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Procedure: Foetal Scalp Blood Examination
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A technique of sampling blood from the foetal scalp in order
to confirm foetal hypoxia . The acid-base status of the blood is
examined, especially the pH (pH of 7.25 or more is normal, pH of 7.20
or less denotes acidosis, values inbetween denotes pre-acidotic range
and repeated estimation is indicated), usually following the detection
of .
On the basis of such tests, a doctor may allow labour to continue or decide
to perform a immediately. There are some doubts about the representativeness
of such a blood sample, but nevertheless the method has proven its value
in clinical use, especially in combination with . The drawbacks of this technique are that it
is resource-intensive, expensive, invasive, time-consuming, cumbersome,
and uncomfortable for the woman and can occasionally result in trauma,
infection and possibly pain for the foetus.
The information in this page is presented in summarised form and has been taken
from the following source(s):
1.
Care in Normal Birth: A Practical Guide. Report of a Technical Working Group,
World Health Organisation, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 1999.
http://www.who.org
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Introduction
