Effect of Walking during the Active Phase of Labor on the Progress of Labor among Primiparae

Rashad, Wafaa Abdelhamid; Mourad, Magda Youssef; Mutahar, Nada; El-Wousabi, Fadl

doi:10.21608/asalexu.2015.205512

Effect of Walking during the Active Phase of Labor on the Progress of Labor among Primiparae

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alexandria

² Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Sana'a, Yemen

³ Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sana'a, Yemen

10.21608/asalexu.2015.205512

Abstract

Background: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at labor and delivery unit
affiliated to El-Sabeen Maternity Hospital- Sana'a - Republic of Yemen. Objective: To
determine the effect of walking during active phase of labor on progress of labor among
primiparae. Setting: the study was conducted at labor and delivery unit affiliated to El-
Sabeen Maternity Hospital- Sana'a - Republic of Yemen. Subjects: A convenience sample of
120 primiparae in their active phase of labor were randomly assigned to either a study or a
control group. Tools: Two tools were used to collect the necessary data. Tool I: The
Partograph. Tool II: Hand Held Doppler. In addition, socio-demographic and clinical
characteristics. Results: The study revealed a statistically significant difference in the
progress of cervical dilatation over time between the two groups P=.001 (f=15.480). Mean
cervical effacement at the first hour was 57.0000±9.48683, 52.1429±6.99293 for study and
control group, respectively. The mean effacement at the sixth hour for the study group was
91.0000±5.67646, and for the control group was 87.1429±4.68807. A statistically significant
difference was also observed in relation to fetal descent among the two groups P=.000
(f=159.427). The same pattern was observed in relation to the frequency of contractions
P=.000 (f=57.390). Conclusion: It can be concluded that walking during active phase of the
first stage of labor can enhance the progress of cervical dilatation, effacement, fetal descent,
and intensity of uterine contraction. Accordingly, it can shorten the active phase and second
stage of labor. It also proved to be safe for the fetus as well as the newborn after delivery.

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