Effects of intrapartum hydrotherapy on labour related parameters.

The use of birthing pools during labour is increasing in the United Kingdom. This is without good scientific evidence of their efficacy or safety. To further investigate the value and safety of intrapartum hydrotherapy, an historical cohort study was performed in a District General Hospital in Liverpool. The study group consisted of 100 women of low obstetric risk who used the birthing pool at some stage during their labours and the control group consisted of 100 women who were matched in terms of age, parity and obstetric history but laboured and delivered in air. The main outcome measures were operative delivery rates, duration of labour, analgesic requirements, perineal trauma and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. The results showed that nulliparas who used the birthing pool had significantly reduced operative delivery rates, a shorter second stage of labour, reduced analgesic requirements and a lower incidence of perineal trauma. In multiparas there were significant reductions in analgesic requirements.

Cefuroxime: potential use in pregnant women at term.

The placental transfer of cefuroxime was studied in 20 women after one or more 1.5 g intravenous injections. Ten women had labour induced at term and ten were delivered by elective Caesarean section. High concentrations of cefuroxime were found in the cord blood and amniotic fluid and therapeutically active antibiotic levels were found in the infants for up to six hours after delivery.