| Title | Fetal Doppler velocimetry in the internal carotid and umbilical artery during Braxton Hicks' contractions. | | Author(s) | Oosterhof H, Dijkstra K, Aarnoudse JG | | Institution | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, State University Hospital, Groningen, Netherlands. | | Source | Early Hum Dev 1992 Aug; 30(1):33-40. | | MeSH | Carotid Artery, Internal
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Female
Fetus
Humans
Pregnancy
Rheology
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Umbilical Arteries
Uterine Contraction
| | Abstract | Using Doppler ultrasound, previous studies revealed a considerable increase in vascular resistance in the uteroplacental circulation during Braxton Hicks' contractions. Consequently, uteroplacental blood flow is reduced and this affects placental oxygen transfer to the fetus, causing a fall in fetal arterial PO2. In view of the important role of arterial PO2 in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the fetus, we hypothesised that Braxton Hicks' contractions cause a decrease in cerebral vascular resistance. A study was undertaken in 16 healthy near term pregnancies, using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the influence of Braxton Hicks' contractions on cerebral vascular resistance of the fetus. Flow velocity waveforms (FVWs) were recorded of the fetal internal carotid and umbilical artery and the Pulsatility Index (PI) was calculated. During Braxton Hicks' contractions the PI in the recorded vessels did not change. Fetal heart rate showed also no changes during Braxton Hicks' contractions. These findings indicate that resistance to blood flow downstream of these arteries, is not significantly altered, suggesting that Braxton Hicks' contractions have little or no effect on fetal haemodynamics and on fetal oxygenation in the healthy near term fetus. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
| | PubMed ID | 1396288 |
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