Fetal and maternal temperatures during labor and delivery: a prospective descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to study the fetal scalp temperature (FST) and maternal axillary temperature (MAT) during vaginal delivery relative to progression of labor, uterine contractions (UC) and epidural analgesia (EDA), and to construct normal temperature reference ranges related to stage of labor.

Material and methods: Temperatures were recorded continuously in labor of 132 women with a bi-metal temperature sensor attached to the axilla (MAT) and a similar sensor mounted in a scalp electrode (FST). The temperature data were stored electronically and analyzed offline at cervical dilatations of 2–3, 5, 7–8, and 10 cm, and at full retraction. The FST was read before, at increasing, at peak, at decreasing, and after UC. The MAT and FST curves were compared with mixed-effect models statistics for repeated measurements. A two-tailed p <.05 was considered significant.

Results: The FST did not vary during UC (p = .24). Both FST and MAT increased linearly by progression of labor (both p < .001). The increases in temperatures were greater with EDA than without (p < .001).

Conclusions: During UC, the FST showed no alteration. Both FST and MAT increased significantly by progression of labor, and significantly more in the presence of EDA. The presented normal temperature reference ranges can be used for future research.

Keywords:

• Epidural analgesia
• fetal temperature
• intrapartum fever
• labor
• maternal temperature
• pregnancy

Acknowledgements

The authors thank midwife Vera Pouikli for practical assistance in performing the study. The Research Ethics Committee at Lund University, Sweden, approved the study (reference number LU 88-03).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by grants from the Faculty of Medicine, Lund University (ALF), Region Skåne, General Maternity Hospital Foundation, The Gorthon Foundation, The Zoéga Foundation, and The Segerfalk Foundation.