total dilatation, and delivery period) and two during puerperium (first and twelfth hours), were analyzed. First of all the results were analyzed without considering the kind of analgesia used and then the patients were divided into three groups, according to the anesthetic technique: local, lumbar extradural or subarachnoid. Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired Student's t-test for blood pressure and heart rate in each group during labor and puerperium. The nonpaired Student's t-test was used to compare different groups. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: when the results were analyzed without considering the analgesic procedure, the values of systolic blood pressure during labor were significantly higher than in early puerperium. During labor, systolic blood pressure values were higher in the periods of later cervical dilatation and delivery than during early cervical dilatation. In the 12th h of puerperium the systolic blood pressure was lower than in the first hour. Diastolic blood pressure did not change during labor and was higher than in early puerperium. Heart rate increased during labor and decreased during puerperium. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were the same both in local or lumbar extradural anesthesia groups; however, in the subarachnoid group the systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change during labor. CONCLUSIONS: labor increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate. During labor, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher than in early puerperium. Both blood pressure and heart rate significantly fell from the first to the 12th hour of puerperium. The different anesthetic techniques did not affect blood pressure or heart rate, as compared with the primigravid group when the anesthetic technique was not taken into consideration.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(1):21-29
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000100004
PURPOSE: to determine the main factors associated with vaginal delivery in high-risk pregnant women submitted to labor induction with vaginal misoprostol (50 µg). METHODS: this is a secondary analysis of an open nonrandomized clinical trial that included 61 high-risk pregnant women admitted at the "Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand", Fortaleza (Ceará). All women had singleton pregnancies with alive fetuses, gestational age >37 weeks and Bishop scores <7. Misoprostol was vaginally administered at doses of 50 µg every 6 h for a maximum of four doses. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine association between vaginal delivery (dependent variable) and independent variables (predictive), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for parity and Bishop scores. RESULTS: parity (one or more previous deliveries), Bishop scores >4 and interval induction to delivery <6 h were significantly associated with vaginal delivery, while tachysystole reduced the probability of vaginal delivery. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression was then performed to evaluate each of these as independent predictors. Parity (OR = 5.41, 95% CI = 4.18-6.64) and Bishop score >4 (OR = 3.30, 95% CI = 2.15-4.45) were significant independent predictors for vaginal delivery. In the ROC curve for parity and Bishop score, sensitivity of 63.2% and positive predictive value of 100% were found. The area under the ROC curve was 86.8%, significantly higher than 50% (p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: the most important predictive factors for vaginal delivery after induction with misoprostol were parity and Bishop score. These characteristics should be considered when choosing schemes and doses of misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(1):21-29
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000100004
PURPOSE: to determine the main factors associated with vaginal delivery in high-risk pregnant women submitted to labor induction with vaginal misoprostol (50 µg). METHODS: this is a secondary analysis of an open nonrandomized clinical trial that included 61 high-risk pregnant women admitted at the "Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand", Fortaleza (Ceará). All women had singleton pregnancies with alive fetuses, gestational age >37 weeks and Bishop scores <7. Misoprostol was vaginally administered at doses of 50 µg every 6 h for a maximum of four doses. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine association between vaginal delivery (dependent variable) and independent variables (predictive), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for parity and Bishop scores. RESULTS: parity (one or more previous deliveries), Bishop scores >4 and interval induction to delivery <6 h were significantly associated with vaginal delivery, while tachysystole reduced the probability of vaginal delivery. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression was then performed to evaluate each of these as independent predictors. Parity (OR = 5.41, 95% CI = 4.18-6.64) and Bishop score >4 (OR = 3.30, 95% CI = 2.15-4.45) were significant independent predictors for vaginal delivery. In the ROC curve for parity and Bishop score, sensitivity of 63.2% and positive predictive value of 100% were found. The area under the ROC curve was 86.8%, significantly higher than 50% (p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: the most important predictive factors for vaginal delivery after induction with misoprostol were parity and Bishop score. These characteristics should be considered when choosing schemes and doses of misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(7):491-499
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000700005
PURPOSE: to investigate whether rectally administered misoprostol is an effective method for induction of labor in patients with premature ruptured membranes at term. METHODS: a pilot trial was conducted, enrolling 32 women with alive, singleton, cephalic fetus and ruptured membranes between 36 and 41 weeks of pregnancy, with Bishop score <6 and without evidence of labor. They received rectal misoprostol (tablets of 50 mg) every 4 h until active labor was diagnosed. Patients with ruptured membranes for >18 h received antibiotics (crystalline penicillin) for prophylaxis of streptococcal infeccion. Outcomes included time from induction to labor and induction to delivery, incidence of tachysystole, mode of delivery, incidence of chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using the public domain software Epi-Info 2002. Means and standard deviations were calculated, as well as frequency distributions. Survival analysis was performed to determine percent of deliveries according to time (hours) since the administration of the first tablet. RESULTS: the mean (±SD) induction-to-labor and induction-to-delivery intervals were 299.8±199.9 and 681±340.5 min, respectively. The frequency of tachysystole was 9.4%. About 72% of patients achieved vaginal delivery. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed in 12.5% of the patients. Median Apgar scores at 1st and 5th min were 8 and 9, respectively. There was no case of Apgar <7 at the 5th min. Neonatal sepsis occurred in 12.5% of the neonates. CONCLUSION: induction of labor with rectal misoprostol in the setting of premature rupture of membranes was effective, with 72% of vaginal deliveries and a low rate of chorioamnionitis. These findings must be confirmed by large randomized controlled trials.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(7):491-499
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000700005
PURPOSE: to investigate whether rectally administered misoprostol is an effective method for induction of labor in patients with premature ruptured membranes at term. METHODS: a pilot trial was conducted, enrolling 32 women with alive, singleton, cephalic fetus and ruptured membranes between 36 and 41 weeks of pregnancy, with Bishop score <6 and without evidence of labor. They received rectal misoprostol (tablets of 50 mg) every 4 h until active labor was diagnosed. Patients with ruptured membranes for >18 h received antibiotics (crystalline penicillin) for prophylaxis of streptococcal infeccion. Outcomes included time from induction to labor and induction to delivery, incidence of tachysystole, mode of delivery, incidence of chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using the public domain software Epi-Info 2002. Means and standard deviations were calculated, as well as frequency distributions. Survival analysis was performed to determine percent of deliveries according to time (hours) since the administration of the first tablet. RESULTS: the mean (±SD) induction-to-labor and induction-to-delivery intervals were 299.8±199.9 and 681±340.5 min, respectively. The frequency of tachysystole was 9.4%. About 72% of patients achieved vaginal delivery. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed in 12.5% of the patients. Median Apgar scores at 1st and 5th min were 8 and 9, respectively. There was no case of Apgar <7 at the 5th min. Neonatal sepsis occurred in 12.5% of the neonates. CONCLUSION: induction of labor with rectal misoprostol in the setting of premature rupture of membranes was effective, with 72% of vaginal deliveries and a low rate of chorioamnionitis. These findings must be confirmed by large randomized controlled trials.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):255-260
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400006
PURPOSE: to compare maternal morbidity, neonatal results and some clinical and epidemiological characteristics among primiparous women who had one previous cesarean section, according to the performance of elective cesarean (EC) section or trial of labor (TL) during the second delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this is a retrospective cross-sectional study on the second delivery of women who previously had a cesarean section and were assisted at the Center for Integral Assistance to Women's Health (CAISM/UNICAMP), from 1986 to 1998. Data were collected from 2068 clinical records corresponding to 322 cases of EC and 1746 of TL. Data analysis was performed through percentage distribution of the EC and TL cases and also the distribution of variables between these two groups, using the chi2, chi2 for trend and Fisher exact tests to evaluate the statistical difference, with a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: the indication of EC decreased progressively with time, from 22.6% in 1986 to 5% in 1998. Maternal morbity was similar and low in both groups (1.24% and 1.21%). There was no significant difference between groups regarding Apgar score and stillbirths, but there was a significantly higher proportion of premature newborns and with birth weight below 2.500 g and above 4.000 g in the group who underwent EC. The prevalence of EC was significantly higher in women 35 or more years old, with previous or current history of hypertensive disorder, diabetes or with a first dead child, as well as with changes in the volume of amniotic fluid. CONCLUSIONS: performing TL progressively increased during this period of thirteen years, without any increase of maternal and/or neonatal morbidity. The indication for EC followed medical criteria related to unfavorable maternal and/or fetal clinical conditions for vaginal delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):255-260
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400006
PURPOSE: to compare maternal morbidity, neonatal results and some clinical and epidemiological characteristics among primiparous women who had one previous cesarean section, according to the performance of elective cesarean (EC) section or trial of labor (TL) during the second delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this is a retrospective cross-sectional study on the second delivery of women who previously had a cesarean section and were assisted at the Center for Integral Assistance to Women's Health (CAISM/UNICAMP), from 1986 to 1998. Data were collected from 2068 clinical records corresponding to 322 cases of EC and 1746 of TL. Data analysis was performed through percentage distribution of the EC and TL cases and also the distribution of variables between these two groups, using the chi2, chi2 for trend and Fisher exact tests to evaluate the statistical difference, with a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: the indication of EC decreased progressively with time, from 22.6% in 1986 to 5% in 1998. Maternal morbity was similar and low in both groups (1.24% and 1.21%). There was no significant difference between groups regarding Apgar score and stillbirths, but there was a significantly higher proportion of premature newborns and with birth weight below 2.500 g and above 4.000 g in the group who underwent EC. The prevalence of EC was significantly higher in women 35 or more years old, with previous or current history of hypertensive disorder, diabetes or with a first dead child, as well as with changes in the volume of amniotic fluid. CONCLUSIONS: performing TL progressively increased during this period of thirteen years, without any increase of maternal and/or neonatal morbidity. The indication for EC followed medical criteria related to unfavorable maternal and/or fetal clinical conditions for vaginal delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):249-254
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400005
PURPOSE: to assess the morphological and morphometric alterations in the uterine cervix of pregnant albino rats determined by local hyaluronidase administration. METHODS: ten rats with a positive pregnancy test were randomly distributed into two equal groups. The control group consisted of rats that received a single dose of 1 mL distilled water in the uterine cervix, on gestational day 18, under anesthesia. The experimental group consisted of rats that received 0.02 mL hyaluronidase, diluted in 0.98 ml distilled water (total = 1 mL), in the same conditions as those of the control group. On day 20, the rats were anesthetized and submitted to dissection. The uterine cervix was prepared for morphological and morphometric study at light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome). RESULTS: in the experimental group, greater thinning of the superficial mucified epithelium was observed, with lamina propria rich in blood vessels and eosinophils. Diversely, the control group showed a large concentration of collagen fibers. The histometric analysis in the experimental group was characterized by a smaller number of collagen fibers (mean = 248 versus 552 of control; SD = 49.7 versus 31.1 of control). The parametric method (Student's t test) showed a significant difference between groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: the local use of hyaluronidase in the cervix of pregnant rats determined predominance of loose connective tissue and a smaller concentration of collagen fibers.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):249-254
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400005
PURPOSE: to assess the morphological and morphometric alterations in the uterine cervix of pregnant albino rats determined by local hyaluronidase administration. METHODS: ten rats with a positive pregnancy test were randomly distributed into two equal groups. The control group consisted of rats that received a single dose of 1 mL distilled water in the uterine cervix, on gestational day 18, under anesthesia. The experimental group consisted of rats that received 0.02 mL hyaluronidase, diluted in 0.98 ml distilled water (total = 1 mL), in the same conditions as those of the control group. On day 20, the rats were anesthetized and submitted to dissection. The uterine cervix was prepared for morphological and morphometric study at light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome). RESULTS: in the experimental group, greater thinning of the superficial mucified epithelium was observed, with lamina propria rich in blood vessels and eosinophils. Diversely, the control group showed a large concentration of collagen fibers. The histometric analysis in the experimental group was characterized by a smaller number of collagen fibers (mean = 248 versus 552 of control; SD = 49.7 versus 31.1 of control). The parametric method (Student's t test) showed a significant difference between groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: the local use of hyaluronidase in the cervix of pregnant rats determined predominance of loose connective tissue and a smaller concentration of collagen fibers.
