RESULTS
According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 500 women in labor were
recruited and were randomized in 2 groups A (n=250) at 4 cm and group
B(n=250) at 6 cm. The baseline variables, including the mean age and
mean length of gestation were comparable in both groups. As shown in
table 1, the mean duration of labor in progressing from 4-6 cm cervical
dilatation and then from 6-10 cm was almost similar in both groups. If
total time in reaching from 4-10 cm was observed in both groups, Women
in group B took more time to progress from 4 cm to 10cm, but the
difference was not statistically significant (P=0.63). The
95th percentile value was 8.27 hours and 9 hours
respectively in group A and group B.
Figure 1 depicts labour pattern curves based on median values for both
the groups. Assuming that labor data were log normally distributed,
distribution of times for progression from one integer centimetre of
dilatation to the next was calculated from the median value. Because
women were plotted on the modified WHO partograph when they are 4 cm
dilated so labor curve starts from 4 cm. Both curve shows that labour
accelerates after 6cm cervical dilatation in both groups.
When active phase slope was calculated linearly, the mean slope was
found to be 1.1 cm/hour and 1.4 cm/hour in group A and B with no
statistical difference. The minimum slope was same i.e. 0.6 cm/hour in
both the groups. When comparing slope from 6-10 cm it was 1.6cm/hour and
1.4 cm/hour in groups A and B.
In Table 2, when monitoring was observed using modified WHO partograph,
in group A 133 women (53.2%) and in group B, 209 women (83.6%)
remained on or left of the alert line which is statistically significant
(p=0.0001). In groups A and B 12% and 6.4% crossed the action line
respectively.