Evaluating cervical electromyography with entropy

Abstract

We evaluated entropy of the cervical electromyographical (EMG) signals during normal labor and labor with the delay by calculating sample entropy (SampEn). SampEn is the measure of time series regularity; the more regular is the process, the lower are the SampEn values. The values of SampEn are higher during the latent phase of the labor when compared to the active phase of the labor. A delay in an active phase of the labor caused the active contractions of cervical circular muscles is indicated in larger SampEn values, up to the value of 0.2 calculated from cervical EMG activity.