INTRAPARTUM INFRAPUBIC ULTRASOUND OF FETAL HEAD STATION AND DESCENT TO PREDICT SUCCESSFUL INSTRUMENTAL DELIVERY

Purpose: To investigate the application of intrapartum infrapubic ultrasound using a typical transabdominal probe to determine fetal head station and descent and to describe ultrasound criteria to predict successful intrumental delivery. Methods and Materials: 20 patients in labor >37 weeks' gestation with normal singleton cephalic-presenting fetuses and with ruptured membranes were examined. Before vacuum extraction, station of the fetal head was determined by digital examination by the attending obstetrician, immediately followed by sagittal infrapubic ultrasound by the same examiner. On digital exam, the feta…