Publication:

Doppler findings of fetal circulation associated with types of birth and parturients grouped according to Robson’s classification

Background Through the detection of the circulatory conditions in the fetus, an insight into the subsequent events during the course and outcome of the pregnancy and birth is possible. The aim of the study was to gain an insight into the Doppler findings from the prenatal investigations and their association with the types of delivery and the ratio between women in from the Robson classification in relation to the studied variables.

Methods 329 pregnant women at prenatal ultrasound examinations were studied with Doppler assessment of fetal mca(PI) (middle cerebral artery) (pulsatility index), aUPI (umbilical artery) and aUtPI (uterine artery) and followed until delivery when they were grouped according to the Robson classification. Values from Doppler findings as well as data from the current pregnancy and the obstetric history of the included pregnancies were analyzed with statistical tests.

Results A statistically significant association was established between higher values of mcaPI in fetuses delivered by elective cesarean section and lower values in fetuses delivered vaginally, by emergency cesarean section and elective cesarean section after unsuccessful induction of labor. A significant difference was also shown by the comparison between Robson’s classes.

Conclusions The Doppler indices of the examined arteries indicating proper fetal circulation were associated with vaginal delivery. Together with the currently confirmed prerequisites for successful induction of labor and vaginal delivery, the findings of fetal circulation studies can serve as an additional parameter for predicting the type of delivery and managing the labor.