The Influence of Fetal Head Circumference and Fetal Weight Assessed by Intrapartum Ultrasound on Labor Outcome

Abstract

Background: birth represents one of the most important of all the experiences of the human race. Despite the complexity and sophistication of modern obstetrics, it is important to remember the simple objective of every pregnancy, namely the delivery of healthy baby to healthy mother. During the last decade, assessment of prolonged second stage has been incorporated into the standard routine antepartum and intrapartum evaluation of labor.Objective: Theaimofthepresentstudywastodetermineiffetalheadcircumferenceandfetalweightcould predict the rate of caesarian section and vaginal deliveries in primigravidas women in labor. Patients and methods: The study is a prospective cohort study that was conducted at Alexandria Police Hospital maternity labor ward from April 2018 to December 2018. One hundred pregnant parturient admitted to the labor ward of Alexandria Police Hospital for delivery were participated in this study according to specific inclusion criteria. Results: The present study assessed ultrasonographically the head circumference and fetal weight as predictive values on labor outcome. The receiver operator curve (ROC) showed that these were good predictors of mode of delivery (sensitivity of 85 % and specificity of 92.6 %). Conclusion: The numerical data have a significant relation between intra partum head circumference and fetal weight relative to maternal pelvic diameter and the incidence of primary caesarian section, maternal and fetal complications. So measurement of intrapartum head circumference and fetal weight are good predictors of labor outcome.