Does exercise during pregnancy decrease labor duration?

We tested whether maternal energy supplementation during the last third of gestation improves birth weight, neonatal wellbeing, and mother–young bonding. Thirty-six pregnant French Alpine goats were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments for the last third of pregnancy: (i) Control, fed alfalfa (T-0; n = 12); (ii) alfalfa + 150 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-150; n = 12); (iii) alfalfa + 300 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-300; n = 12). At birth, we collected progeny data on birth weight, birth type, sex, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, time to standing, time to udder connection, and time to first feeding. For the dams, we collected data on the duration of labor, time to clean the progeny, and time to allow first suckling. At birth, body weight, rectal temperature, heart rate, and the respiratory rate did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). In the dams, labor duration was not affected by the treatments (p > 0.05). The T-150 dams were faster to clean the newborn and allow first suckling (p < 0.05). The T-150 progeny were faster to stand and the T-300 progeny were faster to connect to the udder (p < 0.05). We conclude that energy supplementation of the dam during the last third of gestation does not affect the birth weight of the progeny, but enhances the mother–young bonding.

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High dose vs. low dose oxytocin for labor augmentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Journal of Perinatal Medicine ◽

10.1515/jpm-2020-0042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Rehab Abdelhamid Aboshama ◽

Ahmed Mohamed Abdelhakim ◽

Mohammad Abrar Shareef ◽

Abdulhadi A. AlAmodi ◽

Mohammad Sunoqrot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Delivery ◽

Low Dose ◽

Delivery Rate ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

High Dose ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Labor Duration ◽

Uterine Hyperstimulation ◽

Cesarean Delivery Rate ◽

Labor Augmentation

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the safety and efficacy between high dose and low dose oxytocin administration for labor augmentation.MethodsWe searched for the available studies during March 2020 in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ISI Web of science. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed safety and efficacy of high dose vs. low dose oxytocin for labor augmentation were considered. The extracted data were entered into RevMan software. Dichotomous and continuous data were pooled as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) respectively, with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our main outcomes were cesarean delivery rate, spontaneous vaginal delivery rate, uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole, and labor duration from oxytocin infusion.ResultsEight RCTs with 3,154 patients were included. High dose oxytocin did not reduce cesarean delivery rate compared to low dose oxytocin (OR=0.76, 95% CI [0.52, 1.10], p=0.15). After solving the reported heterogeneity, high dose oxytocin did not increase the rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries vs. low dose oxytocin (OR=1.06, 95% CI [0.84, 1.32], p=0.64). Low dose oxytocin was linked to a significant decline in uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole (p>0.001). A reduction in labor duration was found in high dose oxytocin group over low oxytocin regimen (MD=−1.02 h, 95% CI [−1.77, −0.27], p=0.008).ConclusionsWe found no advantages for high dose oxytocin over low dose oxytocin in labor augmentation except in reducing labor duration. Low dose oxytocin is safer as it decreases the incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole. More trials are needed to confirm our findings.

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Effect of Focusing on Maryam’s Flower During the First Stage of the Labor on the Labor Pain, Labor Duration, and Levels of Comfort and Satisfaction

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/1054773820984911 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 105477382098491

Author(s):

Hülya Türkmen ◽

Serap Çetinkaya ◽

Hafize Kiliç ◽

Emine Apay ◽

Devrim Karamüftüoğlu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Comfort Level ◽

Labor Pain ◽

Cervical Dilatation ◽

Control Group ◽

Flower Opening ◽

Labor Duration ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Comfort

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with an intervention group ( n = 61) and a control group ( n = 63) consisting of primipara pregnant women. The pregnant women in the intervention group were asked to focus their attention on Maryam’s flower opening its leaf buds and imagine the labor’s progress during the course of their labor. The VAS was administered to each group at specific times (at 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm, 8–9 cm cervical dilatation) to determine their level of labor pain. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups’ mean pain scores at 4–5 cm, 6–7 cm, and 8–9 cm cervical dilatation ( p < .05). The labor duration of the pregnant women in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that of the pregnant women in the control group ( p = .017). The physical comfort level of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 8–9 cm cervical dilatation ( p = .039).

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Exercise Counseling in Pregnancy: Do Women Perceive Receiving the Information They Need?

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/1559827621991851 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155982762199185

Author(s):

Connor Evins ◽

Jasmine Dennis ◽

Karson Mostert ◽

Shiv Patel ◽

David Enyart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Structural Barriers ◽

Exercise Frequency ◽

Exercise Counseling ◽

Care Survey ◽

Survey Results ◽

Disproportionate Number ◽

Exercise During Pregnancy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women exercise throughout pregnancy unless they have a condition-related contraindication. This study’s purpose was to determine if pregnant women perceive receiving exercise counseling by their providers with details of frequency, intensity, type, and time (FITT principle). Women in 2 postpartum care units of a large health care system were invited to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey regarding whether they received exercise counseling during their prenatal care. Survey results were descriptively reported, stratified by demographic variables, and analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests. Of 224 postpartum women surveyed, 130 (58.0%) perceived receiving exercise counseling during pregnancy; 119 (91.5%) did not recall receiving counseling on exercise frequency. Though 165 (73.6%) exercised before becoming pregnant, 64 (38.8%) ceased exercise during pregnancy. Eighty-eight (39.3%) received advice from other sources/non–health care professionals. Privately insured women reported receiving exercise counseling at a higher rate (70.1%) than those on Medicaid (44.8%) or uninsured (40.0%; P = .004). A disproportionate number of pregnant women perceived not receiving adequate prenatal exercise counseling or received incomplete counseling. Women at a socioeconomic disadvantage may be vulnerable. As social determinants of health, structural barriers, and socioeconomic status likely contribute, women may benefit from more targeted inclusive and equitable messaging.

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The Role of Skin-to-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding on Atonic Postpartum Hemorrhage

Nursing Reports ◽

10.3390/nursrep11010001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Wedad M. Almutairi ◽

Susan M. Ludington ◽

Mary T. Quinn Griffin ◽

Christopher J. Burant ◽

Ahlam E. Al-Zahrani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postpartum Hemorrhage ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Labor Duration ◽

Third Stage Of Labor ◽

Estimated Blood Loss ◽

Third Stage ◽

Skin To Skin ◽

Increasing Trends

Objectives: were to (a) determine incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in all women delivering between 2009 and 2015, and (b) determine the amount of Estimated Blood Loss (EBL) and duration of the third stage of labor in each subgroup for women with or without PPH, and (c) compare EBL and duration of 3rd stage of labor between subgroups in groups of women with or without PPH. Design: A retrospective chart review conducted using codes for atonic PPH. Setting: Records from a University based tertiary setting, 264 charts were reviewed and data from 154 charts were analyzed. One-way ANOVAs followed with post-hocs and a 2-way ANOVA were conducted. Results: PPH rate increased by 47.50% from 2009–2015. For women with PPH, EBL was lower in skin to skin contact (SSC) + Breastfeeding (BF) subgroup. For women without PPH, EBL was lower in SSC only subgroup. Third stage of labor duration was longer in women with PPH. Conclusions: Study confirmed the increasing trends of PPH due to uterine atony and proposed role of SSC and BF in decreasing EBL and shorten the duration of the 3rd stage of labor for PPH women, usefulness of SSC and BF as physiologic practices merit further study.

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Prolonged interpregnancy interval: how does it impact the length of second stage of labor?

Journal of Perinatal Medicine ◽

10.1515/jpm-2020-0171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (8) ◽

pp. 811-818

Author(s):

Nicole B. Kurata ◽

Keith K. Ogasawara ◽

Kathryn L. Pedula ◽

William A. Goh

Keyword(s):

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Kaiser Permanente ◽

Second Stage Of Labor ◽

Second Stage ◽

Labor Duration ◽

Nulliparous Women ◽

Multiparous Women ◽

Comparison Groups ◽

Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes ◽

Interpregnancy Intervals

AbstractObjectivesShort interpregnancy intervals (IPI) have been linked to multiple adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, but less is known about prolonged IPI, including its relationship with labor progression. The objective of the study was to investigate whether prolonged IPIs are associated with longer second stages of labor.MethodsA perinatal database from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was used to identify 442 women with a prolonged IPI ≥60 months. Four hundred forty two nulliparous and 442 multiparous women with an IPI 18–59 months were selected as comparison groups. The primary outcome was second stage of labor duration. Perinatal outcomes were compared between these groups.ResultsThe median (IQR) second stage of labor duration was 76 (38–141) min in nulliparous women, 15 (9–28) min in multiparous women, and 18 (10–38) min in women with a prolonged IPI (p<0.0001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significantly different second stage duration in the nulliparous group compared to both the multiparous and prolonged IPI groups, but no difference between the multiparous and prolonged IPI groups. There was a significant association with the length of the IPI; median duration 30 (12–61) min for IPI ≥120 months vs. 15 (9–27) min for IPI 18–59 months and 16 (9–31) min for IPI 60–119 months (p=0.0014).ConclusionsThe second stage of labor did not differ in women with a prolonged IPI compared to normal multiparous women. Women with an IPI ≥120 months had a significantly longer second stage vs. those with a shorter IPI. These findings provide a better understanding of labor progression in pregnancies with a prolonged IPI.

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