Objective: To assess the fetal metabolic effects of intrapartum maternal tocolysis with terbutaline in the presence of fetal heart rate abnormalities, with a special emphasis on lactate concentration, in view of its potential use as a marker of fetal condition.
Design: Descriptive study.
Setting: Two labour wards, National University Hospital, Singapore, and Ostersund Hospital, Sweden.
Methods: Eight parturients with abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate recordings were given bolus i.v. injection of 0.25 mg terbutaline and monitored both before and 20 minutes after treatment.
Results: Maternal venous glucose increased from 5.0 (0.9) (mean (SD)) to 5.6 (1.2) mmol/l (p=0.002) and fetal scalp blood glucose rose from 4.1 (1.8) to 4.7 (1.4) mmol/l (p=0.009) 20 minutes after the injection. No significant change was found in maternal or fetal lactate concentrations.
Conclusion: Terbutaline tocolysis for "intrauterine resuscitation" does not affect fetal lactate concentration 20 minutes after treatment.