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Uterine Electromyography and Light-Induced Fluorescence in the Management of Term and Preterm Labor

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Abstract

Objective

Understanding the physiology of the uterus and cervix during term and preterm parturition is crucial for developing methods to control their function and is essential to solving clinical problems related to labor. To date, only crude, inaccurate, and subjective methods are used to assess changes in uterine and cervical function in pregnancy.

Methods

In the past several years, we have developed noninvasive methods to quantitatively evaluate the uterus and cervix based on recording of uterine electrical signals from the abdominal surface (uterine electromyography) and measurement of light-induced fluorescence (LIF) of cervical collagen (Collascope), respectively. Both methods are rapid and allow immediate assessment of uterine contractility and cervical ripening.

Results

Studies in animals and humans indicated that uterine and cervical performance can be monitored successfully during pregnancy using those approaches and that these techniques can be used during labor to better define management in a variety of conditions associated with labor.

Conclusions

The potential benefits of the proposed instrumentation and methods include reducing the rate of preterm delivery, improving maternal and perinatal outcome, monitoring treatment, decreasing cesarean rate and providing research methods to understand uterine and cervical function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, 77555-1062, Galveston, Texas, USA

    R. E. Garfield PhD, H. Maul MD, W. Maner BS, C. Fittkow MD, G. Olson MD, L. Shi MMS & G. R. Saade MD

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  1. R. E. Garfield PhD
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  2. H. Maul MD
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  3. W. Maner BS
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  4. C. Fittkow MD
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  5. G. Olson MD
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  6. L. Shi MMS
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  7. G. R. Saade MD
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Correspondence to R. E. Garfield PhD.

Additional information

The studies described in this review article are funded by NIH grant 5 R01 HD37480. We also acknowledge the support of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at the University of Texas Medical Branch, funded from grant M01 RR00073 from the National Center for Research Resources, NIH, USPHS.

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Garfield, R.E., Maul, H., Maner, W. et al. Uterine Electromyography and Light-Induced Fluorescence in the Management of Term and Preterm Labor. Reprod. Sci. 9, 265–275 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760200900503

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