Association between ultrasound‐based assessment of fetal head station and clinically assessed cervical dilatation

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 709 - 711
• Main Authors: Haberman, S., Paltieli, Y., Gonen, R., Ohel, G., Ville, Y., Nizard, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-06-2011; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; cervical dilatation; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Female; fetal head station; Fetuses; Gynecological Examination - methods; Gynecology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Head; Humans; imaging; labor; Labor Presentation; Labor Stage, First - physiology; Labor, Obstetric - physiology; LaborPro; Medical sciences; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods; Ultrasound; Vagina; vaginal examination; Sonography; Head; Gynecology; Vagina; Uterine cervix; Labor; fetal head station; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; cervical dilatation; vaginal examination; Dilatation; Fetus; Clinical investigation; Delivery; LaborPro; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.8875

Objectives
To describe the association between ultrasound‐based determination of fetal head station and clinical assessment of cervical dilatation during active labor.
Methods
From 427 women with singleton uncomplicated term pregnancies we obtained, during the active phase of labor, 907 pairs of measurements. Fetal head station and position were determined using the LaborPro system, based on position tracking and ultrasound imaging technology, and degree of cervical dilatation was determined by digital vaginal examination. The association between them was analyzed.
Results
The overall correlation between cervical dilatation and fetal head station was 0.64 (P < 0.001). Complete dilatation was observed in 78% of women with fetal head engagement, and in all women with a fetal head station of + 1.5 or more.
Conclusions
There is good association between non‐invasive ultrasound‐based determination of fetal head station and clinically assessed cervical dilatation. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.