Intrapartum afi and course of labour: A correlation study

Background and objectives: Fetal distress in labor is a common occurrence and is of great concern for both patient and the obstetrician. An evaluation to predict early in course of labor, which fetus is at risk of developing distress could aid in management of labor. In current practice volume of amniotic fluid is measured non-invasively by USG. The present study was conducted with the objective of assessing the relation of amniotic fluid index and course of labor. Methodology: The present study was conducted on 200 pregnant women admitted for labor and delivery. All patients were subjected to ultrasound examination and AFI was determined by four quadrant techniques and divided into 3 groups depending on the value of AFI. Results: 20% of women were in oligohydramnios group, 21% in borderline group and 59% in normal group. Thick meconium stained liquor was seen in 45% of oligohydramnios group, 14.2% in borderline group and 10.16% in normal group. 40 women in group I 30% had normal delivery, 12.5% instrumental and 57.5% cesarean delivery. In the 42 women in group II, 61.9% had normal delivery, 14.2% instrumental and 23.8% cesarean. Among the 118 women in group III 87.2% had normal delivery, 7.6% instrumental and 5.08% cesarean. Interpretation and conclusion: Incidence of cesarean delivery for fetal distress was 52.5% among oligohydramnios group in our study, a finding that is similar to most studies. As there are adverse outcomes in patients with borderline and low AFI values, there should be a close observation and antepartum surveillance for pregnant females. Intrapartum assessment of AFI supplements antepartum fetal assessment. AFI when used as an “admission test” in intrapartumperiod can categorize the fetuses into “high risk” and “low risk” depending on their susceptibility to fetal distress.