The accuracy of Bladderscan in intrapartum care

This study was carried out to ascertain whether the Bladderscan machine is accurate in the measurement of bladder volume of women in labor. This would help avoid unnecessary intervention for a significant number of women who have small bladder volumes. Fifty women had a Bladderscan measurement during labor which was compared with an immediately obtained catheter volume. The overall correlation was weak (r = 0.593) but was influenced by the absence or presence of amniotic fluid. In women with ruptured membranes the relationship between Bladderscan volume and catheter-obtained volume was good (r = 0.851), but poor if the membranes were intact (r = 0.128). The Bladderscan may have a role in measuring bladder volume in women in labor and may therefore reduce the frequency of unnecessary catheterization, with the inherent increased incidence of urinary tract infection.