Trans-Abdominal Fetal Pulse Oximetry - EFS-IDE

This is a prospective, interventional, open-label, Early Feasibility Study Investigational Device Exemption (EFS-IDE). The Principal Investigator or research team member will consult a list of eligible patients based on predicted delivery dates and scheduled inductions. Women who are planning to undergo labor will be approached regarding this study. The study involves measurement of the fetal pulse signal with the investigational device, Lumerah, during labor. Lumerah is an investigational fetal pulse oximeter that measures fetal arterial oxygen saturation using safe, non-invasive, transabdominal near-infrared spectroscopy. The Lumerah device is intended as an adjunct to cardiotocography by detecting fetal oxygen deprivation that is both life-threatening to the fetus and can lead to the irreversibly debilitating consequences of newborn metabolic acidosis. The subjects will first undergo sonographic evaluation to assess distance from maternal skin to fetal tissue and to confirm fetal presentation and position during labor. The results of the sonographic measurements might influence the enrollment suitability of the subject as well as the placement of the Investigational device. The Oxiplex TS device, a non-ionizing laser system that provides researchers with valuable information regarding maternal optical tissue properties, will also be used. Once the membranes are ruptured, the investigator's team will use a Nellcor N-400 System with a sterile, single-use transvaginal sensor for data collection only. The outcomes of the fetal oxygenation measurements are masked; only the Sponsor is aware of the measurements. Therefore, no clinical decisions will be made based on the information derived from any of the devices used in this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Willing and capable to provide informed consent
• Age > 18 years
• < 4 cm between maternal skin and fetal skin (determined by ultrasound)
• Gestational age > 36 weeks
• Singleton pregnancy
• Vertex presentation
• Active labor
• Category I and Category II tracings, and
• Ruptured amniotic sac with cervical dilation of >2 cm and a station of -2 or lower

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18 years
• Gestational age < 36 weeks
• Multiple gestation
• Nonvertex fetal presentation
• Suspected vasa previa
• Latent labor
• Category III CTG tracing (i.e., need for immediate delivery)
• Fetal anomalies and/or chromosomal disorders
• Chorioamnionitis
• Placenta Previa
• History of HIV, Genital Herpes, or other infection precluding transvaginal monitoring
• Unable to provide informed consent (e.g., cognitively impaired)
• > 4 cm fetal depth (determined by Ultrasound),
• Low anterior placenta, or
• Any condition (temporary or permanent) in which the investigator deems the patient unsuitable for the study procedures