Factors influencing the prolonged second stage and the effects on perinatal and maternal outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the factors influencing the prolonged second stage and the maternal-perinatal outcomes after a prolonged second stage of labor.


METHODS
Between January 1993 and June 1993, 165 women who delivered with a prolonged second stage of labor were enrolled in this study. The control group was 1750 term pregnancies that delivered under 2 hours in the second stage. Maternal and neonatal outcomes included one and 5 minute Apgar scores, umbilical blood gas determination, thick meconium stain, fetal trauma, and length of hospital stay.


RESULTS
Factors such as nulliparity (p < 0.005), maternal weight gained during pregnancy (p < 0.01), active phase length (p < 0.05), persistent occiput posterior position (p < 0.05), station at complete cervical dilation (p < 0.05) and a need of instrumental vaginal delivery (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with a prolonged second stage of labor. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were not different significantly between the study and control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The maternal and perinatal well-beings from the normal second stage group did not appear to be more favorable than the prolonged second stage. Under monitored condition, if the fetal heart rate is considered normal, then the natural labor course could be continued.
Kuo
Y C
YC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
C P
CP
Wang
K G
KG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors