Staffing and equipment complications have paused further enrollment until resolved

This is primarily a feasibility study to determine whether quantitative measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of parturients undergoing labor is possible.

Aim A: To determine baseline values of breath metabolites and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath for term pregnant women.

Aim B: To gather preliminary data to determine breath metabolite and volatile organic compound (VOCs) signature change during labor and delivery.

Aim C: Compare the breath metabolite and volatile organic compound (VOCs) signature women undergoing induction compared to spontaneous vaginal deliveries.

Breath metabolites, also known as volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are produced during periods of increased stress and as a marker of underlying medical conditions. The goal of this project is to collect VOCs within the breath in the initial stages of delivery in otherwise healthy parturients undergoing induction of labor. In addition to a panel of metabolites, we will obtain information on the 3400 compounds which compose the breath metabolome by gas mass spectrometry technology. This is the first step of a larger planned project to develop specialized panels of breath signatures during labor and delivery in parturients.

We will collect breath samples at bedside and measure metabolites in the laboratory. This is a feasibility study which we will use to determine normal values for a term parturient and changes of VOCs during the course of labor. We will also use this data to construct a power analysis and perform a follow-up study to test whether VOCs are associated with different aspects of pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Otherwise healthy nulliparous women with singleton term (37-41 weeks) pregnant at least 18 years of age.
• Presenting for labor (induction of labor and spontaneous labor) at LPHC.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants unable to or refuse to give informed consent
• Participants that do not understand English or are hearing impaired
• Medical History: Chronic disease (HTN, diabetes, asthma)
• Obstetric History during this pregnancy: gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia
• Multiple gestation
• Any significant fetal anomalies
• Morbid obesity (BMI>50)

Women with presenting for labor at Stanford.

Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after publication and deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices). The data will be available for individual participant data meta-analysis.

Beginning 9 months and ending 24 months following article publication

Proposals may be submitted up to 24 months following article publication. These proposals will be only reviewed if those investigators whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee identified for this purpose. After 24 months, the data will be available in our University's data warehouse but without investigator support other than deposited metadata. Information regarding submitting proposals and accessing data may be found at (Link to be provided later, please contact PI if unable to locate link).