Carlos Mendez‐Bauer

In 9 labors at term pregnancy, fetal heart rate (FHR) and amniotic pressure were recorded electronically from the onset of labor until delivery. The actual pH was periodically determined in fetal capillary blood obtained from the scalp. The results confirm our observations that fetal acidosis in utero (pH lower than 7.20) precedes depression of the newborn. In addition, they suggest that fetal acidosis is usually associated with a typical pattern of FHR made up of: (1) high basal FHR, ...

A series of descriptive studies was carried out to characterize maternal respiration, type of bearing-down efforts, vocalization, and behavior; describe the obstetric conditions and intrauterine pressure associated with the bearing-down reflex; and describe the duration of second stage, fetal heart rate, and neonatal outcomes when women bear down spontaneously. Thirty-one healthy nulliparous women who had received no formal childbirth education were neither directed nor instructed to ...

The aim of this paper has been to compare the uterine contractility, pain produced by contractions and comfort of the patients between standing and supine position. The study has been performed in twenty normal nulliparae who were changed from supine to standing position and viceversa at intervals of approximately thirty minutes. Intrauterine pressure and fetal heart rate were continuously monitored. Cervial dilatation was evaluated every thirty minutes. No medication was given to the ...

Three to four probes were inserted under cinefluoroscopy into areas of the IVS of the rhesus monkey placenta. They were seen to lie in or near the central cavities of fetal cotyledons, which are the sites of entry of maternal blood into IVS, or in more peripheral parts of the fetal cotyledon. When possible, samples of blood were withdrawn for oxygen content determinations. Pressures were found to be highest in or near the central cavity of a cotyledon, so that the gradient diminished ...

The variable designs and results of controlled trials of maternal position in labor are summarized. Following Mendez-Bauer 's design, the effects of sitting alternated with side-lying and supine alternated with side-lying were compared in terms of contraction intensity and frequency, uterine activity and efficiency, and maternal comfort. The effects of each position were influenced by the position it was alternated with and the phase of labor during which it was used. While contractions ...

Patients with a diagnosis of severe intrapartum fetal distress by fetal heart rate and capillary blood pH monitoring received beta 2-sympathomimetics to inhibit uterine contractions (tocolysis) while the obstetric team was preparing to deliver the fetus. Fetal heart rate and acidosis significantly improved after tocolysis; these fetuses were subsequently delivered in very good metabolic and clinical condition. The favorable effect of tocolysis on fetal homeostasis is attributed to the ...

beta 2-Sympathomimetics have been used in acute intrapartum fetal distress to abolish uterine contractions and thus enable the fetal metabolism to recover before delivery. Because some serious complications were reported when a terbutaline intravenous bolus (0.25 mg) was used as a tocolytic, we assessed its safety and efficacy when used in patients not affected by cardiovascular disease, tachycardia greater than 100 beats/min, thyrotoxicosis, fluid overload, corticoids, atropine, or ...

Continuous monitoring of oxygen tension using the transcutaneous electrode developed by Huch and co-workers was studied in severely ill newborn infants. Acceptable results were obtained despite the theoretical possibility that vasoconstriction might interfere with the method when used in the very ill. The reliability and clinical usefulness of the method is illustrated in 4 cases of severely ill newborn infants.

Previous work has established a correlation between depression of the newborn (shown by an Apgar score of 6 or less; Apgar et al., 1958) and the presence of certain characteristic changes in fetal heart rate during labor (Caldeyro-Barcia et al., 1966, 1967; Hon, 1967). These changes are:

The mean FHR between contractions is higher than normal (Brady et al., 1963), average 165 beats/min against 143 beats/min in the normal condition (Caldeyro-Barcia et al., 1966, 1967).Each uterine ...

Previous work has established a correlation between depression of the newborn (shown by an Apgar score of 6 or less; Apgar et al., 1958) and the presence of certain characteristic changes in fetal heart rate during labor (Caldeyro-Barcia et al., 1966, 1967; Hon, 1967). These changes are: The mean FHR between contractions is higher than normal (Brady et al., 1963), average 165 beats/min against 143 beats/min in the normal condition (Caldeyro-Barcia et al., 1966, 1967).Each uterine ...