Fetal Heart Rate Pattern Before, During, and After Spinal Anesthesia for Scheduled Uncomplicated Cesarean Section

Spinal anesthesia may cause sympathetic blockade which decrease peripheral vascular resistance and bradycardia and then hypotension. Maternal hypotension could cause immediate fetus heart beat (FHB) deceleration and postpartum acidosis. Both intravenous hydration or vasopressor during hypotension could prevent maternal hypotension efficiently. Although there were many articles discussion about maternal hypotension and fetal heart rate variation during epidural labor analgesia, the studies about FHB variation during spinal anesthesia is not much. In one literature in 1960, if maternal blood pressure below 60-80 mmHg, FHB deceleration could happen in 5 minutes. In modern medical management, FHB change during and after spinal anesthesia is an interesting topic. The most relevant study was published by NTUH in 2015, which transformed EKG signal to possible FHB change.

The parturient will have FHB recording for 20 minutes in the day before operation. On the operation day, after proper position by the anesthetic staff (lateral position or sitting position), spinal anesthesia will performed by obstetric anesthesiologist and the lying down for supine position. Before the baby was delivered by cesarean section no FHB will be monitored. The aim of the study is continuous FHB monitor and analysis after spinal anesthesia for 5-10 minutes to improve fetal physiology knowledge and providing basic information for future study.