Applications of ultrasound in prelabor and labor

Abstract

Ultrasound is a crucial part of everyday obstetrical practice and becomes more and more important in the management of traditionally clinical aspects of obstetrics, such as management of labor and delivery, offering a possibly more objective method of examination. The rate of labor induction has doubled in the last two decades and more objective methods are needed to assess the possible outcome of an induction and help clinicians in order to counsel women appropriately. Regarding the management of labor there is extensive evidence that clinical assessment during labor is not accurate, with potential consecutive major implications in the decision-making and the prognosis of the delivery mode. Several studies have shown that ultrasound is an objective method of assessing labor and its progress and is very helpful in decision-making for instrumental deliveries. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence available in literature regarding the benefits and the role in general of ultrasonography in prelabor and labor.