Intrapartum hypertension and intravenous saline

Four hundred women in labor were given, on a random basis, either 5 per cent dextrose in water or 5 per cent dextrose in normal saline infusions. Normotensive parturients receiving saline showed an increased incidence of elevated blood pressure during labor or postpartum while hypertensive parturients showed no significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure. Fetal serum sodium levels were not affected by whether the mother had received either the dextrose or saline intravenous solution.