| Abstract: | Reduction of neonatal mortality and the rate of stillbirth may be expected from improved management of spontaneous labor and delivery.Neither roentgenographic measurement nor the inception of fetal movement or heartbeat nor any other single test is an index of fetal maturity; all must be considered together. Prenatal care, particularly supplemented diet, will help to avoid premature delivery, or at least to prolong pregnancy; since the fetus undergoes accelerated growth during the last weeks of pregnancy, even slight extension of gestation increases the chances for survival. Analgesia in the first stage of premature labor is contraindicated. Only low spinal anesthesia and other types of conduction anesthesia should be employed for later stages. The fetal membranes should be preserved as long as possible, but premature rupture does not call for immediate termination of pregnancy. Deep episiotomy and prophylactic outlet forceps are routinely employed to hasten the second stage of premature delivery and to protect the immature fetus. Breech presentation is managed by unassisted expulsion or by forceps extraction of the head. The umbilical cord is not immediately severed on delivery; administration of oxytocic drugs after the second stage of labor, combined with gentle stripping of the cord, results in rapid transfer of increased amount of placental blood. The airways of the infant should be immediately cleared. Artificial respiration may be necessary and it must be gentle.All premature infants should receive supplementary oxygen to render breathing regular and more efficient. They should be insulated immediately in controlled temperature and humidity, and they should be handled little. |
