title: The second stage of labour: durational dilemmas.
abstract: The optimal management of prolonged second stage of labour remains a confused area of thought and action. This confusion is particularly evident when epidural analgesia is also being used. A review of the literature indicates that prolonged duration of the second stage, i.e. from full dilation of the cervix until delivery, with or without epidural analgesia, has little adverse effect on perinatal outcome. More attention should be paid to the expulsive phase of the second stage and greater efforts made to reduce unnecessary interventions.
authors.affiliation: Adelaide Medical Centre for Women and Children, Queen Victoria Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Derham
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crowhurst
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crowther
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007748:Labor Stage, Second / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors