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Should national guidelines continue to recommend fetal scalp blood sampling during labor?
1a St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , London , UK.
Abstract:
Intrapartum fetal scalp blood sampling (FBS) (pH or lactate) has not been shown to reduce emergency cesarean sections or operative vaginal births or improve long-term perinatal outcomes. In contrast, it is associated with rare but potentially very serious complications such as leakage of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and perinatal hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, it does not fulfill the "First Do No Harm" principle and its use during labor should be critically re-evaluated.
