A study on how the pregnant mother's positions affect the length of her first deliveries

This study was performed to determine the influence of the pregnant mother's position at active phase on the length of her first stage of labor in parturient in Shabikhani hospital of Kashan in 2004. In a clinical trial, 50 volunteers for the upright position and 50 for the horizontal position were randomly selected during active phase of the first stage of labor with cephalic presentations. The two groups were matched according to estimated fetal weight, the mothers’ ages, BMI and the time of artificial rupture of membrane. Then both, according to their tendencies, were parted for the upright or horizontal positions during the active phase of the first stage of labor. The length of active phase in women with upright and horizontal positions was 1-2 hours (mean: 2.42) and 3-4 (mean: 2.99) respectively. Chi-square test showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.005).In our study, no difference was perceived between the cases in length of the second stage of labor, kind of delivery and the newborn Apgar score. Considering the results of this study, upright position decreases the length of the first stage of labor. Thus, pregnant women can be encouraged to follow an upright position during their first stage of giving birth to a child.