Definition of Fetal scalp pH testing:

Fetal scalp pH testing is a vaginal procedure performed when a woman is in active labor to determine if the baby is getting enough oxygen.

How the test is performed:

The procedure typically takes about 5 minutes. The mother lies on her back with her feet in stirrups. If her cervix is dilated at least 3 to 4 centimeters, a plastic cone is placed in the vagina and fit snugly against the scalp of the fetus.

The scalp of the fetus is cleansed and pierced, and a small blood sample is taken for examination. The blood is collected in a thin tube. The tube is either sent to the hospital laboratory or analyzed by a machine in the labor and delivery department. In either case, results are available in just a few minutes.

If the woman's cervix is not dilated enough, it is impossible to perform this test.

How to prepare for the test:

The health care provider will explain the procedure and its risks. There isn't always a separate consent form for this procedure because many hospitals consider it part of the general consent form you signed at admission.

How the test will feel:

The procedure should feel like a long pelvic exam. At this stage of labor, many patients already have had epidural anesthesia and may not feel the pressure of the procedure at all.

Why the test is performed:

Usually this test is performed to obtain information about fetal acid-base balance (blood pH). Sometimes fetal heart monitoring doesn't provide enough information about the well-being of a baby. In these cases, testing the scalp pH can help the doctor decide whether the fetus is getting enough oxygen during labor. This helps determine whether the baby is healthy enough to continue labor, or if a forceps delivery or cesarean section might be the best route of delivery.

Although the test is not uncommon, most deliveries do not involve fetal scalp pH testing.