title: Maternal half-sitting position in the second stage of labor.
abstract: The maternal half-sitting and supine position during the second stage of fullterm labor was compared in 100 women who, after identical opening phases in supine position, randomly delivered in half-sitting (50 degrees, n = 50) or supine position (n = 50). The whole duration of the second stage of labor or the time spent in active pushing did not differ between the groups. Vacuum extraction was needed twice (4%) in the group delivering in half-sitting and six times (12%) in the group delivering in supine position. Vaginal tear occurred in one mother in both groups. Early decelerations in fetal cardiotocography were seen 22 times in half-sitting and 14 times in supine group (p less than 0.05). However, late decelerations were seen in only one mother with half-sitting, as compared to five mothers with supine position. Four infants of mothers giving birth in supine position had 1 minute APGAR scores 7 or less, whereas all infants of mothers delivering in half-sitting position had APGAR scores higher than 7. Subjectively the mothers liked more the half-sitting position. We conclude that a women can deliver in half-sitting position without maternal or fetal risks.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy