Increased intravenous hydration of nulliparas in labor

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of intravenous hydration on the duration of active labor in nulliparous women also allowed unrestricted oral consumption of fluids. MethodsIn a randomized clinical trial 120 nulliparous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term were randomly assigned to drink fluids at will and receive either no intravenous hydration (group 1) or a Ringer lactate solution at rates of 60mL, 120mL, or 240mL per hour (groups 2–4) throughout active labor. ResultsThere were differences in duration for the active phase of the first stage of labor (252.3±40.9min in group 1 vs 206.7±38.3min in group 4; P<0.001) and for the second stage (64.3±13.9 in group 1 vs 49.8±11.4min in group 4; P=0.01), but not for the third stage. The percentage of participants who needed labor augmentation with oxytocin was less when intravenous hydration was provided (53.3% in group 1 vs 20.0% in group 4; P=0.02). ConclusionIntravenous hydration significantly decreased the duration of active labor and reduced the frequency of both prolonged labor and oxytocin administration in nulliparous women.htpp://www.irct.ir registration number: IRCT201105256575N2