Duration of Labor's First Stage Influences Birth Outcomes

Prolongation was associated with excess risk for cesarean delivery and chorioamnionitis, but most women still achieved vaginal deliveries.

Information about perinatal outcomes in relation to length of labor's first stage is sparse. In a retrospective cohort study of 10,661 nulliparous women who had singleton term deliveries at one U.S. academic center, researchers evaluated maternal and neonatal outcomes in relation to duration of the first stage of labor (i.e., latent and active phases). The first stage was defined as the time interval between onset of labor (identified by self-reported painful, regular contractions) and complete cervical dilation.

Median duration of the first stage was 10.5 hours. Duration was stratified into three intervals by percentile (<5th percentile [525 women], 5th–95th percentile [9611 women], and >95th percentile [525 women]); thresholds for the 5th …

Reviewing Author

Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC

Disclosures

RoyaltiesOB Triage: Emergency Care Protocols (Springer Publications)

Editorial boardsJournal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing

Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC

Disclosures

RoyaltiesOB Triage: Emergency Care Protocols (Springer Publications)

Editorial boardsJournal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing

Duration of Labor's First Stage Influences Birth Outcomes

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Reviewing Author