The Relationship of the Maximum Amplitude and the Maximum and Minimum Slope of the Intrauterine Pressure Waveform in Late Pregnancy and Labor

An attempt to quantitate the organization of the human uterus was made by measuring the maximum amplitude and the maximum and minimum slopes of the intrauterine pressure waveform prior to induced labor and during spontaneous and induced labors. No apparent differences in the ratio of the maximum amplitude to the maximum and minimum slopes were found in these three physiological states. All the correlation coefficients for the maximum amplitude and maximum (r
1
) and minimum (r
2
) slopes were high, r
1
, ranging from 0.79-0.84, and r
2
from 0.72-0.80. Possible use of these measures in the further analysis of the organization of uterine contractility is discussed.