Cervical dilatation and grade of doctor affects the interval between decision and result of fetal scalp blood sampling in labour

Abstract

Fetal scalp blood sampling (FSBS) is used to provide information regarding fetal acid–base status during labour. This study assessed the interval between the decision to perform the procedure and obtaining the result and evaluated whether it is affected by cervical dilatation or the experience of the doctor. The median time for FSBS was 10 min. When cervical dilatation was ≤4 cm samples took approximately 30% longer to obtain. After adjustment for dilation, there were no significant differences between different grades of doctors. FSBS is shorter than previously reported; clinicians should be aware that procedures in early labour take longer to complete.

• Fetal acidaemia
• fetal blood sampling
• fetal scalp sampling
• intrapartum asphyxia
• intrapartum fetal monitoring
• perinatal asphyxia