Comparison of cord blood parameters in the usage of some drugs for labor induction

Abstract

Background: Induction of labor is a procedure performed to prevent maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Induction methods should be safe, painless, convenient, effective and inexpensive. Although oxytocin is a commonly used drug for safe and effective induction of labor, labor may fail if the cervix is not prepared. If the cervix is not prepared, prostaglandin analogs are widely used to prepare the cervix and induce labor. The effects of birth control pills on babies are still controversial. Some researchers believe that it does not have any negative effects on the newborn, while others have identified it as one of the risk factors for the birth of a newborn. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the effects of oxytocin and misoprostol on fetal blood gas parameters. Aim: To compare the effects of misoprostol and oxytocin for labor induction on umbilical cord blood gas parameters Materials and Methods: We conducted this study among mothers who gave birth in the NICU between February 26th and March 5th, according to the inclusion criteria, a control group (n=10), misoprostol alone vaginally (n=10) and oxytocin drip alone (n= 10) used mothers were selected respectively. Before umbilical cord pulsation was stopped, umbilical artery blood was sampled and umbilical artery blood pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3, and VE (blood base excess) parameters were measured in the laboratory. Ethical permission to start this study was discussed and approved by the “Research Ethics Control Committee” of MNUMS on November 24, 2023 (2023-03-09). Also, written consent was obtained from the guardians of the research participants using a “Consent Form”. Results: The mean cord umbilical artery pH was 7.34±0.04 in the control group, 7.25±0.07 in the oxytocin group, and 7.27±0.04 in the misoprostol group. There was a significant difference in the mean pH of the oxytocin (p=0.006) and misoprostol (p=0.044) groups compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups of labor induction drug (p=0.694). Other cord umbilical artery gas parameters (pCO2, pO2, HCO3, VE) were not significantly different (p>0.05) between study groups. Conclusions: 1. Compared to the control group, the mean pH was increased or significantly different in the labor induction drug groups 2. Suggesting that induction drugs may affect cord blood pH.