Feasibility Study of the Collection of the Breath Metabolome From Healthy Parturients During Labor

Breath metabolites, also known as volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are produced during periods of increased stress and as a marker of underlying medical conditions. The goal of this project is to collect VOCs within the breath in the initial stages of delivery in otherwise healthy parturients undergoing induction of labor. In addition to a panel of metabolites, we will obtain information on the 3400 compounds which compose the breath metabolome by gas mass spectrometry technology. This is the first step of a larger planned project to develop specialized panels of breath signatures during labor and delivery in parturients.

We will collect breath samples at bedside and measure metabolites in the laboratory. This is a feasibility study which we will use to determine normal values for a term parturient and changes of VOCs during the course of labor. We will also use this data to construct a power analysis and perform a follow-up study to test whether VOCs are associated with different aspects of pregnancy.