Investigating the effect of management methods of the second stage of labor on the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications in nulliparous women

The second stage of labor is a sensitive period for the mother and the fetus. In different studies, various delivery techniques have been used to manage the second stage of labor. This study aimed to investigate the effect of management methods of the second stage of labor on the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications in nulliparous women.

This single-blind semi -experimental study was performed on 60 women with the required qualification for this research in Mobini Hospital in Sabzevar. Individuals were divided into two groups based on the mother's desire. In the active pushing group, at the onset of contractions, the mother breathes deeply and then holds the breath and pushes for ten seconds. On the other hand, in the Spontaneous pushing group, the mother does not actively try to push in the onset of contraction (unless the pressure and force is involuntarily created). Then, the mothers were taken to the delivery bed, after delivery, information about labor, delivery, perineal status, and infant information was recorded. Data were analyzed with SPSS software, t-tests, and chi-square.

In the Spontaneous pushing group, the rate of instrumental delivery, duration of the second stage of labor, perineal rupture, abnormal fetal heart rate at the second stage (p<0/05) were significantly less and the amount of healthy perineum (p<0.01) and delivery experience score (p<0.001) were higher.

The Spontaneous pushing method reduces the chances of fetal abnormal heart rate, instrumental delivery, perineal injury, and duration of the second stage of labor and increases labor satisfaction. Therefore, it is recommended that this method be used in the second stage of labor.