Whither oxygen for intrauterine resuscitation?

Abstract

Oxygen is frequently administered to women in labor in the hope of improving fetal status. However, there is a paucity of outcome data to support this practice. Although maternal oxygen administration may make physiological sense, unwarranted faith in maternal oxygen therapy may delay the indicated intervention or result in continued labor stimulation when neither is in the best interests of the fetus. A properly designed clinical trial would help answer whether maternal oxygen supplementation in labor should be considered an indicated intervention for nonreassuring fetal status.

Keywords: labor; maternal oxygen administration.