[Possibilities and applications of pulse oximetry during labor]

Fetal pulsoxymetry gives the opportunity of constant registration of oxygen saturation in the fetus during delivery. Important changes of the utilized equipments are crucial for proper assessment of this parameter. Construction of the sensors is of special importance. A good fixation of the sensors is prerequisite for the avoidance of artefacts. So far this procedure has not been used for diagnosing threatened fetal hypoxemia. Recent clinical research shows that the above method reflects a good state of the fetus if only good quality of signal and constant high saturation is maintained. That is why the method helps in the case of suspicious cardiotocographic records. Besides the application in fetal arrhythmias, the method can be used to decrease the number of blood gas analyses. The quality of pulsoxymetry should be confirmed by prospective studies in the nearest future.