Symphysis-fundal height may predict difficult labors.

Aim. To check if the symphysis-fundal height measurement of the uterus may predict some difficulties in the evolution of labor. Methods. A sample of 102 full term healthy women were prospectively enrolled among 2007 and 2008 at the Complex Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Monselice (PD), ULSS 17 -Veneto, at the Complex Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the San Giovanni Battista Hospital of Foligno, ASL 3 - Umbria, and at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Ospedali Ri-uniti of Foggia, University of Foggia. The symph-ysis-fundal height was measured at the onset of labor. Logistic regression analyses were built, considering symphysis-fundal height and birth weight as independent variables, while dependent variables were lacerations, episiotomy, oxytocin use, labor outcome. Results. Increasing values of symphysis-fundal height increases the odds of oxytocin infusion and operative birth, both vaginal and abdominal. Those associations are independent from the fetal birth weight. From the other hand, the odds of second degree lacerations and the odds of cervical lacerations are not linked neither to symphysis-fundal height nor to fetal birth weight. Conclusions. It seems that symphysis-fundal height may predict difficult evolutions of labors in term pregnant women, independently from birth weight. ©