The role of the angle of progression in the prediction of the outcome of occiput posterior position in the second stage of labor.

Background: Occiput posterior position is the most frequent cephalic malposition, and its persistence at delivery is associated with a higher risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity. Diagnosis and management of occiput posterior position remain a clinical challenge. This is partly caused by our inability to predict fetuses who will spontaneously rotate into occiput anterior from those who will have persistent occiput posterior position.

Measurement of the fetal occiput-spine angle during the first stage of labor as predictor of the progress and outcome of labor.

Background: Fetal head attitude has a substantial impact on labor progress and outcome. Fetal head deflexion is basically diagnosed by digital vaginal examination during labor.

Objectives: To assess the effect of the fetal occiput-spine angle (OSA) measured through transabdominal ultrasound during the first stage of labor on the progress and outcome of labor.