When and how to use oxygen during labor.

This is a question that I was asking myself. Basically I came to the conclusion that if there seems to be fetal distress, as detected by fetal heart rate monitoring, then the mother can receive oxygen along with interventions, such as changing positions. 

"Intra-uterine resuscitation is designed to immediately reduce the stress on the unborn baby by instructing the mother NOT to push, use of anti-gravity positions, lying left side, bolus of IV fluids, etc. 

Administration of maternal 02 due to fetal bradycardia should also be noted on the FHT graph. 

Maternal O2 at 8 liter via tight fitting mask is recommended for evidence of fetal hypoxia. 

Midwives need to anticipate that intrauterine resuscitation will be followed by the need to perform neonatal resuscitation. Oxygen supplies should be adequate to meet the needs of both procedures. In that regard, it is useful for the second call midwife to also make available her own cylinder of oxygen as a backup. "

College of Midwives Website