Regulated Expiratory Methods During Childbirth Process: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Labor and Delivery Management

Background:

• Childbirth management strategies aim to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Regulated expiratory methods (REM) are proposed to influence labor progression and maternal experience.
• Evidence on the impact of REM on cesarean delivery rates and labor dynamics is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a regulated expiratory method (REM) on the childbirth process.
• To assess REM's effect on cesarean delivery rates and labor duration.
• To explore REM's influence on maternal childbirth experience and pain management.

Main Methods:

• Randomized trial comparing REM intervention with standard care.
• Inclusion criteria: first-time mothers, spontaneous labor onset, cephalic presentation.
• Primary outcome: cesarean delivery rate; secondary outcomes: labor duration, birth types, pain scores, qualitative experience.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in cesarean delivery rates (18.3% vs. 26.7%, P=0.274).
• Significant reduction in the second stage of labor (P=0.039) and pushing effort time (P=0.003) with REM.
• REM positively impacted maternal breathing, pushing intensity, communication, and overall childbirth experience, according to midwives.

Conclusions:

• REM shows potential in shortening labor duration and improving pain management.
• REM significantly enhances the maternal childbirth experience.
• While not significantly reducing cesarean rates, REM offers benefits in labor management and patient satisfaction.