PERINATAL OUTCOME IN RELATION TO SECOND STAGE DURATION

Abstract

Duration of the second stage is an important factor which affects labour outcome. More than any other objective measurement, duration determines the impact of child birth particularly on mothers, also on babies, and those who care for both of them.

A prolonged second stage is a time of particular anxiety for obstetrician, waiting for indications of maternal or fetal distress is an unwise as is unjustifiable early intervention. Several factors influence the duration of the second stage such as birth weight and an occipitoposterior position, but by far the most important single factor besides parity is the use of regional analgesia.

Ideally, every patient in labour, should be monitored. No study has demonstrated a statistically significant beneficial effect on perinatal morbidity and mortality from routine, continuous electronic fetal monitoring of the low risk pregnancy. There is, however general agreement that all high-risk pregnancies should be monitored.

Fetal monitoring includes clinical monitoring, electronic monitoring which is either external or internal monitoring and biochemical monitoring which is usually indicated when fetal distress is suspected on electronic monitoring.