Active delivery of the anterior arm and incidence of second-degree perineal tears: a clinical practice evaluation.

Background: Evaluate the feasibility of active delivery of the anterior arm during spontaneous delivery. This maneuver could decrease incidence of second-degree perineal tears because it reduces fetal biacromial diameter.

Methods: An observational comparative prospective study was conducted at our teaching maternity from July 2012 to March 2013.