Ideal timing of labor in terms of oxidative stress - which term period is best?

Objectives: To determine the ideal timing of labor for term pregnancies using oxidative stress determiners. Materials and methods: 150 low-risk pregnant women were divided into three groups according to gestational week periods: early term, full term, and late-term. Groups were matched in terms of age and body mass index. Thiol/ disulfide homeostasis parameters were obtained from maternal blood samples at the beginning of the active phase and from cord blood immediately after delivery. Results: Maternal and fetal native and total thiol, which indicates antioxidant status, were found to be significantly higher in full terms (maternal 397.5 +/- 78.8, 435.9 +/- 84.5, and fetal 472.5 +/- 78.4, 513.7 +/- 89.2 respectively; for all parameters p < 0.05). The maternal oxidant balance was not significantly different between the groups; 1st-minute APGAR scoreswere significantly correlated with maternal antioxidant levels (p=0.042; r=0.199). Conclusions: The highest level of antioxidants in thiol/disulfide homeostasis in full-term pregnancies can be explained by the mechanism that increases the antioxidant level of the mother, which works best in the period between 39 and 41 weeks of pregnancy.