Neuromuscular control of childbirth-prepared women during the first stage of labor

To evaluate the neuromuscular control of Lamaze-prepared women during the first stage of labor and to identify the factors which influenced control, 94 women were studied. The women were categorized into two groups: class-taught and self-taught. A tool was devised to evaluate neuromuscular control. The study revealed that class-taught women exhibited a significantly higher degree of neuromuscular control, more frequent practice patterns, and a greater ability to make goal-directed statements about their labor than the self-taught women. The data also demonstrated an association between practice and control and goal directedness and control.