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Prolonged labour attributed to large fetus

U Högberg1, M Lekâs Berg

  • 1Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Umeâ University, Sweden. ulf.hogberg@obstgyn.umu.se

The aim of this study is to assess the interactive dynamics of power, passenger and passage in relation to an adverse course of labour. The design was a community-based follow-up of all women with singleton pregnancies experiencing spontaneous term labour. Median of first stage was 2.6 h for multiparas and 3.7 h for primiparas. Median of second stage was 20 min for multiparas and 91 min for primiparas. Heavy birth weight significantly influenced a prolonged late first stage OR 6.6 (CI 2.1-21) and second stage of labour OR 4. 5 (CI 1.5-14) among primiparas. The attributable proportions of heavy birth weight for prolonged labour were 19-21%. Large paediatric head circumference showed a positive correlation to prolonged late first stage OR 3.2 (CI 1.2-9) and intervention OR 7.2 (CI 1.8-35), with an attributable proportion of 22%. For multiparas no significant association were found. To conclude, this study indicates that heavy birth weight and large head circumference contribute to 1/5th of the prolongation of labour and interventions among primiparas.

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