Obstetric Gel Use to Shorten Labor and Prevent Lower Genital Tract Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Vaginal delivery can cause lower genital tract trauma.
• Practices to shorten labor duration and reduce trauma are actively researched.
• Evidence on obstetric gel's efficacy is limited and conflicting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare labor duration (first and second stages) and lower genital tract trauma.
• To evaluate the effect of obstetric gel application during labor versus standard care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 160 women.
• Participants were assigned to standard care (n=82) or standard care plus obstetric gel (n=78).
• The primary outcome was the duration of the second stage of labor.

Main Results:

• Obstetric gel did not significantly alter the duration of the first or second stages of labor.
• A subgroup analysis indicated a shorter second stage of labor in nulliparous women receiving obstetric gel (p=0.041).
• The study was underpowered for subgroup analyses.

Conclusions:

• Obstetric gel showed no statistically significant effect on overall labor outcomes.
• Further research with adequate power is needed to confirm potential benefits in nulliparous women.
• The findings call for more investigation before widespread adoption of obstetric gel for delivery.