Early Versus Delayed Pushing in the Second Stage of Labor

Early Versus Delayed Pushing in the Second Stage of Labor

Nulliparous women in spontaneous or induced labour with term singleton pregnancy are randomized into two groups first group (early pushing) in this group patients were allowed to push within one hour after full cervical dilatation whether the vertex was visible or not. Second group (delayed pushing) patients here were asked not to push for maximum of 3 hours or start pushing when the vertex was visible.

Nulliparous women in spontaneous or induced labour with term singleton pregnancy are randomized into two groups first group (early pushing) in this group patients were allowed to push within one hour after full cervical dilatation whether the vertex was visible or not. Second group (delayed pushing) patients here were asked not to push for maximum of 3 hours or start pushing when the vertex was visible.

Oxytocin was allowed in both group and fetus was monitored with CTG.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy women
• Gestational age 36 to 40 weeks
• singleton pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

• women indicated for cesarean section
• Medical complications of pregnancy as hypertensive disorders or Diabetes Mellitus
• Fetal distress
• Epidural anaesthesia