Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether 12 contractions in 1 hour is a meaningful signal that spontaneous labor has begun or is imminent. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study includes all women reporting contractions who presented to a labor and delivery triage unit between August 1 and October 31, 2006, who met the following criteria: 1) 36 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation, 2) cervical dilation less than 4 cm, 3) intact membranes, and 4) no other medical or obstetric complications that might influence admission. Each woman received external fetal monitoring for a minimum of 1 hour. Women were discharged home if cervical dilation did not advance and the fetal heart rate pattern was reassuring. Women who progressed to a cervical dilation of 4 cm were admitted with the diagnosis of labor. RESULTS: Among 768 women studied, labor was diagnosed within 24 hours in 268 (76%) with 12 or more contractions per hour compared with 216 (52%) of 416 women with fewer than 12 contractions per hour, P<.001. Cervical condition and fetal station were more advanced on presentation in women with 12 or more contractions per hour. CONCLUSION: Twelve contractions or more per hour at term is a meaningful signal that true labor has either begun or is imminent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 566-569 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 110 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2007 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cite this
Uterine contractions preceding labor. / Pates, Jason A.; McIntire, Donald D.; Leveno, Kenneth J.
In: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 110, No. 3, 09.2007, p. 566-569.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Uterine contractions preceding labor
AU - Pates, Jason A.
AU - McIntire, Donald D.
AU - Leveno, Kenneth J.
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether 12 contractions in 1 hour is a meaningful signal that spontaneous labor has begun or is imminent. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study includes all women reporting contractions who presented to a labor and delivery triage unit between August 1 and October 31, 2006, who met the following criteria: 1) 36 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation, 2) cervical dilation less than 4 cm, 3) intact membranes, and 4) no other medical or obstetric complications that might influence admission. Each woman received external fetal monitoring for a minimum of 1 hour. Women were discharged home if cervical dilation did not advance and the fetal heart rate pattern was reassuring. Women who progressed to a cervical dilation of 4 cm were admitted with the diagnosis of labor. RESULTS: Among 768 women studied, labor was diagnosed within 24 hours in 268 (76%) with 12 or more contractions per hour compared with 216 (52%) of 416 women with fewer than 12 contractions per hour, P<.001. Cervical condition and fetal station were more advanced on presentation in women with 12 or more contractions per hour. CONCLUSION: Twelve contractions or more per hour at term is a meaningful signal that true labor has either begun or is imminent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether 12 contractions in 1 hour is a meaningful signal that spontaneous labor has begun or is imminent. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study includes all women reporting contractions who presented to a labor and delivery triage unit between August 1 and October 31, 2006, who met the following criteria: 1) 36 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation, 2) cervical dilation less than 4 cm, 3) intact membranes, and 4) no other medical or obstetric complications that might influence admission. Each woman received external fetal monitoring for a minimum of 1 hour. Women were discharged home if cervical dilation did not advance and the fetal heart rate pattern was reassuring. Women who progressed to a cervical dilation of 4 cm were admitted with the diagnosis of labor. RESULTS: Among 768 women studied, labor was diagnosed within 24 hours in 268 (76%) with 12 or more contractions per hour compared with 216 (52%) of 416 women with fewer than 12 contractions per hour, P<.001. Cervical condition and fetal station were more advanced on presentation in women with 12 or more contractions per hour. CONCLUSION: Twelve contractions or more per hour at term is a meaningful signal that true labor has either begun or is imminent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548431634&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34548431634&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/01.AOG.0000279137.39707.44
DO - 10.1097/01.AOG.0000279137.39707.44
M3 - Article
C2 - 17766601
AN - SCOPUS:34548431634
VL - 110
SP - 566
EP - 569
JO - Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - Obstetrics and Gynecology
SN - 0029-7844
IS - 3
ER -