A randomized controlled trial to improve outcomes utilizing various warming techniques during cesarean birth

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Obstetrics
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Maternal hypothermia is a common complication during cesarean birth (CB).
• Maintaining normothermia is crucial for optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of different warming interventions on maternal core body temperature during cesarean birth.
• To assess the incidence of maternal hypothermia and other maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A three-arm randomized controlled trial involving 226 women undergoing planned cesarean birth.
• Participants were assigned to usual care, warmed intravenous fluids, or a warmed underbody pad.
• Warming interventions were administered preoperatively and continued for 2 hours postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Both warming methods significantly impacted maternal temperatures. Warmed fluids increased intraoperative temperatures, while the underbody pad raised recovery room temperatures.
• The usual care group showed a higher proportion of lower Apgar scores and increased requests for warming.

Conclusions:

• Warming techniques effectively influence maternal temperature regulation during cesarean birth.
• Understanding and implementing best practices for preventing maternal hypothermia can lead to improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes.