Maternal Position During Labor: A Review
Author Information
Author(s): João P. Souza, Maria A. Miquelutti, Jose G. Cecatti, Maria Y. Makuch
Primary Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Hypothesis
Does encouraging women to adopt an upright position or to ambulate during the first stage of labor reduce the duration of this stage?
Conclusion
Adoption of the upright position or ambulation during first stage of labor may be safe, but it cannot be recommended as an effective intervention to reduce duration of the first stage of labor.
Supporting Evidence
- The review included nine randomized controlled trials.
- The intervention did not significantly affect other outcomes like mode of delivery or use of analgesia.
- High heterogeneity was observed in the pooled data for the duration of labor.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether standing or walking during labor helps make it shorter. It found that while it might be safe, it doesn't really help speed things up.
Methodology
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing upright position or ambulation with other positions during the first stage of labor.
Potential Biases
Potential performance bias and contamination in control groups.
Limitations
High heterogeneity among studies and unclear randomization methods in several trials.
Participant Demographics
Women with uncomplicated pregnancies, mostly nulliparous, between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI -1.60 to -0.06
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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