Publication:

A comparative study of the effects of programmed labour protocol and expectant management of labour

Background Childbirth is one of the most wonderful and anticipated moments in a woman’s life. But the excruciating pain associated with labour makes it a really undesirable one. Objective of present study was to compare the effects of programmed labour protocol and expectant management of labour.

Methods A clinical study was conducted on 120 low risk primigravida, 60 of them were managed with programmed labour protocol (group A) and the rest 60 (group B) were managed expectantly. Primary parameters were pain relief and changes in the mean duration of labour. Secondary parameters were changes in the amount of blood loss and APGAR score of delivered babies.

Results Among group A, 25% had good pain relief, 60% had moderate pain relief, 15% had mild pain relief and 0% had no relief of pain. The mean duration of labour from active phase through third stage in group A was 234.27±50.38 minutes and 304.58±41.72 minutes in group B. The average blood loss during labour was 89.33±19.06 ml in group A and 142.15±32.27 ml in group B. In group A, 4 babies had APGAR score less than 7 at 1 minute, but had score more than 7 after 5 minutes following resuscitation. In group B, 9 babies had APGAR less than 7 at 1 minute. Of these, 6 babies had score more than 7 after 5 minutes following resuscitation. 3 babies had score less than 7 even after 5 minutes and were shifted to neonatal ICU.

Conclusions Programmed labour protocol is an effective method to reduce the deleterious effects of labour on both mother and foetus.