Effects of Hypothermia on Uterine Circulation and on the Fetus.

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Abstract
The present studies were aimed at investigating the effects of hypothermia on the circulation of the pregnant uterus and fetal survival in shivering and non shivering animals. Pregnant dogs were studied during periods of cooling and rewarming. Uterine, femoral and carotid flows were measured with electromagnetic flowmeters. Arterial pressure and maternal, fetal and amniotic fluid temperatures were continuously monitored. The results show that uterine blood flow decreases markedly in the shivering and non shivering dogs, and the fall is due to an increase in uterine vascular resistance. In the shivering animals, contraction of the uterine muscle is probably responsible for the fall in uterine flow. Despite the uterine ischemia, fetal survival is not affected because the fetal temperature falls to the same extent as that of the mother. This fetal hypothermia increases its tolerance to hypoxia.

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