Maternal oxygenation during normal labour

Abstract

Arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SaO2) was monitored continuously during normal labour in 33 healthy parturients receiving pethidine and nitrous oxide for analgesia. Sixteen (49%) had episodes exceeding 10 s duration when SaO2 was <90% (mean 83.7%, range 89-60%). Two women had multiple episodes of profound hypoxia with SaO2 < 70%. © 1989 Copyright: 1989 British Journal of Anaesthesia.