Effects of free position during delivery on maternal and perinatal outcomes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of free position during delivery on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Methods Clinical data of 960 cases of low risk primiparas delivering in our labor room from May 2013 to May 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All primiparas were randomly divided into study group (n=480) and control group (n=480). Primiparas in the study group were in free position during the first stage of labor and in bladder lithotomy position with semireclining position during the second stage of labor. Primiparas in the control group were in supine position or lateral position during the first stage of labor and in bladder lithotomy position during the second stage of labor. Delivery mode, episiotomy rate, time of birth process, Apgar score of newborns and incidence of neonatal asphyxia at 1, 5 min after birth were compared. This study followed the ethical standards set out by the human trial committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Third Military Medical University. It was approved by the committee, with the consent of the subjects themselves and their families. Meanwhile, a clinical research informed consent was signed between us. Results ① Rate of vaginal delivery was higher in study group than that in control group (87.9% vs 59.2%), and episiotomy rate and cesarean section rate were lower in study group than those in control group (1.2% vs 7.5%, 10.8% vs 33.3%). There were statistically significant difference in these indexes between two groups (χ2=10.26, 5.11, 8.67; P 0.05). Conclusions Free position could promote natural delivery, reduce medical intervention and be good for maternal and fetal health. Key words: Body position; Delivery process; Perinatal care