Developing a Novel Device to Accurately Assess Fetal Distress in Labour

Grant number: 1159585 | Funding period: 2019 - 2022

Completed

Abstract

Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delay and death in term babies. Current methods of detecting fetal distress are inaccurate and can be misinterpreted. In this project we are using new technology to develop a device to continuously assess fetal pH, a direct measure of fetal stress in labour. We will validate our sensor using neonatal cord blood at delivery and assess the accuracy of our device using a fetal sheep model of hypoxia.

University of Melbourne Researchers