Effect of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes

Objective: To discuss the effect of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A total of 101 primiparas with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2 h were selected and pregnant women with the length less than 2 h served as control. The maternal and neonatal outcomes of two groups were observed and compared.

Results: A total of 62.1%(18/11) with the length of second stage of labor between 120 min and 180 min, 46.7%(28/32) between 181 min and 240 min and 12 longer than 241 min underwent vaginal delivery. The longer the length of second stage of labor, the lower score of Apgar scale for infants in 1 min, and the higher the incidence of asphyxia. But there was no difference in scale in 5 min. As second stage of labor prolonged, the incidences of cesarean section and of postpartum hemorrhage increased.

Conclusions: Almost half of puerperas with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2 h underwent vaginal delivery. The prolonged second stage of labor can decrease the score of Apgar scale in 1 min, increase the incidence of asphyxia, but has no effect on scale in 5 min. It still need more evidence from evidence medicine to definition of time and treatment of second stage of labor.