A Prospective Study on the Relationship Between Cervical Dilatation at Initial Presentation in Labour and Subsequent Outcome in Nulliparous Women

Abstract

Background: The spontaneous birth of a live infant can convey a huge degree of both satisfaction and achievement for both the mother and her partner. Many factors influence the variation in rates of caesarean section among hospitals throughout the world. These included patients' demographic characteristics, underlying medical and obstetric complication, hospital facilities, hospital practice and physician practice style. Objective: The present study was planned to determine how the outcome of women change with timing of admission either in active or latent phase of spontaneous labour. Methods: This was a prospective observational study, which was conducted at labour ward, department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BSMMU hospital and DMCH Dhaka, from February 1, 2008 to August 30, 2008, where data were collected prospectively. Patients with any medical or obstetric complications, rupture of membrane antenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies or death and with prior caesarean section were excluded from the study. Patients with cervical dilatation at less than 4cm were in group I. On the other hand, patients with cervical dilatation of 4 cm or more in active phase and these types of patients were allocated in group II. Results: Outcome differences were compared using chi-square(X2) test, fishers exact test, A 'p' value <0.05 considered significant. Main outcome variables were duration of labour, mode of delivery, indication for caesarean section, need for oxytocin, labour analgesia, Apgar score <7, maternal PPH and postpartum hospital stay. A total 500 patients were enrolled during the study period. Of them 308 patients were (61.6%) in group I and 192 patients (38.4%) in group II. Dystocia was the main indication for caesarean delivery in early admitted group which was 58.6% and fetal distress in late admitted group which was 37.5%. Second commonest indication for caesarean section was fetal distress which was 31.6% in group I and dystocia 50.0% in group II). Oxytocin for augmentation was used in 70.0% in group I and 30.0% in group II. Conclusion: It is shown that early admission to the hospital in low-risk women may negatively affect the outcome of labour and are at increased risk of prolonged labour, more oxytocin used, increased rate of caesarean section.