Clinical effectiveness of position management and manual rotation of the fetal position with a U-shaped birth stool for vaginal delivery of a fetus in a persistent occiput posterior position

Objective To examine the effects of position management, manual rotation of the fetal position, and using a U-shaped birth stool in primiparous women with a fetus in a persistent occiput posterior position. Methods This was a prospective pilot study of women who delivered at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital between January and June 2018. The women were divided into the position management ([PM] position management, manual rotation of fetal position, use of a U-shaped birth stool at different stages, and routine nursing) and control groups (position selected by women and routine nursing). Results There were 196 women in the PM group and 188 in the control group. There were no significant differences in maternal age, gestational weeks, newborn weight, and the neonatal asphyxia rate between the PM and control groups. The duration of labor was shorter in the PM group than in the control group. Pain and blood loss 2 hours after delivery and the episiotomy rate were significantly lower in the PM group than in the control group. Conclusion Applying position management, manual rotation of the fetal position, and using a U-shaped birth stool should be considered for women with a fetus in a persistent occiput posterior position.