Purpose: to study fetal oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels during labor by continuous pulse oximetry tecnique, and its relation to umbilical artery (UA) pH. Patients and Methods: fetal SpO2 levels were measured during labor by the pulse oximetry technique in 50 subjects. Average values of SpO2 were compared between the first and second stage of labor, with the first stage further subdivided into phases, according to cervical dilatation of (<=4 cm, 5-7 cm and 8-9 cm). SpO2 values were studied in relation to umbilical artery pH at birth ( > or = 7.20 and <7.20). SpO2 > or = 30.0% was considered normal. Results: fetal SpO2 averages during the first stage were 53.0 ± 7.3% and 44.2 ± 6.8% (UA pH > or = 7.20 and <7.20, respectively; p<0.01). When the first stage was subdivided, the fetal SpO2 averages (UA pH > or = 7.20) were 55.1 ± 5.1% (<=4 cm), 52.3 ± 4.6% (5-7 cm) and 51.5 ± 7.2% (8-9 cm); for UA pH <7.20, the fetal SpO2 averages were 46.3 ± 5.1% (<=4 cm), 43.6 ± 6.7% (5-7 cm) and 42.8 ± 5.8% (8-9 cm). Considering the UA pH, these differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: a significant decrease of oxygen saturation values was observed during labor when fetal pulse oximetry was used.
Fetal pulse oximetry; Fetal distress; Fetal monitoring
