Obstetrical parameters influencing the duration of the second stage of labor.
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.
Schiessl
B
B
Prenatal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Maistr. 11, 80337 Munich, Germany. barbara.schiessl@med.uni-muenchen.de
Janni
W
W
Jundt
K
K
Rammel
G
G
Peschers
U
U
Kainer
F
F
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
D010121:Oxytocin