Abstract
Objectives: To study the impact of maternal intravenous hydration on the following: Labor duration, the need for oxytocin administration, and the occurrence of adverse out-comes due to prolonged labor.
Patients and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 120 nulliparous women with normal singleton pregnancies divided in to three groups. Group A: Included 40 pregnant women received 250ml per hour. Group B: Included 40 pregnant women received 125ml per hour. Group C: Included 40 pregnant women did not receive any IV fluids.
Results: The duration of uterine contractions and active labor we found that all these measures were significantly higher in the 250ml group 37.9±3. 1 than in the 125ml group and the control group. There was no significant difference in frequency of oxytocin administration for inadequate labor progress and mode of delivery between the three groups. There was no significant difference between the three groups according to neonatal wellbeing by apgar score at 1,5 and 10 minute after birth.
Conclusion: It has been found that adequately hydrated women had a shorter labor duration than poorly hydrated women and that they did not require oxytocin as frequently for labor augmentation.