Just curious...scalp pH...Still doing them?

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 12, 2003

nope. if a strip looks that bad and a fetus does not respond to intrauterine resuscitation, the doctors call it. i have not seen a scalp pH in years. They DO accomplish cord pH however, immed. upon delivery, to see how compromised the newborn is likely to be.

imenid37 · Dec 12, 2003

No scalp pH's. We threw away the machine years ago. We do lots of fetal SPO2 monitoring. One Ob loves the fetal pulse ox. I think she tapes it to her hubby's face when he sleeps. I think it's ok for lates, but if you're having big-time variables, I am just afraid you could have a kiddie being strangle by the cord if he descends rapidly. I had a bad, very bad experience where baby was entagled in his cord several times and it is something I 'll never ever forget.

Supersleuth · Dec 17, 2003

I haven't seen a scalp pH in a while. I think that some teaching facilities are using it just to teach the residents. But even when we would do it, the sample was always clotted and could never be read--useless. I think everyone has decided that it's just not good info anymore as there are other ways of determining acidosis without cutting the fetus' scalp open.

If it were me, I would never consent to a scalp pH--cut me instead, not my baby!

Erin

acuteobrn · Dec 17, 2003

Thanks for the responces!

I haven;t seen it used for bout 4 years and agree wasn't reliable. Just have seen ALOT of disagreement over strips nurse and house say bad strip, attending doesn't agree, I just document my ass off, but would love to have someother backup.

Curious what happens w/ the variables, doesn't record low sats or what. I have only used it acouple of times, don't have it where I work right now.

ImaStork · Dec 18, 2003

It became hard for us to obtain the scalp gas kits so we got away from using them. If I loose all signs of fetal well being I am then calling the doctor to come and review strip and as an incentive to get him up there to look at it I am not above saying "Doctor, I am charting that I have called you to come." I work the night shift in a small rural hospital with no in house OR or anesthesia I use whatever means necessary to get care for my patient.