Comparative analysis of pregnancy outcome in pregnant women in active and latent phase of pregnancy; a study from a referral center in Northwestern Iran

Abstract

Admission and hospitalization time for labor can have an important effect on outcome of labor and if we investigate these factors, a lot of problems concerning mothers and baby will diminish. This study is conducted to analyze the comparison between outcome of pregnancy in hospitalized women in latent and active phases of pregnancy in Tabriz Taleghani Hospital. This descriptive-analytic study is carried out in Tabriz Taleghani Hospital. Pregnant women who had inclusion criteria were included in study and then they were separated in 2 groups (active and latent) they were selected in random. First group (mothers in latent phase (n=250))and second group(mothers in active phase of delivering (n=250))were hospitalized and total sample size was 500(N=500).Required information was collected according to delivery process observation, interviewing with mothers and reading their medical profiles. a questionnaire including research unit features, partograph form, check list for second,third and fourth and results of physical examination was used to collect information. SPSS (Ver. 13) was used to analyze data. In first group, 64% had 3cm dilatation and 67.3% of second group had 5.6cm dilatation. There was a statistically significant difference between Oxytocin use and labor induction (p<0.001); also between oxytocin use and anatomy(p<0.021). Ampicillin; Hyocine, Pethidine, and Promethazine administration was more in latent phase group than those in active phase. In second stage of pregnancy, applying pressure on uterine fundus in labor, first minute APGAR, umbilical artery blood pH and approaches to neonates there were a significant difference between 2 groups. There were statistical differences in amount of Hemoglobin level (P<0.007) and Hematocrit (P<0.008) before being discharged and in duration of hospitalization in gynecology ward between 2 groups. Although duration of second and third stage of labor in latent phase group was more than those in active phase, there wasn't any significant statistical difference between them. Results indicate that hospitalizing women in latent phase of labor is accompanied by increase in duration of hospitalization in postpartum ward and labor duration; also more complications and intervention on mothers and baby. Hence it's suggested to teach pregnant women about initiation of active phase and its symptoms in prenatal care. In order to prevent the complication of early hospitalization it's better to urge them if they don't have any particular problem, it would be better to be hospitalized only in their active phase of labor.