Increased intravenous hydration of nulliparas in labor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of intravenous hydration on the duration of active labor in nulliparous women also allowed unrestricted oral consumption of fluids.


METHODS
In a randomized clinical trial 120 nulliparous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term were randomly assigned to drink fluids at will and receive either no intravenous hydration (group 1) or a Ringer lactate solution at rates of 60 mL, 120 mL, or 240 mL per hour (groups 2-4) throughout active labor.


RESULTS
There were differences in duration for the active phase of the first stage of labor (252.3 ± 40.9 min in group 1 vs 206.7±38.3 min in group 4; P<0.001) and for the second stage (64.3 ± 13.9 in group 1 vs 49.8 ± 11.4 min in group 4; P=0.01), but not for the third stage. The percentage of participants who needed labor augmentation with oxytocin was less when intravenous hydration was provided (53.3% in group 1 vs 20.0% in group 4; P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous hydration significantly decreased the duration of active labor and reduced the frequency of both prolonged labor and oxytocin administration in nulliparous women. htpp://www.irct.ir registration number: IRCT201105256575N2.
Department of Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Ashraf
A
Direkvand-Moghadam
Mohsen
M
Rezaeian
D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D055815:Young Adult
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010120:Oxytocics; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D010121:Oxytocin