Maternal oxygen is often given to laboring women to improve fetal metabolic status
or in an attempt to alleviate nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns. However, the
only 2 randomized trials investigating the use of maternal oxygen supplementation
in laboring women do not support that such supplementation is likely to be of benefit
to the fetus. And by increasing free radical activity, maternal oxygen supplementation
may even be harmful. Based on a review of the available literature, we conclude that
until it is studied properly in a randomized clinical trial, maternal oxygen supplementation
in labor should be reserved for maternal hypoxia, and should not be considered an
indicated intervention for nonreassuring fetal status.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 10, 2014
Accepted:
January 7,
2014
Received:
November 2,
2013
Footnotes
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- Maternal oxygen administration for intrauterine resuscitationAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & GynecologyVol. 212Issue 3
- PreviewIt was with great interest that we read “Oxygen for intrauterine resuscitation: of unproven benefit and potentially harmful.”1 We commend the authors for their attention to this topic. However, it should be noted that a plethora of evidence was either not cited or disregarded in order to draw the authors’ conclusions. The opinions expressed in the article stand in admittedly stark contrast to current practice and recommendations of the professional organizations American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; and American College of Nurse-Midwives.
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- Maternal oxygen use during laborAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & GynecologyVol. 212Issue 3
- PreviewWe read with interest the Clinical Opinion of Hamel et al1 in which the authors suggest that supplemental maternal oxygen should only be used for conditions of maternal and not fetal hypoxemia. Although the article raises important points, we believe there are indications of maternal oxygen for treatment of fetal hypoxemia. The authors note 2 randomized studies, containing relatively low numbers of laboring patients, which failed to demonstrate a fetal benefit. Notably, both studies reported no difference in umbilical cord pH among the groups.
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