title: Obstetrical parameters influencing the duration of the second stage of labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of parameters influencing the duration of the second stage of labor in vaginal deliveries.
  
  
  METHODS
  1200 consecutive vaginal deliveries were analyzed. Descriptive statistics are reported for parity, duration of first and second stage of labor, maternal age, birth weight, position of the fetal head, epidural analgesia and oxytocin augmentation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the contribution of different variables to the length of the second stage of labor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean length of the second stage was 70 min. In univariate analysis, parity, oxytocin augmentation and epidural analgesia, as well as occipito-posterior presentation were significant parameters associated with a prolonged second stage of labor. No correlation was found for birth weight and maternal age. In multivariate regression analysis, nulliparity and epidural analgesia were the strongest risk factors for a prolonged second stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The impact of epidural analgesia on the second stage of labor should be considered in obstetrical management.
authors.affiliation: Prenatal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Maistr. 11, 80337 Munich, Germany. barbara.schiessl@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schiessl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Janni
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jundt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rammel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Peschers
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kainer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D001724:Birth Weight; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007746:Labor Presentation; D007748:Labor Stage, Second / Q000502:physiology*; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin