Abstract
Ultrasound is an important investigational tool used in the antenatal period, and is increasingly being used in labor and the peripartum period. Research over the past two decades has focused on establishing objective ultrasound parameters to define fetal gestational age/estimated fetal weight in labor, to identify fetuses at risk of compromise in labor, to predict mode of delivery and to enhance the safety of operative deliveries. This review outlines the role of these various uses of ultrasound and explores whether there may be a role for routine use of ultrasound in the management of labor and delivery.
Ethical conduct
Ethical Committee approval (Clinical Trials approved Committee) from the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital has been granted for the IDUS randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN 72230496) on 5 October 2010. The images in this review come from this trial where patients gave written informed consent to participate.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.