Prospective case control comparison of fetal intrapartum oxygen saturations during epidural analgesia

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to compare fetal oxygen saturation by fetal pulse oximetry in parturients with and without epidural labor analgesia in a prospective case control study. Methods Fetal oxygen saturation values were compared in term pregnant women who received epidural analgesia (epidural group) with those in women who did not (control group). Mode of delivery, Apgar score, fetal oxygen saturation, cord blood gas analysis and fetal outcomes were also compared. Results A total of 150 pregnant women (75 in each group) gave written consent and were enrolled. The average fetal oxygen saturation during the first stage of labor (active phase) was 45.6 ± 8.1% for the epidural group and 45.9 ± 7.4% for the control group (NS); saturations for the second stage of labor were 44.9 ± 8.8% and 45.3 ± 6.7%, respectively (NS). In the epidural group, the duration of the first stage of labor was significantly longer (565 ± 217 min) than the control group (434 ± 222 min; P= 0.001). Cesarean delivery rates, neonatal cord blood gas analysis, Apgar scores, and neonatal outcomes were similar in the two groups. Conclusions Fetal oxygen saturation values are similar in the first and second stage of labor in the presence or absence of epidural labor analgesia.