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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
Intrapartum tocolysis has no effect on fetal lactate concentration
L Nordström1, S Chua, B Persson
1Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology South Hospital, S-118 83, Stockholm, Sweden. lennart.nordstrom@kk.sos.sll.se
Objective:
To assess the fetal metabolic effects of intrapartum maternal tocolysis with terbutaline in the presence of fetal heart rate abnormalities, with a special emphasis on lactate concentration, in view of its potential use as a marker of fetal condition.
Design:
Descriptive study.
Setting:
Two labour wards, National University Hospital, Singapore, and Ostersund Hospital, Sweden.
Methods:
Eight parturients with abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate recordings were given bolus i.v. injection of 0.25 mg terbutaline and monitored both before and 20 minutes after treatment.
Results:
Maternal venous glucose increased from 5.0 (0.9) (mean (SD)) to 5.6 (1.2) mmol/l (p=0.002) and fetal scalp blood glucose rose from 4.1 (1.8) to 4.7 (1.4) mmol/l (p=0.009) 20 minutes after the injection. No significant change was found in maternal or fetal lactate concentrations.
Conclusion:
Terbutaline tocolysis for "intrauterine resuscitation" does not affect fetal lactate concentration 20 minutes after treatment.
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