Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boonshoft
School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA | Perinatal Partners, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Miami
Valley Hospital, One Wyoming Hospital, Dayton, OH, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Gary Ventolini, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State
University, 128 East Apple Street, CHE – Suite 3800, Dayton, OH 45409, USA.
E-mail: gary.ventolini@wright.edu
Abstract: During labor, the obstetrician's role is to prevent maternal and
fetal morbidity and mortality. High on the list of potential complications is
intrapartum fetal acidemia leading to asphyxia. Factors that increase the risk
of acidemia and poor fetal outcome include conditions that had affected the
fetus prior to labor such as: intrauterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios
and placental abruption. Recent advances in the antepartum assessment of fetal
and placental reserve provide us with a better ability to predict the fetal
tolerance of labor and delivery. Using this information helps to decrease the
risk of intrapartum fetal injury and death.
