[Blood volume changes and oxygenation during labor--a laser spectroscopic analysis].

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic patterns and the distribution of blood volume are influenced by the onset of labour. This study evaluates patterns of oxygenation and changes of blood volume after the induction of contractions.

METHODS

A prototype NIR-laser spectrometer was applied in 28 cases.

RESULTS

We found a rise of blood volume and oxygen saturation (HbO2) during the peak of contractions. Cerebral tissue oxygenation was monitored by registration of relative changes of cytochrome-aa3. No significant change of tissue oxygenation was detected during variable volume load.

DISCUSSION

This implicates compliance of the redox state during labour.