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Effect of prostaglandin E2 for cervical priming on fetal hemodynamics
Wing Yee Fok1, Tak Yeung Leung, Michelle H Y Tsui
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. angelfok@cuhk.edu.hk
Objective:
To assess the effect of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on fetal vascular blood flow during cervical priming.
Study Design:
In a prospective, observational study, 32 pregnant women > or =37 weeks of gestation requiring PGE2 for induction of labor were recruited. The resistance indices (RIs) of umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, renal artery and ductus venosum were measured before, 2 and 4 hours after insertion of a PGE2 vaginal pessary.
Results:
There were no significant changes in RIs of various fetal vessels during cervical priming with PGE2.
Conclusion:
There was no significant change in fetal hemodynamics after vaginal prostaglandin administration. This finding provides further evidence to support the safety of prostaglandin for normal fetuses.