Energy cost and blood sugar level during different stages of labour and duration of labour in Asiatic women.

Abstract

SummaryForty‐four Chinese women of mixed parity had their energy output measured on one occasion; 28 in the first stage and 16 in the second stage of labour. No difference in energy output was noticed with varying parity. The energy output in the second stage of labour was found to be 40 per cent more than in the first stage. In another 39 women in different stages of labour who were not given sedatives, and 17 women who received 100 mg. pethidine in the second stage of labour, measurements of energy output, pulmonary ventilation, oxygen consumption and blood glucose were made during labour and after delivery. In women who were not given sedatives these values were found to be significantly higher in the second stage of labour than in the first stage and after delivery. The values were significantly lower in the sedated than in the unsedated women both during labour and after delivery. The blood glucose level was, however, found to be significantly higher in the sedated women than the unsedated women both during labour and after delivery.