The clinical use of intrauterine pressure catheters.

We question the need for an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) to monitor uterine contractions during the induction or augmentation of labor with oxytocin, or to verify adequate uterine contractions to support the diagnosis of arrest of labor. There are appropriately conducted clinical trials demonstrating that uterine contraction frequency in spontaneous, induced and augmented labors obtained with the use of external tocography is sufficient for the clinical management of labor. The value of an IUPC is further diluted by the inherent variability of pressure recordings with its use and the potential of the infrequent risks associated with insertion. Particularly pertinent is the fact that the use of an IUPC for this indication has never been proved to have a positive effect on maternal or neonatal outcome.

Cervimetry: a review of methods for measuring cervical dilatation during labor.

Several different methods of measuring cervical dilatation have been described. In this article, we review those methods and examine findings from studies using them. Although many instruments have been developed to measure cervical dilatation during labor and their use as a research tool has been established, no device has yet been successfully used for clinical obstetrics. The ideal device has not yet been developed; however, because repeated digital cervical examinations are time consuming for the clinician, are poorly reproducible, and are uncomfortable for the patient, continued efforts to develop a cervimeter suitable for clinical use is a worthwhile endeavor.