Authors : Chitti Sudha A, Y Annapoorna
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijogr.2019.078
Volume : 6
Issue : 3
Year : 2019
Page No : 359-365
Introduction: Labor is a multifactorial spontaneous process, which involves myometrial contractions,
cervical ripening and dilatation, expulsion of the fetus in an orderly manner with minimal aids. The
thought of labor produces anguish and apprehension in women. In an attempt to overcome the same this
indigenously developed protocol for parturient women was designed to make labor a pleasant experience.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial. Total of 100 parturient women
at term in active labor who attended labor room, GSL Medical College & Hospital, Rajahmundry were
admitted between April 2013 to March 2014. The study group received programmed labor protocol and
control group managed expectantly. All were low risk primigravid women. The women entered the study
after taking an informed and written consent.
Result: Mean duration of Active phase was 3.47.24 hrs&5.61 .21hrs in study and controls respectively.
Mean cervical dilatation rate was 3.05 .58 cm/ hr in study and 1.15.05cm/ hrin controls. Complications
seen during labor in the study group were prolonged 2nd stage in 4(8%). One had dilatation of arrest at 5cms
for almost 4hrs and underwent LSCS. One had fetal distress at full dilatation and delivered by forceps.88%
had no complications.
Conclusion: Programmed labor group had faster cervical dilatation, shorter labors, excellent pain relief,
No impact on LSCS rates, No compromise on Maternal or Neonatal safety. It reduces laboring women’s
anxiety, apprehension associated with labor and makes it a pleasant and memorable event. It can be used
as routine protocol in low risk gravid women at least in institution.
Keywords: Programmed labor protocol, Low risk primigravid women, Duration of labor, APGAR score.