Does Hydration shorten the duration of Labour?

Abstract

Objectives: the objective of this study is to assess the effect of intravenous infused fluid on progress of labour

Patients and Methods: this is a randomized controlled trial conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Banha University and Al-Mahla General Hospital, in which 150 pregnant women in active phase of labour were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A received 250 ml/hour Ringer’s Solution, Group B received 125 ml/hour Ringer’s Solution and Group C control group. Patients were followed up until delivery and all their data were recorded on the partogram.

Results: the results of our study reflected that group A has more uterine contractions than group B and group C and this difference was statistically significant. In addition to that, group A showed faster descent of the fetal head than group B and group C and this difference was significant statistically. Moreover, women in group A showed a longer mean ±SD duration of contraction than that of group B and group C [(38.44± 1.7), (36.32± 1.1), (35.15± 0.07)] respectively. Besides that women in group A had faster rate of cervical dilatation than that of the group B and group C [(5.90± 0.45), (5.50± 0.24) and (4.92± 0.46)] respectively. In addition to this, women in group A had a shorter first stage of labour than group B and group C and this difference was statistically significant. [(292.50± 50.47), (310.33± 33.52) and (329.56± 43.28)] respectively.

Conclusion: administration of 250ml/hour Ringer’s Solution enhances labour and makes the first stage of labour shorter, consequently, the duration of labour.