The Effect of Oxygen Ventilation and a Vasodilator on Uterine Perfusion, Foetal Oxygen and Acid-Base Balance

Uterine perfusion, the po2 in maternal ear capillary blood, the po2 and pH in portio blood, and the po2 PH, BE and pco2 in blood from the foetal scalp were investigated in 50 normal women in the 36th or subsequent weeks of pregnancy, women were given either oxygen ventilation, xanthinol nicotinate (Complaminr`), or oxygen ventilation in conjunction with this drug. Uterine perfusion decreased in all groups, the greatest fall being in the group ventilated with 100% oxygen. The po2 rose in all groups given oxygen. The smallest rise was noted in foetal blood. The remaining changes in blood chemistry were very small.