"Active labor" duration and dilation rates among low-risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Laboring women are often admitted to labor units under criteria that are commonly associated with the onset of active-phase labor (i.e., cervical dilatation of 3-5 cm in the presence of regular contractions). Beginning with these criteria through complete dilatation, this systematic review describes labor duration and cervical dilation rates among low-risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset.


METHODS
Studies published in English (between 1990 and 2008) were identified via MEDLINE and CINAHL searches. Data were abstracted and weighted "active labor" durations (i.e., from 3-5 cm through complete dilatation) and linear dilation rates were calculated.


RESULTS
Eighteen studies (n = 7009) reported mean "active labor" duration. The weighted mean duration was 6.0 hours, and the calculated dilation rate was 1.2 cm per hour. These findings closely parallel those found at the median. At the statistical limits, the weighted "active labor" duration was 13.4 hours (mean + 2 standard deviations) and the dilation rate was 0.6 cm per hour (mean - 2 standard deviations).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset have longer "active" labors and therefore slower dilation rates than are traditionally associated with active labor when commonly used criteria are applied as the starting point. Revision of existing active labor expectations and/or criteria used to prospectively identify active phase onset is warranted.
Neal
Jeremy L
JL
Lowe
Nancy K
NK
Ahijevych
Karen L
KL
Patrick
Thelma E
TE
Cabbage
Lori A
LA
Corwin
Elizabeth J
EJ
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000502:physiology*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology