Publication
Title
Intrapartum ultrasound : viewpoint of midwives and parturient women and reproducibility
Author
Abstract
Introduction: Vaginal examination (VE) is known to be subjective in interpretation and is considered uncomfortable by many women. Intrapartum ultrasound aims to be more objective and less invasive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of introducing intrapartum ultrasound to both midwives and parturients. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate the reproducibility of different measurements when introduced de novo among operators without prior ultrasound experience. Subjects and methods: This study determined intra-and interobserver variability of intrapartum ultrasound in nulliparous women in labor. Ultrasound examinations were performed independently by a midwife and a gynecologist. The symphysis-head distance (SHD) and the angle of progression (AOP) were measured by translabial ultrasound. Structured questionnaires were given to midwives and parturients. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and limits of agreement (LA) were calculated to evaluate variability. Results: A total of 33 patients were included; of whom, 28 filled in the questionnaire. A total of 19 midwives working on a delivery ward were asked to respond to the questionnaire, and 13 returned the forms. Midwives clearly continued to prefer VE over ultrasound, the majority evaluated translabial ultrasound as easy to use, but some declared to be unable to use it. The majority of patients, 71%, preferred ultrasound over VE. Reproducibility of intrapartum translabial ultrasound was good; ICC for interobserver variability was 0.603 (p=0.001) for SHD, and ICC for intraobserver variability was 0.844 (p<0.001) and 0.914 (p<0.001) for SHD and AOP, respectively. Conclusion: Patients prefer ultrasound over VE; midwives tend to stick to trusted VE. Reproducibility of intrapartum ultrasound in non-experienced operators is good.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International Journal of Women's Health
Publication
2018
ISSN
1179-1411
DOI
10.2147/IJWH.S155865
Volume/pages
10 (2018) , p. 251-256
ISI
000434791800001
Pubmed ID
29922095
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.07.2018
Last edited 01.01.2022
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