The effect of epidural analgesia on the second stage of labor.

A retrospective review of 202 randomly selected records of parturient labors examined the relationship between cervical dilation at epidural analgesia administration and length of the second stage of labor. The epidural group received bupivacaine 0.11% or 0.

Clinical associations of variable decelerations during reactive nonstress tests.

Six hundred ninety-three patients at or beyond 30 weeks' gestation with reactive nonstress tests (NSTs) were divided into groups based on the occurrence of variable decelerations of 15 seconds or more in duration and of 20 or more beats per minute in severity. Ultrasound examination within a month of testing showed no increases in nuchal cord localization or decreased amniotic fluid volumes in a subgroup of 181 patients. Fetuses with antepartum variable decelerations were more likely to demonstrate similar decelerations in labor (P less than .

Maternal upright posture and mobility in labor--a review.

There has been a relatively recent interest in alternative birthing techniques, including increased maternal mobility during labor. This literature review was pursued to evaluate the effect of upright maternal posture and ambulation on the first stage of labor. Although previous reviews frequently assume that maternal ambulation speeds labor progress, the data presented in this review are not conclusive as to whether the upright maternal posture or ambulation during the first stage of labor shortens labor length or improves fetal outcome.