[Usefulness of ultrasound in the delivery room]

The use of diagnostic ultrasound and the diffusion of the technique improved the obstetric treatment and the usefulness of ultrasound increases in the delivery room for maternal and fetal care and as method of diagnosis of some obstetric complications. The knowledge of intrapartum ultrasound imaging can be considered useful for the obstetric team, since there is evidence that ultrasound can improve the obstetric management. The mean indications are described: fetal biometry and estimated fetal weight, amniotic fluid volume, fetal situation and presentation, placental localization and anatomy, assessment of size and location of uterine leiomyomas, fetal cardiac activity, evaluation of umbilical cord and fetal cardinal movements intrapartum. Besides, the use of ultrasound is reported in obstetric and postpartum complications. Actually ultrasonography, as a non-invasive, safety and low-cost technique, offers a diagnostic method in particular conditions during labour, delivery and postpartum.