VP54.02: Prelabour short‐term variability in fetal heart rate by computerised cardiotocogram and maternal fetal Doppler indices for the prediction of labour outcomes

Abstract

A prospective study in 218 women with term singleton pregnancy in latent phase of labour or due to undergo induction of labour. Data on maternal characteristics, maternal-fetal Dopplers indices and computerised cardiotocography (CTG) findings of FHR STV and Dawes-Redman criteria were collected. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between maternal-fetal Dopplers and FHR STV and arterial cord blood pH. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which factors amongst maternal characteristics, labour onset, indication of labour induction, estimated fetal weight (EFW), maternal-fetal Dopplers, FHR STV and Dawes-Redman criteria were significant predictors of composite neonatal morbidity and arterial cord blood pH less than 7.2. Of the 218 cases, 12 (5.5%) women were delivered by emergency operative delivery for pathological CTG and 42 babies (19.3%) had composite neonatal morbidities. Arterial cord blood pH was not associated with maternal-fetal Doppler indices and FHR STV, but rather it was associated with maternal age and body mass index. The composite neonatal morbidity and arterial cord blood pH less than 7.2 were not significantly associated with maternal characteristics, labour onset, indication of labour induction, pre-labour assessment of EFW, maternal-fetal Doppler indices, FHR STV and Dawes-Redman criteria by computerised CTG. In unselected women in latent phase of labour or undergoing induction of labour at term, admission maternal-fetal Doppler indices, FHR STV and Dawes-Redman criteria are not predictive of composite neonatal morbidity.