1471-0528/asset/BJO_left.gif?v=1&s=0fb87361cdb6be25fdf05019eed6d47f5143f610)
1471-0528/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=3892ef16ff18d6834c302faf85268a49f5fc588f)
General obstetrics
A study of progress of labour using intrapartum translabial ultrasound, assessing head station, direction, and angle of descent
Article first published online: 18 NOV 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02775.x
© 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © RCOG 2010 BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Issue
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 118, Issue 1, pages 62–69, January 2011
Additional Information
How to Cite
Tutschek, B., Braun, T., Chantraine, F. and Henrich, W. (2011), A study of progress of labour using intrapartum translabial ultrasound, assessing head station, direction, and angle of descent. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 118: 62–69. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02775.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 10 DEC 2010
- Article first published online: 18 NOV 2010
- Accepted 27 September 2010. Published Online 18 November 2010.
Keywords:
- Angle of descent;
- angle of progression;
- head direction;
- head station;
- infrapubic line
Please cite this paper as: Tutschek B, Braun T, Chantraine F, Henrich W. A study of progress of labour using intrapartum translabial ultrasound, assessing head station, direction, and angle of descent. BJOG 2011;118:62–69.
Objective Intrapartum translabial ultrasound (ITU) has the potential to objectively and quantitatively assess the progress of labour. The relationships between the different ITU parameters and their development during normal term labour have not been studied.
Design Observational study.
Setting University teaching hospital.
Population Labouring women with normal term fetuses in cephalic presentation.
Methods Intrapartum translabial ultrasound measurements for ‘head station’, ‘head direction’, and ‘angle of descent’ (AoD) were taken in 50 labouring women, compared, studied for repeatability, and correlated with the progress of labour.
Main outcome measures Reproducibility and correlation of ITU parameters and their pattern of changes during labour.
Results All three ITU parameters were clinically well reproducible. AoD and head station were interchangeable, and could be calculated from each other. Head station and head direction changed in a typical pattern along the birth canal. Time to delivery correlated with ITU head station.
Conclusions Intrapartum translabial ultrasound is a simple technique that improves the understanding of normal and abnormal labour, enables the objective measurement of birth progress and provides a more scientific basis for assessing labour.