Shortening the second stage of labor?

To evaluate the benefits and risks of using uterine fundal pressure in shortening the second stage of labor and on the obstetrical outcome.

A pilot study comprising 209 primigravidae between 37 and 40 gestational weeks with singleton fetus in cephalic presentation admitted to the delivery suite were considered and were randomly allocated into two groups: I (n=101) and II (n=108), with or without manual fundal pressure, respectively, during the second stage of labor. Main observation measures considered were: duration of the second stage of labor was the primary outcome measure and the secondary outcome measures were severe maternal morbidity/mortality, neonatal trauma, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal death.

There were no significant differences in the mean duration of the second stage of labor and secondary outcome measures. Significant adverse findings having no mention in the earlier literature, were noticed which were: one case each of retained placenta and uterine prolapse besides increased evidence of maternal exhaustion and perineal injuries (including one case of complete perineal tear) in the group where fundal pressure was exercised.

Application of uterine fundal pressure in a delivering woman was not only ineffective in shortening the second stage of labor but added to the risks during parturition.