Fetal oxygen saturation after combined spinal-epidural labor analgesia: a case series

Abstract

Fetal oxygen saturation (FSpo(2)) is an emerging technology for intrapartum fetal monitoring. We monitored FSpo(2) before and after combined spinal-epidural analgesia in 8 laboring women requesting neuraxial analgesia. Fetal heart rate (FHR) and FSpo(2) (using the Nellcor N400/FS14 system [Nellcor, Pleasanton, CA]) were recorded at baseline and every minute for 45 minutes after analgesia. We observed no significant changes in FSpo(2) after analgesia (mean DeltaFSpo(2) 2 +/- 7 %, P = 0.46). Fetal oxygen saturation at baseline and after analgesia was 53% +/- 9% and 51% +/- 8%, respectively. We observed no significant FHR changes or any fetal bradycardia following combined spinal-epidural analgesia.