We do these only if we suspect some fetal compromise during labour or an unexpected problem at birth, the suggestion that they are done at every birth is a defensive issue and indeed I have found that the results often support your actions during labour i.e. in not intervening sooner and I try and do them if I think there may be a problem of some sort, sorry this is vague. If you are busy a good trick is to use two clamps on the cord to hold the blood in the cord and if you take it within 30 mins and get it in ice and to the labs the results are still OK to use. Of course you cannot do this with a physiological 3rd stage but I can't think you would need cord gases if all was well enough for a physiological 3rd stage.
I am not a supporter of doing them at every birth as it is another distraction from caring for the mother and baby but it is helpful to support your care and the results can influence the treatment/care of a baby making the care more appropriate. Christine -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Naomi Wilkin Sent: 13 October 2006 17:37 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] cord blood gases Hi all, Just wondering how common it is for cord blood gases to be done in maternity units. I work in a small metro. hospital with a very busy maternity unit and our medical 'powers that be' are pushing for them to be done at every birth. Something we, the midwives, are very, very reluctant to do. I was also wondering if anyone knows of any research that may help us to prevent this from becoming a routine thing. Thanks Naomi. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.